Amir ZulkarnainAre you looking for a flagship smartphone that won’t break the bank? If so, you might want to check out the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, the latest addition to the Galaxy S series.
The Galaxy S23 FE is a fan edition of the Galaxy S23, which means it offers some of the best features of the flagship model at a more affordable price.
In this review, we will take a look at the specifications, performance, camera, battery and price of the Galaxy S23 FE and see if it is worth buying.
Introduction
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is a premium mid-range smartphone that was launched globally on 4 October 2023 and will be available in Malaysia from 10 October 2023 onwards .
It comes with a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 120Hz refresh rate, a triple rear camera setup with a 50MP main sensor, a 10MP selfie camera, a 4500mAh battery with 25W fast charging and wireless charging support, and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The Galaxy S23 FE also features a sleek design with four color options: Mint, Cream, Graphite and Purple.
The Galaxy S23 FE has two variants depending on the chipset: one with the Exynos 2200 processor and one with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor. Both variants have 8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 256GB of internal storage.
The Exynos variant is available in most markets, including Malaysia, while the Snapdragon variant is exclusive to the US market . The Exynos 2200 is Samsung’s first chipset to use AMD’s RDNA2 graphics architecture, which promises to deliver improved gaming performance and power efficiency .
The Galaxy S23 FE is priced at RM2999 for the 8GB + 128GB model and RM3299 for the 8GB + 256GB model in Malaysia .
It also comes with some attractive offers such as free double storage upgrade, additional rebate up to RM350 when you trade-in your old device, and up to 30% off on selected accessories . You can buy the Galaxy S23 FE from Samsung’s official website or from authorized retailers.
Specification table
| Specification | Galaxy S23 FE |
|---|---|
| Processor (CPU) | Exynos 2200 (4 nm) – International / Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) – USA |
| GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) | Xclipse 920 – International / Adreno 730 – USA |
| RAM (Random Access Memory) | 8GB |
| Internal Storage | 128GB / 256GB |
| Battery | Li-Ion 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Display | 6.4 inches, Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1080 x 2340 pixels, 120Hz |
| Camera | Rear: Triple – 50 MP (wide) + 8 MP (telephoto) + 12 MP (ultrawide) / Front: Single – 10 MP (wide) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, USB Type-C, OTG |
| Security Features | Fingerprint (under display), Face recognition |
| Operating System and Updates | Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Additional Features | IP68 dust/water resistant, Bixby voice assistant, Samsung Pay, Samsung Care+, Samsung Rewards |
Performance
The Galaxy S23 FE delivers smooth and fast performance thanks to its powerful processor and ample RAM. Whether you are browsing the web, watching videos, playing games or multitasking, you will not experience any lag or stutter.
The Exynos variant of the Galaxy S23 FE is especially impressive in gaming performance, as it can handle high-end games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile at high settings with ease.
The Snapdragon variant is also capable of running these games smoothly, but it may not offer the same level of graphics quality as the Exynos variant.
The Galaxy S23 FE also has a stunning display that makes everything look vivid and sharp. The Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology provides rich colors, deep blacks and wide viewing angles.
The display also supports HDR10+ for enhanced contrast and brightness. The best part of the display is the adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz, which makes scrolling and animations feel fluid and responsive. You can also adjust the refresh rate manually to save battery life or suit your preference.
The Galaxy S23 FE has a user-friendly interface with One UI 5.1 on top of Android 13. One UI 5.1 offers a clean and intuitive design, with customizable themes, icons and widgets. It also has some useful features such as edge panels, dark mode, quick settings, app drawer and gesture navigation.
One UI 5.1 also supports Android 13’s new features such as privacy dashboard, chat bubbles, notification history and more. The Galaxy S23 FE is expected to receive regular security updates and at least two major OS updates in the future.
Camera
The Galaxy S23 FE has a versatile camera system that can capture stunning photos and videos in various scenarios.
The main camera has a 50MP sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, phase detection autofocus and optical image stabilization. It can take detailed and clear shots in daylight and low-light conditions, with accurate colors and dynamic range. The main camera also supports 4K video recording at 30fps, with HDR10+ and stereo sound.
The telephoto camera has an 8MP sensor with an f/2.4 aperture, phase detection autofocus and 3x optical zoom. It can zoom in on distant subjects without losing much quality or detail. The telephoto camera also supports portrait mode, which creates a bokeh effect by blurring the background.
The portrait mode works well for both human and non-human subjects, with good edge detection and natural-looking results.
The ultrawide camera has a 12MP sensor with an f/2.2 aperture and a 123-degree field of view. It can capture more of the scene in a single shot, which is ideal for landscapes, architecture and group photos.
The ultrawide camera also has a distortion correction feature, which reduces the fisheye effect that is common in wide-angle lenses.
The selfie camera has a 10MP sensor with an f/2.4 aperture and a 26mm focal length. It can take decent selfies with good skin tones and exposure, but it may not be very sharp or detailed.
The selfie camera also supports portrait mode, which works similarly to the rear camera’s portrait mode. The selfie camera can also record 4K videos at 30fps, with HDR10+ and stereo sound.
The Galaxy S23 FE has some additional camera features that enhance the photography experience. These include night mode, pro mode, panorama mode, slow motion mode, super steady mode, single take mode and director’s view mode. Night mode improves the low-light performance by combining multiple frames into one bright and noise-free image. Pro mode allows you to adjust the ISO, shutter speed, white balance and focus manually for more creative control.
Panorama mode lets you capture wide-angle photos by stitching together multiple shots. Slow motion mode lets you record videos at 240fps or 960fps for dramatic effects. Super steady mode stabilizes the video recording by using the ultrawide camera as a gimbal. Single take mode captures multiple photos and videos from different angles and filters with one tap. Director’s view mode lets you switch between the front and rear cameras while recording a video.
Battery
The Galaxy S23 FE has a decent battery life that can last for a full day of moderate use. The 4500mAh battery can handle tasks like web browsing, social media, streaming music and video, gaming and photography without draining too quickly.
However, if you use the display at high brightness or refresh rate, or if you play intensive games for long periods, you may need to charge the phone before the end of the day.
The Galaxy S23 FE supports fast charging up to 25W with the included charger or any compatible USB Power Delivery charger.
It can charge from 0% to 50% in about 30 minutes . The Galaxy S23 FE also supports wireless charging up to 15W with any Qi-certified charger or Samsung’s Wireless Charger Duo Pad . It also supports reverse wireless charging up to 4.5W, which means you can use the phone as a power bank to charge other devices like earbuds or smartwatches .
Pricelist
Here the price list of samsung galaxy s23 FE in malaysia:
| Storage | Price (RM) |
|---|---|
| 128GB | RM2999 |
| 256GB | RM3299 |
Conclusion
The Galaxy S23 FE is a great smartphone for fans of Samsung who want a flagship experience without breaking the bank. Here are some of the pros and cons of the device:
Pros:
- Large and vibrant 6.5-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
- Powerful Exynos 2200 processor with AMD GPU
- Versatile quad-camera setup with 64MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 8MP telephoto, and 5MP macro lenses
- IP68 water and dust resistance
- Wireless charging and reverse wireless charging support
- Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos
- Android 13 with One UI 5.1
Cons:
- Plastic back instead of glass or metal
- No microSD card slot for storage expansion
- No headphone jack
- No under-display fingerprint sensor
You should buy the Galaxy S23 FE if you are looking for a high-performance smartphone with a smooth display, a great camera system, and a long-lasting battery. You should not buy it if you prefer a more premium design, more storage options, or more audio features.
The Galaxy S23 FE is a fan edition for everyone who loves Samsung and wants to enjoy its latest innovations at a reasonable price.