If the price is right and you like the looks, the Galaxy S23 FE is a solid buy.
The rest of this review remains as previously published.
Im telling you this really is a Galaxy S23 for the fans.
Samsung DeX gives you a real desktop with a taskbar
What makes this a Galaxy S23 for the fans?
It also has a solid build quality, with total water resistance.
It even comes in some cool colors.
The Galaxy S23 FE is overloaded with features, like every good Samsung phone.
In some ways, the S23 FE even tops Samsungs biggest competitor.
It has Wi-Fi 6E, which theiPhone 15cant match.
The iPhone has USB-C, but the Galaxy has a much more capable USB-C port with faster charging.
Take that, iPhone.
It looks like a cheaper version of the Galaxy S23.
It doesnt look like a bargain phone.
Bargain phones gussy up cheap plastic to make a nice-looking shell that isnt really durable.
The Galaxy S23 FE feels plenty durable.
It also feels thick and heavy.
Definitely not chintzy, not at all, the materials feel strong and premium.
Samsung just didnt bother cutting any bulk from this big guy.
That said, youll appreciate the durability in three or four years when you are still using this phone.
Its more powerful than aGoogle Pixel 7, with more features.
Its got better cameras than theMotorola Edge.
Its not already two years old, like the comparably-pricediPhone 13.
Samsung gives you a lot when you jump into the Galaxy S family.
If you want a phone thats better than this, youll have to spend a lot more.
Want more of our thoughts on the latest Galaxy phones?
Check out our news round-ups for the upcomingGalaxy S24and the rumoredGalaxy S24 Ultra.
You could find cheaper phones like the Pixel 7 or theGalaxy A54.
Or, you could get an iPhone 13, which is still available new.
It was expensive and underpowered.
Id be remiss if I didnt mention the deals weve already seen on this phone.
We rarely get such amazing deals before we can even finish a review.
Even at full price, however, the Galaxy S23 FE is a good choice.
If you’re able to find a deal, absolutely grab this phone.
Samsung DeX gives you a real desktop with a taskbar
Even if you cant, this is the best new phone you might buy at this price.
It has the same 8GB of RAM that youll find in the Galaxy S23.
In other words, its plenty powerful.
Where does Samsung cut corners?
Well, Qualcomms newest processor is a bit faster than the 2022 chipset.
The screen on the S23 FE is very nice, but the regular Galaxy S23 is brighter.
A great sandwich deserves a great Food mode
This phone had no trouble lasting all day, and it was fun to use.
Galaxy S23 FE review: Design
Do smartphone colors seem a bit serious to you?
The Galaxy S23 FE is here to help.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
The purple on my review sample is thehappiest purple Ive seen on a phonein years.
The tangerine color will inspire oohs from folks who spot your phone.
The colors are bright, glossy, and saturated.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
Why start with the colors?
Because if youve seen one Galaxy S phone, youve seen the rest.
The design for the Galaxy S23 FE comes straight from the Galaxy S playbook.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
Its glass front and back.
The cameras are like portholes peeking out from beneath the sea of purple (or tangerine).
This phone is thick, for sure.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
It looks big and feels big.
The sides are brushed metal and nicely rounded, so its very comfortable to hold.
Its just abig chongusof a phone.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
The bezels around the display are big and they arent symmetrical, which bothered me.
I couldnt not see the unevenness.
Maybe this sort of thing doesnt bother you.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
If it does, you know who you are, and this will bother you.
Only for true fans, though.
For instance, the Galaxy S23 FE can charge other devices wirelessly using a feature called Wireless Power Sharing.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
So, where do you find this feature?
Hold the Bixby button (read: Power button) and say, Turn on wireless power sharing.
The feature is turned on.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
You wont have to worry about the next part.
At first, I thought the feature was called reverse wireless charging, but its called wireless power sharing.
I looked under the Battery and unit care controls, but it wasnt there.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
It wasnt even buried under the corner submenu dots.
I couldnt find it.
To find wireless power sharing, you have to tap on the Battery meter.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
Theres no indication that this is even a button or a menu.
You just have to know.
Im a longtime Samsung user, so I expect these things.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
They are impossible to find.
They are hidden under buttons that dont even look like buttons.
Its great to have so many features, but Samsung needs to simplify.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
I was shocked to find Samsungs powerful DeX on the Galaxy S23 FE.
DeX is Samsungs desktop environment experience.
Its basically a new home screen that your phone creates when you connect to an external monitor.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
It feels like a Chromebook.
DeX is endlessly useful if you know when to use it.
it’s possible for you to just work on your phone the way youd work on a computer.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
TheGalaxy Z Flip 5, which has aQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2processor inside, doesnt have DeX on board.
Amazingly, a bargain phone like the S23 FE has such powerful software.
You know whats also amazing?
Samsung forgot to load a Clock app.
Its time to simplify.
The main camera is very good, especially under bright lighting conditions, though details werent always perfect.
In every mode, photos are highly saturated on this phone, but thats nothing new to Samsung fans.
The Pixel 7, like the Motorola Edge and the iPhone 13, skips the telephoto lens.
If you want real zoom on your camera, youre going to need the Galaxy S23 FE.
Samsung needs to make more decisions for us and get rid of so many unnecessary options.
Confusingly, Samsung includes two photo gallery apps: its own Gallery andGoogle Photos.
It handles all the detailed particle and motion effects inMarvelSnapwith aplomb, at 60 FPS.
Most of Samsungs choices add up to better battery life on the Galaxy S23 FE.
The screen isnt as bright as the Galaxy S23?
The processor isnt as fast?
Thats a feature you only find on premium smartphones.
Dig and you shall be rewarded.
Or just let the phone do its own thing and it will still last all day.
Either way, the battery life was good.
Should you buy the Galaxy S23 FE?
This is one of the few phones in the middle that gives you more and is worth buying.
Dont tell me its not for the fans.
Samsung gives you the best looking phone in bright, glossy colors.
This might be the better camera pick for the money.
Motorola Edge (2022)The Motorola Edge is a bargain phone that masquerades as a flagship.
You might find it cheaper, however.
I used the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE to take photos, navigate with maps, and play games.
For battery testing, I recorded my usage during the day and noted the times the phone died.
I timed the phone during the charging process to verify charging claims.
Read more about how we test
First reviewed December 2023
