It did not escape Samsung that the Christmas holidays were approaching. If you still have room under the tree, its new Galaxy S23 FElaunched on December 8, promises the best for a tighter price than its predecessor, the S23. 20 minutes was able to test this new smartphone sold from 699 euros*.
Android 14 and recycled fishing nets
FE for “Fan Edition”. If the Galaxy S22 from the South Korean manufacturer did not have the honors of such an edition (you have to go back to the S21 for the FE name to appear in its catalog), the S23 FE, launched on December 8, arrives a little in disaster a few days before the end of year celebrations. Many cite component availability problems. Still, it looks good, this S23 FE.
Under Android 14, offered in a fairly wide range of colors pop (graphite; sea green; purple, cream, and blue and orange exclusively on the manufacturer’s website), the device does not seem to lack resistance with its thick aluminum borders. Its back, also made of aluminum (it was plastic on the S21 FE) and its screen are protected by a Gorilla Glass 5 coating.
Rated IP68, the Galaxy S23 FE is also dust and submersion resistant. For the clumsy, the cursors are indeed green. Speaking of green, Samsung specifies that its mobile incorporates recycled plastic from water barrels, fishing nets and bottles! A recurring argument from the manufacturer, which is sure to hit the mark with the most eco-friendly. Or give a clear conscience. But the manufacturer is hard-pressed to indicate, despite our questions, in what proportions these plastics are used in the composition of its latest toy.
A screen that delights the retina
However, we are immediately seduced by the screen of this S23 FE. Full HD +, with a diagonal of 6.4” (340 x 1080 pixels), with a refresh rate oscillating between 60 Hz and 120 Hz. This is an asset for a smoother display in video games, even if we regret that the onboard processor (Exynos 2200, an in-house model) does less well than the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 from Qualcomm which powers the classic S23.
Still: the Dynamic Amoled panel of the S23 FE is eye-catching. Its blacks are extremely deep, its brightness very pronounced (1,450 nits) and its colors vibrant. Enough to enjoy watching video and gaming (by activating Dolby Atmos), especially since the mobile’s stereo speakers are of good quality.
For their part, music lovers will be able to further personalize their listening using a nine-band equalizer… well hidden. We find it in Settings/Sounds and Vibrations/Quality and sound effects.
Successful Portraits and Selfie Portraits
Expected in the photo, where the Galaxy S23 excels, the S23 FE logically does a little less well, but holds its place. Featuring three cameras**, the rear photo/video module of the smartphone is designed to offer the user a range of tools suitable for all types of shots. Certainly, the 3x optical zoom is not that of the big brother (10x), but the smartphone does not deserve it.
We particularly appreciated its Portrait functions, with an effect bokeh (artistic blur behind the subject) well done, but also Portrait Selfie (in 10 megapixels), with an Auto filter which, if desired, brings a beautiful warmth to your self-portraits. Failing to take macro photos (the ultra wide-angle mode that you can use for this on certain smartphones does not give conclusive results here), you can nevertheless have fun taking cool close-ups, as demonstrated the photo below.
On the video side, the Galaxy S23 FE films up to 4K at 60 frames/second, with effective stabilization. Enough to immortalize some beautiful unwrapping of gifts at the foot of the tree, especially since the smartphone copes quite well with low light. The editing of the filmed sequences can be ensured by the application Studio natively embedded, quite basic in its approach, but easy to use with its pre-recorded music, its stickersemoticons and others emoji which will allow you to quickly create small clips to share.
Autonomy lagging behind
The only real point that could overshadow the S23 FE is its autonomy. Loaded with a 4,500 mAh battery (where most mid-range smartphones display 5,000 mAh), the latest Samsung is struggling to exceed a day’s use. The manufacturer claims 22 hours of video autonomy, but, by letting it run on Netflix, we did not reach these peaks (only around fifteen hours). What’s more, its recharge is far from fast: 25 watts. That’s more than 90 minutes of charging. And no charger is provided. The smartphone remains compatible with wireless charging, but also energy sharing, for example, to recharge compatible headphones.
Exciting in many ways, Samsung’s Galaxy S23 FE is ultimately not a degraded S23. Very good smartphone despite its somewhat weak autonomy, reassuring with its resistance and the four major updates promised (which makes it reliable and secure until 2028), its selling price does not, however, sufficiently distinguish it from the one it inherits, the Galaxy S23. In 128 GB and with a charger included, the flagship from Samsung currently stands at 729 euros. The less impatient can also wait for the announcement, in January, of the new Galaxy S24 which, mechanically, will bring down the sales prices of the S23, S23 + and S23 Ultra set. And maybe that of S23 FE.
*699 euros (128 GB/8 GB) and 759 euros (256 GB/8 GB). Until January 16, a free pair of Galaxy Buds FE headphones worth 99 euros.
**50 megapixels (wide angle; f/1.8); 12 Mpx (ultra wide-angle; f/2.2); 8 Mpx (telephoto lens up to 3x optical; f/2.4). 10 megapixel front sensor).