Samsung Galaxy S23 vs S23 Fan Edition: A Comparative Review

Samsung’s Galaxy S23 and the Galaxy S23 Fan Edition (FE) are two devices that have been getting a lot of attention. Both devices share a strong family resemblance in design and performance, yet there are some differences to note.

Similar Aesthetics, Different Dimensions

Both phones share a rounded rectangular shape, dominated by the screen on the front panel. The Galaxy S23 has slightly thinner bezels than the S23 FE and features a polished finish for its metal frame, while the S23 FE has a matte finish. The rear panels look similar, thanks to vertically aligned, triple-lens camera arrays.

The most noticeable difference is their size. The Galaxy S23 is more compact and lighter, while the S23 FE is larger and heavier. The S23 features a 6.1-inch screen with a peak brightness of 1,750 nits, while the S23 FE comes with a 6.4-inch display with a maximum brightness of 1,500 nits. Both have refresh rates of up to 120Hz and the same resolution.

Toughness Comparison

The Galaxy S23 and S23 FE are both IP68-rated, meaning they can survive a dunk in water up to 5 feet deep for up to 30 minutes. The S23 uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2, the newest and toughest version of Corning’s glass, while the S23 FE uses Gorilla Glass 5, which debuted in 2016. Both resist shattering and scratches, but Victus 2 should offer better protection against damage.

Performance and Power

The S23 uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 system on a chip (SoC), while the S23 FE uses the older Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. In terms of benchmarks, the Galaxy S23 scores higher than the S23 FE. However, both devices perform well with multitasking and power-hungry apps.

Both the S23 and S23 FE have identical options for memory and storage, with 8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. Neither supports expansion through a microSD card.

Battery Life and Charging

The S23 packs a 3,900mAh battery, which in tests survived 13 hours and 12 minutes. The larger S23 FE has a bigger battery at 4,500mAh but it lasted less at just over 10 hours in the same test. Both devices can fast charge at 25W and support Qi wireless charging up to 15W and reverse wireless charging at 7.5W.

Camera Capabilities

The Galaxy S23 and the S23 FE both have a 50MP main shooter and a 12MP ultra-wide on the back. The S23 has a 12MP selfie cam on the front while the S23 FE has a slightly lower-resolution 10MP shooter. The S23 has a slight edge in video capture, recording video at up to 8K/30fps, while the S23 FE maxes out at 8K/24fps.

Choosing the Right S23

The Galaxy S23 starts at $799.99 for the 8GB/128GB model, while the base 8GB/128GB S23 FE runs $529.99. If saving nearly $200 is a priority, the S23 FE is the better deal. The choice between a 6.1-inch display or a 6.4-inch screen is a personal preference. Both the Galaxy S23 and the Galaxy S23 FE offer excellent performance and features, making the choice largely dependent on individual needs and preferences.