Design
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Display and Audio
The Galaxy S23 FE sports a familiar 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x display of 120Hz refresh rate. It is bright, vivid, and smooth. Nevertheless, the display differs from its predecessor as it does not extend to the phone’s edges. Notably, there are substantial display bezels at the top and sides, and a thicker one at the chin area.
Nonetheless, the display maintains good brightness and remains legible under bright outdoor conditions. By default, it delivers vibrant colours, but users have the option to switch to a natural colour profile via the phone’s display settings. Regarding screen responsiveness, the refresh rate is adaptive, ensuring some level of smoothness across apps and user interface. In everyday use, the display performs smoothly and adequately.
The stereo speakers complement the display well, delivering loud and clear audio. These speakers are enhanced by Dolby Atmos, providing a broad soundstage experience, particularly valuable for multimedia content. For a similar audio experience in games, there is a dedicated option to enable Dolby Atmos specifically for gaming. All in all, the speakers offer a commendable audio experience.
Camera
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In terms experience, the Galaxy S23 FE represents a significant upgrade over the predecessor. It boasts a versatile rear camera system, covering focal lengths ranging from 13mm (ultra-wide-angle) to 76mm (3x zoom). Samsung has included its premium Nightography feature for improved low-light performance, making a noticeable difference to the overall photography experience.
Both the primary and ultra-wide-angle sensors perform well under various lighting conditions. The telephoto lens excels in portrait and daytime shots, but struggles in low-light settings due to its narrow aperture. Speaking of portraits, the Galaxy S23 FE excels in producing rich bokeh while maintaining sharp subject contours. Importantly, portrait mode is not exclusive to the telephoto lens; you can use the primary sensor to capture portraits. Through the same sensor, you can achieve a 2x zoom for portraits, resulting in good portrait output even in low-light scenarios, where the telephoto lens has limitations.
In the video department, the Galaxy S23 FE can record videos in up to 8K resolution at 24 frames per second, although this resolution is restricted to the primary sensor. You can record 4K resolution videos at 30fps from all three rear sensors. The front camera is capable of 4K recording at 60fps. In terms of performance, the video recording experience is smooth and on par with other smartphones in its price range.
As for the front camera, it represents a solid improvement over its predecessor. It captures shots with natural colour tones, a feat that many of its peers struggle to achieve. Portraits from the front camera are praiseworthy, but they do not match the quality visible on the portraits taken from the rear cameras in terms of subject-background separation.
Performance
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Battery and Charging
Equipped with a 4,500mAh battery, the Galaxy S23 FE comfortably lasts through a day of normal usage. The screen-on time averages around five hours, which is moderate. The phone supports 25W fast charging, although it includes only the charging cable, with the compatible charging adaptor available as a separate accessory. Notably, the phone supports wireless and reverse wireless charging, providing an advantage over other smartphones in the segment.
Verdict
Priced at Rs 59,999 onwards, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is an all-round smartphone and serves as an affordable entry point into the premium Galaxy experience. If you are already part of the Samsung ecosystem and seek an affordable smartphone equipped with premium Galaxy features, the Galaxy S23 FE is a clear choice. However, for those outside the ecosystem, alternatives such as the OnePlus 11 5G offer superior experiences in various aspects while being more cost-effective.
