Samsung has recently launched a new device for their FE range with the Galaxy S23 FE. It's surprising that they skipped the FE version on the Galaxy S22 so many thought it might be discontinued for some reason.
But it seems that Samsung made another surprise with the Galaxy S23 FE this year. So is the reappearance of the FE version of the device in the year capable of captivating the hearts of users? Or raise doubts or question marks anyway? We will try to answer them in this first look article.
SPECIFICATIONS
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Screen 6.4″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz
1080 x 2340 pixels (403ppi)
Gorilla Glass 5
Exynos 2200 processor (4 nm)
1 x 2.8 GHz Cortex-X2 chip
3 x 2.50 GHz Cortex-A710
4 x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A510
Adreno 730 Graphics Chip
RAM 8GB RAM
128/256GB Internal Storage
Primary Camera 50 MP, f/1.8 (wide), PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.4 (telephoto), PDAF, 3x optical zoom
12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultra-wide)
Selfie Camera 10 MP, f/2.4, (wide)
4500mAh battery
Wired 25W
SIM/Telephony Dual SIM nano / 4G
NFC Yes
No Audio Jack
Waterproof IP68
Scan System Fingerprint scanner
Face Scan
Sale Price RM2,999 (8GB/128GB)
RM3,299 (8GB/256GB)
Design And Screen
Beautiful and elegant, these two words are present in my mind which is honestly stunned by the beauty of this new Samsung device. A closer look at the used elements is enough to trigger the taste to continue exploring this device in depth.
To those who may be wondering where Samsung is positioning this device. If you look at the logic, it should be right below the Galaxy S23 series in terms of lower prices. It can be said that it is very suitable as an attractive alternative to the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23 Plus.
At a glance, some might think it's the same as the previous Galaxy S23 series device. The fact is that there are still changes made for the purpose of cutting manufacturing costs but still remain exclusive. Using a completely flat screen and rounded sides, this device features an ergonomic build that is comfortable and easy to handle.
It is also only suitable to be used with one hand without any problems. At the same time, Samsung also emphasized the body element of a light device that is easy to carry anywhere. In addition, the size that is not very thick makes it easy to store, and the device also comes with a 'timeless' finish because it is suitable for styling in any situation.
The color selection is also cheerful which highlights the appearance of this device. There are four options available which consist of Graphite, Mint, Purple and Cream which is then combined with a silver colored aluminum frame. Personally, I like the uniqueness of the Galaxy S23 FE Purple device that has different color tones.
Usually the purple color used on most devices in the market looks soft, but Samsung has chosen a darker color that makes the device stand out. Next, Samsung also said that the frame of this device is made of ordinary aluminum instead of the more durable Aluminum Armor like the previous Galaxy S23.
The size of the screen used is 6.4-inches with FHD+ resolution and a refresh rate of 120Hz. The size is in the middle between the 6.1-inch Galaxy S23 screen and the 6.6-inch Galaxy S23 Plus.
This means that the Galaxy S23 FE offers a standard screen size that is neither too small nor too small to use. The panel is a type of Dynamic AMOLED which is necessarily able to offer bright color reproduction. In addition to the wide viewing angle capability for a satisfying viewing experience.
There is also a small hole placed in the middle for the selfie camera. It's so small that it doesn't cause a disturbance and even its existence may not be noticed by most users after long-term use.
The peak brightness can reach 1,450nits but is slightly lower than the Galaxy S23 with 1,750nits. At the same time the device is also only protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 instead of Corning Gorilla Victus 2.
Moving on to the buttons and connection holes, all of them can be found in an ergonomic position. The power button and audio adjustment are placed on the right side, and then the left side looks empty.
At the top there is a SIM slot without a micro SD card slot. This means users are only allowed two nano SIM cards with no micro SD card capability. While the bottom part of this device is loaded with a USB-C port and a speaker grille with stereo audio.
In addition, the device also still packs other premium features such as IP68 waterproofing, speakers with AKG audio and NFC. Even so, no 3.5mm audio jack access is provided here which requires additional dongle support for wired earphone use. As an easier option, users can just use wireless earphones.
Hardware And Software
Speaking of internal hardware, the Galaxy S23 FE in Malaysia is powered by an Exynos 2200 chip, making it the only device in the United States to use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.
The Exynos 2200 is a 4nm technology chip based on an eight-core build consisting of one Cortex-X2 core, three Cortex-A710 cores and four Cortex-A510 cores. The focus is on the Xclipse GPU based on AMD RDNA 2 technology, which is also equipped with an FP16 high-definition NPU.
8GB of RAM memory and optional storage of up to 256Gb are provided without the possibility of additional space via a microSD card. However, the storage can still be increased virtually up to 8GB through the RAM Plus feature. This means users can get up to 16GB of RAM in total for smoother use.
A brief usage experience shows that the device works as usual with satisfactory animation smoothness with the help of a 120Hz screen. It will however continue to be tested from time to time to see more in-depth performance that will be shared in future articles.
OneUI 5.1 operating system based on Android 13 is used on the device. This means that all the built-in features and functions offered are similar to the Galaxy S23 device since the software is the same. This means an update guarantee of up to four Android versions and five years of security patches can also be offered on the device.
The interface elements shown are also minimalistic, neat and easy to understand. Improvements to security through Samsung Knox are also maintained with the ability to detect if the user's personal data has been leaked.
Camera Configuration
The camera system used consists of a 50MP main lens, 12MP ultra wide angle and 8MP telephoto which also supports built-in OIS. The picture capture option can be taken at a ratio of 1:1, 4:3, 16:9 and full, then followed by the ability to zoom up to 3X optical and 30X digital. Video capabilities can be recorded up to UHD 8K/24FPS, which also includes a built-in stabilization system that can only be used at 4K video resolution.
The camera also supports built-in AI and HDR to allow photos to be taken with good light balance. Various built-in camera modes are also offered consisting of Aperture, Portrait, Photo, Video, Pro and More. The included 10MP selfie camera without autofocus is also smaller than the 12MP on previous Galaxy S23 devices.
Battery Capacity
The battery and charging system have not changed. Through it Samsung still uses a 4,500mAh battery that supports 25W wired charging on the device. But it can still be considered adequate for use throughout the day since the battery life of a device depends on how it is used.
For example, frequent use that also involves supporting a 120Hz screen all the time will necessarily result in faster battery drain. But if on the contrary it is felt that there is no problem to last a day. The recharging process can be done using the USB-C connection. The device also supports wireless charging which is seen to provide another added value.
What's In The Box
Here's what you get with every purchase of the Galaxy S23 FE device in Malaysia.
1x Samsung Galaxy S23 FE.
1x USB-A to USB-C charging cable.
1x User Manual.
1x SIM Pin.
Conclusion
Personally I think the reappearance of the FE version this year is just adequate and not uninteresting at all. A lot of things haven't changed but it's still fine. Consumers should also not have high hopes considering that it is just an alternative device with a lower price. Of course there are some things that need to be sacrificed for the purpose of lower manufacturing costs.
However, Samsung is actually still doing good things in some aspects. This includes using a compact body with a display that shines through a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen. The device also includes a high refresh rate of 120Hz for smooth use.
Personally I made a simple decision that the reappearance of the FE version this year may not be able to attract the attention of some users. But this does not mean that there is absolutely nothing interesting about the device. For those interested, this device is sold at a price starting at RM2,999 for (8GB/128GB) and rising to RM3,299 for 8GB/256GB.
Advantage
Practical and balanced design.
AMOLED screen with high refresh rate.
Four versions of Android support and five years of security.
IP68 waterproof.
Deficiencies
No audio jack.
No micro SD card slot.
A charger is not included and is not as fast as competitors.