Samsung’s back with a new Fan Edition phone, the Galaxy S23 FE. After ditching the FE line last year, Samsung resurrected it in hopes we’ll ignore their little breakup.

But why take them back so easily?

For one thing, the price. Samsung’s touting a $599 starting tag. Sure, that’s not cheap cheap, but it’s cheaper than usual for a Samsung flagship Lite.

Should you believe their pricing promises? Let’s jump in.

How much is the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE?

Short answer: $599 starting in the US, £519 in the UK.

Stateside, Samsung’s officially pricing the S23 FE at $599 for an 8GB/128GB model. In the UK, you’re looking at £519 for the same. That’s a solid $100 less than last year’s Galaxy S21 FE and roughly $200 lower than the vanilla S23.

Will it stay that price? Retailers like Amazon and Best Buy often discount, so you might pay less. And carriers could subsidize further with trade-ins and plan bundles. But MSRP is $599/$519.

What else are you getting at this price?

Despite the lower cost, the S23 FE theoretically packs plenty of solid hardware like:

• Large 6.4” OLED display with 120Hz
• Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor
• Triple rear camera setup (50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 8MP telephoto)
• Beefy 4,500 mAh battery
• 5G connectivity
• IP68 water and dust resistance

Now, we can’t call it flagship-grade since they cut some corners. But on paper, the S23 FE gives you a lot of phone for the money. Emphasis on “on paper” until we can test it.

How does it compare to other midrange phones?

The S23 FE has some decent competition in the midrange market. Here’s how its $599 starting price stacks up:

• Google Pixel 7a: Starts around $499, maxes out around $599 for upgraded storage. It’s one of the best camera phones for the money.
• Samsung Galaxy A54: Priced at approximately $450, Samsung’s own lower-cost 5G model undercuts the FE. Less powerful but still capable.
• Nothing Phone (2): Another aggressive mid-ranger with a slick design. Also comes in around $599.

The S23 FE tops the Pixel 7a and Galaxy A54 by a bit. But it matches the Nothing Phone (2) and actually costs more than the A54. Its premium features, like wireless charging, help justify the price hike over its sister Samsung model.

READ MORE: Samsung Galaxy S23 vs. Galaxy S23 FE: Which should you buy?

But value-focused shoppers have excellent midrange options that cost less than the S23 FE. Samsung’s name and polish still come at a small premium.

So, should you believe the hype?

Look, Samsung’s history of pricing shenanigans makes us give the stink eye here. But IF the Galaxy S23 FE delivers on its spec promises at a legit $599, it could be the budget flagship to beat.

The Galaxy S23 FE asks buyers to pay a premium over standout midrangers like the Pixel 7a and Galaxy A54. But its polished design, impressive spec sheet, and Samsung pedigree could make that proposition enticing for some.

The S23 FE needs to prove its value once it hits reviewers’ hands. But for brand devotees who want Samsung’s flash on a budget, it makes a case on paper.

Just don’t expect runaway value compared to its rivals. Samsung still charges for its flagships’ glow, even when dimmed to a Fan Edition.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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