The newly released Galaxy S23 FE brings some exciting features to the S23 lineup at an appealing $599 price point. With its 6.6-inch screen, the S23 FE introduces a new jumbo size to Samsung’s flagship phone series.

It also touts a robust triple-camera system capable of taking crisp, vivid photos. However, the standard Galaxy S23 still leads the pack in terms of raw power.

According to benchmark testing by AnTuTu BenchMark, the S23 scored 20% higher than the S23 FE.

This substantial performance gap shows that the S23’s cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset outshines the S23 FE’s less advanced processor.

Casual users may find the S23 FE’s combination of screen size, camera quality, and price to be the better overall value.

But power users and mobile gamers will likely prefer the S23 for its sheer speed and smooth responsiveness when multitasking or enjoying graphics-intensive apps and games.

We’re going break down how these phones compare, so you can decide if you want to ball out on the premium S23 or keep your wallet happy with the almost-as-good S23 FE.

Will the S23’s beastly specs justify its higher cost? Or does the FE pack enough punch to satisfy most people and save you some hard-earned cash?

Ready to dive in?

Samsung Galaxy S23 vs. Galaxy S23 FE: Comparing specs

Design and Display

Look, we get it – you want a phone that doesn’t feel like carrying around a brick in your pocket. Enter the Galaxy S23, which at just 168 grams is a featherweight compared to most phones these days.

Measuring 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6mm, this thing is compact enough to almost forget it’s there while still packing a 6.1” screen. The S23 is for people who value portability above all else – it’s the phone equivalent of a gymnast doing backflips across your palm.

But maybe you’re into more heft. You want a phone with some meat on its bones that feelsIt feels weighty and solid when held. If that’s you, let us direct your attention to the Galaxy S23 FE and its 209 gram chassis measuring 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm.

The FE is for folks who like their tech built Ford tough. While not quite as easy to palm as the standard S23, the FE lets you know you’ve got a premium device in your hand and not some chintzy plastic toy.

When it comes to the display, it’s a visual feast on both ends. The Galaxy S23 boasts a 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, perfect for those who prefer compact screens.

The Galaxy S23 FE, however, offers a larger canvas with its 6.4-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display.

In the end, it boils down to personal preference, kind of like deciding between a personal home theater and a cinema screen – both are fantastic, but your viewing preference will be the deciding factor.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the S23 is packing some serious high-octane hardware that would make any gearhead drool. With the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, this thing is essentially a sports car engine stuffed into a phone.

Meanwhile, the S23 FE runs on either a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Samsung Exynos 2200, depending where you live. Now don’t get us wrong – the FE’s processor is still plenty capable.

If the S23 is a Porsche, the FE is more like a zippy Toyota sedan – not as blisteringly quick but gets the job done smooth and steady.

Both phones come with 8GB of RAM to juggle all your apps without slowing down, as well as 128GB of storage to hoard all those cat photos and videos you love so much.

But when you really put the pedal to the metal, say blasting graphics in an intensive 3D game, the S23’s superior engine is gonna shine with better speed and performance. The FE will still run it fine – just not with the same breakneck speeds.

So in a drag race, the S23 smokes past the FE. But the FE will make it to the finish line without overheating or skidding out, which is more than we can say for some phones.

Camera

When it comes to cameras, both these phones come out swinging, but the S23’s setup lands with a little more oomph.

Packing a 50MP main shooter plus 12MP ultrawide and 10MP 3x telephoto lenses, the S23 has the kind of versatile pro-level camera array that would make old-school DSLRs weep.

Meanwhile, the FE sports a still-solid 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and 8MP telephoto rear setup and 10MP front-facer.

So could the FE still take some Instagram-worthy shots? For sure – it’s like a really good point-and-shoot camera that can hang with the big boys, even if it doesn’t have every fancy lens and mode.

But if your main goal is photography domination, the S23’s kitchen-sink camera array gives you more creative control to shoot in any scenario. Its phone lenses put prime glass to shame.

Now, don’t get me wrong, the FE can take some damn good pix too, but the S23 is on another level.