Samsung Galaxy S23 FE 5G 256GB Cream

I have always been a fan of Samsung products so when I needed a new phone, the Galaxy S23 FE looked ideal. First impressions when taking it out the box, was how great the colour and design of the phone looks. The phone is slightly smaller than the Galaxy S23+, however at 6.4 inches and very slim bezels the screen is a great size for gaming, watching videos and Social Media. Setting up the phone was very straight forward and quick especially if you are transferring data from an old Samsung phone. Once setup you could then see the true quality of the AMOLED screen and its vibrant colours. Now that I have been using the phone for just over a week, I can comment on the battery life. The battery has coped extremely well with heavy usage of apps, including ones which use lots of memory. It only charges at 25W but it’s great that you can get 50% battery in 30 minutes. Performance wise the phone is great, loading apps and switching between them are all performed fast due to the speed of the processor and the 8gb of Ram the phone comes with. Unlike previous phones the fingerprint sensor and facial Recognition are also very responsive. The camera has some really handy editing tools like an eraser to remove unwanted parts of photos, as well as the usual auto correction. The photos and videos are sharp and clear and there are lots of different modes to help you take the best photos day and night, more than enough to satisfy the every day person. All in all if you are looking for a mid range phone for a good price, with great specs and some really useful features this is a phone to choose. However if you are looking for the latest processor, a QHD screen and top of the range camera you would be better waiting for the Galaxy S24 Ultra to be released, although you will need to pay double the price.

Samsung has given the S23 series the FE treatment, which typically means some mid-year tweaks to the series resulting in enough changes to allow a lower price-point without making too many compromises.The first thing I noticed when picking up my 256GB model in white, was the weight. At over 200g, this is not a light phone... but as I discovered, a lot of that must be to do with the fact that this phone lasts all day on a full charge thanks to its generous battery.And while using the phone, I really came to appreciate the display. At around 6.5 inches, it feels just right in terms of size, while being really bright and crisp. Photos and videos I took using the phone's capable array of cameras looked really colourful on the screen and the experience was not short of premium. If I have one criticism, it is that the selfie camera is not as good as the ones on the back - especially when taking group selfies.Other than capturing memories, the phone also copes with other tasks without any issue. The performance is snappy, even when doing more than one thing at a time like listening to music while browsing or chatting with friends, or while playing games. I didn't feel like I needed to close any apps that were running in the background or that the phone was slow or laggy in any way. And the 256GB of storage meant I never had to worry about the number of apps or games I had installed.The S23 FE managed to connect to the various wearables I use (my earbuds, headphones and watch) and my car's Android Auto without any issues and I never experienced any issues when using associated features. Charging it up was fast and wireless charging worked perfectly, including reverse-charging which I used for my Buds FE. And this was true despite the case I had it in (and I would recommend a case given the slippery glass back!).Overall then, Samsung has succeeded in its objective of giving the S23 series a good send-off. The S23 FE is a phone that looks and feels premium, runs like a premium phone but does not cost the near £1000 most premium phones cost these days. I would say it is a smart purchase for anyone in the market for a phone just now.

I have to say at that start of this review I am a Samsung fan a big Samsung fan. Despite experimenting with various phone brands in the past, I consistently find myself returning to Samsung, lured by the exceptional build quality, captivating screen, enduring battery life, and the inherent adaptability of their handsets. They keep going and going and still look good after years of abuse by my kids.A quick overviews, it appears FE standing for Fan Edition, representing the apex of the 'S' series without the customary hefty price tag. Nestled between the Samsung A54 and the standard S23, this device proudly boasts 8GB RAM and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 engine, initially featured in the Galaxy S22 Ultra. It successfully strikes a balance, catering to both the mature and youthful audience with an array of colours – mint, indigo blue, purple, or tangerine for the bold, and cream or graphite for those inclined towards a more subdued aesthetic. True to the Samsung 'S' family tradition, it packs a multitude of built-in conveniences and functionalities suitable for all users.Dimensions, Weight, and Display:Slightly larger than its predecessor, the S23, this phone, weighing in at 209g, exudes a robust and well-built feel with a 158 x 76.5 x 8.2mm chassis. Ample size provides an expansive screen real estate, making it convenient to handle while effortlessly fitting into pockets or bags.Display, Resolution, and Refresh Rate:The Galaxy S23 FE employs the tried-and-tested Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 platform from the Galaxy S22 family. Despite its 2.5-year age, it remains powerful enough to seamlessly run a variety of applications, complemented by the 8GB of RAM shared with the Galaxy S23.Camera, Battery, and Charging:The camera array impresses, particularly for its price, featuring a 10MP telephoto zoom lens with 3X optical zoom alongside wide and ultra-wide lenses. The 3X optical zoom outperforms the digital zoom seen in comparable phones. Fun photo modes, like the 'Food mode,' add a warm colour tone and background blur, although some night photos may pose challenges. As expected from a 'S' class Samsung, wireless charging is a given, and it can even charge other wireless peripherals on the move. The 4,500 mAh battery ensures commendable longevity, lasting well beyond a dayIn Conclusion:When deciding on a phone investment, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is a worthy choice. To find a phone superior to this, you'd have pay a higher price.