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The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE (Fan Edition) promises to bring the flagship experience with reliable cameras, good performance, an awesome display, speakers, and more on paper. But does it truly deliver on that promise? Well, let’s find out in this review of the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE where I’ll be talking about its strengths, potential weaknesses, and pain points alongside trying to answer if it’s the phone you should get for around NPR 85,000. But before that, here’s a quick rundown of what you are getting specs wise.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Specifications

• Body: 76.5 x 158 x 8.2 mm, 209 gm,
• IP Rating: IP68 dust and water ingress protection
• Display: 6.4″ FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O, 120Hz refresh rate
• Chipset: Exynos 2200 5G (4nm)
• CPU: Octa-core
  •  1x Cortex-X2 (2.8 GHz)
  • 3x Cortex-A710 (2.52 GHz)
  • 4x Cortex-A510 (1.82 GHz)
• GPU: Xclipse 920 – International
• Memory: 8GB LPDDR5 RAM, 256GB internal storage
• Software & UI: One UI 6 on top of Android 14
• Rear Camera: Triple (with LED flash)
  – 50MP primary lens with f/1.8 aperture, OIS, Dual Pixel AF
  – 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens with f/2.2 aperture, 123º FOV
  – 8MP telephoto with f/2.4 aperture, 3x optical zoom
• Front Camera: 10MP, f/2.2 lens (punch-hole)
• Security: In-display fingerprint sensor (Optical), Samsung Knox
• Sensors: Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro, Geomagnetic, Hall, Proximity, Ambient Light
• Battery: 4,500mAh with 25W fast charging, 15W wireless charging, reverse wireless charging
• Buy Samsung Galaxy S23 FE here

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE review 

Design

• Dimensions 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm
• Weight 209 g (7.37 oz)
• Build: Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame

Starting off with the design, which I personally find quite appealing. Unlike the A-series Galaxy phones that come with plastic frames of relatively cheap quality and lack a glass back, the S23 FE features metal frames. This not only enhances the phone’s durability but also adds a satisfying weight and heft, providing a premium feel when held. Although it’s not as compact as the regular S23, the phone offers a comfortable grip, making it suitable for one-handed usage.

A standout feature is the phone’s IP68 dust and water resistance. This means it can withstand submersion in water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes without sustaining any damage. Similar to the high-quality display, the design and build of the S23 FE earn it an A+ rating, contributing to an overall premium and robust feel.

Display

• Type: Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1450 nits (peak)
• Size: 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio)
• Resolution: 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)

Although the bezels on this device are relatively large, don’t let that distract you from the impressive display quality it offers. The display surpasses Samsung’s A-Series lineup, presenting vibrant colors and sharp imagery similar to its more expensive S-siblings. The touch responsiveness, complemented by a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, and the vibration feedback add to the overall user experience.

Saturation, contrast levels, and color accuracy are commendable for the device’s price point, and it holds HDR10+ certification. This ensures an immersive viewing experience on streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime. The display’s brightness is noteworthy, providing clear visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. It’s interesting to note not only how high the brightness can go but also how comfortably it adapts for nighttime viewing.

In terms of security, the absence of an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is compensated by the inclusion of an optical fingerprint sensor, which, while decent, maybe slightly slower compared to some Chinese smartphones. The overall display experience is excellent for its price, and the addition of stereo speakers further enhances the enjoyment of movies and music.

Performance

• OS: Android 14 One UI 6 (up to Android 17)
• Chipset:
  • Exynos 2200 (4 nm)
• CPU:
  • Octa-core (1×2.8 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3×2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) – International
  • Octa-core (1×3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3×2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4×1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) – USA
• GPU:
  • Xclipse 920

Let’s delve into the performance aspect. The S23 FE is equipped with the Exynos 2200 5G chipset, previously used in the European variant of the S22 series two years ago. This chipset faced criticism for issues like performance throttling, overheating, and subpar gaming performance back then. However, Samsung seems to have addressed these concerns by optimizing the processor at multiple levels for the S23 FE.

While I initially experienced some overheating and performance throttling, after two software updates, the Exynos 2200 has demonstrated a significantly improved and stable performance. While having the Samsung Galaxy 8+ Gen 1 processor would have been fantastic, however, the Exynos 2200, in its current state, performs admirably. The device smoothly handles multitasking, gaming, and various other tasks, offering a satisfactory overall performance.

Gaming 

Based on my testing, both PUBG and Genshin Impact ran smoothly at 60 fps on the S23 FE. However, prolonged gaming sessions did generate some heat, although it didn’t escalate into significant overheating. Considering the level of performance it delivers, I believe it should be satisfactory for the majority of users.

Furthermore, Samsung ensures that the S23 FE will receive updates up to Android 17, promising a future-proof experience for an extended period. With this continued support, the device is likely to remain optimized and up-to-date for an extended duration.

Camera

The camera on the S23 FE is impressive, especially considering its price point. In comparison to other smartphones within this range, it excels in capturing more pleasing and better images. In daylight settings, it delivers detailed pictures reminiscent of classic Samsung smartphones. The colors are vibrant and saturated, and the camera performs exceptionally well in capturing solid close-up shots. The overall camera performance adds considerable value to the device.

While the camera quality on the S23 FE is commendable, it falls slightly short when compared to the flagship S23 Series. Specifically, when using 3X zoom, portraits may appear soft and hazy.

The performance of the ultra-wide lens is not as exceptional. Nevertheless, the device still produces good-looking pictures in both daytime and low-light conditions.

The selfies and portraits are well-optimized, capturing pleasing skin tones, and when you zoom into the pictures, you’ll find plenty of details. Despite the minor shortcomings in certain aspects, the camera on the S23 FE manages to deliver a satisfying overall photography experience.

When it comes to videography, the S23 FE offers fairly stable video footage up to 4K 30 fps, and you can seamlessly switch between lenses. The front camera also captures nice-looking footage, making it a good choice for vlogging. The videos exhibit good contrast and dynamic range, making the S23 FE a solid option for content creators. While the S23 FE provides a nice camera experience, it’s essential to note that it doesn’t quite reach the level of flagship devices. However, it outperforms phones in the 50-60k price range, making it a compelling choice for users seeking a well-rounded camera performance at a more affordable price point.

Battery: Carry the damn charger!

When it comes to the battery, the S23 FE doesn’t offer an exceptionally long endurance, so it’s advisable to carry your charger for peace of mind. The relatively small 4500 mAh battery may contribute to this, especially when considering that 5000 mAh has become a common standard in contemporary smartphones. While a 25W charger is available, it needs to be purchased separately, following a somewhat inconvenient practice that originated with flagship phones, a trend started by iPhones.

However, if you make your purchase through our affiliate partners Hukut and Sherisha Mobile Hub, you can take advantage of a free charger, mitigating the inconvenience associated with buying it separately.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Review Conclusion

In conclusion, the Samsung S23 FE presents a compelling package, offering a premium experience at a reasonable price. Its standout features include a vibrant display, a durable and aesthetically pleasing design, and a commendable camera system that, while not reaching flagship levels, outperforms many competitors in its price range. The device’s Exynos 2200 5G chipset, delivers stable performance, ensuring smooth multitasking and gaming experiences as well

Overall, the Samsung S23 FE emerges as a strong contender in the premium mid-range market, providing a well-balanced combination of features, performance, and affordability for users who seek a premium smartphone experience without splashing double the amount its generally needed for flagship phones.

• Check out our review video of the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE:

Samsung Galaxy S23 Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Great display and speakers
• Excellent cameras set up for the price
• Sleek design
• IP68 rating
• Exynos 2200 doesn’t disappoint

Cons:

• Average battery backup
• Heating issues (during heavy work loads)

Hello everyone! Today I am here with a review of Samsung’s latest mid-range A-series phone for 2024 — the new Samsung Galaxy A25 5G! Samsung will soon be launching the more expensive Galaxy A35 and A55 later this year. And if you remember, last year’s A24, A34 and A54, all of them were very successful models from Samsung, especially in the retail offline market! 

So this phone is kind of like the successor to the Galaxy A23 5G and is also kind of an expensive 5G variant of the Galaxy A24. You could also argue this is a watered-down version of the Galaxy A34. Anyhoo, the Samsung Galaxy A25 is priced at NPR 40,999 for the 8GB + 128GB trim. Meanwhile, for an additional 4 grand, you get double the storage on this phone. Since we are already talking about the configurations of the phone, let’s get on with the specifications of the phone as well.

Samsung Galaxy A25 5G Specifications

• Design: Standard Galaxy design
• Dimensions: 161.00 mm x 76.50 mm x 8.30 mm
• Weight: 197 grams
• Display: 6.5” Super AMOLED Panel, 120Hz, 1000 nits, Vision Booster
• Resolution: FHD+ (1,080 x 2,340)
• Chipset: Octa-core Exynos 1280 (5nm)
• RAM: 6GB or 8 GB
• ROM: 128 GB or 256GB + 1 TB expandable via MicroSD card
• OS & UI: Android 14 with OneUI 6.0
• Rear Camera: Triple Camera (50 MP Primary + 8MP Ultrawide + 2 MP Macro Lens)
• Front Camera: 13 MP Camera (Centre-aligned “Infinity-U” waterdrop cutout)
• Security: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock
• Navigation: GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS
• Battery: 5,000 mAh with 25W fast charging
• Connectivity: Dual SIM, 5G, Dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth, USB 2.0 Type-C, 3.5mm headphone jack
• Colour Options: Blue Black, Blue, Light Blue, Yellow
• Check the full specs of the Samsung Galaxy A25 HERE!
• Buy Samsung Galaxy A25 5G HERE!

Before getting into the nitty-gritty review of the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G, let’s just talk about the phone itself. Okay?

Initially, I thought this phone was a bit overpriced, especially in comparison to its predecessor. But, as I went on using the phone, I felt Samsung had done a rather good job with this phone.

First of all, you get an official 25W Samsung charger that costs you around NPR 2,000 for absolutely FREE! You did not get a charger on older phones. On top of that, this phone is a 5G-ready phone that comes at a much cheaper price in comparison to its price in India.

Another thing I have noticed in the case of Samsung is that the specs sheet doesn’t tell you the whole story of the phone. And as I mentioned earlier, I found this phone to be decent in my usage.

Samsung Galaxy A25 5G Review

Design and Build

Let’s start with it’s the design! It’s very similar to what you get from other A-series phones from the past. It’s quite minimal from the back and gives up the classic Samsung vibe! It is slightly different from its predecessor in the sense that you get a unique pattern on the back, while the right side of the frame has this wedged layout for a better grip.

As for colours, I got myself this good-looking yellow option, but you can also choose between Blue Black and Blue colours. And despite the back and the frames being made up of plastic, it is a well-built phone — it doesn’t feel cheap and has a nice overall heft. However, you don’t get an official IP67 rating here — that thing is reserved for higher-end A-series only.

Likewise, you also don’t get an in-display fingerprint scanner, and the volume button instead doubles up as the fingerprint scanner which by the way is fast and accurate. Samsung has also included a headphone jack and FM radio here, which is kind of rare in smartphones these days. So, if you are someone with grandparents who like to listen to FM radio then it will surely come in handy!

Overall, the A25 5G is a good-looking phone from the back. But sadly, we can’t say the same about the front. The design is not very inspiring for 2024, as you get this big chin below the screen, and an ugly notch up front.

Display

Other than that, there is not much to complain about the display here. The core display of this phone is quite nice. You get a 6.5-inch FullHD+ Super AMOLED panel with WideVine L1 for HD streaming. Additionally, you get up to 1000 nits with automatic brightness enabled… so yeah perfectly usable outdoors!

This phone also flaunts a high refresh rate of 120Hz. Given that, Galaxy A24 only had a 90Hz refresh rate, so it is a welcome upgrade. Moreover, the default Vivid mode also produces nice punchy colours perfect for content consumption. And pair that with a nice set of stereo speakers, the Galaxy A25 is a very good phone for watching Netflix and other OTT platforms. 

Performance

Now let’s talk performance, the Samsung Galaxy A25 is using the Exynos 1280 5G chipset, which is already a 2-year-old chipset. And even 2 years ago, this chipset was not all that powerful and stable. Hence, if you are a power user, you will notice a hint of slugginess and choppiness in the UI now and then. And as expected, gaming is also subpar here, as most AAA games run at just 30fps. 

I think Samsung should have opted for maybe last year’s Exynos 1380. That chipset was more stable and faster. Or they could have given the Dimensity 1080 or the Snapdragon 778G or the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 or the Dimensity 7200… the list goes on! The bottom line is — anything else would have been better!

But you need to bear that in mind if you are a heavy user! And if you are not then the performance should be adequate. Coupled with the 120Hz screen here, the phone feels fairly stable, and multitasking between 2 or 3 light apps is smooth too. 

Another thing I like about the Galaxy A25 5G is that you are getting 4 OS updates and 5 years of security patches. The software experience is also pretty solid here! The One UI is easy to use, there is very little bloatware and no Ads, and I haven’t faced any weird bugs either. So that’s peak Samsung for you!

Battery

Moving on to the battery, I found the battery to be good on the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G. It’s providing me with a consistent one-day backup. As someone who takes a lot of photos with mobile data always on, I had to plug this phone in just before getting to bed. So, yeah, solid battery backup!

Charging, however, is a bit slower — as expected from a Samsung phone. It takes over an hour and a half to get fully charged. But, since, they are giving a free charger in here, I’ll take that hit.

Camera

Finally, the CAMERAS! This is one aspect where Samsung phones usually really shine, and similar is the case for the Samsung Galaxy A25! It’s easily better than something like the Poco X6 Pro in terms of colours, but it does suffer from a lack of consistency! During the daytime, it captures good, vibrant-looking images, and it has a balanced dynamic range.

But the photos can be lacking in details, and the highlight management is a hit or a miss too. The 50MP OIS camera on here struggles with indoor lighting at times — which I found quite strange. But if you are taking photos of a landscape or a building in low light, you can turn on Night Mode to get a fairly better result.

The Samsung Galaxy A25 5G can also take good-looking portrait shots as well as selfies. But once again, it can be a hit or miss, depending on the lighting. Plus, this 8MP ultra-wide camera is barely usable as it’s bad at everything from dynamic range to details, and sharpness.

Videography is also strictly average here. You can click up to 4K 30fps from the back and 1080P 30fps from the front. But you don’t get any form of stabilisation. 

Samsung Galaxy A25 5G Review: Conclusion

So all in all, in the process of reviewing the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G, I found it to be just about average. Like I said at the beginning, this phone is a slightly better version of the Samsung Galaxy A24 with a better display, 5G connectivity, and a free charger in the box.

But, if you are working with a strict budget of around NPR 30,000 then you will not miss out on anything significant by opting for the Samsung Galaxy A24. Even though the Exynos 1280 on the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G is better than the Helio G99 on the A24 on paper, it is severely lacking in terms of optimisation. As a result, you won’t find a significant difference in performance. So, getting the Galaxy A24 and saving 7 to 8 thousand of your hard-earned money makes absolute sense too!

On the other hand, if have a bit more flexible budget then going for the Samsung Galaxy A34 which comes with an in-display fingerprint sensor, better camera quality, a more premium design, and an IP67 rating is kind of like a no-brainer.

Samsung Galaxy A25 5G: Pros and Cons

Pros

• A good 120Hz screen
• A FREE charger worth NPR 2,000
• 4 OS and 5 years of security updates
• Decent battery backup

Cons

• Uninspiring design for 2024
• Meh performance