Galaxy S20 FE 5G • Unlocked vs Galaxy S23 FE • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G, released in late 2020, and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, launched in late 2023, are both designed to offer a balanced smartphone experience within Samsung's ecosystem. While sharing the 'Fan Edition' philosophy of incorporating popular features, the S23 FE brings a more recent processor, updated camera capabilities, and a longer software support commitment. Both devices run on the Android operating system, with the S23 FE benefiting from a newer initial version and extended update longevity.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and Samsung's software support policies are key factors. The Galaxy S20 FE 5G, being an older model, has a shorter remaining support window compared to its successor.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S20 FE 5G was released in October 2020, while the Galaxy S23 FE launched in October 2023. This three-year difference directly impacts their expected lifespan for software updates.
• OS and Security Updates: The S20 FE 5G launched with Android 10 and received major OS updates up to Android 13. Its security updates transitioned from monthly to quarterly in late 2024. The S23 FE, launching with Android 13, is expected to receive four years of OS updates and five years of security updates, offering a significantly longer period of official support.
• Physical Durability: Both models feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating a similar level of protection against environmental elements. The S20 FE 5G uses Gorilla Glass 3 for screen protection, whereas the S23 FE upgrades to Gorilla Glass 5 on both the front and back, potentially offering enhanced scratch and drop resistance.

The performance of these smartphones is largely determined by their internal components, influencing how smoothly they handle daily tasks, demanding applications, and multitasking.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S20 FE 5G is equipped with a processor that was a flagship offering at its release. The Galaxy S23 FE features a more recent generation processor (either a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200, depending on the region), which, despite being a year or two older than the absolute latest, still delivers robust performance for current applications and games.
• Everyday Responsiveness: Users of the S20 FE 5G generally report smooth operation for common tasks and moderate gaming. The S23 FE offers a noticeable step up in raw processing capability, leading to quicker app loading times, more fluid transitions, and better handling of graphically intensive games and heavy multitasking.
• Battery Behavior: Both devices house a 4500 mAh battery. The S20 FE 5G is often praised for its ability to last a full day or more with typical usage. The S23 FE's battery life can be more variable, with some users reporting it may require more frequent charging, especially with the Exynos variant or with features like the always-on display enabled. Both support 25W wired fast charging, 15W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging.

The visual experience on a smartphone is heavily influenced by its display technology, resolution, and refresh rate, impacting everything from browsing to media consumption.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S20 FE 5G features a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display, providing vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Galaxy S23 FE comes with a slightly smaller 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, which offers similar visual benefits but with potentially improved color accuracy and dynamic range. Both displays offer a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2400 for S20 FE 5G, 1080 x 2340 for S23 FE), ensuring sharp visuals for most content.
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: Both models boast a 120Hz refresh rate, which contributes to a smoother scrolling experience and more fluid animations, enhancing the overall user interface responsiveness.
• Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: The S23 FE offers a higher peak brightness of 1450 nits, which can significantly improve visibility in bright outdoor conditions compared to the S20 FE 5G, which some users found challenging to view in direct sunlight.

The camera systems on both devices are designed to capture a variety of moments, though the newer S23 FE introduces advancements in sensor technology and processing.

• Rear Camera Setup: The Galaxy S20 FE 5G features a triple camera system with a 12MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The Galaxy S23 FE upgrades the main sensor to 50MP, alongside a 12MP ultrawide and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, potentially offering more detailed main shots.
• Photography Performance: The S20 FE 5G delivers good image quality in various conditions, including decent low-light performance. The S23 FE, with its higher-resolution main sensor and newer image processing, generally produces sharper images with better noise reduction, especially in challenging lighting.
• Video Recording and Front Camera: Both phones are capable of recording 4K video at 30/60fps. The S23 FE extends this to 8K video recording at 24fps with its rear cameras and 4K at 60fps with its front camera. The S20 FE 5G has a 32MP front camera, while the S23 FE features a 10MP front camera, with the S23 FE often providing good detail and handling low light well for selfies.