Galaxy S23 FE • Unlocked vs iPhone SE (2022) • Locked AT&T

The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, released in October 2023, and the Apple iPhone SE 2022, launched in March 2022, offer distinct smartphone experiences rooted in their respective Android and iOS ecosystems. While the Galaxy S23 FE presents a modern design with a larger, vibrant display and a versatile multi-camera system, the iPhone SE 2022 maintains a classic compact form factor, focusing on powerful internal performance and seamless integration within Apple's software environment. These devices cater to different user preferences, primarily diverging in their operating systems, screen technologies, and camera philosophies.

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, physical durability, and ongoing software support.

• Release Timeline and Software Support: The iPhone SE 2022, released in March 2022, benefits from Apple's reputation for extended iOS update support, typically receiving major operating system updates for five to seven years, potentially extending its functional life until around 2028-2030. The Galaxy S23 FE, launched in October 2023, comes with Samsung's commitment to four major Android OS updates and five years of security patches, meaning OS updates are expected until late 2027 and security updates until late 2028.
• Physical Durability: Both devices offer a degree of protection against environmental elements. The Galaxy S23 FE features an IP68 rating, indicating resistance to dust and submersion in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water for 30 minutes, and uses Gorilla Glass for screen protection. The iPhone SE 2022 carries an IP67 rating, providing dust and water resistance in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. Apple states the iPhone SE 2022 uses durable glass on both the front and back, similar to the back glass of the iPhone 13 series, though it does not feature the Ceramic Shield found on more premium iPhone models.
• Repairability: While specific repairability scores for the S23 FE are not widely available, the iPhone SE 2020 (the predecessor to the 2022 model) received a 6 out of 10 for repairability from iFixit, suggesting a moderate ease of repair for some components.

Evaluating performance involves looking at how smoothly devices handle daily tasks, their storage capabilities, and battery endurance.

• Processing Power and Responsiveness: The iPhone SE 2022 is equipped with a current-generation processor, enabling extremely responsive performance across applications and games. This allows for smooth multitasking and efficient handling of demanding software. The Galaxy S23 FE, depending on the region, is powered by a processor that handles demanding apps and multitasking smoothly, providing ample power for everyday use and mobile gaming.
• Storage Options: The iPhone SE 2022 is available with 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB of internal storage. The Galaxy S23 FE offers more generous base storage options, starting at 128GB and also available in 256GB configurations. Neither device supports expandable storage via a microSD card.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S23 FE houses a 4500mAh battery, generally providing a full day of use for typical activities like web browsing, video streaming, and social media. It supports 25W wired fast charging and 15W wireless charging. The iPhone SE 2022 has a 2018mAh battery, offering average battery life that typically lasts a full day with moderate usage. It supports 20W wired charging and Qi wireless charging. Heavy gaming or extensive 5G use can reduce the battery life on both devices more quickly.

The visual experience on a smartphone is largely defined by its display technology, resolution, and overall brightness.

• Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy S23 FE features a larger 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, which is known for its deep blacks, high contrast, and vibrant colors. In contrast, the iPhone SE 2022 utilizes a more compact 4.7-inch Retina HD IPS LCD. LCD technology typically offers good color accuracy but cannot achieve the same level of contrast as OLED.
• Resolution and Clarity: The Galaxy S23 FE provides a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, resulting in sharp images and text on its larger screen. The iPhone SE 2022 has a resolution of 750 x 1334 pixels, which, while lower, still offers good clarity on its smaller display due to a comparable pixel density.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S23 FE boasts a higher peak brightness of 1450 nits, making it highly visible even in bright outdoor conditions. It also features a 120Hz refresh rate, contributing to smoother scrolling and more fluid animations. The iPhone SE 2022 has a maximum brightness of 625 nits and a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which is sufficient for most indoor and outdoor viewing but less fluid than higher refresh rate displays.

Camera capabilities are a significant factor for many users, encompassing both still photography and video recording.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S23 FE offers a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 50-megapixel main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, and an 8-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. This configuration allows for a range of photographic styles, from wide landscapes to zoomed-in shots. The iPhone SE 2022 features a single 12-megapixel wide-angle camera with OIS. While it lacks the hardware versatility of multiple lenses, its powerful processor enhances image processing.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S23 FE generally produces good photos in well-lit conditions, with its main sensor capturing detail and handling low-light situations effectively. However, some users have noted that its image processing can sometimes lead to oversaturated colors or inconsistent results in terms of noise and dynamic range compared to other devices. The iPhone SE 2022 delivers good images in decent light with accurate color balance and detail, benefiting from computational photography features like Smart HDR 4 and Deep Fusion. A notable limitation is the absence of a dedicated Night Mode, which can result in darker and grainier photos in very low-light environments.
• Video Recording and Front Camera: The Galaxy S23 FE is capable of recording video at up to 8K resolution at 24 frames per second (fps) and features a 10-megapixel front-facing camera. The iPhone SE 2022 supports 4K video recording at up to 60 fps and includes a 7-megapixel front camera. Both devices offer good video quality for their respective categories, and their front cameras are suitable for video calls and selfies in adequate lighting.