Galaxy S23 • Unlocked vs Galaxy S24 FE • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S23, released in early 2023, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, launched in late 2024, represent different approaches within Samsung's smartphone lineup. While the Galaxy S23 was a compact flagship, the Galaxy S24 FE offers a larger display and updated internals, positioning itself as a more accessible option with some features from the newer generation. Both devices run on the Android operating system with Samsung's One UI, providing a consistent user experience.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support policies are key factors.

• Release and Software Support: The Galaxy S23 was released in February 2023, and Samsung committed to 4 years of operating system updates and 5 years of security updates, with support expected to end within 2028. In contrast, the Galaxy S24 FE, released in October 2024, benefits from Samsung's extended support policy, offering up to 7 years of both OS and security updates, extending its software longevity significantly further, potentially until 2031. [4, 14]
• Repairability and Durability: Both models feature an aluminum frame and glass back panels, contributing to a solid build. They also share an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating similar levels of protection against environmental elements. [17]
• Practical Lifespan: Users prioritizing the longest possible software support and access to the latest Android features will find the Galaxy S24 FE to be a more future-proof option due to its extended update commitment. The Galaxy S23, while still receiving updates, will reach its end-of-support period sooner.

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, app responsiveness, and demanding applications like gaming. Both the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S24 FE offer capable hardware, though with different underlying architectures.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S23 is equipped with a processor known for its efficient handling of demanding apps and smooth multitasking, characteristic of a 2023 flagship device. The Galaxy S24 FE features a newer-generation processor, which is an underclocked variant of a 2024 flagship chip, designed to provide robust performance for everyday use and moderate gaming. [10, 14]
• Multitasking and Storage: Both devices typically come with 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for managing multiple applications simultaneously without significant slowdowns. Storage options for both models include 128GB and 256GB, with the Galaxy S23 offering faster UFS 4.0 storage in its 256GB and higher variants, while the 128GB version uses UFS 3.1. [4, 10]
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S24 FE houses a larger 4700mAh battery, compared to the Galaxy S23's 3900mAh battery. This larger capacity in the S24 FE generally translates to longer usage times between charges for most users, although some S24 FE users have reported concerns about battery drain under heavy use. [1, 2, 3, 6, 22] The Galaxy S23 supports 25W fast charging, and the Galaxy S24 FE also supports proprietary fast charging, likely at a similar wattage. [1, 23]

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both devices offer vibrant viewing experiences with some notable differences.

• Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy S23 features a compact 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, while the Galaxy S24 FE offers a larger 6.7-inch display, providing more screen real estate for media consumption and productivity. Both utilize AMOLED technology, known for deep blacks and high contrast. [1, 2, 6, 12]
• Resolution and Clarity: Both phones provide a Full HD+ resolution (1080x2340 pixels), ensuring sharp and clear visuals for text, images, and videos. [1, 2, 3]
• Brightness and Smoothness: Both displays support a 120Hz refresh rate, contributing to smooth scrolling and fluid animations. The Galaxy S24 FE boasts a higher peak brightness of 1900 nits, which can improve outdoor visibility compared to the Galaxy S23. [1, 3, 5, 6, 17]

Both the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S24 FE are equipped with versatile camera systems designed to capture a range of photographic and video content.

• Rear Camera System: Both devices feature a triple-camera setup on the rear. They share a 50-megapixel main sensor and a 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor. The primary difference lies in the telephoto lens: the Galaxy S23 includes a 10-megapixel telephoto camera, while the Galaxy S24 FE has an 8-megapixel telephoto camera. [1, 2, 3, 6, 10, 12, 13]
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S23's camera system is generally praised for its overall quality and consistency, though some users have noted occasional issues with blurry photos or shutter lag. The Galaxy S24 FE's camera performs well in most lighting conditions, with some users observing that its low-light and night photography could be improved. [8, 13, 16, 20]
• Video Capabilities and Front Camera: The Galaxy S23 features a 12-megapixel front camera, while the Galaxy S24 FE has a 10-megapixel front camera. For video recording, the Galaxy S24 FE offers advanced features like 4K 120fps slow-motion, which is a notable upgrade over the Galaxy S23's 1080p slow-motion capabilities. [1, 10, 12, 13]