The Samsung Galaxy S23 series set new standards in the smartphone arena, this year, surpassing its predecessor, the Galaxy S22 series. Now, Samsung is back with the Fan Edition (FE) of the Galaxy S23, offering consumers a chance to savor the finest features of the Galaxy S23 at a more budget-friendly price point.

Design:
If you've been keeping tabs on Samsung's smartphone releases this year, the Galaxy S23 FE won't catch you off guard in terms of design. It closely mirrors the flagship models, inheriting many of their design cues. In terms of dimensions, it falls somewhere between the Galaxy S23 and S23+, aligning closely with the Galaxy A54 5G. While it may not exude the same level of premium craftsmanship as its high-end counterparts, it retains the same visual charm.

The device boasts a robust build with well-defined contours and a sleek finish. Moreover, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is equipped with Gorilla Glass 5 and boasts an IP68 rating, making it resistant to water and dust. As expected, the glass back of the phone can be a tad slippery. The phone's design adheres to Samsung's typical style, and the placement of buttons is conventional.

Display:
The Galaxy S23 FE sports a dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support, delivering vivid and sharp visuals. The 6.4-inch screen offers a generous viewing area, with a resolution of 1080x2340 pixels, resulting in an impressive pixel density of about 403 ppi. With a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 83.2%, the display offers an immersive experience for various activities, from streaming content to web browsing.

Operating System:
The Galaxy S23 FE runs on Android 13, with Samsung's One UI 5.1 overlay on top. It encompasses the full suite of features found in the non-FE models. Notably, it's set to be one of the first Galaxy devices to receive the upcoming Android 14 and One UI 6.0 update, promising a host of new functionalities and improvements.

Processor:
Under the hood, the Galaxy S23 FE is powered by the Exynos 2200 chipset, built on a 4nm process. The CPU configuration comprises an octa-core arrangement with a high-performance Cortex-X2 core clocked at 2.8 GHz, three Cortex-A710 cores at 2.50 GHz, and four power-efficient Cortex-A510 cores at 1.8 GHz. The Xclipse 920 GPU ensures robust graphics performance, providing a seamless user experience. Thanks to a larger vapor chamber, the device stays cool even during extended gaming sessions, ensuring sustained high frame rates. With 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM, the Galaxy S23 FE offers impressive multitasking capabilities.

Camera:
The camera setup on the Galaxy S23 FE sees notable improvements. The primary rear camera now boasts 50MP, a substantial upgrade from the 12MP camera found on previous FE models. This enhancement is particularly evident in daylight photography, offering excellent picture quality with accurate colors and abundant detail. While the default setting captures photos at 12 megapixels, you have the option to switch to 50MP for enhanced landscape shots. However, HDR performance can be inconsistent at times.

Additionally, there's an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, offering versatility for various shooting scenarios. The 12MP ultra-wide lens with a 123˚ field of view captures expansive landscapes and group shots, providing creative freedom.

The 3x optical zoom camera delivers satisfactory results in both regular and portrait shots, with pleasing colors and respectable dynamic range. However, zoomed-in pictures from the S23 FE tend to be slightly soft, regardless of whether you're shooting at 3x or 30x. Software updates have addressed some of this softness, which is a positive note regarding the lens.

Low-light and nighttime photography remain commendable, with the camera intelligently activating Night mode when needed. Night mode can sometimes be aggressive in noise reduction, resulting in a smoother appearance. Fortunately, you can disable automatic Night mode by tapping the crescent moon icon above the zoom controls.

The selfie camera on the Galaxy S23 FE sees a reduction in megapixels, transitioning from a 32MP sensor to a 10MP sensor. However, this shift is not a downgrade, as the new sensor aligns with Samsung's flagship quality, excelling in daylight captures and portrait photography.

Battery:
The Galaxy S23 FE is equipped with a 4,500mAh battery. With moderate use, the battery easily lasts a full day. Charging options include wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and 25W wired charging. It takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes to fully charge the phone from 0 to 100%.

Verdict:
Priced starting at ₹59,999, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE offers a well-rounded smartphone experience and provides an accessible gateway into the premium Galaxy ecosystem. The phone boasts top-tier Galaxy features and camera performance. However, its price point might place it in a competitive grey area.