I used to be excited for the Galaxy S23 FE however I purchased a Pixel 8 as a substitute

After months of hypothesis, Samsung lastly introduced the Galaxy S23 FE final week. The announcement coincided completely with the Pixel 8 collection’ launch, virtually as if Samsung got down to steal Google’s thunder. It’s not onerous to see why, at the least on paper. Like the bottom Pixel 8, Samsung’s Fan Version smartphone gives near-flagship grade specs at an inexpensive price ticket. In actual fact, the S23 FE is much more engaging because it retails for $100 lower than each its predecessor and the Pixel 8. However the satan’s within the particulars and as a long-term proprietor of the Galaxy S21 FE, I simply don’t see the S23 FE as a viable improve path in comparison with the Pixel 8. Let me clarify.

When Samsung launched its mainline Galaxy S23 collection earlier this 12 months, I wrote about my pleasure for the then-rumored S23 Fan Version. I appreciated what my last-gen S21 FE supplied on the time, however lamented its middling efficiency, so-so battery life, and dated digital camera {hardware}. If Samsung had solely fastened every of these issues whereas leaving the general bundle largely unchanged, I’d have lined as much as purchase an S23 FE.

Sadly, nevertheless, Samsung has made some odd selections with the Galaxy S23 FE. Even worse, it has outright downgraded a few of my favourite points of the collection. Take the show, for example, which is barely brighter this era however has considerably thicker bezels than its predecessor.

I’m not often complaining about giant bezels or a thick chin, however there’s an enormous distinction between my almost two-year-old S21 FE and the brand new S23 FE. Not simply that, Samsung has additionally downgraded the show safety from Gorilla Glass Victus to Gorilla Glass 5 on the brand new telephone. Curiously, you’ll discover related bezels and the identical show safety on the Galaxy A54 5G — a considerably cheaper telephone that doesn’t fake to be in flagship leagues.

Samsung additionally makes use of Gorilla Glass 5 on the again of the S23 FE. Whereas that’s an improve on paper, the telephone’s weight has additionally inflated to a whopping 209g! That’s 32 grams or 18% heavier than the last-gen S21 FE. You don’t get a bigger battery or show on the S23 FE, so I can solely think about it’s the differing supplies that contributed to this elevated weight funds. The bigger (however costlier) Galaxy S23 Plus is 11g lighter.

Again in early 2022, the Galaxy S21 FE’s show and light-weight design received me over virtually immediately. On the time, Google’s Pixel 6 had a similarly-sized show however its dual-glass design made for a 30g heavier bundle than the S21 FE. Quick ahead to this 12 months, nevertheless, and the Pixel 8 concurrently gives a lighter design and a bigger battery than the Galaxy S23 FE.

A lot to everybody’s shock, Samsung has additionally opted to revive Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip for the S23 FE. That is one other improve on paper, however the identical chip was accountable for the Galaxy S22 household’s thermal throttling controversies final 12 months. I see it as wasted potential because the S23 FE might’ve included the far more environment friendly Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 SoC as a substitute. That mid-year revision labored wonders for Samsung’s foldable smartphones, delivering a lot better battery life and cooler efficiency.

Whereas it’s too early to name, evaluations point out that Google’s Tensor G3 SoC within the Pixel 8 actually seems to be to be extra performant and environment friendly than earlier iterations. Might Samsung actually afford to lose in yet one more crucial space? We’ll have to have a look at thermals and battery life very intently in our full evaluations, however I can’t assist however really feel that Samsung might’ve simply scored a win right here.

I’m unsure why Samsung made so many odd modifications with the S23 FE, however the decrease $599 price ticket is nearly actually a contributing issue. The factor is, although, Samsung’s new smartphone doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Certain, Google has elevated the Pixel 8’s value to $699 this 12 months, however it’s additionally bundling the Pixel Buds Professional without spending a dime — valued $200 at retail — till October 16. Samsung, in the meantime, isn’t even bundling its funds $99 Galaxy Buds FE with the S23 FE.

All in all, I’m not satisfied Samsung is providing a compelling worth proposition with the Galaxy S23 FE. I haven’t even talked about the Pixel 8’s a number of smaller benefits, like eSIM help, three further years of Android software program updates, software program AI options, and a brighter and extra sturdy show. In the meantime, the S23 FE doesn’t have a lot to boast about besides a cheaper price tag. Samsung did improve the first digital camera to a 50MP shooter this 12 months, although. And the S23 FE’s 3x telephoto digital camera is the one factor you received’t discover on the Pixel 8, even when I wasn’t impressed by the 8MP sensor’s efficiency on the last-gen Galaxy S21 FE.

As a lot as I’ve loved my time with the Galaxy S21 FE, I’ve determined to leap ship and purchase Google’s inexpensive flagship as a substitute. Whereas I might’ve favored a bigger gadget, the Pixel 8 makes up in almost all different areas, from its light-weight 187g stance to the spectacular 2,000 nits show. If in case you have a better funds and might await a sale, we’ve additionally seen the Galaxy S23 Plus drop to $749 and $699 every so often. And with that in thoughts, I battle to advocate the S23 Fan Version to anybody, and particularly to not Samsung followers.