Apple iPhone 14 vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
The Verdict
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE delivers superior value at $200 less, featuring a larger 6.4-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED display versus iPhone 14's 6.1-inch 60Hz panel, plus a more capable camera system with 50MP main sensor, 3x telephoto, and stronger optical image stabilization. Battery capacity reaches 4500mAh compared to 3279mAh, supporting faster 25W charging and wireless PowerShare. Performance remains competitive with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 matching the A15 Bionic for most tasks. iPhone 14 maintains advantages in software optimization, ecosystem integration, and build refinement with its premium materials. However, Samsung's combination of practical upgrades, extended battery life, and significantly lower price make it the better choice for most users seeking flagship features without premium pricing.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 14 if…
- →Emergency SOS via satellite debuted on iPhone 14
- →Action mode for stabilized video without a gimbal
- →Reliable A15 Bionic performance for daily tasks
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE if…
- →Flagship features like 120Hz AMOLED and IP68 at a lower price
- →Bright 1450-nit display for good outdoor visibility
- →3x optical zoom telephoto is rare in this price range
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 14
Pros
- Emergency SOS via satellite debuted on iPhone 14
- Action mode for stabilized video without a gimbal
- Reliable A15 Bionic performance for daily tasks
- Comfortable lightweight body
- Crash Detection safety feature
Cons
- Carries over A15 Bionic from iPhone 13 Pro
- No 48 MP camera upgrade reserved for Pro models
- Still uses Lightning at $799
- Only 60Hz display with no ProMotion
- Same design as iPhone 13
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Pros
- Flagship features like 120Hz AMOLED and IP68 at a lower price
- Bright 1450-nit display for good outdoor visibility
- 3x optical zoom telephoto is rare in this price range
- Four years of OS updates guaranteed
- Wireless charging with reverse wireless PowerShare
Cons
- Exynos 2200 variant has weaker performance and efficiency
- Only 25W wired charging is slow for 2023
- Gorilla Glass 5 is older protection than Victus 2
- 8 MP telephoto resolution is low
- Heavier at 209 g due to older processor thermals
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 14 | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 16 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 172 g | 209 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 5 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm | 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 10 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 8 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3279 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.4 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 1450 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Xclipse 920 / Adreno 730 |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic | Samsung Exynos 2200 / Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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