Apple iPhone SE (4th generation) vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone SE 4 offers excellent value with its premium A18 chip, crisp 6.1-inch OLED display, and compact design at $499, making it ideal for iOS users seeking performance in a smaller form factor. Samsung's Galaxy S23 FE counters with a larger 6.4-inch 120Hz AMOLED screen, more versatile quad-camera setup including 3x telephoto and ultrawide lenses, and a substantially larger 4500 mAh battery for $599. Performance-wise, both devices handle daily tasks smoothly, though the iPhone SE 4 edges ahead in processing efficiency. Camera quality favors Samsung for versatility and zoom capability, while iPhone excels in computational photography. Battery endurance clearly goes to Samsung with its 1200 mAh advantage. For photography enthusiasts wanting multi-lens capability and extended battery life, Samsung Galaxy S23 FE delivers superior value. iPhone SE 4 suits those prioritizing compact size, iOS ecosystem, and single-lens simplicity. The choice hinges on display preference (refresh rate vs. size) and camera needs.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone SE (4th generation) if…
- →First SE with an OLED display, a generational leap over prior LCD
- →A18 chip enables Apple Intelligence at the entry price point
- →Face ID replaces Touch ID with modern full-screen front design
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 SE (4th generation)
Pros
- First SE with an OLED display, a generational leap over prior LCD
- A18 chip enables Apple Intelligence at the entry price point
- Face ID replaces Touch ID with modern full-screen front design
- USB-C replaces Lightning for universal compatibility
- Most affordable iPhone with A18 performance
Cons
- No telephoto or ultrawide camera — single rear lens only
- Capped at 60Hz with no ProMotion
- No Dynamic Island; uses standard notch
- No MagSafe support, only standard Qi wireless
- Modest battery life compared to standard iPhone 16
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 SE (4th generation) | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 167 g | 209 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 5 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 138.7 x 67.3 x 7.9 mm | 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 10 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | — | 8 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS |
| Ultrawide | — | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 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 | 7.5W Qi | 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 A18 | Samsung Exynos 2200 / Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | 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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