Samsung Galaxy S23 FE vs Samsung Galaxy S25+
The Verdict
Samsung's S25+ represents a significant generational leap over the S23 FE across nearly every dimension. Display quality stands out with 2600 nits peak brightness versus 1450 nits, paired with sharper QHD+ resolution compared to FHD+. Performance differences are substantial: the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy crushes the older Exynos 2200/Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, delivering noticeably faster app performance and gaming capability. Camera systems diverge meaningfully, with the S25+ offering 8K video, an improved 10MP telephoto, and a superior 12MP front camera. Battery capacity edges ahead at 4900mAh with dramatically faster 45W charging versus 25W. Software maturity favors the S25+ running Android 15 with One UI 7. Weight reduction to 190g and thinner 7.3mm profile enhance usability. Gorilla Glass Victus 2 provides better durability. The S23 FE remains capable for budget-conscious buyers, but the S25+ justifies its $400 premium through superior hardware and longevity. Choose the S25+ for flagship performance; select the S23 FE only if budget is paramount.
Who Should Buy
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
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S25+ if…
- →Flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset
- →Sharp QHD+ 120Hz display with high brightness
- →Compact and lightweight for a large-screen phone
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
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
Samsung Galaxy S25+
Pros
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset
- Sharp QHD+ 120Hz display with high brightness
- Compact and lightweight for a large-screen phone
- 12 GB RAM standard across the lineup
- Seven years of software support
Cons
- Camera hardware nearly unchanged from S24+
- No periscope telephoto like the Ultra
- Charging still at 45W in 2025
- Galaxy AI features partly require cloud
Full Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE | Samsung Galaxy S25+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) | Android 15, One UI 7 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 209 g | 190 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 5 | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm | 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 10 MP, f/2.4 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 8 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS | 10 MP 3x optical |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 4900 mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W, Wireless PowerShare | 15W Qi2 |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.4 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | Dynamic AMOLED 2X LTPO |
| Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 3120 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1450 | 2600 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core | Octa-core (2x4.47 GHz + 6x3.53 GHz) |
| GPU | Xclipse 920 / Adreno 730 | Adreno 830 |
| Chipset | Samsung Exynos 2200 / Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.4 |
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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