Samsung Galaxy S23 FE vs Sony Xperia 5 V
The Verdict
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE delivers exceptional value at $599, featuring a vibrant 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 120Hz display with 1450 nits brightness and capable triple camera setup including 3x optical zoom. Sony Xperia 5 V commands a $400 premium, offering a more compact 6.1-inch OLED display with superior 1700 nits peak brightness, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, 4K@120fps video with professional log recording, and faster 30W charging plus superior Gorilla Glass Victus 2. Both feature IP68 protection and 8GB RAM. Xperia 5 V excels for video enthusiasts and professionals needing compact dimensions (154mm vs 158mm) and advanced video features. Samsung Galaxy S23 FE represents outstanding value for mainstream users prioritizing optical zoom versatility, wireless charging, and display size without compromising performance. For budget-conscious buyers, the S23 FE is the smarter choice. Professional content creators should consider the Xperia 5 V.
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 Sony Xperia 5 V if…
- →Compact 6.1-inch flagship in an era of large phones
- →4K@120fps video with professional log recording
- →Exmor T sensor excels in low light
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
Sony Xperia 5 V
Pros
- Compact 6.1-inch flagship in an era of large phones
- 4K@120fps video with professional log recording
- Exmor T sensor excels in low light
- Headphone jack retained
- IP68 with two years of OS updates
Cons
- No telephoto camera
- Only 30W wired charging — no wireless
- Premium price for a compact with limited camera versatility
- Display not as bright as competitors
Full Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE | Sony Xperia 5 V |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) | Android 13 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 209 g | 182 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 | 154 x 68 x 8.6 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS | 48 MP, f/1.9, OIS (Exmor T for mobile) |
| Front camera | 10 MP, f/2.4 | 12 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@120fps, log video recording |
| Telephoto | 8 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS | — |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2, 124-degree |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired | 30W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W, Wireless PowerShare | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.4 inches | 6.1 inches |
| Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | OLED |
| Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 2520 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1450 | 1700 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core | Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| GPU | Xclipse 920 / Adreno 730 | Adreno 740 |
| Chipset | Samsung Exynos 2200 / Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| 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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