Samsung has been shaking things up a bit in its mid-range phone segment, which might confuse many potential customers. The Galaxy S23 FE, while part of the S series and offering several flagship features, is much closer to the cheaper A series, which includes its rival, the Galaxy A55.
The two phones offer different features, targeting different segments of the mid-range phone market. This begs the question: Is it worth paying extra for the S23 FE feature-lite if the A55 offers a complete mid-range package?
Let’s compare the two models in different categories to determine which is the better buy.
Design and build
The Galaxy S23 FE sports a design that closely mirrors its flagship sibling, the Galaxy S23, but in a larger, bulkier form factor. It features Gorilla Glass 5 front and back panels with an aluminum frame, giving it a premium feel.
The S23 FE is IP68 rated, offering excellent dust and water resistance, although it has big bezels and a sizable chin. It measures 158 x 76.5 x 8.2mm and weighs 209g, making it lighter than the Galaxy A55, but less comfortable to handle.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
The Galaxy A55, on the other hand, offers a refined design reminiscent of the Galaxy S24, with flat edges and a premium build featuring an aluminum frame and glass back. The use of Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front also adds better durability.
It is slightly larger and heavier (61.1 x 77.4 x 8.2 mm and 213 g) than the S23 FE. The phone has a unique raised housing for the power and volume buttons and also benefits from an IP67 rating, making it less water resistant.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Despite this, in terms of design, the Galaxy A55 offers a more modern style and better overall build. It also fits better in the hand.
Screen and speakers
The Galaxy S23 FE features a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Although the display delivers vibrant colors and supports HDR10+, its maximum brightness is somewhat limited to 1,450 nits.
Stereo speakers deliver powerful sound, although high frequencies can be piercing at higher volumes.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
The Galaxy A55 comes with a larger 6.6-inch AMOLED display, which also features Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The screen is slightly less bright, reaching a maximum of 1,000 nits under bright ambient light with auto-brightness enabled.
Color accuracy is solid and the stereo speakers deliver decent clarity, albeit with a typical lack of bass for a mid-range phone.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Although the Galaxy A55’s screen isn’t as bright as the S23 FE’s, it’s slightly larger and better for media consumption.
Specifications and performance
The Galaxy S23 FE is powered by the Exynos 2200 chipset, paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB storage options.
If its performance is correct for daily tasks, it is insufficient for demanding applications. The lack of a microSD slot for storage expansion may be a drawback for some users.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
The Galaxy A55 is powered by the Exynos 1480 chipset, also with 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB, with the addition of a microSD slot for expansion.
This chipset also offers smooth everyday performance and very good power efficiency. However, it still lags behind in GPU performance, making it less ideal for high-end gaming.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
In our Geekbench 5 multi-core test, the Galaxy S23 FE scored 3987 points, while the Galaxy A55 scored 3447 points.
Both phones handle everyday tasks brilliantly and you will rarely see a difference between them.
Although both are not gaming beasts, the Galaxy S23 FE is the better choice here. Especially since in terms of pure performance, it proves superior.
Cameras
The Galaxy S23 FE is equipped with a versatile camera system: a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide, an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 10MP front camera.
The main and ultra-wide cameras deliver solid performance with vibrant colors and good detail, while the telephoto lens adds versatility. The selfie camera, although lower resolution than the A55, still produces good results.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
The camera setup of the Galaxy A55 includes a 50 MP primary camera, a 12 MP ultra-wide, a 5 MP macro, and a 32 MP front camera.
The main camera performs well in good lighting, but night shots and ultra-wide photos show noticeable drops in quality. The macro lens is a nice addition for close-up photos, although it’s not essential. The selfie camera excels in producing detailed and natural photos.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Both phones take good quality photos, so the main difference here will be what you need: a telephoto lens on the S23 FE or a macro lens on the A55. For selfie fans, the A55 will prove to be the best choice.
Battery life and charging
The Galaxy S23 FE houses a 4,500mAh battery, supporting 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. While the battery life is enough for a full day of moderate use, its speed loading is not the fastest in its category.
Using a suitable Samsung charger, the S23 FE reaches 55% in 30 minutes.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
The Galaxy A55 has a larger 5,000mAh battery, also supporting 25W wired charging but without wireless charging. It offers impressive battery life, often lasting up to two days with regular use.
Similar to the S23 FE, the A55 reaches around 50% in 30 minutes. It does, however, offer a larger battery and potentially longer runtime on a single charge.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Despite the lack of wireless charging, it proves to be a better choice than the S23 FE in terms of battery life and charging capabilities.
Software and applications
Running Android 14 with One UI 6, both phones offer a smooth and customizable user experience.
However, the interface can feel cluttered compared to stock Android and Samsung’s digital assistant, Bixby, still isn’t very useful.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Samsung promises four years of operating system updates and five years of security updates for both phones.
But the good thing about Galaxy S23 FE is that it offers advanced Galaxy AI features. The Galaxy A55, at least for the moment, does not have access to it.
Pricing and availability
Priced at £599/$579.99, the Galaxy S23 FE is positioned slightly above the mid-range segment.
It faces competition from discounted flagships and other solid mid-range options, particularly the A55, which makes its value proposition a bit challenging.
The Galaxy A55 starts at a more affordable £439 in the UK, offering excellent value for money with its premium build, larger screen and efficient performance.
Although it’s not available in the US, your closest choice is the Galaxy A35 5G for $399. It’s not too different, but it’s still an inferior product with cheaper construction, lower performance, and a lesser camera setup.
To see the competition these phones face, check out our list of the best mid-range phones.
Verdict
Choosing between the Galaxy S23 FE and the Galaxy A55 depends on your priorities. The Galaxy S23 FE offers better performance, Galaxy AI and has wireless charging, but at a higher price.
On the other hand, the Galaxy A55 offers a more modern design and sturdy build, a larger screen, and better battery life, all for a lower price, making it a better option for budget-conscious buyers. their budget.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
If you live in the US, the S23 FE is the only choice. However, if you are looking for the flagship experience and AI features of the S series, it is best to follow our list of Galaxy S24 series deals and buy it on sale.
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