The Galaxy S23 FE is an iterative improvement over the previous Fan Edition models, and we have a number of alternatives for the price, both from Samsung and other brands, that bring better value for your money.
We have picked the 5 best alternatives to the Galaxy S23 FE and discussed their specialties and drawbacks if any, to make it easy for you to pick which one is most appropriate for you.
If OneUI is a must have for you
Galaxy S23
- The ‘8 Gen 2 for Galaxy’ chip is way more capable and efficient
- Premium build with glass back and aluminum frame
- Much better cameras than the S23 FE
- At or below $799.
While the base Galaxy S23 has only a 3900mAh battery instead of the 4500mAh of the S23 FE, it only suggests not to judge a book by its cover. The 8 Gen 2 chip on the S23 is really a lot more efficient than last year’s Exynos 2200. I have explained how the S23 is still better than the S23 FE.
If you have the budget and happen to be a fan of OneUI, then there’s no better option for the price.
Galaxy A54
- Premium design within affordable price
- Decent cameras for the price
- Great battery life
If you don’t want to break the bank for the absolute best and just want an overall good experience, the Galaxy A54 becomes a good option within its below $400 price range.
While it doesn’t compete with flagships, it’s able to satisfy most people with its camera performance, nice and vivid Super AMOLED display, and the ability to last more than a day on a single charge.
However, for some use cases, the Exynos 1380 struggles a bit. To ensure that this affordable mid-range device stacks up against the flagship Exynos 2200 powered S23 FE based on your requirements, check out our dedicated comparison of the S23 FE and Galaxy A54.
If you are okey outside OneUI:
Considering the price tag, you can get much better hardware by switching brands. If performance, as well as camera quality, is more important to you than Samsung’s custom software skin, then you have plenty of other options.
Pixel 7
Not for a gamer but for everyone else
- Incredible camera
- clean android experience
- Exclusive AI features
AI-based features like call screening, Super Res Zoom, offline dictation, face and photo unblur, etc., make Pixel devices stand out and are really helpful.
Other than that, the phone is powered by the second-generation Tensor G2 chip (it’s not a benchmark topper but delivers what it promises), a 4355 mAh battery, a 6.3″ FHD+ 90Hz OLED display that goes up to 1400 nits peak brightness (perfectly visible in direct sunlight), and brings a unique look to the camera module. You can check the current pricing on Amazon here.
However, I would like to add that the battery life isn’t very impressive compared to the battery capacity. You may even need to charge it more than once a day based on your usage, and the 20W charging is also slower than the competition.
On the flip side, it tends to heat up a bit more than usual, and as a result, recording in 4K at 60fps sometimes stops automatically, especially in higher ambient temperatures. Other than that, the overall experience is excellent. Provided you are okay with recording in 4K at 30fps in those cases, the Pixel 7 is a great choice for you.
Pixel 7a
Like Samsung’s Fan Edition, the Pixel 7a is the affordable version of the Pixel 7. However, in contrast to the S23 FE, which loses to the competition for the price, the Pixel 7a actually wins as a value king.
The Pixel 7a brings nearly the same camera capabilities as the premium Pixel 7, thanks to computational photography being Google’s secret sauce in imaging.
It has a slightly smaller 6.1″ FHD+ OLED display with the same 90Hz refresh rate, powered by the same Tensor G2 chip as the Pixel 7, and a 4385 mAh battery, which also delivers nearly identical battery life. It has a plastic back instead of glass like the Pixel 7, but the quality of the panel is surely up to the mark, so it doesn’t feel cheap.
To better differentiate the two and pick the most appropriate one for you, consider reading this article comparing the Pixel 7a and Pixel 7. To make things simple, if you get the Pixel 7a for near $400, it will be an awesome deal; otherwise go with the Pixel 7 instead.
OnePlus 11
OnePlus decides to regain the crown of value king and the result in OnePlus 11
- mostly top of the line specifications
- great cameras
- premium build and looks
The 16/256 GB variant of this device costs nearly $799. It’s not exactly an alternative to the Fan Edition but rather a competitor for the more expensive models at a lower price. For someone okay with OxygenOS/ColorOS, the total package still offers great value for money.
It features the top-of-the-line 8 Gen 2 chip, a 6.7″ QHD+ flagship-grade OLED display that reaches up to 1300 nits peak brightness (something you don’t need to worry about), a 5000 mAh battery, and an 80W/100W charger (80W-USA, 100W-International) included in the box.
The device has a 50MP triple camera setup with a 2x optical zoom lens. The camera quality is mostly on par with the Galaxy S23 (which also uses the same main sensor).
To meet the price bracket, this device cuts some corners by providing a slightly lower water protection rating of IP64 and the absence of wireless charging. However, many people won’t consider these two things as significant drawbacks. For them, the OnePlus 11 is a wonderful package.
Final words
As I mentioned, there are better options both from within and outside Samsung that offer better value and a superior overall device compared to last year’s Exynos 2200 powered Galaxy S23 FE.
The S23 or the A54 keep you within the OneUI ecosystem with different appeals. The Pixel 7 offers the best cameras for the price, along with useful AI features, while OnePlus provides a combination of great performance and near-perfect cameras.
