The MWg Atom V represents a fascinating throwback to the early days of Windows Mobile, powered by an Intel XScale processor. We're pitting this relic against the modern Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, a mainstream flagship offering, to explore the chasm between smartphone technology then and now. This isn't just a spec sheet comparison; it's a look at how far mobile computing has come.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the vast majority of users, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is the clear winner. Its Exynos 2200 (or Snapdragon 8 Gen 1) chipset delivers performance orders of magnitude beyond the Atom V, coupled with a vibrant display, capable camera, and modern features. The Atom V is a niche device for collectors or those seeking a unique retro experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/0.384 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2008, March | 2023, October 04 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, October 05 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 116 x 59 x 15 mm (4.57 x 2.32 x 0.59 in) | 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm (6.22 x 3.01 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) |
| Weight | 133 g (4.69 oz) | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~143 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~35.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT resistive touchscreen, 256K colors (65K effective) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1450 nits (peak) |
| | Handwriting recognition | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Intel XScale PXA 270 520 MHz | Octa-core (1x2.8 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) - InternationalOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) - USA |
| Chipset | - | Exynos 2200 (4 nm) - InternationalQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) - USA |
| GPU | - | Xclipse 920 - InternationalAdreno 730 - USA |
| OS | Microsoft Windows Mobile 6 Professional | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 64MB RAM, 256MB ROM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 2 MP | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.4, 76mm (telephoto), 1/4.5", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | 10 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm |
| Video | - | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| | No | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.0, A2DP | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | - | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, SiRF Star III chipset | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Unspecified |
| USB | miniUSB | USB Type-C, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11b/g | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (PocketIE) | - |
| Sensors | - | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | Pocket Office
Voice memo
MP3/AAC/MP4 player
Predictive text input | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min
15W wireless
Reverse wireless |
| Stand-by | Up to 150 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 3 h 30 min | - |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1300 mAh battery | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Mint, Cream, Graphite, Purple, Indigo, Tangerine |
| Models | - | SM-S711B, SM-S711B/DS, SM-S711U1, SM-S711U, SM-S711W, SM-S7110, SM-S711N |
| Price | - | $ 219.95 / C$ 327.90 / £ 248.99 / € 272.00 / ₹ 34,999 |
| SAR | - | 0.80 W/kg (head) 0.72 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.76 W/kg (head) 1.04 W/kg (body) |
MWg Atom V
- Unique retro design and experience
- Runs legacy Windows Mobile applications
- Collectible item
- Extremely outdated processor and performance
- Poor battery life
- Limited app availability
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
- Powerful Exynos 2200/Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor
- Bright and vibrant display
- Versatile camera system
- Exynos variant may exhibit thermal throttling
- Software updates may be limited
- Plastic build may feel less premium
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE boasts a significantly more advanced display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 985 nits. This is crucial for outdoor visibility, something the Atom V, lacking detailed display specifications, simply cannot compete with. While the Atom V's screen size is unknown, it's almost certainly smaller and lower resolution. The S23 FE's panel likely utilizes LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, conserving battery life, a feature absent in the Atom V's era. Color accuracy and viewing angles will also be vastly superior on the S23 FE.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE features a modern camera system, though details beyond 'Photo / Video' are missing. However, even a mid-range modern camera sensor will outperform anything available during the Atom V's time. The S23 FE likely includes features like Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and advanced image processing algorithms for improved low-light performance and dynamic range. The Atom V's camera, if present, would be limited in resolution and image quality. The S23 FE's video capabilities will also be far superior, supporting higher resolutions and frame rates.
Performance
The performance gap is immense. The MWg Atom V's 520 MHz Intel XScale PXA 270 processor is dwarfed by the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE's Exynos 2200 (International) or Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (USA) – both 4nm chips with octa-core architectures clocked up to 2.8/3.0 GHz. The S23 FE's Cortex-X2 prime core provides a substantial performance boost for demanding tasks. The S23 FE also benefits from faster LPDDR5x RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and quicker app loading times. Thermal management is also a key difference; the S23 FE's larger surface area and advanced cooling solutions will prevent throttling during sustained workloads, unlike the Atom V which likely lacks any significant cooling.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE delivers an impressive 8:28 hours of active use, a testament to its efficient chipset and optimized software. It also supports 25W wired charging with PD3.0, reaching 50% charge in 30 minutes, and 15W wireless charging with reverse wireless capabilities. The MWg Atom V's battery life is unknown, but given the power inefficiency of the XScale processor and the age of the battery, it will be significantly shorter. Charging will likely be limited to a slow, proprietary connector.
Buying Guide
Buy the MWg Atom V if you need a conversation starter, a piece of mobile history, or are specifically interested in running legacy Windows Mobile applications. Its appeal is purely nostalgic. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE if you prioritize performance, a high-quality camera, a bright and responsive display, and access to the latest Android features and app ecosystem. It's a versatile device for everyday use and demanding tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 2200 chip in the S23 FE overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 2200 has been known to exhibit some thermal throttling under sustained load, particularly in warmer environments. However, the S23 FE's cooling system is generally effective at mitigating this, and performance remains strong for most gaming scenarios. The Snapdragon variant, available in the USA, typically runs cooler.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the S23 FE actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
While a 2MP macro camera is included, its image quality is limited by the small sensor size. It can capture close-up shots, but don't expect professional-level detail. It's more of a novelty feature than a primary camera tool.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE run demanding games like PUBG Mobile at 90fps?
Yes, the S23 FE can achieve 90fps in PUBG Mobile, but it depends on the graphics settings and the specific variant (Exynos or Snapdragon). Lowering the graphics settings may be necessary to maintain a stable 90fps frame rate during intense gameplay.
❓ What kind of applications can realistically be run on the MWg Atom V in 2024?
The MWg Atom V is primarily limited to running legacy Windows Mobile applications. Modern Android apps are incompatible. Its usefulness is largely confined to those seeking to experience or preserve older software.
