Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 2022 vs Galaxy S23: A Detailed Showdown

Choosing a new Samsung phone can be tough, especially with so many great options. The Galaxy S20 FE 2022 offered incredible value, while the S23 represents Samsung's latest and greatest. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to see which device deserves your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Galaxy S23 is the clear winner, offering a significantly faster processor, brighter display, and improved camera system. While the S20 FE 2022 remains a capable phone, the S23's advancements justify its higher price for most users seeking a premium experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 2022 Samsung Galaxy S23
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bandsSA/NSA/Sub61, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat19 1800/200 Mbps, 5GHSPA, LTE (up to 7CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 1, 7, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2022, April 012023, February 01
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 01Available. Released 2023, February 17
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
Dimensions159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm (6.29 x 2.93 x 0.33 in)146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm (5.76 x 2.79 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight190 g (6.70 oz)168 g (5.93 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~425 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.1 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (HBM), 1750 nits (peak)
 Always-on displayAlways-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 740
OSAndroid 12, One UI 4.1Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 6GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1 - 128GB only UFS 4.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, auto-HDR, panoramaLED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Single-12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), Dual Pixel PDAF
Triple12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, 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", 1.12µm50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, HDR10+
Single32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 Virtual proximity sensing Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified)Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified)
Battery
Charging25W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Ion 4500 mAhLi-Ion 3900 mAh
Misc
ColorsCloud White, Cloud Lavender, Cloud NavyPhantom Black, Cream, Green, Lavender, Graphite, Lime
ModelsSM-G781NK, SM-G781NK22SM-S911B, SM-S911B/DS, SM-S911U, SM-S911U1, SM-S911W, SM-S911N, SM-S9110, SM-S911E, SM-S911E/DS
PriceAbout 520 EUR$ 237.95 / C$ 336.75 / £ 255.00 / € 322.41 / ₹ 49,990
SAR-0.95 W/kg (head)     0.88 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.96 W/kg (head)     1.30 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 101h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -27.0 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 1231075 (v9) GeekBench: 4950 (v5.1) GFXBench: 110fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 2022

  • Excellent value for money
  • Solid performance for everyday tasks
  • Versatile camera system
  • Compact and lightweight design
  • 5G connectivity

  • Older chipset showing its age
  • Display not as bright as competitors
  • Camera performance lags behind newer models
  • Software updates may be ending soon

Samsung Galaxy S23

  • Blazing-fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor
  • Stunningly bright and vibrant display
  • Exceptional camera system
  • Longer battery life
  • Premium design and build quality
  • Guaranteed software updates for years

  • Higher price point
  • Design is evolutionary, not revolutionary
  • No expandable storage

Display Comparison

The S23 boasts a significantly brighter display (1198 nits peak) compared to the S20 FE 2022, offering better visibility in sunlight. The S23's contrast ratio is also superior, providing deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. While both have excellent AMOLED panels, the S23's display is noticeably more premium.

Camera Comparison

The S23's camera system is a major upgrade. While the S20 FE 2022 has a versatile triple-lens setup, the S23 captures more detail, has better low-light performance, and offers improved video stabilization. The S23's image processing is also more refined, resulting in more natural-looking photos.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the S23 delivers a substantial performance boost over the Snapdragon 865 in the S20 FE 2022. Expect faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the S23. The S23's newer architecture also offers improved power efficiency.

Battery Life

Both phones offer similar battery capacities, but the S23's more efficient processor and software optimization result in longer battery life. The S23 consistently achieves over 11 hours of active use, while the S20 FE 2022's battery life is slightly shorter.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 2022 is a great choice for budget-conscious buyers who still want a solid Samsung experience. It's ideal for casual users and those who prioritize value. The Samsung Galaxy S23 is perfect for power users, photography enthusiasts, and anyone who wants the latest technology and top-tier performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the S20 FE 2022 still a good phone in 2024?
Yes, the S20 FE 2022 remains a capable phone for basic tasks and everyday use, especially if you find it at a discounted price. However, its age means it lacks some of the latest features and performance of newer devices.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 will receive longer software and security updates compared to the S20 FE 2022. Samsung typically provides 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security patches for its flagship devices.