Samsung Galaxy Z Flip vs. S23 FE: Which Samsung Phone is Right for You?
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing battery life, consistent performance, and a more versatile camera system, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE emerges as the stronger choice. Its 8:28h active use score and more modern chipset outweigh the Z Flip’s novelty, especially considering the price difference.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66, 71 | 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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat16 1000/150 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, February 11 | 2023, October 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, February 14 | Available. Released 2023, October 05 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Plastic front, glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | Unfolded: 167.3 x 73.6 x 7.2 mm Folded: 87.4 x 73.6 x 17.3 mm | 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm (6.22 x 3.01 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) |
| Weight | 183 g (6.46 oz) | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2636 pixels (~425 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 101.6 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Foldable Dynamic AMOLED, HDR10+ | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1450 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.95 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.41 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) | 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 | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm) | Exynos 2200 (4 nm) - InternationalQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) - USA |
| GPU | Adreno 640 (700 MHz) | Xclipse 920 - InternationalAdreno 730 - USA |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1.1 | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 12 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| 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 | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+ | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 10 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1.22µm | 10 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 15W wired Wireless | 25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 3300 mAh | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Mirror Black, Mirror Purple, Mirror Gold, Thom Browne Edition | Mint, Cream, Graphite, Purple, Indigo, Tangerine |
| Models | SM-F700, SM-F700F, SM-F700F/DS, SM-F700U/DS, SM-F700U1/DS, SM-F700N, M-F7000, SM-F700W/DS, SM-F700U1 | SM-S711B, SM-S711B/DS, SM-S711U1, SM-S711U, SM-S711W, SM-S7110, SM-S711N |
| Price | About 770 EUR | $ 219.95 / C$ 327.90 / £ 248.99 / € 272.00 / ₹ 34,999 |
| SAR | 0.54 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) | 0.80 W/kg (head) 0.72 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.37 W/kg (head) 1.55 W/kg (body) | 0.76 W/kg (head) 1.04 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
- Unique foldable design and portability
- Head-turning aesthetics
- Compact form factor for easy one-handed use
- Significantly shorter battery life
- Older, less powerful chipset
- Lower display brightness
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
- Longer battery life (8:28h active use)
- More powerful and efficient chipset
- Brighter and larger display
- Less unique design
- Larger and heavier than the Z Flip
- May not appeal to those seeking a truly compact phone
Display Comparison
The displays represent a significant difference. The S23 FE boasts a substantially brighter panel at 985 nits (measured) compared to the Z Flip’s 596 nits. This translates to superior visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both are AMOLED, the Z Flip’s folding nature necessitates a different panel construction, potentially impacting durability. The S23 FE’s larger size also offers a more immersive viewing experience, while the Z Flip’s smaller screen is a trade-off for its compact form factor. We lack PWM frequency data for both, but the Z Flip’s flexible display may introduce unique flicker characteristics.
Camera Comparison
While both phones feature capable camera systems, the S23 FE likely holds an advantage due to its more modern image signal processor (ISP) integrated within the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200. The context data lacks specific sensor details, but the S23 FE’s flagship positioning suggests a larger primary sensor and more advanced image processing algorithms. The Z Flip’s camera is adequate, but likely prioritizes compactness over image quality. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the Z Flip is largely a marketing feature, offering limited practical benefit compared to the S23 FE’s potentially more versatile lens setup.
Performance
The chipset disparity is substantial. The S23 FE utilizes either the Exynos 2200 (International) or Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (USA), both built on a 4nm process, offering significant efficiency gains over the Z Flip’s older 7nm Snapdragon 855+. The S23 FE’s CPU, featuring Cortex-X2 cores clocked up to 3.0 GHz (USA variant), delivers noticeably faster processing speeds for demanding applications. The Z Flip’s Snapdragon 855+ remains capable for everyday tasks, but will struggle with sustained heavy workloads and newer, more graphically intensive games. The S23 FE’s more modern architecture also benefits from improved AI processing capabilities.
Battery Life
Battery life is a clear win for the S23 FE. Its active use score of 8:28h significantly surpasses what the Z Flip can achieve with its smaller battery and less efficient chipset. The S23 FE also supports 25W wired charging with PD3.0, enabling a 50% charge in just 30 minutes, a substantial improvement over the Z Flip’s slower 15W wired charging. The S23 FE’s inclusion of 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging further enhances its versatility, features absent on the Z Flip.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip if you value ultimate portability, a head-turning design, and are willing to compromise on battery life and raw processing power. It’s ideal for fashion-conscious users who prioritize form over function. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE if you prefer a larger display, longer battery life, a more capable camera, and a more consistent, powerful performance for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. It’s the better option for power users and those seeking a well-rounded flagship experience.