Samsung’s ‘Galaxy S23 FE’ Set to Make a Comeback: The Best Cost-Effective Smartphone Yet?
By Kim Hyun-il, Herald Economy
[Image: Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy S21 FE (Fan Edition) – YouTube ‘Nick Ackerman’ capture]
In a surprising turn of events, Samsung Electronics is rumored to revive its highly acclaimed ‘Galaxy FE’ series after two years of uncertainty. The model, once hailed as Samsung’s best phone, had faced fluctuating prospects due to speculations of its discontinuation. However, with reports suggesting a lower price tag compared to its predecessor, the anticipated release of the ‘Galaxy S23 FE’ is attracting significant attention from cost-conscious users.
The ‘Galaxy FE’ model is categorized as a budget-friendly smartphone, presenting a design similar to the latest premium model, the ‘Galaxy S’ series, but with only essential features. This approach garnered positive reviews as it allowed users to experience remarkable performance at a more affordable cost compared to the premium model.
The recent appearance of the name ‘Galaxy S23 FE’ on Samsung Pay’s official website in Spain has sparked speculation that the release is imminent.
[Image: Expected image of Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy S23 FE (Fan Edition) – Smartprix homepage]
According to tech media outlet Phone Arena, the price of the upcoming ‘Galaxy S23 FE,’ expected to launch later this year, will start at $599 (approximately 800,000 won). This price point is $100 lower than the previous ‘Galaxy S21 FE’ released in January 2022 and half the cost of the ‘Galaxy S23 Ultra’ (1,599,400 won).
Analysts speculate that the projected price reduction may have been influenced by Google’s soon-to-be-revealed ‘Pixel 8’ smartphone, which is anticipated to be priced at $699 (around 940,000 won) in the US market. The ‘Galaxy S23 FE’ is expected to compete head-to-head with the ‘Pixel 8.’
An earlier leaked image of the ‘Galaxy S23 FE’ suggests a similar appearance to the Galaxy S23, while the back design draws closer resemblance to the entry-level smartphone, the Galaxy A54. The device is rumored to feature a 6.4-inch 120Hz screen, a 4,500 mAh battery, and will be available in 128GB and 256GB models with 8GB of RAM.
The ‘Galaxy S20 FE,’ introduced in September 2020, caused a sensation by delivering key performance at a significantly lower price (around 200,000 to 300,000 won) compared to the ‘Galaxy S20.’ It achieved remarkable success, with 4.2 million units sold within four months of its launch and a subsequent annual sales record of around 9 million units, surpassing even Samsung’s foldable phones (Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3).
While the ‘Galaxy S21 FE’ was released in January 2021, its successor, the ‘Galaxy S22 FE,’ failed to materialize, fueling speculation of an abrupt discontinuation. The growing dominance of the ‘Galaxy A’ series in the mid-priced category also contributed to the ambiguity surrounding the position of the FE series within Samsung’s lineup. Additionally, supply and demand difficulties in the semiconductor market delayed the release of the ‘Galaxy S21 FE,’ resulting in lesser market attention compared to its predecessor.
However, with Samsung Electronics skipping the release of this year’s top model in the Galaxy A series, the Galaxy A74, industry insiders are discussing the possible return of the FE series. As anticipation builds for the resurgent ‘Galaxy S23 FE,’ which has been scarcely mentioned, all eyes are on Samsung.
In April, IT media outlet Sam Mobile initially reported that the ‘Galaxy S23 FE’ would feature Samsung Electronics’ Exynos 2200 processor—an impressive mobile applications processor (AP). However, Phone Arena suggests it will utilize Qualcomm’s first-generation Snapdragon 8 chip, which aligns with Samsung’s strategy. The previously released premium ‘Galaxy S23’ model series comes equipped with the more advanced second-generation Snapdragon 8 chip.
For more information, contact: joze@heraldcorp.com
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Samsung Electronics ‘Galaxy S21 FE (Fan Edition)’ semi-premium smartphone. [유튜브 ‘Nick Ackerman’ 캡처]
[헤럴드경제=김현일 기자] “Best cost-effective Samsung phone ever, I can’t give it up like this”
The ‘Galaxy FE (Fan Edition)’ model, which was once called ‘Samsung’s best phone’ but went back and forth between extremes due to rumors that it was being discontinued, returns after two years. With predictions that it will be released at a cheaper price than its predecessor, it is getting a lot of attention from users seeking cost-effectiveness.
The ‘Galaxy FE’ model is classified as a cost-effective phone with a similar design to the latest premium model, the ‘Galaxy S’ series, with only the core features. It received favorable reviews as it allowed users to experience great performance at a cheaper price than the premium model.
Previously, on the official website of Samsung Pay in Spain, the name ‘Galaxy S23 FE’ appeared in the list introducing the terminal model, leading to predictions that its release is imminent.
Expected image of Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy S23 FE (Fan Edition). [스마트프릭스 홈페이지]
Phone Arena, an IT media outlet, reported that the price of Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy S23 FE, which is expected to be released at the end of the year, will start at $599 (about 800,000 won). It’s $100 cheaper than the previous ‘Galaxy S21 FE’ released in January 2022, and it’s half the price of the ‘Galaxy S23 Ultra’ (1,599,400 won).
Some analysts say that the price drop forecast is based on the Google ‘Pixel 8’ smartphone, which will be released on October 4th. It is expected to compete head-to-head with the ‘Pixel 8’, which is expected to be priced at $699 (around 940,000 won) in the US market.
As for the expected image of the ‘Galaxy S23 FE’ released earlier, the overall look is said to be similar to the Galaxy S23, but the back design is closer to the Galaxy A54, an entry-level smartphone. It is said to have a 6.4-inch 120Hz screen and a 4,500 mAh battery, and is expected to be released in 128GB and 256GB models with 8GB of RAM.
The ‘Galaxy S20 FE’, which was first introduced in September 2020, caused a sensation as soon as it was released as it was around 200,000 to 300,000 won cheaper than the ‘Galaxy S20’ while maintaining key performance. They found that 4.2 million units were sold within 4 months of launch, and in the following year, the company set an annual sales record of around 9 million units, surpassing the record of Samsung’s foldable phones (Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3) .
On the official Spanish website of Samsung Pay, the name ‘Galaxy S23 FE’ appeared in the list that presents the terminal model.
Although the ‘Galaxy S21 FE’ was released in January last year, the successor model ‘Galaxy S22 FE’ was not released, sparking rumors of its sudden discontinuation. Attention was drawn to the fact that the position of the AB series had become ambiguous due to the rapid rise of the ‘Galaxy A’ series, another mid-priced model. In the case of the ‘Galaxy S21 FE’, it was released late due to semiconductor supply and demand difficulties and did not receive much attention in the market compared to its predecessor.
However, since Samsung Electronics did not release the Galaxy A74, the top model in the Galaxy A series, this year, the possibility of a revival of the AB model was discussed in the industry. With the imminent return of the barely mentioned ‘Galaxy S23 FE’, industry attention is focused.
IT media outlet Sam Mobile initially reported in April that the ‘Galaxy S23 FE’ would feature an Exynos 2200 processor, Samsung Electronics’ mobile applications processor (AP), but Phone Arena said it would use a 1st generation Snapdragon 8 chip Qualcomm. It was expected that this would be relevant. The previously released ‘Galaxy S23’ premium model series is equipped with a more advanced 2nd generation Snapdragon 8 chip.
joze@heraldcorp.com
COPYRIGHT ⓒ THE HERALD CORPORATION. All Rights Reserved.
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