Galaxy S20 FE vs Galaxy S23+

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE (Fan Edition), released in October 2020, and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus, launched in February 2023, represent different generations within Samsung's smartphone lineup. While both devices offer a comprehensive Android experience, the S23 Plus benefits from newer technology, particularly in processing power and camera capabilities, reflecting the advancements made over a few years. Both run on the Android operating system, with the S23 Plus featuring a more recent version out of the box and a longer expected software support window.

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is influenced by its release date, software support, and physical resilience. The generational gap between these two models plays a significant role in their expected longevity.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S20 FE was released in October 2020, making it a device from a few years ago. The Galaxy S23 Plus, launched in February 2023, is a much newer model. [2, 11, 13, 24]
• Software Longevity: The S20 FE launched with Android 10 and received updates up to Android 13. [11] The S23 Plus launched with Android 13 and has already received Android 14, indicating a longer period of future software support. [2, 13] This means the S23 Plus will continue to receive security patches and new Android features for a longer duration.
• Physical Durability: The S20 FE features Gorilla Glass 3 protection, while the S23 Plus is equipped with the more advanced Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both its front and back panels, offering enhanced resistance to scratches and drops. [14, 18, 21, 23] Both devices carry an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, providing protection against environmental elements. [23, 32] The S20 FE has a repairability score of 7.5 out of 10, indicating it is moderately repairable. [3]

Performance is a key differentiator, with the newer Galaxy S23 Plus offering a notable upgrade in raw power and efficiency compared to the Galaxy S20 FE.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S23 Plus features a significantly more advanced processor, enabling smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and more fluid performance in demanding applications and games. [1, 2, 4, 9, 19, 21, 25] The S20 FE, while capable for everyday tasks, may show its age with more intensive workloads. [8, 29]
• Battery Behavior: The S23 Plus houses a 4,700 mAh battery, slightly larger than the S20 FE's 4,500 mAh capacity. [2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24] User experiences suggest the S23 Plus generally offers excellent battery life, often lasting up to two days for moderate users, partly due to its more efficient processor. [4, 9, 10, 19, 25, 30] The S20 FE's battery life has been described as good for a full day, though some users reported it could struggle with heavy use, especially with the 120Hz display enabled. [5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 22]
• Storage and RAM: The S20 FE typically comes with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, with a microSD card slot for expansion up to 1TB. [18, 20, 24] The S23 Plus offers 8GB of RAM as standard and storage options of 256GB or 512GB, utilizing faster UFS 4.0 storage, but it lacks a microSD card slot. [2, 13, 18, 21]

Both devices offer vibrant displays, but the Galaxy S23 Plus introduces enhancements in brightness and adaptive refresh rate technology.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The S20 FE features a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display, while the S23 Plus has a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. [1, 2, 9, 10, 14, 18, 20, 21, 24] Both provide rich colors and deep blacks. The S20 FE has a Full HD+ resolution (2400 x 1080) with approximately 407 pixels per inch (ppi). [5, 7, 18, 20, 22] The S23 Plus also features a Full HD+ resolution (2340 x 1080) with about 393 ppi. [2, 4, 9, 10, 14, 18, 21]
• Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: The S23 Plus offers significantly higher peak brightness, reaching up to 1,750 nits, which greatly improves visibility in bright outdoor conditions. [4, 9, 10, 14, 23, 25] The S20 FE's display is bright, but some users have noted challenges with outdoor visibility. [8, 22]
• Refresh Rate: Both phones feature a 120Hz refresh rate, providing smooth scrolling and a responsive user experience. [5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14, 18, 20, 22, 23] However, the S23 Plus's display can scale down its refresh rate more efficiently, potentially contributing to better battery management. [10, 23]

The camera systems on both devices are capable, but the Galaxy S23 Plus offers a more advanced setup with higher resolution sensors and improved video capabilities.

• Rear Camera System: The S20 FE features a triple camera setup with a 12MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. [5, 7, 20, 22, 24, 28, 32] The S23 Plus upgrades this with a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP telephoto lens, also with 3x optical zoom. [1, 2, 4, 21]
• Photography Performance: The S20 FE is praised for its vibrant colors and good detail in daylight, with a capable night mode. [5, 7, 28, 32, 34] The S23 Plus delivers excellent overall photography, particularly in low-light conditions, benefiting from its larger main sensor and advanced image processing. [4, 23, 25]
• Video Recording and Front Camera: The S20 FE supports video recording up to 4K at 60 frames per second (fps). [7, 22, 32, 34] The S23 Plus extends video capabilities to 8K at 30fps and offers enhanced stabilization for 4K 60fps video. [1, 12] For selfies, the S20 FE has a 32MP front camera, while the S23 Plus features a 12MP front camera with improved processing for clearer results. [2, 4, 12, 21, 32]