Galaxy S23 FE vs Galaxy S24+

The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, released in October 2023, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, launched in January 2024, are both Android smartphones from Samsung's Galaxy series. While they share the same operating system and Samsung's One UI, the S24 Plus introduces more advanced hardware, a more capable display, and an extended software support policy, positioning it as a more premium device compared to the S23 FE.

The longevity of a smartphone is significantly influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical durability features.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S23 FE was released in October 2023, while the Galaxy S24 Plus followed in January 2024. This difference in launch dates means the S24 Plus will generally receive software updates for a longer period.
• Software Support: The Galaxy S23 FE is promised four major OS updates and five years of security patches. In contrast, the Galaxy S24 Plus comes with an extended commitment of seven years of major Android and One UI upgrades, along with security patches, ensuring support until 2031.
• Durability Features: Both models feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, providing protection against immersion. The S23 FE uses Gorilla Glass 5 for screen and back panel protection. The S24 Plus incorporates Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for the display and an Enhanced Armor Aluminum frame, suggesting a focus on robust build quality.

Performance is a key differentiator, impacting how smoothly applications run and how efficiently the device handles demanding tasks.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S23 FE is equipped with a processor that provides smooth performance for everyday tasks and most applications. The Galaxy S24 Plus features a newer, more powerful processor, delivering enhanced speed and efficiency for demanding applications, intensive gaming, and advanced AI features. Users report that the S24 Plus feels snappier when juggling apps or playing graphics-intensive games.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: The S23 FE comes with 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for typical multitasking. The S24 Plus steps up with 12GB of RAM, offering more headroom for heavy multitasking and ensuring a highly responsive user experience even with numerous apps open.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S23 FE has a 4,500mAh battery, generally lasting a full day with moderate use, though heavy usage may require more frequent charging. The Galaxy S24 Plus houses a larger 4,900mAh battery, which, combined with its more efficient processor, often provides extended usage, with some users reporting up to two days on a single charge.

The display is a primary interface for user interaction, and differences in screen technology, resolution, and brightness can significantly affect the viewing experience.

• Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy S23 FE features a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a Full HD+ resolution (2340 x 1080 pixels). The Galaxy S24 Plus has a larger 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, which boasts a higher QHD+ resolution (3120 x 1440 pixels), resulting in a sharper image.
• Brightness and Visibility: The S23 FE's display reaches a peak brightness of 1,450 nits, offering good visibility in most lighting conditions. The S24 Plus significantly enhances this with a peak brightness of 2,600 nits, providing superior visibility in bright outdoor environments.
• Refresh Rate: Both phones feature a dynamic refresh rate of up to 120Hz for smooth scrolling and animations. However, the S24 Plus offers a more adaptive refresh rate, capable of scaling down to 1Hz for improved power efficiency, whereas the S23 FE typically switches between 60Hz and 120Hz.

Both smartphones offer capable camera systems, but the Galaxy S24 Plus benefits from newer processing and software enhancements.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S23 FE includes a triple camera setup with a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, and an 8-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The Galaxy S24 Plus also features a triple camera system, typically with a 50-megapixel main, 12-megapixel ultrawide, and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
• Photography Performance: The S23 FE's cameras perform well in various conditions, including decent low-light performance, and its 3x optical zoom is noted for retaining detail. The S24 Plus, while having similar hardware specifications for its main lenses, often produces better pictures with more vibrant colors and detail, especially in challenging lighting, due to advanced image processing.
• Video Recording Quality: Both devices are capable of recording high-quality video. The S24 Plus offers enhanced video recording features and quality, including support for 8K resolution at 30 frames per second, compared to the S23 FE's capabilities.