Samsung Galaxy F23 5G First Look: A Worthy Successor to the Galaxy F22?
Samsung’s Galaxy F22 left a lot to be desired amongst users, but the company seems to be taking a serious step towards redemption with the launch of the Galaxy F23 5G. This new phone boasts some significant upgrades, including a faster processor, a higher-resolution display, and even a beefier camera setup. While it comes with a slightly higher price tag than its predecessor, the spec sheet suggests a potential for a much more compelling experience. Let’s take a closer look at what Samsung’s new budget offering has to offer.
A Refreshing Redesign?
Samsung sent over a Forest Green variant of the Galaxy F23 5G for review. This matte-finished plastic back panel does a decent job of hiding fingerprints, but only reveals the deep green shade at certain angles under light. It looks quite nice, almost black at other angles, a welcomed change to the dated design of the front.
The Galaxy F23 5G is a chunky phone thanks to its 5,000mAh battery. While it does support fast charging (up to 25W), the charger is unfortunately not included in the box. Samsung’s recent trend of lighter packaging extends even to budget phones, with the box only containing a USB Type-C to Type-C cable and a SIM eject tool.
The phone has a minor camera bump on the back and features the usual ports and buttons, including a headphone jack. The fingerprint sensor is integrated into the power button, which makes for a comfortable grip thanks to the rounded sides of the frame.
A Notable Display Upgrade
The Galaxy F23 5G is definitely a budget smartphone, with thick display bezels and a gaping chin. In fact, not much has changed from the design of its predecessor, but the difference becomes clear once you start using the phone. The display now boasts a full-HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, a significant upgrade from the F22. However, this comes at the cost of losing the AMOLED panel. The LCD screen is decent but lacks the vibrancy of Samsung’s Super AMOLED displays.
A Powerful Performance Boost
The real upgrade lies under the hood. The Galaxy F23 5G utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G SoC, a powerful chipset already seen in higher priced phones like the OnePlus Nord CE 5G and Xiaomi Mi 10i. This processor is expected to deliver significantly better gaming performance, which was one of the major complaints about the Galaxy F22.
Camera Improvements for a Better Picture?
Samsung has also upgraded the main rear camera with a 50-megapixel sensor, a big improvement from the F22. We are hoping to see better low-light performance than the disappointing results from its predecessor. The Galaxy F23 5G also boasts an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera and a 2-megapixel macro camera on the back, and selfies are handled by an 8-megapixel front camera.
A Software Experience that Stays True to Samsung’s Standards
Samsung has been consistently delivering exceptional software experiences in their recent launches, and the budget offerings are no exception. The Galaxy F23 5G runs on OneUI 4.1 based on Android 12, and the company has promised two years of OS upgrades and four years of security updates, which is an excellent commitment to software support.
Competing in a Crowded Market
The price of the Samsung Galaxy F23 5G starts at Rs. 17,499, putting it in direct competition with other budget-friendly phones like the Redmi Note 11 Pro and the Realme 9 5G Speed Edition. The Galaxy F23 5G might be at a disadvantage compared to its rivals, which offer better bundled accessories including fast chargers.
However, the phone still holds potential. Its performance upgrades and improved camera setup could provide a compelling user experience, which will be revealed in a detailed review soon. We’ll be testing the performance, cameras, and battery life of the Galaxy F23 5G over the next few days to see if it has what it takes to truly stand out in the competitive budget smartphone market.
