Samsung has a lot of different phones to choose from and it can get quite confusing. Two popular models are the Galaxy A55 from the lower mid-range and the Galaxy S23 FE affording an affordable flagship experience.
Both phones offer different features, targeting different segments of the mid-range phone market. This poses the question, is it worth paying extra for the feature-lite S23 FE if the A55 offers a complete mid-range package?
Let’s compare the two models in different categories to determine which is the better buy.
Design & Build
The Galaxy S23 FE (now superseded by the Galaxy S24 FE) sports a design that closely mirrors its flagship sibling, the Galaxy S23, but in a larger, bulkier form factor. It features Gorilla Glass 5 front and back panels with an aluminium frame, which gives it a premium feel.
The S23 FE is IP68 rated, providing excellent dust and water resistance, though it does have chunky bezels and a significant chin. It measures 158 x 76.5 x 8.2mm and weighs 209g, making it lighter than the Galaxy A55, but not as comfortable to handle.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
The Galaxy A55, on the other hand, offers a refined design reminiscent of the Galaxy S24, with flat edges and a premium build featuring an aluminium frame and a glass back. The use of Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front also adds better durability.
It’s slightly bigger and heavier at 61.1 x 77.4 x 8.2mm and 213g than the S23 FE. The phone features a unique raised housing for the power and volume buttons and also boasts an IP67 rating, making it less resistant to water.
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Despite that, in terms of design, the Galaxy A55 offers a more modern style and better overall build. It also sits better in the hand.
Screen & Speakers
The Galaxy S23 FE is equipped with a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. While the screen provides vibrant colours and supports HDR10+, its peak brightness is somewhat limited at 1450 nits.
The stereo speakers offer loud audio, though the high frequencies can be piercing at higher volumes.
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The Galaxy A55 comes with a larger 6.6-inch AMOLED display, also featuring a Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The display is slightly less bright, maxing out at 1000 nits under bright ambient light with auto brightness enabled.
The colour accuracy is solid, and the stereo speakers provide decent clarity, albeit with a typical lack of bass for a mid-range phone.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Although the Galaxy A55’s screen will not be as bright as the one on the S23 FE, it is slightly larger and better for media consumption.
Specs & Performance
The Galaxy S23 FE is powered by the Exynos 2200 chipset, paired with 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB.
While its performance is decent for everyday tasks, it falls short in demanding applications. The lack of a microSD slot for storage expansion might be a drawback for some users.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
The Galaxy A55 features the Exynos 1480 chipset, also with 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB, with the addition of a microSD slot for expansion.
This chipset also provides smooth day-to-day performance and very good energy efficiency. However, it still lags behind in GPU performance, making it less ideal for high-end gaming.
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In our Geekbench 5 multi-core test, the Galaxy S23 FE scored 3987 points, while the Galaxy A55 scored 3447 points.
Both phones handle everyday tasks brilliantly and you will rarely see any difference between them.
While both are not gaming beasts, the Galaxy S23 FE is the better choice here. Especially as, in terms of pure performance, it proves to be superior.
Cameras
The Galaxy S23 FE is equipped with a versatile camera system: a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide, an 8MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom and a 10MP front camera.
The main and ultrawide cameras deliver solid performance with vibrant colours and good detail, while the telephoto lens adds versatility. The selfie camera, though lower in resolution than the A55, still produces good results.
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The Galaxy A55 camera setup features a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide, a 5MP macro and a 32MP front camera.
The main camera performs well in good lighting, but night shots and ultrawide photos show noticeable quality drop-offs. The macro lens is a nice addition for closeup shots, though not essential. The selfie camera excels in producing detailed and natural-looking photos.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Both phones take good quality photos, so the main difference here will be what you need: telephoto lens on the S23 FE or macro lens on the A55. For selfie fans, the A55 will prove to be the better choice.
Battery Life & Charging
The Galaxy S23 FE houses a 4500mAh battery, supporting 25W wired and 15W wireless charging. While the battery life is adequate for a full day of moderate use, its charging speed is not the fastest in its class.
Using an appropriate Samsung charger, the S23 FE gets to 55% in 30 minutes.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
The Galaxy A55 features a larger 5000mAh battery, also supporting 25W wired charging but without wireless charging. It offers impressive battery life, often lasting up to two days with regular use.
Similar to the S23 FE, the A55 gets to around 50% in 30 minutes. It does, however, offer a larger battery and potentially longer operation on a single charge.
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Despite the lack of wireless charging, it proves to be a better choice than the S23 FE in terms of battery life and charging capabilities.
Software & Apps
Running on Android 14 with One UI 6, both phones provide a smooth and customisable user experience.
However, the interface can feel cluttered compared to stock Android and Samsung’s digital assistant, Bixby, is still not very useful.
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Samsung promises four years of OS updates and five years of security updates for both phones.
But the advantage of the Galaxy S23 FE is that it offers advanced Galaxy AI features. The Galaxy A55, at least for the moment, does not have access to them.
Price & Availability
Priced at £599/$579.99, the Galaxy S23 FE is positioned slightly above the mid-range segment.
It faces competition from discounted flagships and other strong mid-range options, especially the A55, making its value proposition a bit challenging.
The Galaxy A55 starts at a more affordable £439 in the UK, offering excellent value with its premium build, larger display and efficient performance.
While it’s not available in the US, your closest choice is the Galaxy A35 5G for $399. It’s not too dissimilar but is still an inferior product with a cheaper build, inferior performance and a lesser camera setup.
To see the competition that these phones are up against, check out our list of the best mid-range phones.
Should you buy the Galaxy S23 FE or Galaxy A55?
Choosing between the Galaxy S23 FE and the Galaxy A55 depends on your priorities. The Galaxy S23 FE offers better performance, Galaxy AI and has wireless charging, but at a higher price point.
On the other hand, the Galaxy A55 provides a more modern design and robust build, larger display and better battery life, all for a lower price, making it a better option for budget-conscious buyers.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
If you live in the US, the S23 FE is the only choice. However, if you’re looking for the flagship experience and AI features of the S series, it’s better to follow our listing of the Galaxy S24 series deals and buy it on promotion.
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