Samsung Galaxy F23 5G Review: A Solid Mid-Range Contender

Samsung Galaxy F23 5G Review: A Solid Mid-Range Contender

The Samsung Galaxy F23 5G positions itself as a competitive option in the mid-range smartphone market. With a focus on performance and photography, it delivers strong value for users prioritizing these aspects, though some compromises exist in the display and packaging.

Design and Build

The Galaxy F23 boasts an attractive design, particularly in the Aqua Blue variant, with a slim and lightweight profile that makes it easy to carry. Samsung has opted for Gorilla Glass 5 on the front, but the phone lacks an official IP certification for dust and water resistance. The curved edges provide a comfortable grip, and the side-mounted fingerprint sensor is responsive and accurate. However, the absence of stereo speakers and a single speaker placement may disappoint those seeking an immersive audio experience.

Display

The 6.6-inch FHD+ TFT LCD panel with a 120Hz refresh rate offers smooth scrolling but falls short in contrast and depth compared to AMOLED displays. While colors are vibrant and streaming in HD is supported, the lack of HDR and average outdoor visibility under direct sunlight are notable limitations. Samsung appears to use a TFT Plane-In Switching PLS panel, which improves viewing angles and brightness, but the overall experience cannot match that of a true AMOLED screen.

Battery Life

With a substantial 5000mAh battery, the Galaxy F23 manages to last a full day under typical usage, including social media, multimedia, and photography. However, the combination of a power-hungry 120Hz display and LCD panel reduces endurance when heavy gaming is involved. Charging at 25W takes about an hour and 25 minutes to reach full capacity, but it is important to note that the phone does not include a charger in the box.

Performance

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G chipset, the Galaxy F23 handles everyday tasks and mainstream gaming quite well. The processor, built on an 8nm process, delivers smooth performance for most applications and offers stable gameplay at moderate settings in titles like PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile. However, graphically intensive games such as Genshin Impact can cause noticeable frame drops and increased device temperature.

Software

The device runs on Android 12 with Samsung’s One UI 4.1, providing a feature-rich experience along with the promise of two years of Android updates and four years of security patches. Despite the robust software support, the presence of bloatware and the use of Glance as the default lock screen wallpaper service instead of Samsung’s native solution may irritate some users.

Camera

The quad-camera setup, led by a 50MP primary sensor, produces vibrant and well-balanced photos with good dynamic range. The ultrawide lens maintains color consistency and offers decent dynamic range, while portrait shots achieve reasonable background separation. Nighttime photography suffers from darkness and grain, even with night mode enabled. Selfies from the 8MP front camera exhibit a slight reddish tint and inconsistent dynamic range. Video recording reaches up to 4K at 30fps on the rear camera, offering stability but lacking standout quality, while front-facing videos are limited to 1080p with a noticeable bluish tint.

Verdict

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy F23 5G is a commendable mid-range smartphone, particularly appealing to those who value photography and performance. Samsung’s commitment to software updates strengthens its appeal. However, potential buyers should consider alternatives like the Redmi Note 11 Pro 4G if a superior display and included fast charger are priorities.