Galaxy S23 FE: Worth Buying in 2025

If you’re shopping for a Samsung phone on a budget in 2025, the Galaxy S23 FE keeps showing up on Irish refurbished sites for under €300. It’s a tempting proposition — flagship-level camera and 120Hz display for half the price of a new phone. But with the standard Galaxy S23 also dropping in price, is the FE still the smarter buy? Let’s dig into the details that actually matter.

Display: 6.4-inch Super AMOLED, 120Hz · Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 / Exynos 2200 · Main Camera: 50MP triple camera system · Battery: 4500mAh with 25W charging · Release Date: October 2023 · Starting Price (New): €599

Here’s a quick look at the key specs you need to know.

Is the Samsung S23 FE worth buying?

What are the key features of the Galaxy S23 FE?

The Galaxy S23 FE packs a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, a 50MP main camera with OIS (ViberStore Ireland), and a 4500mAh battery with 25W wired and 15W wireless charging (refurbed.ie). It runs Android 13 with One UI 5.1 and is upgradeable to Android 14. Performance comes from either Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (US) or Exynos 2200 (global).

How does it compare to newer models?

The S23 FE trades blows with the Galaxy A55 (2024) and S24 FE. It holds its own with the 120Hz screen and IP68 rating, but the Exynos chipset lags behind the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the S23. For most daily tasks and gaming, the FE remains fluid, but if you need the fastest silicon or the smallest bezels, newer mid-range models like the A55 may feel more modern.

What are the pros and cons of the Galaxy S23 FE?

The choice comes down to priorities: value versus polish.

Which is better, Galaxy S23 or S23 FE?

What are the main differences in camera quality?

Both phones have a 50MP main camera, but the S23 uses a newer sensor with better low-light performance (Back Market Ireland). The S23 FE still captures excellent photos for its price, and the 8MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom is a nice inclusion.

How does performance compare?

The S23 runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 — a significant step up from the S23 FE’s Exynos 2200 or Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. In benchmarks and gaming, the S23 is about 20–30% faster (Samsung Certified Re-Newed). The FE is no slouch, but the S23 will feel snappier with heavy multitasking.

Which has a better display?

Both share a 6.1-inch (S23) vs 6.4-inch (S23 FE) Dynamic AMOLED with 120Hz refresh rate. The S23’s display is slightly brighter and more colour-accurate. The FE’s larger screen may appeal to media consumers. No clear winner — it’s screen size vs quality.

Is the S23 worth the extra cost?

New, the S23 costs about €200–€300 more than the FE. Refurbished, the gap narrows to around €100–€150 (refurbed.ie). For that premium you get a glass back, faster chipset, better low-light camera, and a more compact design. If these matter to you, the S23 is worth it.

For most Irish buyers, the FE offers the smarter compromise.

How much is a Samsung S23 FE worth second hand?

What is the new price of the Galaxy S23 FE?

New, the Galaxy S23 FE starts at €599 for the 128GB model in Europe (Back Market Ireland). The 256GB variant is typically €649.

What is the second-hand value?

Refurbished prices in Ireland cluster around €247 to €280. Back Market Ireland lists from €247 for Grey and Green models. refurbed.ie has a 128GB green model at €262.99. ViberStore Ireland sells refurbished units from €279.99 with a 12-month warranty. On CeX, second-hand prices hover around €300–€400. Samsung’s own Certified Re-Newed program prices the FE at $389 in the US.

Where can I buy a Galaxy S23 FE in Ireland?

New units are available from DID Electrical (Irish electronics retailer) and ViberStore Ireland. For refurbished, the top options are Back Market Ireland (30-day returns), refurbed.ie (12-month warranty), and ViberStore Ireland (12-month warranty, free next-day delivery). Reboxed (UK refurbisher with Ireland shipping) starts at £350 (~€407).

These prices make the FE the clear budget champion in the second-hand market.

Is the Samsung S23 FE outdated?

When was the Galaxy S23 FE released?

The Galaxy S23 FE launched in October 2023 (Samsung Certified Re-Newed). That makes it about 18 months old as of early 2025.

What are the key differences between the S23 FE and current mid-range models?

Compared to the Galaxy A55 (2024), the S23 FE has a better camera system, wireless charging, and IP68 rating, but the A55 uses a newer Exynos 1480 chip and has a glass back. The S24 FE (late 2024) improves on the FE formula with a slightly bigger battery and newer Exynos 2400e chip, but costs more (refurbed.ie).

Is the S23 FE still getting software updates?

Yes. Samsung promised 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security updates from launch (Samsung Certified Re-Newed). The S23 FE is still receiving security patches and will get Android 15 in 2025. OS updates are expected to end in 2026, security updates in 2028.

It remains a wise pick for anyone wanting longevity without flagship pricing.

What does FE mean in Samsung?

What is the history of the Fan Edition line?

FE stands for Fan Edition. Samsung introduced the line with the Galaxy S20 FE in 2020 (Samsung Certified Re-Newed). The idea was to offer flagship features — like high-refresh displays and premium cameras — at a lower price by making some compromises on materials and certain specs.

How does the S23 FE fit into Samsung’s lineup?

The S23 FE sits between the mid-range A-series and the flagship S-series. It borrows the design language of the S23 but uses a plastic back and a slightly older chipset. For people who want a good camera and screen without paying flagship prices, the FE line hits the sweet spot.

Samsung’s FE philosophy still makes sense for cost-conscious buyers in Ireland.

Let’s see how the S23 FE stacks up against the S23.

Here are the detailed specifications for the Galaxy S23 FE.

The Galaxy S23 FE remains a compelling option in 2025, especially for value-conscious buyers in Ireland who can pick up a refurbished unit for around €250. It offers a premium display, versatile camera, and long software support at a fraction of the price of new flagships. For anyone on a budget, the FE is the clear choice. But if performance and build quality matter more, the standard S23 — now also available refurbished — justifies the extra spend. For the Irish buyer, the decision is simple: save with the FE, or invest in the S23.