Samsung Galaxy S23 FE vs Samsung Galaxy S26
Compare Samsung Galaxy S23 FE vs Samsung Galaxy S26 side by side: Exynos 2200 (4 nm) / Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 /…
Samsung
Galaxy S23 FE
$599
3categories won
Samsung
Galaxy S26
$790
9categories won
10 categories tied · 22 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE takes the overall win
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE claims the overall win over the Samsung Galaxy S26, delivering a stronger technical package across battery endurance and core hardware. In camera testing, the two devices offer similar flexibility, while battery endurance leans towards the Galaxy S23 FE. Choose the Galaxy S23 FE if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the Galaxy S26 if its specific hardware strengths better fit your budget.
Galaxy S23 FE wins on endurance with 4,500 mAh and 25W fast charging.
Galaxy S23 FE leads gaming and raw performance powered by the Exynos 2200 (4 nm) / Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) and 8GB RAM.
Both camera setups are closely matched for daily street photography and low-light shooting.
Galaxy S23 FE provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $599 vs $790.
Category verdicts are computed algorithmically from verified technical specifications and hardware benchmarks. Rows where neither figure is objectively better — screen size preference, operating system choice, aesthetic build materials — are displayed for direct reference without scoring bias.
Galaxy S23 FE vs Galaxy S26: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | Galaxy S23 FE | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.4" | 6.3" |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 1080 x 2340 |
| Pixel density | 403 ppi | 409 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1450 nits | 2600 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | Galaxy S23 FE | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2200 (4 nm) / Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600 |
| Process node | 4 nm | 2 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 3,200,000Winner | 3,064,672 |
| Geekbench multi | 10800 | 10824 |
| Maximum RAM | 8 GB | 12 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 256GB | 512GBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | Galaxy S23 FE | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 3 |
| Optical zoom | 3x | 3x |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Selfie camera | 10 MP | 12 MPWinner |
| Max video | 8K at 24fps | 8K at 30fps / 4K at 120fps |
Battery and charging
| Specification | Galaxy S23 FE | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4,500 mAhWinner | 4,300 mAh |
| Wired charging | 25 W | 25 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
Design
| Specification | Galaxy S23 FE | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 209 g | 167 gWinner |
| Thickness | 8.2 mm | 7.2 mmWinner |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 front and back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame |
Software and support
| Specification | Galaxy S23 FE | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15 (One UI 7) | Android 16 |
| OS updates | 4 years | 7 yearsWinner |
| Security updates | 4 years | 7 yearsWinner |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | Galaxy S23 FE | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth) |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $599Winner | $790 |
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE brings flagship camera performance, an aluminum frame, IP68 water resistance, wireless charging, and Galaxy AI productivity tools down to an accessible sub-flagship price.
- Display
- 6.4"
- Chipset
- Exynos 2200 (4 nm) / Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
- Main camera
- 50MP
- Battery
- 4,500mAh
Samsung Galaxy S26
The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a premium compact smartphone suited for buyers who want top-tier performance without the bulk. Priced at $789.99, it pairs a powerful 2nm processor and exceptional seven-year update support with a bright 6.3-inch LTPO display, though its 25W charging speeds lag behind the competition.
- Display
- 6.3"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600
- Main camera
- 50MP
- Battery
- 4,300mAh