The Samsung Galaxy F23 5G is a mid-range smartphone that aims to break the dominance of Chinese brands in India's sub-Rs. 20,000 segment. While it doesn't change much cosmetically from its predecessor, the Galaxy F22, internally it has some significant upgrades. The phone features a matte finish at the back, a glossy frame on the sides, and an all-plastic body that is well-built. The power button on the right side integrates a fingerprint sensor, and there's a headphone jack, USB-Type C port, and single speaker at the bottom. The display boasts a full-HD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, but it's an LCD panel instead of AMOLED. Performance-wise, the phone gets a much-needed boost with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G SoC, making it suitable for casual gaming. However, heavier titles struggled, and the RAM expansion feature didn't provide the desired performance boost. The camera setup consists of a 50-megapixel primary sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 2-megapixel macro lens. While daylight shots were decent, low-light performance was average, and close-ups looked good under dim lighting but struggled to capture wider scenes at night. Video recording capabilities are limited to up to 4K resolution without stabilization, although 1080p videos with stabilization worked well during the day. The battery life is impressive, lasting up to two days on a single charge, and fast charging support is available up to 25W. However, the display isn't very bright, making outdoor use under sunlight challenging. The cameras are average, and low-light performance is still not great. In conclusion, while the Galaxy F23 5G offers some significant upgrades, it faces stiff competition from other mid-range smartphones in the sub-Rs. 20,000 segment, such as the Vivo T1 and Redmi Note 11 Pro. The 6GB RAM variant is recommended over the 4GB variant for a smoother experience.
The Samsung Galaxy F23 5G's build quality and design are notable aspects of the device. The matte finish at the back contrasts well with the glossy frame on the sides, creating a visually appealing effect. However, the all-plastic body, while well-built, makes the phone slightly heavy and chunky. Upon closer inspection, the power button on the right side is integrated with a fingerprint sensor, which is a convenient feature. The phone's bottom edge houses a headphone jack, USB-Type C port, and single speaker, giving it a somewhat dated look due to the thick bezels and notch. The SIM tray is located at the top of the device and supports two nano-SIMs as well as a microSD card, making it easy to manage multiple phone lines. The matte finish helps with grip, but the plastic build may not feel as premium as some users might expect. While it's not particularly unique or innovative, the Galaxy F23 5G's design is clean and functional. It doesn't have any egregious flaws, but neither does it stand out in terms of originality or style. Overall, the design feels like a refinement of the previous generation, rather than a bold new statement. One aspect that might be considered a miss is the lack of stereo speakers or an IP rating, which could have added to the phone's overall build quality and durability. Despite these limitations, the Galaxy F23 5G still manages to feel solidly constructed, making it a reliable choice for users looking for a no-frills device with good performance capabilities.
While the Samsung Galaxy F23 5G has its share of shortcomings, one area where it excels is battery life. The phone is equipped with a large 5,000mAh battery that easily lasts up to two days on a single charge. In our testing, we were able to run our HD video loop test for an impressive 21 hours and 49 minutes, which speaks volumes about the phone's power efficiency. During our review period, we found ourselves getting by with minimal charging, even in our daily commute or at times when we needed to use the phone extensively. The battery life is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the Galaxy F23 5G, making it an excellent choice for those who need a device that can keep up with their busy lives. Fast charging support is also a welcome feature, and using a high-wattage charger like a 65W power adapter resulted in an 80% charge in just one hour. This level of battery life, combined with the phone's upgraded hardware and timely software updates, makes the Samsung Galaxy F23 5G a solid contender in the sub-Rs. 20,000 smartphone segment. While it may not be perfect in every aspect, its impressive battery life is definitely something to brag about.
The Samsung Galaxy F23 5G boasts a full-HD+ resolution display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which is an improvement over its predecessor, the F22. However, it's worth noting that this is an LCD panel, unlike the AMOLED display found in some other Samsung devices. In terms of design, the phone has a matte finish at the back and a glossy frame on the sides. The all-plastic body is well-built, but the phone itself is slightly heavy and chunky. The power button on the right side features an integrated fingerprint sensor, which is a convenient feature to have. Unfortunately, the display doesn't quite live up to expectations. While it's adequate for indoor use, the brightness under bright sunlight is quite poor. Colors appear good, but the washout effect makes it difficult to see what's on the screen. This is likely due to the thick bezels and the notch, which give the phone a somewhat dated look. In terms of display specifications, Samsung has made some improvements over the F22. The 120Hz refresh rate should provide a smoother viewing experience, especially for casual users. However, it's worth noting that this is still an LCD panel, and not everyone may appreciate the trade-off in image quality compared to AMOLED displays. Overall, while the display on Samsung Galaxy F23 5G has some redeeming qualities, it falls short of expectations in terms of brightness and outdoor usability. This may be a consideration for those who plan to use their phone extensively outdoors.
The Samsung Galaxy F23 5G's camera setup has seen some improvements compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy F22. The phone now boasts a 50-megapixel primary sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 2-megapixel macro camera on the rear. On the front, you get an 8-megapixel selfie camera. In daylight, the main camera performs well, delivering decent details and colors in outdoor shots. Landscapes and close-up shots are particularly impressive, with good exposure and minimal noise. However, when it comes to low-light photography, the Galaxy F23 5G's performance is still average. Close-ups might look okay, but attempting to capture a wider scene at night can be challenging. One of the biggest upgrades in the camera department is the improved light metering on the selfie camera. In broad daylight, the phone handles exposure well, capturing both your face and the background properly. Selfies are surprisingly good, making this feature a pleasant surprise. Unfortunately, video recording capabilities don't quite live up to expectations. While you can shoot videos at 4K resolution, there's no stabilization available at this setting. Quality is decent during the day but drops significantly in low light conditions. On the other hand, 1080p recording offers reasonable stabilization, even when shooting from a moving vehicle on uneven terrain. Overall, while the Samsung Galaxy F23 5G's camera setup shows some promise, it still lags behind its competitors in the sub-Rs. 20,000 segment. The improved selfie camera is a highlight, but the main cameras performance, particularly in low light, leaves much to be desired. If you're considering this phone for its camera capabilities, you might want to look elsewhere in this price range.
The Samsung Galaxy F23 5G is an interesting entrant in the sub-Rs. 20,000 smartphone segment, where Chinese brands have been dominating with their feature-packed offerings. With a price tag that will likely be around Rs. 17,999 for the base variant, the Galaxy F23 5G aims to break the monopoly with its upgraded features and timely software updates. While it's easy to get excited about the improvements over its predecessor, such as a more powerful SoC, higher resolution display, and new camera setup, one can't ignore the stiff competition in this price segment. The likes of Vivo T1, iQoo Z6, and Redmi Note 11 Pro offer equally compelling options for users who don't care much about 5G connectivity. In terms of value, the Galaxy F23 5G is an average option at best. While it excels in battery life with a massive 5,000mAh cell that easily lasts two days on a single charge, its display and cameras leave much to be desired. The display's brightness under sunlight is a major issue, and low-light performance from the camera is still subpar. The real problem lies with the base variant of the Galaxy F23 5G, which ships with 4GB of RAM. In our experience, it struggles with smooth performance, even when running simple tasks. We'd advise users to opt for the 6GB variant instead, which should provide a smoother experience. Overall, while the Samsung Galaxy F23 5G is an adequate option in the sub-Rs. 20,000 segment, its value proposition is somewhat diminished by the presence of more competitive offerings from Chinese brands.
The Samsung Galaxy F23 5G's performance is a mixed bag. On the plus side, it gets a much-needed boost with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G SoC, which provides decent casual gaming performance. However, things take a turn for the worse when trying to run more demanding games like Asphalt 9: Legends and PUBG: New State. The phone's 4GB RAM variant is particularly problematic, as it often runs low on free RAM, leading to sluggishness even with simple tasks like switching between portrait and landscape orientation in the gallery app. The RAM expansion feature doesn't provide a significant performance boost either. In the various benchmark tests, the Galaxy F23 5G showed decent scores, but not exceptional ones. It's clear that the phone is struggling to keep up with more demanding tasks, making it feel like a mid-range device rather than a high-end one. The Snapdragon 750G SoC is a relatively powerful processor, so it's disappointing to see this sort of performance from the Galaxy F23 5G. The 6GB RAM variant might offer a smoother experience, but even that's not guaranteed. In terms of gaming performance, the Galaxy F23 5G is passable for casual games, but it falls short when trying to run more demanding titles. Overall, while the phone has some redeeming qualities, its performance is a major letdown and a significant drawback in this price segment.