Galaxy A15 5G Vs Galaxy S23 FE

Galaxy A15 5G
Galaxy A15 5G
Starting at

Refurbished price:£99.00

Versus £212.30 new

See options
Galaxy S23 FE
Galaxy S23 FE
Starting at

Refurbished price:£175.00

Versus £605.75 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G, released in December 2023, and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, launched in October 2023, are both Android smartphones from Samsung's diverse lineup. While both devices offer a modern Android experience, the S23 FE is positioned with more advanced features and performance capabilities, whereas the A15 5G focuses on delivering essential smartphone functions. Both run on Samsung's One UI software, providing a consistent user interface.

Scores

Durability

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its build, software support, and the pace of technological advancements.

  • Software Support: The Galaxy A15 5G ships with Android 14 and is slated to receive four major OS upgrades and five years of security updates, extending its software relevance until approximately 2029. The Galaxy S23 FE, launched with Android 13, also promises four OS upgrades and five years of security updates, ensuring a comparable period of software support. [2, 3, 5, 8, 12, 20]
  • Build Durability: The Galaxy S23 FE features an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, offering enhanced protection against environmental elements. [4, 9] The Galaxy A15 5G, while featuring a plastic construction, does not carry an official IP rating. [2]
  • Practical Lifespan: Users prioritizing extended software support and a degree of water and dust protection may find the Galaxy S23 FE's features beneficial for a longer practical lifespan. The A15 5G's robust software commitment also contributes to its long-term usability.

Year of Release

2023

2023

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance differences between these two devices are notable, impacting how smoothly they handle various tasks and applications.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S23 FE is equipped with a more capable processor, allowing it to manage demanding applications, intensive multitasking, and graphic-heavy games with greater fluidity. [4, 7, 27] The Galaxy A15 5G's processor is designed for everyday tasks, handling basic app usage and multitasking adequately, though some users may notice slower app loading times and less immediate responsiveness. [1, 3, 8]
  • Storage and Memory: Both devices offer various storage configurations, with the Galaxy A15 5G providing expandable storage via a microSD card, a feature not present on the Galaxy S23 FE. [2, 8, 9] The Galaxy S23 FE typically comes with 8GB of RAM, which aids in smoother multitasking compared to the A15 5G's configurations that can start from 4GB of RAM. [2, 7, 9]
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy A15 5G houses a larger 5000 mAh battery, often providing over a full day of use, with some reports indicating up to 52 hours on a single charge. [1, 5, 19] The Galaxy S23 FE, with its 4500 mAh battery, generally offers a full day of usage, though heavy users might find themselves needing to recharge by the end of the day. [6, 7, 24, 27, 30] Both support 25W wired charging. [2, 5, 7, 26]

Memory (GB)

4 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on both smartphones is delivered through vibrant displays, though with distinct characteristics.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S23 FE features a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, known for its rich colors, deep blacks, and high contrast. [9, 26] The Galaxy A15 5G sports a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display, also offering clear visuals and good color reproduction. [2, 10, 17] Both provide a Full HD+ resolution, ensuring sharp images and text. [2, 5, 10, 26]
  • Brightness and Smoothness: The Galaxy S23 FE's display boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, contributing to very smooth scrolling and animations, and can reach higher peak brightness levels, making it more visible in bright outdoor conditions. [4, 9, 26, 27] The Galaxy A15 5G offers a 90Hz refresh rate, which provides a smoother experience than standard 60Hz displays, and reaches up to 800 nits in high brightness mode. [1, 2, 5, 10, 17]
  • Viewing Experience: While both offer immersive viewing, the Galaxy S23 FE's higher refresh rate and superior brightness provide a more premium visual experience, particularly for fast-paced content or outdoor use. The A15 5G's display is functional for videos and games, but its bezels are more noticeable. [3, 5, 8]

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1080 x 2340

Screen type

Super AMOLED

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Audiovisual

The camera systems on these devices cater to different photography needs and expectations.

  • Rear Camera Capabilities: The Galaxy S23 FE features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. [4, 6, 7, 9] This allows for detailed shots, wider perspectives, and clear zoomed-in images. The Galaxy A15 5G also has a triple-camera system with a 50MP main sensor, a 5MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro lens, but lacks OIS and optical zoom. [1, 2, 5, 10]
  • Photography Performance: The S23 FE generally produces very good photos in bright conditions and performs competently in low light, with its OIS aiding in sharper images. [4, 6, 7, 18] Its telephoto lens is a significant advantage for capturing distant subjects. The A15 5G's main camera performs well in good lighting, but its ultrawide and macro lenses offer more limited detail and quality. [1, 3, 5, 8, 21] Colors on both can appear slightly oversaturated. [5, 7, 18]
  • Video Recording and Audio: The Galaxy S23 FE supports video recording up to 8K at 24fps and 4K at 60fps, with good stabilization. [7, 18, 27] The Galaxy A15 5G records video up to 1080p at 30fps, with digital stabilization. [2, 8, 10, 21] The S23 FE also offers a more robust multimedia experience with stereo speakers, while the A15 5G has a single audio speaker. [1, 2, 11]

Main camera

50 megapixels

50 megapixels

Front camera

13 megapixels

10 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements differentiate the user experience of these two smartphones.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G connectivity. The Galaxy S23 FE offers Wi-Fi 6E, providing faster and more stable wireless connections where available, while the A15 5G supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). [2, 4, 10] The A15 5G retains a 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature absent on the S23 FE. [1, 8, 10] Both utilize a USB-C port, though the S23 FE's port offers faster data transfer capabilities. [2, 4, 10]
  • Biometric Security: The Galaxy A15 5G features a side-mounted fingerprint reader for secure unlocking. [1] The Galaxy S23 FE uses an optical in-display fingerprint sensor. [6]
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy S23 FE has a more premium feel with its build materials and IP68 rating, weighing around 209g. [4, 9] The Galaxy A15 5G has a plastic construction and weighs 200g. [2, 17] The S23 FE also supports Samsung DeX, allowing it to connect to an external display for a desktop-like experience, a feature not available on the A15 5G. [4, 7]

Weight

200 g

209 g

Screen size (in)

6.5

6.4

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Dual Physical SIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G and Galaxy S23 FE cater to different user priorities, each excelling in specific areas. Users often praise the Galaxy A15 5G for its impressive battery life, vibrant Super AMOLED display, and Samsung's commitment to software updates, making it a reliable device for essential daily use. [3, 5, 8, 19] However, some users note its performance can be sluggish for more demanding tasks and that its camera system, particularly the ultrawide and macro lenses, is less refined. [1, 3, 8, 21]

Conversely, the Galaxy S23 FE is frequently lauded for its powerful performance, versatile camera system with optical zoom and OIS, and its premium build quality with IP68 water resistance. [4, 6, 7, 9, 27] Its Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate also receives positive feedback for its smoothness and brightness. [4, 9, 26, 27] Criticisms sometimes point to its battery life, which, while generally lasting a full day, may not be as enduring for heavy users as some alternatives, and its noticeable display bezels. [4, 6, 23, 24]

Users prioritizing robust performance for gaming, advanced photography features including optical zoom, and a more durable, premium build will find the Galaxy S23 FE well-suited to their needs. Those who value exceptional battery longevity, expandable storage, a headphone jack, and a solid software update policy for everyday communication and media consumption may lean toward the Galaxy A15 5G. Both devices offer a quality-assured refurbished option, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers seeking reliable technology.

See all articles

Our recent comparisons