Samsung Galaxy F23 5G: A Promising Mid-Range Contender, But Choose Your RAM Wisely!

The Samsung Galaxy F23 5G represents the South Korean manufacturer’s bid to capture some market share from the leading Chinese brands in the budget smartphone category under Rs. 20,000. On the surface, the Galaxy F23 5G appears to be a notable upgrade from the Galaxy F22. Key enhancements include a more advanced SoC featuring 5G capabilities, an improved high-resolution display, and a newer (and presumably enhanced) main camera. If you’ve gone through our initial impressions of the device along with the images, you’re likely aware that the Galaxy F23 5G doesn’t introduce significant aesthetic changes. To sum it up, it still maintains a budget-friendly appearance. After spending additional time with the device, let’s evaluate whether this should be your next smartphone.

Pricing of Samsung Galaxy F23 5G in India

The starting price for the Samsung Galaxy F23 5G in India is Rs. 17,499 for the model featuring 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which has been my focus for testing. There is also a 6GB version with the same storage size priced at Rs. 18,499. As part of a promotional launch offer, Samsung is providing an instant discount of Rs. 1,500. Both models come in Aqua Blue and Forest Green colors.

Design of Samsung Galaxy F23 5G

Minor revisions to the design of the Samsung Galaxy F23 5G are primarily noticeable on the rear surface. The camera setup is now rectangular, featuring camera lenses stacked vertically. The back panel exhibits a matte finish, providing a nice contrast with the shiny edges. The Forest Green variant resists smudges and fingerprints fairly well, unless inspected closely. Additionally, there is no phone case included in the packaging.

The Samsung Galaxy F23 5G features a crisp display, though it could benefit from enhanced brightness
Photo Credit: Roydon Cerejo/ Gadgets360

 

The Samsung Galaxy F23 5G feels a bit hefty and robust; however, I adjusted to its weight after a few days. The construction is solid and gives off a durable impression, even with a plastic exterior. On the right side, the power button carries an integrated fingerprint sensor. The base houses a headphone jack, a USB Type-C port, and a single speaker. The SIM tray is positioned on the left side, at the top, allowing for two nano-SIM cards and a microSD card.

The display on the Samsung Galaxy F23 5G shows some improvements compared to its predecessor but also takes a step back in certain areas. This device now features an LCD display instead of AMOLED, though it supports a full-HD+ resolution and a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz. It also comes protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 5. Nevertheless, the front design feels somewhat outdated, prominently showcasing a noticeable notch, chin, and thick black bezels surrounding the screen.

In terms of included accessories, offerings are minimal. The package includes merely a USB Type-C to Type-C cable and a SIM ejector tool. Notably, Samsung does not provide a power adapter with the device, which may catch some buyers off guard.

Specifications and Software of Samsung Galaxy F23 5G

The Samsung Galaxy F23 5G is equipped with a much-needed performance upgrade, courtesy of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G SoC. In the Indian market, the Galaxy F23 5G offers support for 12 5G bands, enhancing its future viability. All standard wireless connectivity options are included, like dual-band Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 5, NFC, and multiple satellite navigation systems. However, the device lacks stereo speakers and any official water resistance rating.

The Samsung Galaxy F23 5G includes all expected ports and slots
Photo Credit: Roydon Cerejo/ Gadgets360

 

Running on One UI 4.1 based on Android 12, the Galaxy F23 5G is backed by Samsung’s promise of two years of software updates and four years of security patches, which is a commendable commitment compared to many other brands in this price range. However, it lacks features like an always-on display and Samsung DeX support, which are found in higher-end models. The user experience remains consistent with prior mid-range Samsung models. While the interface isn’t the fastest, we will delve deeper into that in the following section, but One UI generally contains a good range of features. The device comes pre-installed with several apps, including Josh, Dailyhunt, and others, alongside the traditional Microsoft, Google, and Samsung apps, but these are removable.

Performance and Battery Life of Samsung Galaxy F23 5G

I’m thankful that Samsung provided the 4GB model for review because it allowed me to conclude that it’s better to skip this version and opt for the 6GB variant if considering the Galaxy F23 5G. Initially, performance seemed adequate, but as I opened multiple apps in the background (regardless of which ones), the RAM ran out quite swiftly. Checking the memory statistics, the available RAM typically ranged from 400MB to 700MB, which evidently is insufficient for smooth operation of the OS. Although the RAM expansion feature was activated by default, allocating 4GB (the upper limit) from storage as RAM didn’t significantly improve performance.

The experience could become sluggish rapidly; at times, even basic tasks, like rotating the phone from portrait to landscape in the gallery app, could require a few seconds. Transitioning between the camera app and the gallery to view a newly captured photo was also noticeably delayed. While there were periods of smooth scrolling through the UI, these were often disrupted by frustrating lags, hampering productivity. I remain hopeful that the 6GB variant offers a more refined experience.

The 4GB variant of the Samsung Galaxy F23 5G can experience sluggishness with multiple apps running
Photo Credit: Roydon Cerejo/ Gadgets360

 

Benchmark results came in a bit lower than expected for this SoC, possibly due to the restricted RAM. For instance, AnTuTu could only execute the lite version of its 3DBench suite, with the Samsung Galaxy F23 5G achieving a score of 303,898 points. Graphics benchmarks performed slightly better, with the T-Rex test from GFXBench averaging 77fps.

The single speaker delivers strong sound for media and gaming, but the audio is unidirectional. Indoors, the display brightness was adequate, and colors appeared decent, though they lacked the vibrancy of a quality AMOLED panel. However, in bright sunlight, the display struggled considerably, making it challenging to read the screen. The automatic brightness adjustment seems to behave strangely, failing to boost the brightness beyond the 50 percent mark even under direct sunlight. Even when I manually maxed out the brightness, visibility under bright light didn’t improve much, suggesting the phone might not prioritize this adjustment.

Casual gaming performed well on the Samsung Galaxy F23 5G, but more demanding titles struggled. Asphalt 9: Legends didn’t present the best visuals, and gameplay experienced some stuttering. PUBG: New State defaulted to low graphics settings, delivering unsatisfactory visuals. While increasing the quality improved the appearance, the gameplay remained less than smooth. Given that this is a relatively robust SoC, these results are disappointing.

The battery capacity of the Samsung Galaxy F23 5G is slightly lower than that of its predecessor; nevertheless, the 5,000mAh battery should suffice for most users. I managed to get nearly two days of use on a single charge, which is commendable. Our HD video loop test confirmed this performance, running for an impressive 21 hours and 49 minutes per charge.

The Samsung Galaxy F23 5G supports relatively quick charging when paired with the right power adapter
Photo Credit: Roydon Cerejo/ Gadgets360

 

The Galaxy F23 5G allows up to 25W of fast charging, but users will need to purchase a Samsung charger or use an existing PD fast charger. Using a 65W power adapter with Type-C output, I managed to charge the Galaxy F23 5G to 44 percent in half an hour and to 80 percent in an hour. It took an additional 20 minutes or so to reach full charge.

Camera Capabilities of Samsung Galaxy F23 5G

The Samsung Galaxy F23 5G sports a 50-megapixel primary camera with an f/1.8 aperture, paired with an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera and a 2-megapixel macro shooter. There’s also an 8-megapixel front camera for selfies. The camera application is packed with features and offers several shooting modes typically found on Samsung’s higher-end devices, including a Single Take mode. There’s a ‘Fun’ shooting mode allowing the use of filters with both front and rear cameras.

Main camera sample from the Samsung Galaxy F23 5G (tap to see full size)

Ultra-wide camera sample from the Samsung Galaxy F23 5G (tap to see full size)

Main camera sample from the Samsung Galaxy F23 5G (tap to see full size)

 

During daylight, the primary camera performed well with both landscape and close-up photos, showing decent detail and colors in outdoor photography. However, images taken indoors under artificial lighting tended to appear washed out and lacking in vibrancy. The ultra-wide camera handled colors better in such situations, though it did not capture details as effectively. Daytime close-ups exhibited good depth of field and sharpness, while macro shots could have been better—colors seemed off and detail was lacking even in bright settings.

Low-light capabilities were a significant drawback of the Galaxy F22, and while the Galaxy F23 5G shows slight improvements, it remains merely average. Close-up shots taken in low light were acceptable, but wider scenes posed a challenge for the device. Detail capture was satisfactory but not exceptional, and the Night mode didn’t enhance detail significantly; it did improve exposure for light sources. The ultra-wide camera should generally be avoided in low-light conditions, unless the scene is well-lit.

Main camera sample from the Samsung Galaxy F23 5G (tap to see full size)

Ultra-wide camera sample from the Samsung Galaxy F23 5G (tap to see full size)

Selfie camera sample from the Samsung Galaxy F23 5G (tap to see full size)

 

The front camera surprised me with its performance. In ample daylight, it managed light exposure effectively, capturing my face and the background with appropriate detail. Skin tones appeared natural, and details in my hair and clothing were well-defined. While photographing in low light, I realized stability was crucial to avoid blurriness, but colors and details remained above average.

The Samsung Galaxy F23 5G can record video in up to 4K resolution, although stabilization is absent at this setting. Daytime quality is commendable while low-light footage is merely passable. At 1080p, stabilization is effective in bright environments, even while filming from a moving car on rough terrain. The camera app allows switching between cameras during recording, which is a plus. Nonetheless, low-light video quality at 1080p is still unsatisfactory, with stabilization resulting in artifacts if there was too much movement while capturing video.

Final Thoughts

The Samsung Galaxy F23 5G excels in battery longevity. Its enhanced hardware with multiple 5G band support, coupled with the assurance of timely software updates, should maintain its relevance for several years. However, I recommend opting for the 6GB RAM variant since the 4GB model did not provide a satisfying user experience in this assessment. Comparatively, the Galaxy F22 5G (Review) has slightly improved display specifications, albeit it doesn’t shine enough for outdoor visibility in sunlight. The camera performance also falls into the mediocre category, with low-light image capture still lacking.

The Galaxy F23 5G faces tough competition within the under-Rs. 20,000 price range. Alternatives like the Vivo T1 (Review) and the newly launched iQoo Z6 are worth considering. Additionally, Oppo is generating buzz about its upcoming K10 smartphone, anticipated to be priced under Rs. 20,000. There is even the option of the Redmi Note 11 Pro for those less concerned about 5G capabilities, along with some older models such as the Realme 8s 5G (Review) and Narzo 30 Pro 5G (Review), which are still considerable options.

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