Samsung Galaxy S23 FE due in Korea; to premiere S24 model in January

Samsung Electronics Co., the world’s largest smartphone maker by volume, is launching the Galaxy S23 FE series – its latest fan edition smartphone, affordable and yet packed with high-end functions, in South Korea.

The latest model with a price tag of 847,000 won ($642) will hit the domestic market on Friday.

The Korean tech giant also said on Thursday it will premiere the much-anticipated next-generation flagship model, the Galaxy S24, at a Galaxy Unpacked event in Silicon Valley on Jan. 17. Samsung hopes the new model will take on its archrival Apple Inc.’s new iPhone series.

The S23 FE, already available in select overseas markets and operating as a test bed for its next-generation flagship smartphones, comes about two years after the launch of its previous Galaxy S21 FE in 2021.

In the Korean market, the Galaxy S23 FE series comes in four different colors – mint, graphite, purple and cream – and boasts a memory capacity of 256 GB.

SEVERAL UPGRADES

The Galaxy S23 FE is naturally a step down from the main S23 series in terms of specifications, but the price reduction makes it an appealing choice for consumers who want an affordable smartphone packed with quality features.

The new fan edition has several upgrades compared to its previous FE smartphone.

The main camera supports a 50-megapixel (MP) high-resolution sensor, up from a 12 MP lens, although it’s lower than the standard S23 series.

At night, the Galaxy S23 FE’s Nightography function lets users take clear selfies and portraits in lifelike colors.

With the advanced video digital image stabilization (VDIS) and optical image stabilization (OIS) functions, users can take steady shots even on the go.

The phone measures 158 mm x 76.5 mm x 8.2 mm and weighs 209 grams – larger and heavier than the S21 FE.

The model is rated IP68, which means the phone is protected against dust and submersion in water up to 1 meter.

For gaming and streaming, the Galaxy S23 FE has a larger vapor chamber that helps control heat and sustain performance. The smartphone has a 6.4-inch dynamic AMOLED 2X display.

The new model has a battery capacity of 4,500mAh, larger than the standard Galaxy S23’s 3,900mAh.

It charges up to 50% in just half an hour with a 25W adaptor. Wireless charging is also supported.

CONSUMER EXPERIENCE PROGRAM

In line with the government policy of reducing household communication costs, Samsung said it is introducing the Galaxy Perfect (perFEct) Program for S23 FE buyers.

Under the program, consumers can get back 50% of the smartphone’s factory price if they return their phone after two years of use.

In addition, Samsung offers an experience program for 600 people on a first-come first-served basis to pay and test the S23 FE smartphone, and then return it within 14 days for a refund if they don’t like it.

GALAXY S24 TO COME WITH GENERATIVE AI GAUSS

Earlier this month, Samsung said the upcoming Galaxy S24 smartphone will come with its generative artificial intelligence model, Samsung Gauss, to compete with the likes of ChatGPT, Google Bard, Bing AI chatbot and other generative AI tools.

Samsung Gauss will be the base for its on-device AI designed for smart gadgets such as smartphones, laptops and autonomous-driving cars.

After initial use by its employees, the company plans to reflect employee feedback in the AI language before broader commercial use.

From next year, the language model will be used in a variety of Samsung product applications, including its Bespoke line of home appliances, it said.

Write to Jeong-Soo Hwang at hjs@hankyung.com

In-Soo Nam edited this article.