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The Galaxy S22 is the better fit if you want a smaller, lighter phone; the Galaxy S23 FE gives you a larger display and a higher stated battery capacity. Their main camera layouts are similar, but the S23 FE’s processor differs by region. There is no reliable current price difference to quote without comparing dated offers for the same market, storage, condition, and seller.
At a glance: Galaxy S22 vs Galaxy S23 FE
| Specification | Galaxy S22 | Galaxy S23 FE | Practical difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, up to 120Hz | 6.4-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, adaptive 120Hz | The S22 is more compact; the S23 FE gives you more screen area. |
| Dimensions and weight | 146.0 × 70.6 × 7.6mm; 168g in Samsung’s US launch specifications and 167g on Samsung Spain’s product page | 158.0 × 76.5 × 8.2mm; 209g | The S22 is substantially smaller and lighter. Samsung’s two cited S22 sources differ by 1g. |
| Rear cameras | 50MP wide with OIS, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom | 50MP wide with OIS, 12MP ultrawide, 8MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom listed | The camera categories are similar. The S22 has a higher-resolution telephoto sensor on paper, but megapixels alone do not establish photo quality. |
| Typical battery capacity | 3,700mAh | 4,500mAh | The S23 FE has the higher stated capacity; capacity is not a direct measure of real-world battery life. |
| Processor | Samsung described an advanced 4nm application processor at US launch; the exact platform varies by market. | Exynos 2200 on Samsung Ireland and Philippines pages; Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 on Samsung Canada’s page | Confirm the S23 FE’s regional model before comparing performance or buying. |
| Memory and storage | 8GB RAM and 128GB or 256GB storage listed in Samsung’s US launch announcement | 8GB memory and 128GB or 256GB storage listed on Samsung’s support specification | Check the local listing because configurations can vary by region. |
Samsung’s official specifications are regional, not a guarantee that every carrier or country sells the same configuration. Samsung Canada notes that “Detailed specifications may vary depending on country/region or carrier.” Samsung Canada’s S23 FE specifications and Samsung Ireland’s S23 FE specifications show why it is worth checking the model offered in your market.
Which phone is easier to carry?
The Galaxy S22 is the clear choice if pocketability or one-handed use matters. Samsung lists it at 146.0 × 70.6mm and 167–168g, depending on the regional source. The S23 FE is 158.0 × 76.5mm and 209g, so it is taller, wider, and heavier. Choose the S23 FE if you prefer a larger screen and are comfortable with a more substantial handset.
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How do the displays compare?
Both use FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays and offer refresh rates up to 120Hz. The S22’s screen measures 6.1 inches, while the S23 FE’s is 6.4 inches and described as adaptive 120Hz. The difference is primarily size: the S23 FE gives more room for reading and video, while the S22 keeps the overall phone smaller. Samsung’s specifications do not establish a universal real-world brightness or viewing-quality winner across markets.
#1 Best Overall
- 6.4 FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, Infinity-O Display (2400x1080), 403ppi, HDR10+ certified, 120Hz refresh rate
- 128GB ROM, 8GB RAM, Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 5G (4 nm), Octa-core, 4500mAh Battery
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 8MP, f/2.4 (telephoto) 3x optical zoom + 12MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide), Front Camera: 10MP, f/2.4 (wide), Under Display Fingerprint
- 3G: 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100, 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/29/25/26/28/38/39/40/41/46/48/66/71, 5G: N41(2500),N66(AWS-3),N71(600),N78(3500),N260(39GHz),N261(28GHz) (ensure to check compatibility with your carrier before purchase)
- Fully Unlocked Version. Compatible with Most GSM and CDMA Carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Sprint.
Which has the better battery?
Samsung lists typical capacity as 3,700mAh for the S22 and 4,500mAh for the S23 FE. Samsung describes the S22 figure as an estimated average under IEC 61960 testing and says actual battery life varies. A larger capacity does not by itself prove that the S23 FE lasts longer in every use pattern.
Samsung Philippines lists up to 22 hours of video playback for a particular S23 FE configuration, using stored 720p video. That is a vendor estimate under a stated method, not a directly comparable head-to-head test against the S22, so it should not be treated as a guaranteed runtime. Samsung Philippines’ S23 FE specification page gives that regional detail.
Rank #2
- The S23 FE offers a 6.4‑inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with adaptive 120 Hz refresh rate and up to 1,450 nits peak brightness plus a wide DCI‑P3 color gamut. That means vibrant, high‑contrast visuals that stay bright and legible even outdoors.
Are the cameras different?
The two phones share a broad camera arrangement: a 50MP main camera with optical image stabilization and a 12MP ultrawide. Their telephoto specifications differ: the S22 lists a 10MP telephoto camera, while the S23 FE lists an 8MP telephoto camera and 3x optical zoom. Those figures describe hardware, not the quality of finished photos; they are not enough to declare a camera winner.
Samsung’s S23 FE launch announcement describes its camera capabilities, while Samsung’s S22 launch announcement lists the S22 camera hardware. Neither specification sheet is a controlled side-by-side photo test. See Samsung Mobile Press on the Galaxy S23 FE and Samsung Newsroom US on the Galaxy S22.
Rank #3
- The S23 FE offers a 6.4‑inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with adaptive 120 Hz refresh rate and up to 1,450 nits peak brightness plus a wide DCI‑P3 color gamut. That means vibrant, high‑contrast visuals that stay bright and legible even outdoors.
Why the S23 FE processor depends on region
Samsung’s regional S23 FE pages do not specify a single universal chipset. The Ireland and Philippines specifications list Exynos 2200; Samsung Canada lists Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. Because the processor can affect performance characteristics, check the exact model number and regional listing for the phone you are considering rather than relying on a generic S23 FE description.
For the S22, Samsung’s US launch announcement describes an advanced 4nm application processor but does not establish one platform for every market. That US launch wording should not be treated as proof of the chip in every regional S22 variant.
Rank #4
- DO MORE w/ EPIC BATTERY POWER: Galaxy S23 FE intuitively manages your usage to conserve energy on its own so you can go all day and into the night without charging¹,²; Share, stream, connect and create with a phone that’s ready for anything
- DO-IT-ALL PROCESSING POWER: Give your livestreaming, video editing and social content creation a boost; With the premium processing power you expect from Samsung Galaxy, you can do more of what you love from the palm of your hand
- SMOOTH, DAZZLING, TOUGH DISPLAY: Your content scrolls smoothly and looks amazing, while adaptive Vision Booster automatically adjusts screen brightness based on surrounding light levels; Strong Gorilla Glass helps reduce scratches on your display
- CAPTURE SCENES IN STUNNING DETAIL: Create share-worthy content with the high-resolution camera of Galaxy S23 FE; With Super HDR, it’s easy to capture the details that make your shots incredibly lifelike
- LOOK SHARP TONIGHT & EVERY NIGHT: Because life happens even in low light; Nightography lets you capture epic pictures, no matter where you are or what time of day; The dark is no longer a dealbreaker
What is the price difference?
A trustworthy current price difference cannot be stated from the available comparable figures. Samsung announced a US Galaxy S22 starting price of $799.99 on February 9, 2022, with availability beginning February 25, 2022. That is the S22’s historical US launch price, not its current asking price, and there is no matching current S23 FE price here to subtract from it. Samsung Newsroom US’s launch announcement provides the historical figure.
To work out which is cheaper where you live, compare current offers for both phones in the same market and match storage, new or refurbished condition, carrier-lock status, warranty, seller, and promotion. A lower price on a different storage tier or a carrier-locked refurbished phone is not an apples-to-apples comparison.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- GALAXY AI IS HERE: Search like never before¹, get real-time interpretation on a call², format your notes into a clear summary³, and effortlessly edit your photos⁴ - all from your smartphone, all with AI
- DO MORE w/ EPIC BATTERY POWER: Galaxy S23 FE intuitively manages your usage to conserve energy on its own so you can go all day and into the night without charging⁵⁻⁶; Share, stream, connect and create with a phone that’s ready for anything
- DO-IT-ALL PROCESSING POWER: Give your livestreaming, video editing and social content creation a boost; With the premium processing power you expect from Samsung Galaxy, you can do more of what you love from the palm of your hand
- CAPTURE SCENES IN STUNNING DETAIL: Create share-worthy content with the high-resolution camera of Galaxy S23 FE; With Super HDR, it’s easy to capture the details that make your shots incredibly lifelike
- LOOK SHARP TONIGHT & EVERY NIGHT: Because life happens even in low light; Nightography lets you capture epic pictures, no matter where you are or what time of day; The dark is no longer a dealbreaker
Which one should you choose?
- Choose the Galaxy S22 if a compact, lighter phone is your priority and its current local offer suits your budget.
- Choose the Galaxy S23 FE if you want the larger 6.4-inch screen and higher stated battery capacity, and you have confirmed which regional processor and configuration the seller offers.
- Decide on price only after checking local listings. Compare matching storage and condition rather than treating the 2022 S22 launch price as a current benchmark.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
