iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
The Galaxy S23 FE is the more compact choice, with a dedicated telephoto camera, wireless charging, IP68 water-and-dust resistance and Samsung DeX listed on Samsung’s UK specification page. The Galaxy A56 has a larger screen, a lighter body and a higher stated typical battery capacity. There is no reliable current price gap to quote: the available A56 price is an older US manufacturer list-price record marked end of life, and it is not matched to a same-market S23 FE price.
Galaxy S23 FE vs Galaxy A56 specifications
This comparison uses Samsung’s UK Galaxy S23 FE specification page and UAE Galaxy A56 5G product page. Regional configurations can differ, so confirm the exact model sold in your country before buying.
| Specification | Galaxy S23 FE | Galaxy A56 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X; adaptive 120 Hz; FHD+ (1080 × 2340) | 6.7-inch Super AMOLED; up to 120 Hz; FHD+ (1080 × 2340) |
| Processor | Exynos 2200 on the cited Samsung UK specification page | Exynos 1580, according to Samsung Electronics’ 2025 interim report; the cited UAE product page does not name the chipset |
| Memory and storage | 8 GB RAM; 128 GB or 256 GB listed | 8 GB RAM; 128 GB in the cited UAE configuration |
| Rear cameras | 50 MP main with OIS, 12 MP ultrawide, 8 MP telephoto | 50 MP main with OIS, 12 MP, 5 MP; the cited page does not identify the 5 MP camera as telephoto |
| Front camera | 10 MP | 12 MP |
| Typical battery capacity | 4,500 mAh; wireless charging listed | 5,000 mAh |
| Dimensions and weight | 158 × 76.5 × 8.2 mm; 209 g | 162.2 × 77.5 × 7.4 mm; 198 g |
| Other listed features | IP68; Samsung DeX; USB 3.2 Gen 1 | USB-C; the cited sources do not establish a matching IP rating, wireless charging or DeX support |
Sources: Samsung UK Galaxy S23 FE specifications, updated 7 March 2024; Samsung UAE Galaxy A56 5G specifications; and Samsung Electronics’ 2025 interim report. A feature not established by the cited A56 source should not be treated as proof that the phone lacks it.
Which phone has the better screen and handling?
Choose the A56 for a larger viewing area
The A56’s 6.7-inch display is 0.3 inches larger diagonally than the S23 FE’s 6.4-inch screen. Both cited specifications list FHD+ resolution and a refresh rate up to 120 Hz; the S23 FE page describes its refresh rate as adaptive. The A56 is a better fit if you prioritize a bigger display for reading, video or games.
#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.
Choose the S23 FE for a more compact body
The S23 FE is shorter and narrower, while the A56 is thinner and 11 g lighter in the listed configurations. The dimensions suggest the S23 FE takes up less height and width, but neither specification alone guarantees one-handed comfort; try the exact device if grip and pocket fit matter.
How do their cameras compare?
The clearest hardware distinction is the S23 FE’s listed 8 MP telephoto camera. A dedicated telephoto lens provides a separate camera view for zoomed-in framing; the A56’s cited specification lists a 5 MP third rear camera but does not identify it as telephoto. Do not assume the two phones offer equivalent optical zoom based only on those camera counts.
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.
Both phones list a 50 MP main camera with optical image stabilization, and each has a 12 MP rear camera alongside it. The A56 lists a 12 MP front camera versus 10 MP on the S23 FE, but megapixel counts do not establish which phone takes better photos. Image quality also depends on factors not resolved by these specification pages, such as sensor and image-processing performance.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchDoes the A56 last longer on a charge?
Samsung lists typical battery capacities of 5,000 mAh for the cited A56 configuration and 4,500 mAh for the S23 FE. Those figures describe capacity, not measured runtime. They cannot establish how long either phone lasts under matched use, so the A56’s larger number should not be presented as proof of longer battery life.
Rank #3
- 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
Samsung’s S23 FE specification page explicitly lists wireless charging. The cited A56 page does not establish wireless-charging support, so check the exact local model’s official specifications if this feature matters to you.
Which phone has clearer durability and desktop features?
The S23 FE’s cited Samsung page explicitly lists an IP68 rating, Samsung DeX support and USB 3.2 Gen 1. These are useful differentiators if you need a stated water-and-dust resistance rating, DeX, or the listed USB connection standard.
Rank #4
- Galaxy S23 sports a 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X flat display with adaptive 48–120 Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, and a peak brightness high enough for strong outdoor visibility — giving you vibrant, crisp visuals and smooth motion while staying compact.
The cited A56 UAE page lists USB-C but does not establish a matching IP rating, wireless charging or DeX support. That is a limit of what these sources confirm, not evidence that a feature is absent in every regional variant. Verify the precise model number and local Samsung specification before relying on one of these features.
How much do the phones cost, and what is the price difference?
A fair current price difference is not established by the available figures. Samsung Electronics America’s MSRP price file, effective March 2026, lists the unlocked 128 GB Galaxy A56 5G at $499.99 and marks it EOL. This is a US manufacturer list-price record, not confirmation of present inventory or a current selling price. No comparable same-date, same-country S23 FE price is established, so subtracting from this figure would create a misleading gap.
Best Value
- 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.
When shopping, compare both phones in the same country and on the same date, with the same storage capacity and condition. Also check whether each listing is carrier-locked and account for seller and warranty differences. Do not compare a new A56 with a refurbished S23 FE, or a current discount on one phone with the other phone’s launch price.
Source for the A56 figure: Samsung Electronics America, Samsung HHP MSRP Price List, effective March 2026.
Which phone should you choose?
- Pick the Galaxy S23 FE if a smaller screen, a listed telephoto camera, wireless charging, IP68 or DeX matters more to you.
- Pick the Galaxy A56 if you prefer a larger screen, a thinner and lighter listed body, or the higher stated typical battery capacity—and you have confirmed its exact regional configuration.
- Decide on price only after checking live local listings. The available A56 MSRP entry does not establish a current, directly comparable price for both phones.
Check the regional model before buying
The cited S23 FE page is for the UK, while the cited A56 page is for the UAE. The Exynos 2200 is named on Samsung UK’s S23 FE specification page; Samsung Electronics’ 2025 interim report identifies the Exynos 1580 for the A56, while Samsung’s cited UAE product page lists CPU speeds without naming that chipset. These sources do not establish that every market’s variant is identical.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Storage also needs a like-for-like check: the cited S23 FE page lists 128 GB and 256 GB, while the cited A56 configuration is 128 GB. Neither cited source establishes expandable storage for these compared configurations; the S23 FE page explicitly says it is unsupported. Confirm the SKU and storage option in the market where you plan to buy.
Quick Recap
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.
