Originally launched in late 2023, the Galaxy S23 FE brought many flagship features to a more affordable price point, including a 120Hz AMOLED display, a dedicated telephoto camera, strong performance, and Samsung's premium design language.
As of 2026, the phone has become even more attractive thanks to recent price drops in the certified used and refurbished market.
However, there is one important thing to consider before buying. Over the past year, prices for newer Galaxy models have fallen significantly as well. Carrier-locked versions of the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S24 FE can sometimes be found in a very similar price range.
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is still worth buying in 2026. However, you may want to check the prices of S23 and S24 FE.
At around $220+ for certified used and refurbished models, it offers strong performance, a large 120Hz AMOLED display, good cameras, solid battery life, and several years of software support remaining.
Samsung is expected to provide Android OS upgrades until 2027 and security updates until 2028, giving the Galaxy S23 FE a longer remaining lifespan than many older Galaxy phones.
That said, the buying decision is no longer as straightforward as it was a year ago.
According to the UpTrade Price Tracker, carrier-locked versions of the Galaxy S23 can sometimes be found starting around $200+, while carrier-locked Galaxy S24 FE can occasionally be found around $220+.
When the price difference is that small, newer models may offer better long-term value depending on your needs.
Our recommendation is simple: the Galaxy S23 FE is still a good deal, but before buying, check current pricing for the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S24 FE.
The UpTrade Price Tracker makes it easy to compare pricing across models and find the best overall value.
Despite increased competition from newer Galaxy models, the Galaxy S23 FE remains a very capable smartphone in 2026.
It offers a strong combination of performance, camera quality, battery life, and software support at a price that is significantly lower than when it first launched.
For many buyers, the Galaxy S23 FE still delivers everything they need from a modern smartphone.
One of the biggest advantages of the Galaxy S23 FE is its remaining software support.
Samsung is expected to provide Android OS upgrades until 2027 and security updates until 2028.
That means buyers in 2026 still have multiple years of support remaining.
This is especially important in the certified used and refurbished market because software support directly affects security, app compatibility, and the overall lifespan of the phone.
Compared to older Galaxy models that are already receiving limited updates or have reached end-of-life status, the Galaxy S23 FE remains a relatively safe long-term purchase.
The Galaxy S23 FE uses flagship-class processors from Samsung's Galaxy S23 generation.
Even in 2026, performance remains excellent for everyday users.
The phone handles:
without any significant issues.
For most users, the Galaxy S23 FE still feels like a modern flagship smartphone rather than a mid-range device.
The Galaxy S23 FE features a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
The display remains one of the phone's strongest features.
Colors are vibrant, blacks are deep, and scrolling feels smooth thanks to the high refresh rate.
For users who watch videos, browse social media, play games, or read content on their phones, the display continues to provide an excellent experience in 2026.
The Galaxy S23 FE includes a versatile triple-camera system with a dedicated telephoto camera.
That remains an important advantage because many phones in a similar price range still rely heavily on digital zoom.
The camera system performs well in:
For most users, the camera quality remains more than sufficient for travel, family photos, social media, and everyday use.
The Galaxy S23 FE's 4,500mAh battery continues to provide solid all-day battery life for most users.
Combined with Samsung's software optimization, the phone comfortably handles a full day of normal usage.
Battery life may not match newer flagship phones exactly, but it remains very competitive in its price range.
Overall, the Galaxy S23 FE still checks all the boxes that most buyers care about in 2026, which is why we continue to recommend it as a good value option.
The Galaxy S23 FE is still a good phone in 2026.
However, the biggest challenge facing the Galaxy S23 FE is not its performance, cameras, or software support.
It's pricing.
According to the UpTrade Price Tracker, certified used and refurbished Galaxy S23 FE models now start at around $220+.
That sounds like a great deal—and it is.
The problem is that several other Galaxy models have experienced significant price drops as well.
As a result, buyers can sometimes find alternative Galaxy phones for similar prices.
One of the biggest surprises in 2026 is how affordable the Galaxy S23 has become.
Carrier-locked Galaxy S23 models for AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile can sometimes be found starting around $200+.
That's actually less than some Galaxy S23 FE listings.
While the Galaxy S23 has a smaller display and battery, it offers a more premium flagship design, a faster processor, and better cameras.
If the price difference is small, many buyers may prefer the regular Galaxy S23.
The Galaxy S24 FE creates perhaps the strongest competition for the Galaxy S23 FE.
Carrier-locked Galaxy S24 FE models can sometimes be found starting around $220+, which is remarkably close to Galaxy S23 FE pricing.
For roughly the same price, buyers may get:
This makes the Galaxy S24 FE one of the first models shoppers should compare before purchasing a Galaxy S23 FE.
A few years ago, the decision would have been simple.
The Galaxy S23 FE would clearly be the best value option.
In 2026, that's no longer always true.
Prices in the certified used and refurbished market change constantly. Inventory levels, carrier availability, storage configurations, and promotions can all affect pricing from week to week.
That's why we recommend comparing the Galaxy S23 FE against the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S24 FE before making a final decision.
In some cases, spending slightly less can get you a premium Galaxy S23. In other cases, spending the same amount can get you a newer Galaxy S24 FE with longer software support.
The good news is that the UpTrade Price Tracker makes it easy to compare pricing across models and identify the best overall deal before you buy.
The Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23 FE are surprisingly close in 2026.
Thanks to recent price drops, carrier-locked Galaxy S23 models can sometimes be found for around $200+, making them even cheaper than some Galaxy S23 FE listings.
As a result, many buyers should compare both models before making a purchase.
| Category | Galaxy S23 FE | Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Release Year | 2023 | 2023 |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 / Exynos 2200 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB |
| Display | 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP + 12MP + 8MP | 50MP + 12MP + 10MP |
| Battery | 4,500mAh | 3,900mAh |
| Weight | 209g | 168g |
| Software Support | Until 2028 | Until 2028 |
The Galaxy S23 FE features a larger 6.4-inch display compared to the Galaxy S23's 6.1-inch display.
If you watch a lot of videos, play games, or simply prefer larger phones, the Galaxy S23 FE may be more appealing.
On the other hand, many users prefer the Galaxy S23 because its smaller size makes it easier to use with one hand and more comfortable to carry.
The Galaxy S23 has a clear advantage in processing power.
It uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, which is faster and more efficient than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and Exynos 2200 found in the Galaxy S23 FE.
While both phones feel fast in everyday use, the Galaxy S23 performs better in gaming, multitasking, and battery efficiency.
Both phones feature excellent camera systems, but the Galaxy S23 has a slight edge.
Its telephoto camera offers better zoom performance, and Samsung's flagship tuning generally delivers slightly better image quality in challenging conditions.
For most users, the difference is relatively small, but photography enthusiasts may prefer the Galaxy S23.
The Galaxy S23 FE features a larger 4,500mAh battery compared to the Galaxy S23's 3,900mAh battery.
As a result, many users will see slightly better battery endurance from the Galaxy S23 FE.
This is one of the biggest advantages of the FE model.
This is where things become interesting.
According to the UpTrade Price Tracker, certified used and refurbished Galaxy S23 FE models start around $220+, while carrier-locked Galaxy S23 models can sometimes be found around $200+.
When pricing is that close, many buyers may find the Galaxy S23 offers better overall value thanks to its faster processor and more premium design.
The Galaxy S24 FE is arguably the biggest threat to the Galaxy S23 FE in 2026.
Because carrier-locked Galaxy S24 FE models can sometimes be found around $220+, many buyers can upgrade to a newer generation for roughly the same price.
| Category | Galaxy S23 FE | Galaxy S24 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Release Year | 2023 | 2024 |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 / Exynos 2200 | Exynos 2400e |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB |
| Display | 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP + 12MP + 8MP | 50MP + 12MP + 8MP |
| Battery | 4,500mAh | 4,700mAh |
| Galaxy AI | Limited | Yes |
| Software Support | Until 2028 | Until 2031 |
This is the biggest difference between the Galaxy S23 FE and Galaxy S24 FE.
The Galaxy S23 FE is expected to receive software support through 2028, while the Galaxy S24 FE is expected to be supported through 2031.
That additional three years of support significantly improves the long-term value of the Galaxy S24 FE.
The Galaxy S24 FE features Samsung's newer Exynos 2400e processor.
Performance improvements are noticeable in gaming, multitasking, AI workloads, and overall efficiency.
While the Galaxy S23 FE remains fast in 2026, the Galaxy S24 FE is clearly the more future-proof device.
The Galaxy S24 FE offers a larger 6.7-inch display compared to the Galaxy S23 FE's 6.4-inch panel.
Users who enjoy watching videos, gaming, or multitasking may appreciate the additional screen space.
The Galaxy S24 FE was designed around Samsung's Galaxy AI platform.
While some AI features have been introduced to the Galaxy S23 FE, the Galaxy S24 FE generally receives broader AI support and newer AI enhancements.
This advantage will likely become more important over time.
This is why the Galaxy S24 FE creates such strong competition for the Galaxy S23 FE.
Carrier-locked Galaxy S24 FE models can sometimes be found around the same $220+ price point as the Galaxy S23 FE.
When pricing is similar, the Galaxy S24 FE usually offers better long-term value because of its newer hardware and software support through 2031.
For that reason, we generally recommend choosing the Galaxy S24 FE whenever the price difference is small.
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is still worth buying in 2026.
At around $220+ for certified used and refurbished models, it continues to offer strong performance, a large 120Hz AMOLED display, excellent cameras, solid battery life, and software support through 2028.
For many buyers, the Galaxy S23 FE still delivers everything they need from a modern Samsung smartphone.
However, the buying decision is no longer as simple as it once was.
According to the UpTrade Price Tracker, carrier-locked Galaxy S23 models can sometimes be found starting around $200+, while carrier-locked Galaxy S24 FE models can occasionally be found around $220+.
That means buyers should compare all three models before making a purchase.
If you want a larger display and battery, the Galaxy S23 FE remains a strong option.
If you find a Galaxy S23 for a similar price, the faster processor and more premium design may make it the better value.
If you find a Galaxy S24 FE near the same price, the longer software support through 2031 will likely make it the smarter long-term investment.
Our recommendation is simple: the Galaxy S23 FE is still a good deal, but always compare current pricing before buying.
The UpTrade Price Tracker is one of the easiest ways to compare prices across models and identify the best value available.
Yes. The Galaxy S23 FE remains a good value in 2026 thanks to its strong performance, large AMOLED display, good cameras, and software support through 2028.
Samsung is expected to provide Android OS upgrades through 2027 and security updates through 2028.
Not necessarily. The Galaxy S23 FE has a larger display and battery, while the Galaxy S23 offers a faster processor, better cameras, and a more premium flagship design.
If the price difference is small, yes. The Galaxy S24 FE offers newer hardware, Galaxy AI improvements, and software support through 2031.
Yes. The Galaxy S23 FE can comfortably handle popular games such as Call of Duty Mobile, PUBG Mobile, Roblox, and Genshin Impact.
Yes. Samsung has brought several Galaxy AI features to the Galaxy S23 FE through software updates.
Carrier-locked models are often cheaper, while unlocked models provide greater flexibility. The best choice depends on your carrier and budget.
The UpTrade Price Tracker allows you to compare prices across multiple Galaxy models and carriers, helping you find the best value before making a purchase.
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