Samsung Galaxy S23 FE (2023)
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Subject: Long‑time Samsung user forced to switch to iPhone due to broken hands‑free navigation Message: I’ve been a loyal Samsung user for decades and have always defended Samsung over Apple. But I’m now being forced to switch to an iPhone because Samsung has removed essential features that make hands‑free navigation impossible on modern Galaxy… Read more
devices.
On my Galaxy S23 FE, the following features are missing or disabled:
Smart Lock (trusted devices, trusted places)
Driving Mode in Google Assistant
Voice‑based unlock
Ability for Google Assistant to start navigation while locked
Ability for Bluetooth devices (like my Sena motorcycle headset) to trigger navigation without unlocking
Any reliable way to use navigation hands‑free while riding
This is not a minor inconvenience — it’s a safety issue. I ride a motorcycle. I cannot unlock my phone at 100 km/h just to start navigation. For years, Samsung allowed this. Now it’s been removed with no alternative.
Apple still allows hands‑free navigation with Siri while locked. Samsung does not.
After decades of loyalty, I’m switching to iPhone because Samsung has made my phone less functional, less safe, and less usable than the competition.
I want Samsung to understand that this isn’t about preference — it’s about basic functionality and rider safety. Please escalate this feedback to the software and security teams. Samsung is losing long‑term customers because of these decisions.
Warning. The cameras is rubbish . The picture quality is absolutely discraceful. Also samsung phones dont offer an edit function when writing messages in the phone/message app at all. Its rediculous. And to top it off the phone book app doesnt allow enough characters to write full names if they r long or if u want to write say ie [Name Removed]… Read more
(electrician) b4 the phone number ), ur unable to do so! I even made samsung aware of the issues but they just wont fix it. If ur old and only just need a phone to make calls , the phone is suitable but 4 anyone else considering on purchasing a phone they should steer clear of the samsung phones altogether in my opinion. I really hate my samsung s23 fe phone my husband bought me (brand new as a gift) I think he paid around $800 at the time. Even my previous cheaper samsung phones photos were discusting quality. Everyone would actually comment on the trash quality of the pics my samsung would take compared to their iPhone etc... Ps. The date of purchase was only a guess. I honestly cant remember how long ago he purchased it. It just doesn't seem like that long ago.
sucks battery power like a vampire - no wait, sucks battery power faster than a vampire sucks blood Show details
Was happy with my phone when i got the S23 FE back in 2023 than i had major problems with software issues and eventually had it replaced by Vodafone and Samsung last November 2024. Now the replacement S23 FE within the last month have heating issues and problems with camera going blurry been incontact with Vodafone either with customer care line or instore and i dont get anywhere with them I'm fed up will be going else where. Show details · 1
I love my new phone – I'm loving my Samsung Galaxy S24 FE (256GB)! This phone's a beast - the display's amazing, the performance is super smooth, and the camera takes great photos and video. Plus, the battery life's on point! I'm also digging the in-display fingerprint sensor - it's cool and convenient, although I was slightly disappointed it's an optical sensor… Read more · 1
instead of ultrasonic. But honestly, it's only a minor letdown, as modern optical sensors are pretty reliable. I haven't had any issues with it, except that it might take a sec or two longer to unlock my device. That's a small trade-off for the convenience, if you ask me! And with 256GB of storage, I've got all the space I need for my apps, pics, vids and music. But what really takes the cake is the wireless charging support - it's so convenient to just plop my phone down and have it charge without needing to fuss with cables! Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed with this phone. It's a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a high-quality Android device without breaking the bank.
Very good Phone - good move up from the S20FE – We "upgraded" from our S20FE to this model. There are many things to like about the S23FE but the leap was not as big as would have expected in some areas, the S20FE was a great phone, and still is. The S23FE is slightly smaller but a bit heavier but the battery sizes are similar. The S23FE has gorilla glass 5 front and back, and rounded corners… Read more
and has a solid look and feel about it - its well built. The camera's are good, night shots are good and overall no complaints at all about the photo quality.
The screen is very nice, Super amoled, 120hz refresh - I have found a difference with the battery life between the 2 models, the S20FE going longer on a battery, but if you tweak the refresh rate on the S23FE you can improve the battery life - depends what's important to you. The 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x display is bright, vivid, and smooth. The display does not extend completely to the phone's edges and there are display bezels at the top and sides, and a thicker one at the chin area. The display maintains good brightness and is fairly legible under bright outdoor conditions. It delivers vibrant colours, but you have the option to switch to a natural colour profile via the phone's display settings.
I read some negative reports on the fact that the Australian model had the xynos 2200 CPU and not the Snapdragon, suggesting it was actually slower in performance over the S20FE but I honestly think from reviews I have undertaken to find out the differences that the Exynos 2200 is actually a lot better than the Exynos 990 in my old phone, as you would expect 3 years down the track.
The phone is well balanced in the hand and with the addition of a glass protector screen and good Spigen case (only my preference, plenty of good cases out there), the phone feels very solid and dextrous in the hand.
Reception has been very good, cant fault it, and now have 3 more upgrades I think on the operating system, as the S20FE pegged out at Android 13 with no more upgrades, so the S23FE will go for 2-3 years of upgrades I think - it actually came with Android 14 out of the box so could get at least 3 more upgrades I have heard on the Samsung site.
Purchased the 256GB model as this phone does not have SD card slot (a negative) but has dual sim and can also run eSIM which is good if you want to run international data roaming at a lower cost than using your local service when overseas.
Very happy with this phone, cant see any real negatives.
PROS: - Good build quality, feels good in the hand, well balanced - Android 14 and upgrades for at least 3 years (apparently will go to android 17) - Very good camera's, very useful in a wide variety of situations - Is a good upgrade from the S20FE despite having some reservations - Dual sim and eSIM - Great connectivity, WIFI and Bluetooth latest standards - Great screen, super amoled, 120HZ refresh
CONS: - Battery can drain fairly quickly, but you can tweak it to reduce the battery load - No SD card - Not on many phones now, but was a very good thing to have !
Awesome phone for a reasonable cost – I love my new phone. It's is so much better than my old one . It came in excellent condition and was so easy to set up. The only downfall is the amount of time it took to arrive. 5 days without a phone which I really needed straight away. Show reply
Absolute terrible battery – I have sent my Samsung galaxy 23 Fe back to Samsung for service because Optus was no help,to see if the battery is working correctly. Was sent back within a few hrs to me saying everything is fine.I only get three hours screen time. So something has to be critically wrong. My old Samsung galaxy a71 gets around three times that and its 3 years… Read more
old!!!. I have requested a battery replacement or a new phone without a response yet from Samsung under warranty.
Hey Simon, I'm sorry to hear about the issue you're… Read more (+6 replies)
Poor performance phone. Horrible battery life – The phone has massive battery issues. doesnt last whole day. Wifi has connection issues at times as well. Show details
Hey, I'm sorry to hear about the issues you are… Read more
Good phone – Compact easy to use has great screen resolution Look's good takes excellent photos Show details · 1
Excellent phone – Although a little on the heavy side the phone performs well in almost all applications it is supposed to. The camera is very good with the night time feature performing well, also the panorama function is execellent minimising a task that would have been monumental with film. Not being a gamer I have not had any experience on this particular… Read more · 1
feature. If you are looking for phone with great all round features at a decent price then this is it. I purchased this from Samsung Australia direct and included were four smart tags and a portable battery pack on a launch promotion.
Good phone but average battery life – I like the ease of use of this phone and picture quality Cons: no plug for charger included. Battery life with less than average use is pretty bad Show details · 1
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