Galaxy S23 FE May Come With Old Processor This Year

According to a report from South Korea, Samsung will again be launching a fan edition of the new Galaxy S23 series this year, but the so-called Galaxy S23 FE will probably not have the current high-end processor on board as usual.

Like the Korean Twitter user OreXda, who has repeatedly provided accurate leaks about Samsung products in the past, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE will not have an absolute top chip under the hood. Instead, Samsung allegedly uses an older high-end SoC from the Qualcomm chip group.

While the earlier fan editions of the Galaxy S series were always equipped with the latest top chips, this is said to change with the Galaxy S23 FE. Instead of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 installed in the Galaxy S23 and its more expensive sister models, the current top processor from the US chip giant, an older processor is said to be installed.

Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 instead of Snapdragon 8 Gen 2

Specifically, we are talking about the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, i.e. the refreshed version of last year’s flagship SoC from Qualcomm, which made its debut in certain upper-class smartphones in autumn 2022. In terms of performance, this platform is around 20-30 percent behind the current top model.

By using the older chip, Samsung probably wants to ensure that the Galaxy S23 FE can offer performance in the upper class again, but in return, the costs are reduced. It is unclear whether this will also lead to a lower sales price for this year’s fan edition of the Galaxy S series.

In view of the massive increase in inflation as a result of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the resulting increase in prices, this could well be a sensible strategy. However, like most other smartphone manufacturers, Samsung is still struggling with a sharp drop in demand for its mobile devices.

It is conceivable that Samsung primarily wants to keep its margins high by choosing the older chip, while at the same time trying to appeal to as many customers as possible with an attractive price for the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE.