The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is acheaper alternative to the Galaxy S23. This is mostly good news, but it means the Fan Edition of Samsung’s flagship has the same issues (plus a couple extra!).
Did you pick up a Samsung Galaxy S23 FE recently, or are you considering the switch? We help you identify the phone’s most significant problems and how to solve them.
We recommendcatching up on the latest One UI tipsto make your Galaxy phone more manageable.
An unresponsive fingerprint sensor
One notable feature of the Galaxy S23 is the optical fingerprint reader. We considered this an acceptable cost-saving measure in our review. Anyone familiar with Samsung’s ultrasonic sensor on more expensive Samsung Galaxy models will notice it’s not as responsive.
If you struggle to get your fingerprint scanned reliably, enroll the same fingerprint twice. Your Galaxy S23 FE checks your fingerprint against both of these records, increasing the chance of a successful scan. Otherwise, try these steps to improve the optical sensor’s responsiveness:
How to improve fingerprint accuracy on your phone
Tired of your fingerprint sensor letting you down? Follow these tips for always accurate scanning
Blurry regions appear in photos
A common issue across all Galaxy S23 models, barring the Ultra, is blurry regions showing up in images. Small spots or large continuous regions are noticeably blurred, ruining an otherwise perfect photo.
Samsung patched this problem in August 2023, but you may still encounter the issue. The Galaxy S23 FE has this patch installed out of the box, so updating your phone doesn’t solve the problem. Instead, follow these steps when taking photos:
The plastic back attracts grime and smudges
The textured mirror-like back on the Galaxy S23 FE might be easier to hold than the slippy glass on the Galaxy S23, but it has its share of problems. Smudges and fingerprints are impossible to avoid, and grime sticks even after cleaning.
While we recommend using a case for your Android phone, buying one is almost mandatory for the Galaxy S23 FE. It’s the best way to keep it clean. There areplenty of affordable cases that hide unsightly grime and smears.
The chipset tends to overheat
The Samsung Galaxy S23 used the Snapdragon Gen 2 chipset. It fixed many of the problems in the Gen 2 chipset. This latter chipset is what the Galaxy S23 FE uses, meaning it has the potential to overheat in some situations.
Follow these tips to avoid overheating your Galaxy S23 FE:
Fast charging doesn’t work
The Samsung Galaxy S23 can charge up to 25W with the correct power adapter. It displays “Fast charging” at the bottom of the phone’s lock screen when charging at maximum speed. You’ll need to investigate further if it only displays “Charging” or “cable charging.”
The Galaxy S23 FE doesn’t ship with a charger. Double-check that the charger you use can charge at speeds of 25W. Choose one of thegreat options to charge your phone in the fastest timeif you need to upgrade.
Check that Fast Charging is activated. Open theBatterymenu in the Galaxy S23’sSettingsapp and tapMore battery settings. Turn onFast ChargingandSuper Fastcharging.
Contact Samsung’s customer support team if neither of these options works.
The battery level never goes above 85%
Your Samsung Galaxy S23 FE may refuse to charge above 85%. This is part of Samsung’s battery protection features.
This battery protection feature is included to improve the lifespan of the Galaxy S23 FE’s battery. Still, you may want to keep your phone topped up to 100%. This feature is turned off by default. Reverting it is easy if you accidentally activated it.
Go into yourBatterysettings, tapMore battery settings, and turn off theProtectbatterytoggle switch.
Contact Samsung’s customer support if your Galaxy S23 FE refuses to charge past a different percentage. Any cap other than 85% or 100% suggests a defective battery.
The app drawer is unorganized
One UI’s app drawer is set to custom by default, meaning apps feel like they’re organized randomly. Change this unless you’re willing to spend the time sorting your apps one by one. Finding your apps in the default setting is a matter of guesswork. you may organize them in a couple of taps by switching to alphabetical sorting.
Install theGood Lock app for additional customization options.
Keep your Galaxy S23 FE working in tip-top shape
We hope this article solves your issues with the Galaxy S23 FE. If you’re unhappy with the phone, consider trading it in for one ofour favorite Samsung smartphones.
