Key Highlights
- Samsung announced the new Galaxy S23 FE smartphone starting at $599, delivering premium features like an OLED display and IP68 rating.
- The Galaxy Tab S9 FE and S9 FE+ tablets offer large LCD screens, S Pen support, and IP68 water resistance under $500.
- Galaxy Buds FE provide active noise cancellation and rich audio for just $99, making ANC highly affordable.
Samsung has resurrected its Fan Edition (FE) series for 2023, announcing the affordable yet capable Galaxy S23 FE smartphone, Galaxy Tab S9 FE tablets, and Galaxy Buds FE earbuds. The products aim to deliver premium features and design at budget-friendly price points.
Galaxy S23 FE Revives Value Flagship for $599
The Galaxy S23 FE arrives a year after the S21 FE, complete with a slick 120Hz OLED display and IP68 dust/water resistance – rarities for mid-range phones. Samsung smartly priced it at $599 (Ksh 90,000), compared to the S21 FE’s confusing $699 MSRP just $100 less than the standard S21.
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Smooth scrolling and vivid colors come from the phone’s 6.4” FHD+ AMOLED screen. Processing power is provided by the previous-gen Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip with 8GB RAM, which should offer reliable performance if not class-leading speed.
There’s also a versatile triple lens rear camera system, including a 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and 8MP 3x telephoto sensor. Wireless charging, reverse power share, and an in-display fingerprint reader round out the premium features.
Fun Color Options Stand Out
Samsung brings an element of fun to the S23 FE lineup, offering it in lively colors like Mint, Graphite, Cream, and Purple. Exclusive hues like Indigo and Tangerine are also available directly from Samsung.
At $599, the S23 FE undercuts flagship pricing while retaining the core experiences. IP-rated water resistance and an OLED display at this price make for an enticing value combination.
Tab S9 FE Tablets Deliver Huge Displays Under $500
On the tablet front, Samsung announced both a 10.9” Galaxy Tab S9 FE starting at $429 (Ksh 64,000) and 12.4” Tab S9 FE+ starting at $479 (Ksh 71,000). The FE models trade high-end OLED panels for LCDs, but retain key features like S Pen support and IP68 ratings.
The displays offer smooth 90Hz refresh rates, while Exynos 1380 processors and 6/8GB RAM configurations handle Android 13 UI responsively. Battery capacities reach up to 10,090 mAh for marathon runtimes, plus 45W fast charging.
As with the S23 FE, Samsung brings fun colors like Mint and Lavender to help the FEs stand out in the tablet space. Their robust designs and displays aim to deliver premium experiences hundreds below the steep $799+ standard Tab S9 pricing.
Galaxy Buds FE Provide ANC for Just $99
Rounding out Samsung’s new FE portfolio are the Galaxy Buds FE wireless earbuds. As their name suggests, they pack active noise cancelling (ANC) at the ultrabudget price point of $99 (Ksh 15,000).
The Buds FE promise rich, deep sound with personalization through beamforming mics and AI processing. Their comfortable design enables long listening sessions while integrated ambient sound passthrough keeps you aware.
At up to 8.5 hours per charge and 30 hours with the case, battery life is also a strength. For less than $100, the Buds FE aim to be feature-packed earbuds that don’t sacrifice performance.
FE Series Delivers Premium Experiences to Budget Buyers
Samsung’s revamped FE lineup brings modern flagship-level features to more accessible price points. While the standard Galaxy S23, Tab S9, and Buds 2 Pro target premium buyers, the FEs invite more mainstream consumers to experience Samsung’s polish and innovation.
The phones, tablets, and earbuds start rolling out in early October both online and through carriers. Given their impressive balance of pricing and features, the Galaxy S23 FE, Tab S9 FE, and Buds FE should earn “Fan Edition” status among budget-savvy shoppers.
