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This time around, we do have a rather odd comparison for you. Well, odd and interesting at the same time. In this article, we’ll compare the ASUS ZenFone 10 vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE. These two phones don’t have all that much in common at first glance, but they both aim at the high-end category, while trying to keep the price down. The ZenFone 10 is actually ASUS’ most powerful handset, and the price tag it hits is quite commendable. The Galaxy S23 FE is a budget flagship from Samsung, kind of, and it’s a bit more affordable than the ZenFone 10.
As per usual, we’ll first list the specs below, and will then compare the two phones across a number of categories. We’ll first compare their designs, and will then move to displays, performance, battery life, cameras, and finally audio. Both of these phones have a lot to offer, but they’re quite different, so there’s a lot to talk about here.
Specs
ASUS ZenFone 10 vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, respectively
– Screen size:
5.92-inch Super AMOLED display (144Hz, HDR10+, 1,100 nits)
6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display (120Hz, HDR10+, 1,450 nits max)
– Display resolution:
2400 x 1080
2340 x 1080
– SoC:
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
– RAM:
8GB/16GB (LPDDR5X)
8GB (LPDDR5)
– Storage:
128GB/256GB/512GB (UFS 4.0)
128GB/256GB (UFS 3.1)
– Rear cameras:
50MP (f/1.9 aperture, gimbal OIS), 13MP (f/2.2 aperture, 120-degree FoV)
50MP (f/1.8 aperture, PDAF, OIS), 12MP (ultrawide, f/2.2 aperture, 123-degree FoV), 8MP (telephoto, f/2.4 aperture, PDAF, 3x optical zoom)
– Front cameras:
32MP (f/2.5 aperture)
10MP (f/2.4 aperture)
– Battery:
4,300mAh
4,500mAh
– Charging:
30W wired, 15W wireless, 5W reverse wired (charger included)
25W wired, 15W wireless (charger not included)
– Dimensions:
146.5 x 68.1 x 9.4mm
158 x 76.5 x 8.2mm
– Weight:
172 grams
209 grams
– Connectivity:
5G, LTE, NFC, Wi-Fi, USB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.3
– Security:
Side-facing fingerprint scanner
In-display fingerprint scanner & facial scanning
– OS:
Android 13 with ZenUI
Android 13 with One UI 5.1
– Price:
$699
$599+
– Buy:
Amazon
Amazon
ASUS ZenFone 10 vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE: Design
You will notice some major differences in the design department. Those differences will only become more obvious if you actually end up holding both phones at the same time. The ASUS ZenFone 10 is made out of metal and plastic on the back. Do note that the plastic on the back feels like a combination of plastic, rubber, and paper, for lack of a better description. It’s soft and rough at the same time, but it does give far more grip than glass. The Galaxy S23 FE, on the other hand, is made out of metal and glass.
Both smartphones have vertically-aligned cameras on the back. Those cameras protrude directly from the backplates on both phones, but the protrusions on the ZenFone 10 are a lot bigger, even though there are only two cameras included on the back. The backplate on the ZenFone 10 is also a bit raised from the frame, while it’s entirely flat on the Galaxy S23 FE. The sides are flat on the ZenFone 10, all around, though the edges are chamfered for a better in-hand feel. The sides on the Galaxy S23 FE are slightly curved.
Both smartphones have flat displays, and display camera holes. Those camera holes are placed in different spots, however. The bezels are thin on both phones, but they’re not uniform on either. The Galaxy S23 FE is considerably taller and wider, as it has a considerably larger display. It is a bit thinner than the ZenFone 10, and quite a bit heavier (over 30 grams heavier). Both devices are IP68 certified for water and dust resistance.
ASUS ZenFone 10 vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE: Display
The ASUS ZenFone 10 features a 5.92-inch fullHD+ (2400 x 1080) Super AMOLED display. That display has a 144Hz refresh rate, but only during gaming, with games that support it. A 120Hz refresh rate will be used during general performance. This display is flat and supports HDR10+ content. The peak brightness of the ZenFone 10 display is 1,100 nits, and the panel has a 20:9 aspect ratio. The Gorilla Glass Victus protects this display.
The Galaxy S23 FE, on the other hand, features a 6.4-inch fullHD+ (2340 x 1080) Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel. That display is also flat, and it has a 120Hz refresh rate. HDR10+ content is supported on this panel, while the max brightness is 1,450 nits. The display aspect ratio here is 19.5:9, while Corning’s Gorilla Glass 5 protects the Galaxy S23 FE’s display.
Both of these displays look really good, to be quite honest. They both offer vivid colors, with deep blacks, and good viewing angles. The touch response is also good on both. You also get added customization through software, so you can fine-tune these panels. The thing is, the Galaxy S23 FE’s display does get brighter, which is a difference you’ll notice outdoors. Its brightness is not huge, though, like on many other flagships, but it’s a noticeable step up from the ZenFone 10. Although, the ZenFone 10’s display isn’t exactly dim, not at all.
ASUS ZenFone 10 vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE: Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 fuels the ASUS ZenFone 10. The phone also includes up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and UFS 4.0 flash storage too. The Galaxy S23 FE, on the flip side, is fueled by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, while the company included 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and UFS 3.1 flash storage.
The ASUS ZenFone 10 has the advantage across the board in terms of performance. Not only does it have a more powerful, and more power efficient chip, but its RAM and storage modules are also a step ahead. You will notice that the ZenFone 10 is more snappy in terms of performance, if you end up using them side-by-side. The Galaxy S23 FE is actually plenty fast, but in direct comparison, the difference is clearly visible. The ZenFone 10 is actually one of the snappiest phones out there at the moment.
Another thing worth noting in terms of performance is that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 runs much cooler than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. The Galaxy S23 FE actually managed to get hot during gaming, and not even demanding games, some casual games. Too hot, even. The ZenFone 10 ran much cooler even with demanding games, which is saying a lot. Chances are you won’t have heat issues with the Galaxy S23 FE if you’re not playing games, but that chip was obviously not the best choice for Samsung.
ASUS ZenFone 10 vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE: Battery
A 4,300mAh battery sits inside the ASUS ZenFone 10. The Galaxy S23 FE, on the flip side, includes a 4,500mAh unit. Do note that the ZenFone 10 has a considerably smaller display, and more power efficient internals, including the SoC. Does it offer better battery life, though? Well, yes, a lot better, actually. Don’t get me wrong, though, as the Galaxy S23 FE offers great battery life, which managed to surprise us a bit.
Samsung’s smartphone can cross the 8-hour screen-on-time mark, even though it lingered just under that for us most of the time. The ASUS ZenFone 10, on the other hand, can break even that barrier. We were able to cross the 10-hour screen-on-time mark with this device, a number of times. That is amazing considering this is actually a very compact phone. That’s great for every smartphone, let alone one such compact.
Getting 8-9 hours of screen-on-time every day on the ZenFone 10 is not a problem at all. Do note that both phones were put through their paces with light gaming, even though on most days, we were not gaming at all. Both were used for a bevy of other actions, such as browsing, messaging, emailing, image editing, taking pictures, and so on.
ASUS’ handset supports 30W wired, 15W wireless, and 5W reverse wired charging. The Galaxy S23 FE has support for 25W wired, and 15W wireless charging. The ZenFone 10 will charge a bit faster, while it also comes with a charger, unlike the Galaxy S23 FE. You’ll have to buy one separately, if you don’t already own it.
ASUS ZenFone 10 vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE: Cameras
The camera department is the area where both companies have made compromises to hit those price tags, basically. The Galaxy S23 FE seemingly has the same sensors as the Galaxy S23, but it doesn’t, not a single one is the same. The ZenFone 10 has two cameras on the back, it doesn’t include a telephoto camera at all. Both smartphones do a good job overall, but can’t really compete with the best out there.
Both devices tend to saturate images too much in many situations, and oversharpening is also an issue, especially on the ZenFone 10. The moment you zoom into shots in areas where there’s not plenty of light, you’ll notice excessive sharpening. Both phones do a great job in HDR conditions, though, and offer good, well-balanced images overall, with more than enough details, and good colors.
Neither one excels in low light, though, where you’ll notice oversharpening the most. Also, both smartphones tend to keep scenes a bit darker than they should have, losing details in the process. Ultrawide cameras are good, but obviously a step below the main units. The stabilization on the ZenFone 10 is much better, and we much preferred videos from ASUS’ handset.
Audio
Now, both of these phones do have stereo speakers, and both sets do sound more than fine. They’re well-balanced, and offer rich sound. The thing is, the Galaxy S23 FE speakers do get louder, noticeably, even though the ZenFone 10 speakers are loud enough.
You will find an audio jack on the ZenFone 10, which is not the case with the Galaxy S23 FE. You can still use that phone’s Type-C port if you’d like to hook up your headphones, though, of course. Both smartphones also offer Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless audio connectivity.