Earlier this month, Samsung introduced several new products to conclude 2023 on a high note. Among the new releases were some tablets, earbuds, and the Galaxy S23 FE. While the S23 FE resembles the previously launched S23 phones, it comes with lower specs and a more affordable price. Samsung initially announced the S23 FE would be available for $600 on October 3rd.
However, things took a turn when the Galaxy S23 FE officially hit the market on October 26. Surprisingly, it did not carry the $600 price tag Samsung claimed. If you purchase the phone directly from Samsung’s website, you will have to pay $630 for the base model with 128GB of storage, resulting in a seemingly random $30 increase. While Samsung did not previously disclose the cost of the 256GB variant, it is currently listed on Samsung’s site for $690.
Here’s where it gets even more peculiar. You can purchase the 128GB Galaxy S23 FE for the original $600 price at Amazon and Best Buy. It is the exact same phone that Samsung sells on its website, but $30 cheaper.
What caused this sudden price increase? We cannot be certain. Changes often occur in smartphone launches, such as adjusted specs and release dates. However, it is uncommon for a phone to be announced at one price and then launched at a different price, especially without any explanation.
While a $30 increase may not seem significant, it puts the Galaxy S23 FE in an awkward position. The phone now sits only $70 away from the highly acclaimed Google Pixel 8, one of the best smartphones reviewed this year. Additionally, it brings the Galaxy S23 FE closer to the regular Galaxy S23, which retails at $800. While $630 is not an unreasonable price considering the features the Galaxy S23 FE offers, such as a 120Hz AMOLED display, triple-camera system, and 4,500mAh battery, the overall value proposition is slightly worse than anticipated. It is important to note that the price change applies only to purchases made directly from Samsung.
After reaching out to Samsung for comment, the company informed Digital Trends that the S23 FE starts at $600, but only for the carrier version. The new $630 price is for the unlocked model. However, this explanation does not clarify why Amazon and Best Buy are selling “unlocked” versions of the phone for $600. We reached out to Samsung for further clarification and received the following response:
“We are excited to offer the Galaxy S23 FE at the lowest at-launch price point ever for a Galaxy FE smartphone, providing our consumers with the ultimate combination of value and performance. Through our channel partners, the Galaxy S23 FE is available for $599 through carriers, as well as unlocked for $599 at national retailers like Best Buy and Amazon.”
In summary, if you purchase the Galaxy S23 FE from Amazon, Best Buy, or your carrier, it will cost $600. If you buy it from the Samsung website, you will pay $630. Although it may not make much sense, that is how Samsung has chosen to handle this situation.
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