After months of contrasting rumors, we now have the first public evidence confirming the existence of the Galaxy S23 FE. A South Korean regulatory body has certified the battery pack for this Samsung smartphone. The upcoming Fan Edition (FE) device has also made it into import-export databases of some countries.
The Galaxy S23 FE does exist in Samsung’s pipeline
After canceling the Galaxy S22 FE, Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy S23 FE later this year. While a few reports suggested that the latter may be canceled too, most industry insiders have claimed that the Korean firm does have a new FE phone in the pipeline. They have also shared some key specs of the phone and hinted at a Q4 2023 launch, or at the earliest by September.
However, all this while, there hasn’t been any public evidence that confirms the existence of the Galaxy S23 FE in Samsung’s pipeline. Today, we have two separate pieces of evidence about the phone. Firstly, Safety Korea has certified a Samsung battery pack with the model number EB-BS711ABY (via). History tells us that this power unit will sit inside a phone with the model number SM-S711. And that’s none other than the Galaxy S23 FE.
As usual, this certification listing includes a live photo of the battery. However, as is the standard practice from Safety Korea, it has shared a blurry photo. The text on it isn’t legible, so we can’t confirm the battery capacity of the Galaxy S23 FE just yet. Earlier rumors have claimed a 4,500mAh battery with support for 25W fast charging. That’s what you get on the Galaxy S21 FE, the last model in the lineup.
A 50-megapixel main camera will be included, it seems
Meanwhile, the European/global version of the phone (SM-711B) has popped up on the import-export databases of some countries. Spotted by WinFuture, the entries confirm the device’s name (listed as S23 FE), along with a 50MP primary rear camera. Earlier rumors have suggested that Samsung will pair the 50MP shooter with a 12MP ultrawide camera, an 8MP 3x zoom lens, and a 12MP selfie camera.
These database entries were first made at the end of April. New phones usually take 3-4 months, or even more, to arrive on the market following these entries. So the Galaxy S23 FE may not be here before September. Ahead of that, Samsung will launch new foldables, smartwatches, and flagship tablets. The Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Z Flip 5, Galaxy Watch 6 series, and Galaxy Tab S9 series will debut on July 27.