Phone (3a) vs Galaxy S23 FE

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Nothing Phone (3a)

Lifespan decides this one: the Phone (3a) is supported until Mar 2031 at $6.16 per month of safe use, while the Galaxy S23 FE runs out in Oct 2028 ($5.77/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.

Value Score: Phone (3a) 75 · Galaxy S23 FE 71 — methodology

The lifespan decider

When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.

Nothing Phone (3a) $349

Safe to buy$6.16/mo

2025◆ Buy-by Mar 20292031

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE $164

Buy with care$5.77/mo

2023◆ Buy-by Oct 20262028

Category by category

Display

Phone (3a) 80Galaxy S23 FE 70

The Phone (3a)'s screen is the better one — 6.77-inch amoled, 1080×2392 (fhd+), up to 120hz, 3000 nits peak.

Performance

Phone (3a) 64Galaxy S23 FE 65

Performance is a wash — same chip tier.

Camera

Phone (3a) 79Galaxy S23 FE 79

Camera systems are comparable on paper — pick by sample photos.

Battery

Phone (3a) 80Galaxy S23 FE 70

5,000mAh vs 4,500mAh — the Phone (3a) lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

Phone (3a) 67Galaxy S23 FE 34

The Phone (3a) is supported until Mar 2031 — 28 months longer than the Galaxy S23 FE.

Value

Phone (3a) 75Galaxy S23 FE 71

Overall value goes to the Phone (3a) at $6.16 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	Phone (3a)	Galaxy S23 FE
Price (street)	$349	$164
Display	6.77-inch AMOLED, 1080×2392 (FHD+), up to 120Hz, 3000 nits peak	6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, FHD+, 60–120Hz
Chipset	Snapdragon 7s Gen 3	Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (US model)
RAM	8GB/12GB	8GB
Storage	128GB/256GB	128GB/256GB
Battery	5,000 mAh	4,500 mAh
Charging	50W wired, no wireless	25W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless
Rear cameras	50MP main, 50MP telephoto 2x, 8MP ultra-wide	50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 8MP telephoto 3x
Dimensions	163.52 × 77.50 × 8.35 mm	158.0 × 76.5 × 8.2 mm
Weight	201 g	209 g
Water resistance	IP64	IP68
Supported until	Mar 2031	Oct 2028

Phone (3a) full verdict →Galaxy S23 FE full verdict →Longevity master board →

Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.