Realme 12 Pro+ vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
The Verdict
Realme 12 Pro+ delivers compelling value with a larger 6.7-inch AMOLED display, stronger battery capacity (5000 mAh), and faster 67W charging for $200 less. Its periscope 3x telephoto offers superior optical zoom versatility compared to Samsung's standard tele lens. However, Galaxy S23 FE counters with superior peak brightness (1450 nits vs 950), Gorilla Glass 5 protection, faster 4K video recording at 60fps, wireless charging capability, and the Exynos 2200 processor providing better sustained performance. Samsung's One UI software is more refined than Realme UI 5.0. Battery endurance slightly favors the S23 FE due to efficient optimization despite smaller capacity. For budget-conscious buyers prioritizing zoom capability and battery life, Realme 12 Pro+ excels. Those valuing display quality, video recording, and wireless convenience should choose Galaxy S23 FE, though at a premium price point.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Realme 12 Pro+ if…
- →64 MP periscope 3x telephoto at sub-$400 pricing
- →Sony IMX882 main sensor delivers excellent photos
- →67W fast charging
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE if…
- →Flagship features like 120Hz AMOLED and IP68 at a lower price
- →Bright 1450-nit display for good outdoor visibility
- →3x optical zoom telephoto is rare in this price range
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Realme 12 Pro+
Pros
- 64 MP periscope 3x telephoto at sub-$400 pricing
- Sony IMX882 main sensor delivers excellent photos
- 67W fast charging
- IP65 water resistance
- Premium vegan leather back option
Cons
- Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 is not a performance flagship chip
- No wireless charging
- 8 MP ultrawide is disappointing
- Realme UI has bloatware and ads
- Only Wi-Fi 6 (no 6E or 7)
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Pros
- Flagship features like 120Hz AMOLED and IP68 at a lower price
- Bright 1450-nit display for good outdoor visibility
- 3x optical zoom telephoto is rare in this price range
- Four years of OS updates guaranteed
- Wireless charging with reverse wireless PowerShare
Cons
- Exynos 2200 variant has weaker performance and efficiency
- Only 25W wired charging is slow for 2023
- Gorilla Glass 5 is older protection than Victus 2
- 8 MP telephoto resolution is low
- Heavier at 209 g due to older processor thermals
Full Specifications
| Spec | Realme 12 Pro+ | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 14 (Realme UI 5.0) | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 195 g | 209 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, vegan leather or glass back | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 5 |
| IP rating | IP65 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 162.0 x 74.2 x 8.8 mm | 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS (Sony IMX882) | 50 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 32 MP, f/2.4 | 10 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 64 MP, f/2.6, 3x periscope optical zoom | 8 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS |
| Ultrawide | 8 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 67W SuperVOOC wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | No | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.4 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2412 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 950 | 1450 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | Xclipse 920 / Adreno 730 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 | Samsung Exynos 2200 / Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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