Samsung Galaxy S23 FE vs Redmi Note 12 Pro+
The Verdict
Samsung's Galaxy S23 FE commands a $270 premium over Redmi's Note 12 Pro+, justified by superior display quality with 1450 nits brightness versus 900 nits, faster processors (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 variant), and refined camera system with telephoto capabilities. Redmi counters with a larger 6.67-inch screen, massive 5000 mAh battery, and blazing 120W charging versus Samsung's 25W. Camera megapixel counts favor Redmi's 200 MP main sensor, though Samsung's f/1.8 aperture and OIS across multiple lenses provide better real-world performance. Build quality differs notably: Samsung features Gorilla Glass 5 with IP68 rating, while Redmi relies on plastic backing with IP53 protection. For performance-focused users prioritizing display quality and versatile photography, the Galaxy S23 FE justifies its higher price. Budget-conscious buyers seeking battery longevity and rapid charging should choose the Note 12 Pro+. Consider your priorities carefully between premium experience and value proposition.
Who Should Buy
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
Buy the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ if…
- →200 MP main sensor is a headline spec at this price
- →120W charging is exceptionally fast for the segment
- →OIS on the main camera aids low-light stability
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
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
Redmi Note 12 Pro+
Pros
- 200 MP main sensor is a headline spec at this price
- 120W charging is exceptionally fast for the segment
- OIS on the main camera aids low-light stability
- 120Hz AMOLED display
- NFC included
Cons
- Dimensity 1080 is a mid-range chip, not flagship
- Heavy at 210 g
- No wireless charging
- 8 MP ultrawide is mediocre
- MIUI ads in some regions
Full Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE | Redmi Note 12 Pro+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) | Android 12 (MIUI 13) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 209 g | 210 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 5 | Plastic back, aluminum frame |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP53 |
| Dimensions | 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm | 162.9 x 76.0 x 8.8 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS | 200 MP, f/1.65, OIS |
| Front camera | 10 MP, f/2.4 | 16 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@30fps |
| Telephoto | 8 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS | — |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP, f/2.2, 120-degree |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired | 120W HyperCharge wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W, Wireless PowerShare | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.4 inches | 6.67 inches |
| Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1450 | 900 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| GPU | Xclipse 920 / Adreno 730 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| Chipset | Samsung Exynos 2200 / Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | MediaTek Dimensity 1080 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
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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