The HTC U23 and Realme 11 Pro+ represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The U23, a more understated offering, focuses on a balanced experience with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 1. Conversely, the Realme 11 Pro+ aggressively targets attention with its 100W charging and a focus on camera capabilities, powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7050. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing rapid charging and a brighter display, the Realme 11 Pro+ is the clear winner. While the HTC U23 offers a solid, well-rounded experience, the 100W charging and higher peak brightness of the Realme 11 Pro+ provide tangible benefits that outweigh the U23’s more efficient chipset.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 7, 20, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, July 17 | 2023, May 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, July 26 | Available. Released 2023, May 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, leather or plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 166.6 x 77.1 x 8.9 mm (6.56 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 161.6 x 73.9 x 8.2 mm or 8.7 mm |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 202 g (7.13 oz) | 183 g or 189 g (6.46 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~90.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 120Hz | AMOLED, 1B colors, HDR10+, 120Hz, 950 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7450-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 644 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades, Realme UI 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.9, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 200 MP, f/1.7, 23mm (wide), 1/1.4", 0.56µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 32 MP, f/2.5, 22mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired
15W wireless
5W reverse wireless
Reverse wired | 100W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4600 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aqua Blue, Roland Violet | Astral Black, Sunrise Beige, Oasis Green |
| Models | - | RMX3740, RMX3741 |
| Price | - | € 399.90 / ₹ 27,990 |
HTC U23
- More power-efficient Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset
- Wireless and reverse wireless charging support
- Potentially more understated design
- Significantly slower 30W wired charging
- Likely lower peak display brightness
- Less emphasis on camera features
Realme 11 Pro+
- Ultra-fast 100W wired charging
- Brighter 793 nit display
- Stronger focus on camera capabilities
- Less efficient 6nm Dimensity 7050 chipset
- No wireless charging support
- Potentially more aggressive image processing
Display Comparison
The Realme 11 Pro+ boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 793 nits, compared to an unstated value for the HTC U23. This brightness advantage translates to better outdoor visibility. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, the Realme’s higher peak brightness is a clear advantage. We lack PWM frequency data for both, but the Realme’s brightness level suggests a more aggressive drive, potentially impacting users sensitive to flicker. Bezels are likely comparable given the market segment, and color accuracy will depend on software calibration, a factor not specified in the provided data.
Camera Comparison
The Realme 11 Pro+ is positioned as a camera-focused device, though specific sensor details are missing. The HTC U23’s camera specifications are also absent. Without knowing sensor sizes, apertures, or OIS implementation, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Realme’s marketing emphasizes its camera capabilities, suggesting a more advanced imaging system. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the Realme is likely a marketing gimmick, offering limited real-world utility. Image processing style will also be a key differentiator, with Realme typically favoring vibrant, saturated images, while HTC often aims for a more natural look.
Performance
The chipset battle pits Qualcomm’s 4nm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 against MediaTek’s 6nm Dimensity 7050. While the Dimensity 7050 features slightly higher clocked Cortex-A78 cores (2.6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz), the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 benefits from a more efficient 4nm manufacturing process. This efficiency should translate to better thermal management during sustained workloads. The CPU core configuration differs significantly; the Snapdragon uses a 1+3+4 arrangement with Cortex-A710 cores, while the Dimensity 7050 employs a 2+6 configuration with Cortex-A55 cores. This suggests the Snapdragon may offer a slight edge in multi-core performance, while the Dimensity 7050 may excel in single-core tasks. RAM speed (LPDDR5x vs unspecified) is also a potential differentiator, favoring the Realme if it utilizes the faster standard.
Battery Life
The Realme 11 Pro+’s 100W wired charging is its standout feature, allowing for a full charge in under 30 minutes. The HTC U23’s 30W charging is considerably slower. While the Realme 11 Pro+ has an 'Endurance rating' of 112h, this is a relative metric and doesn't directly translate to battery capacity. The U23 also offers 15W wireless and 5W reverse wireless charging, features absent on the Realme. The efficiency of the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 may partially offset the Realme’s potentially larger battery, but the charging speed difference is substantial.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC U23 if you prioritize a more power-efficient processor for sustained tasks and appreciate a brand with a history of understated design. This phone is ideal for users who value long-term performance over flashy features. Buy the Realme 11 Pro+ if you demand the fastest possible charging speeds, a vibrant display for media consumption, and are comfortable with a more aggressively marketed device. This is the phone for users who want convenience and a bold aesthetic.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Dimensity 7050 in the Realme 11 Pro+ tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The 6nm process of the Dimensity 7050 is less efficient than the 4nm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1. While the Realme 11 Pro+ likely has adequate cooling, extended gaming at high settings may result in some thermal throttling. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 in the HTC U23 should maintain cooler temperatures for longer periods.
❓ Is the 15W wireless charging on the HTC U23 fast enough for convenient daily use?
15W wireless charging is relatively slow compared to modern standards. It's suitable for overnight charging but won't provide a significant charge boost in a short period. The Realme 11 Pro+'s 100W wired charging offers a far more convenient charging experience.
❓ How does the image processing differ between the HTC U23 and Realme 11 Pro+?
Realme typically employs a more vibrant and saturated image processing style, aiming for social media-ready photos. HTC generally favors a more natural and accurate color reproduction. This difference will be noticeable in landscape and portrait shots.
❓ What is the real-world benefit of the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1's 4nm process?
The 4nm process allows the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 to operate more efficiently, consuming less power for the same level of performance. This translates to better battery life and reduced heat generation, particularly during demanding tasks like gaming or video editing.
