Infinix Zero Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE: A Deep Dive into Speed and Refinement

The Infinix Zero Ultra arrives as a disruptor, boasting an astonishing 180W charging capability, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE represents a refined, more mainstream approach to the flagship experience. This comparison dissects these two devices, focusing on where each excels and who will benefit most from their distinct strengths.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a polished software experience, reliable camera performance, and long-term support, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is the stronger choice. However, the Infinix Zero Ultra’s unparalleled 180W charging is a game-changer for those constantly battling battery anxiety and willing to trade some software polish.

PHONES
Phone Names Infinix Zero Ultra Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub61, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat7 300/75 Mbps, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6-
Launch
Announced2022, October 052023, October 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, October 25Available. Released 2023, October 05
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions165.5 x 74.5 x 8.8 mm - Coslight Silver165.5 x 75.1 x 9.2 mm - Genesis Noir158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm (6.22 x 3.01 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight213 g (7.51 oz)209 g (7.37 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~387 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~90.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, 900 nits (HBM)Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1450 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.8 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) - InternationalOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) - USA
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm)Exynos 2200 (4 nm) - InternationalQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) - USA
GPUMali-G68 MC4Xclipse 920 - InternationalAdreno 730 - USA
OSAndroid 12, XOS 12Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.0, (wide)-
Triple200 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/1.22", 0.64µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.4, (ultrawide), AF 2 MP50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 76mm (telephoto), 1/4.5", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash-
Single32 MP, f/2.0, (wide)10 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack No-
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
BluetoothYes5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
Battery
Charging180W wired, 100% in 12 min25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless
Type4500 mAhLi-Ion 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsCoslight Silver, Genesis NoirMint, Cream, Graphite, Purple, Indigo, Tangerine
ModelsX6820SM-S711B, SM-S711B/DS, SM-S711U1, SM-S711U, SM-S711W, SM-S7110, SM-S711N
PriceAbout 500 EUR$ 219.95 / C$ 327.90 / £ 248.99 / € 272.00 / ₹ 34,999
SAR-0.80 W/kg (head)     0.72 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.76 W/kg (head)     1.04 W/kg (body)

Infinix Zero Ultra

  • Unrivaled 180W fast charging
  • Potentially more affordable price point
  • Modern processor for everyday tasks

  • Software experience may be less refined
  • Camera performance likely trails the S23 FE
  • Limited brand recognition

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE

  • Polished software experience with One UI
  • Strong camera system with OIS
  • Reliable performance with Snapdragon or Exynos

  • Significantly slower 25W charging
  • Higher price compared to the Infinix Zero Ultra
  • Potential for Exynos overheating (depending on region)

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE boasts a peak brightness of 985 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Infinix Zero Ultra’s display specs are not provided, Samsung’s panel likely offers superior color accuracy and viewing angles. The S23 FE’s display technology, while not explicitly stated as LTPO, benefits from Samsung’s expertise in display calibration, resulting in a more consistent and visually pleasing experience. The absence of detailed display information for the Zero Ultra makes a direct comparison challenging, but the S23 FE holds a clear advantage in measured brightness.

Camera Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE’s camera system is expected to deliver a more consistent and refined image processing experience, leveraging Samsung’s established camera algorithms. While specific sensor details are missing for the Infinix Zero Ultra, the S23 FE’s likely benefits from Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on its main sensor, resulting in sharper images and smoother videos, particularly in low-light conditions. The S23 FE’s focus on photo and video quality, combined with Samsung’s image processing expertise, positions it as the superior choice for photography enthusiasts. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the Zero Ultra is unlikely to significantly impact overall camera performance.

Performance

The Galaxy S23 FE utilizes either the Exynos 2200 (International) or Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (USA) – both 4nm chips – while the Infinix Zero Ultra is powered by the 6nm MediaTek Dimensity 920. The 4nm process node of the Samsung chips offers improved power efficiency compared to the 6nm Dimensity 920, potentially leading to better sustained performance and reduced thermal throttling. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, with its Cortex-X2 core clocked at 3.0 GHz (vs 2.8 GHz in the Exynos and 2.5 GHz in the Dimensity), provides a performance edge in CPU-intensive tasks. However, the Dimensity 920’s Cortex-A78 cores are still capable, and its efficiency may be advantageous in less demanding scenarios. The S23 FE’s LPDDR5 RAM (spec not provided for Zero Ultra) further contributes to smoother multitasking.

Battery Life

The Infinix Zero Ultra’s 180W wired charging is its standout feature, achieving a 100% charge in just 12 minutes. This is dramatically faster than the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE’s 25W charging, which takes 30 minutes to reach 50%. While the S23 FE offers 15W wireless and reverse wireless charging, the Zero Ultra lacks these features. The Galaxy S23 FE’s active use score of 8:28h demonstrates solid battery life, but the Zero Ultra’s rapid charging mitigates concerns about battery capacity, allowing for quick top-ups throughout the day. The trade-off is convenience versus sheer charging speed.

Buying Guide

Buy the Infinix Zero Ultra if you absolutely need the fastest charging available and prioritize speed over brand recognition or software features. This phone is ideal for power users who frequently top up their battery throughout the day. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE if you value a well-rounded experience with a strong camera system, a refined user interface, and the backing of a major manufacturer, even if it means sacrificing the extreme charging speeds of the Infinix.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 2200 chip in the Galaxy S23 FE overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 2200 has been known to exhibit thermal throttling under sustained load. However, Samsung has implemented optimizations in the S23 FE to mitigate this issue. While it may still get warm, it's unlikely to reach critical temperatures that severely impact performance, especially compared to earlier Exynos implementations. The Snapdragon variant avoids this concern entirely.
❓ Is the 180W charging on the Infinix Zero Ultra safe for the battery's long-term health?
Infinix claims to have implemented safety measures to protect the battery during 180W charging, including advanced temperature control and charging algorithms. While extremely fast charging can theoretically degrade battery health faster, the Zero Ultra’s charging system is designed to minimize this effect. Long-term testing is needed to fully assess its impact.
❓ How does the Dimensity 920 handle demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
The Dimensity 920 is capable of running PUBG and Genshin Impact at medium to high settings. However, it may not achieve the same consistently high frame rates as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200, particularly in graphically intensive scenes. Expect some frame drops during prolonged gaming sessions.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE support 90fps or 120fps gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE supports high refresh rate gaming, but the specific frame rate achievable depends on the game and settings. Many popular titles can run at 60fps, and some may support up to 90fps or 120fps with optimized settings. The phone's display is capable of 120Hz, but game compatibility is key.