The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme 9 5G Speed and Samsung Galaxy F23 are two strong contenders vying for your attention. Both offer 5G connectivity and a range of features, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme 9 5G Speed takes the lead thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 778G chipset and quicker charging. While the Galaxy F23 boasts Samsung's brand recognition and potentially a slightly better display, the Realme offers superior performance for the price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - International | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 10 | 2022, March 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 14 | Available. Released 2022, March 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Panda Glass), plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.8 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 165.5 x 77 x 8.4 mm (6.52 x 3.03 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 198 g (6.98 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Panda Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 144Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) | TFT LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@480fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual Proximity Sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, 50% in 25 min | 25W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starry Glow, Azure Glow | Aqua Blue, Forest Green |
| Models | RMX3461 | SM-E236B, SM-E236B/DS |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 190 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.24 W/kg (head) |
Realme 9 5G Speed
- Superior Performance (Snapdragon 778G)
- Faster Charging (30W)
- Sleek Design
- Good Value for Money
- Software might not be as polished as Samsung's
- Camera might not be as consistent as Samsung's
Samsung Galaxy F23
- Samsung's Brand Reputation
- Potentially Better Display Colors
- Reliable Software Updates
- Versatile Camera System
- Slower Performance (Snapdragon 750G)
- Slower Charging (25W)
- Less Competitive Price
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.6-inch FHD+ display, likely with a 120Hz refresh rate. The Samsung Galaxy F23 might offer slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to Samsung's display technology, but the difference is likely subtle. Expect similar viewing experiences overall.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy F23 likely features a versatile camera setup, potentially including a 50MP main sensor with OIS. The Realme 9 5G Speed also has a capable camera system, but the Samsung's image processing might offer slightly more pleasing results in certain scenarios. Low-light performance is likely comparable.
Performance
This is where the Realme 9 5G Speed shines. The Snapdragon 778G is a considerably more powerful chipset than the Snapdragon 750G in the Galaxy F23. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Realme. The Realme's 6nm process also contributes to better power efficiency.
Battery Life
Both phones pack a 5000mAh battery, offering all-day battery life for moderate users. However, the Realme 9 5G Speed's 30W charging is significantly faster than the Galaxy F23's 25W, allowing for quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Realme 9 5G Speed is ideal for users prioritizing performance, gaming, and fast charging. The Samsung Galaxy F23 is a good choice for those who value Samsung's software experience, a potentially more vibrant display, and a reliable brand reputation, even if it means sacrificing some processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Realme 9 5G Speed's Snapdragon 778G chipset provides significantly better gaming performance compared to the Samsung Galaxy F23's Snapdragon 750G.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy F23 worth buying if I prefer Samsung's software?
Yes, if you prioritize Samsung's One UI and its ecosystem, the Galaxy F23 is a solid choice, even with its slightly lower performance. However, consider if the performance difference is a dealbreaker for your usage.
