Realme GT Neo 5 vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 FE: A Deep Dive Comparison

The Realme GT Neo 5 and Samsung Galaxy S23 FE occupy a fascinating space in the Android market. The GT Neo 5 aggressively targets performance and charging speed at a competitive price, while the S23 FE aims for a more balanced experience with Samsung’s established software and camera expertise. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a refined experience and reliable camera, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is the better choice. However, if raw speed, incredibly fast charging, and gaming performance are paramount, the Realme GT Neo 5 delivers exceptional value.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme GT Neo 5 Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2023, February 092023, October 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, February 09Available. Released 2023, October 05
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions163.9 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)158 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)
Weight199 g (7.02 oz)209 g (7.37 oz)
 Illuminated RGB (on the back)-
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1240 x 2772 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~451 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size6.74 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1400 nits (peak)Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1450 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)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
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Exynos 2200 (4 nm) - InternationalQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) - USA
GPUAdreno 730Xclipse 920 - InternationalAdreno 730 - USA
OSAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 14, Realme UI 5.0Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm-
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP, f/3.3, 20mm (microscope)50 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@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panorama-
Single16 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm10 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack No-
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYes (dual side)Yes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 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
Charging150W wired25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless
Type5000 mAhLi-Ion 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsPurple, Black, WhiteMint, Cream, Graphite, Purple, Indigo, Tangerine
ModelsRMX3706SM-S711B, SM-S711B/DS, SM-S711U1, SM-S711U, SM-S711W, SM-S7110, SM-S711N
PriceAbout 340 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)

Realme GT Neo 5

  • Blazing-fast 150W charging
  • Powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor
  • Potentially more aggressive pricing

  • Camera performance is less certain
  • Software experience may not be as refined as Samsung's

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE

  • Polished Samsung One UI software
  • Reliable camera system with strong image processing
  • Good battery life and wireless charging

  • Slower charging speed (25W)
  • Exynos 2200 (International) may throttle under sustained load

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE boasts a measured peak brightness of 985 nits, providing excellent visibility outdoors. While the Realme GT Neo 5’s display specs aren’t provided, Realme typically prioritizes high refresh rates. The S23 FE’s panel likely benefits from Samsung’s color science and calibration, offering more accurate colors out of the box. The S23 FE’s display is likely a more refined experience, though the GT Neo 5 may offer a higher refresh rate for smoother scrolling and gaming.

Camera Comparison

The context data for both phones lacks detailed camera specifications beyond 'Photo/Video' for the S23 FE. However, Samsung’s image processing is renowned for its vibrant colors and detail. The S23 FE likely features a more versatile camera system with better software optimization. The GT Neo 5’s camera performance is less predictable without specific sensor details, but Realme has been improving its camera capabilities in recent generations. The S23 FE’s established camera reputation gives it an advantage, assuming it follows Samsung’s typical flagship-lite formula.

Performance

The Realme GT Neo 5, equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm), holds a performance edge over the international variant of the Galaxy S23 FE, which uses the Exynos 2200 (4nm). The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1’s architecture, while a generation older, is known for its efficiency and sustained performance. The USA variant of the S23 FE uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm), which is closer in performance to the 8+ Gen 1, but still generally trails it. Both CPUs feature a Cortex-X2 prime core, but the 8+ Gen 1’s improved thermal management allows it to maintain peak clock speeds for longer. The GT Neo 5 is the clear winner for sustained gaming and demanding applications.

Battery Life

The Galaxy S23 FE achieves an active use score of 8:28h, demonstrating solid battery life. The Realme GT Neo 5’s battery capacity is not specified, but its 150W wired charging is a game-changer. This allows for a full charge in under 30 minutes, significantly reducing downtime. The S23 FE offers 25W charging, which, while supporting PD3.0 and offering 50% charge in 30 minutes, is considerably slower. The GT Neo 5’s charging speed offsets any potential battery capacity disadvantage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme GT Neo 5 if you need uncompromising performance for gaming and demanding tasks, and value the convenience of 150W charging above all else. You're willing to trade some camera polish and software refinement for this power. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE if you prefer a more balanced smartphone experience with a strong emphasis on camera quality, a polished user interface, and long-term software support, even if it means sacrificing some peak performance and charging speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 2200 in the international S23 FE overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Exynos 2200 has been known to exhibit thermal throttling under sustained load. While Samsung has implemented optimizations, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Realme GT Neo 5 generally offers better thermal efficiency, leading to more consistent performance during long gaming sessions.
❓ Is the 150W charging on the Realme GT Neo 5 safe for the battery's long-term health?
Realme incorporates battery health management features to mitigate the potential impact of fast charging. While extremely fast charging *can* contribute to battery degradation over time, the GT Neo 5’s charging system is designed to minimize this effect. The convenience of a full charge in under 30 minutes is a significant benefit.
❓ How does the software update policy differ between Realme and Samsung?
Samsung typically provides longer software support (up to 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security patches) compared to Realme. Realme’s update commitment is generally shorter, making the S23 FE a better choice for users who prioritize long-term software support.
❓ What kind of gaming performance can I expect from the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Realme GT Neo 5?
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is capable of running virtually all Android games at maximum settings with high frame rates. Its efficient architecture and improved thermal management allow for sustained performance, minimizing frame drops even during extended gaming sessions. Expect a smooth and responsive gaming experience.