Realme P3 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Flagships
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing battery life and raw performance, the Realme P3 Ultra emerges as the stronger contender. Its significantly longer 16:47h active use score and faster 80W charging outweigh the S23 FE’s software polish and brand prestige. However, the S23 FE remains a viable option for those deeply embedded in the Samsung ecosystem.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Realme P3 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE |
| 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, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2025, March 19 | 2023, October 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, March 24 | Available. Released 2023, October 05 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), plastic frame, plastic back or silicone polymer (eco leather) back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.1 x 76.9 x 7.4 mm (6.42 x 3.03 x 0.29 in) | 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm (6.22 x 3.01 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) |
| Weight | 183 g or 186 g (6.46 oz) | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 7i | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1272 x 2800 pixels (~450 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.83 inches, 113.3 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 600 nits (typ), 1200 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1450 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.35 GHz Cortex-A715 & 3x3.20 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.20 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 |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 8350 Ultra (4 nm) | Exynos 2200 (4 nm) - InternationalQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) - USA |
| GPU | Mali G615-MC6 | Xclipse 920 - InternationalAdreno 730 - USA |
| OS | Android 15, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Realme UI 6.0 | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Features | Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 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 |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS, OIS | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, 23mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 10 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE, BLE Audio | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 80W wired, PD, 100% in 47 min 5W reverse wired Bypass charging | 25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 6000 mAh | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Neptune Blue, Orion Red, Glowing Lunar White | Mint, Cream, Graphite, Purple, Indigo, Tangerine |
| Models | RMX5030, RMX5031 | SM-S711B, SM-S711B/DS, SM-S711U1, SM-S711U, SM-S711W, SM-S7110, SM-S711N |
| Price | ₹ 29,599 | $ 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 P3 Ultra
- Exceptional battery life (16:47h active use)
- Ultra-fast 80W charging (100% in 47 min)
- Brighter display (1862 nits)
- Less established brand reputation
- Camera specs currently unknown
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
- Refined Samsung software experience
- Strong brand recognition and ecosystem
- Potential for better camera image processing
- Significantly shorter battery life (8:28h active use)
- Slower 25W charging
- Exynos variant may suffer from throttling
Display Comparison
The Realme P3 Ultra boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1862 nits compared to the S23 FE’s 985 nits. This translates to superior visibility under direct sunlight. While both utilize 4nm chipsets, the display power draw will be higher on the P3 Ultra. We lack information on panel technology (LTPO vs standard OLED) for either device, but the brightness difference is a clear win for the P3 Ultra, particularly for outdoor users. Bezels appear comparable based on available imagery, and color accuracy will likely be excellent on both, given Samsung’s display expertise.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera analysis is hampered by a lack of sensor specifications. However, the S23 FE’s marketing emphasizes its camera capabilities, suggesting a more sophisticated image processing pipeline. The P3 Ultra’s camera specs are currently unknown, but the presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality. The S23 FE likely benefits from Samsung’s established expertise in computational photography and optical image stabilization (OIS), potentially delivering more consistent results in challenging lighting conditions. Without knowing the main sensor sizes and apertures, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner.
Performance
The chipset choice is a key differentiator. The Realme P3 Ultra’s Mediatek Dimensity 8350 Ultra (4nm) features a unique core configuration – 1x3.35 GHz Cortex-A715, 3x3.20 GHz Cortex-A715, and 4x2.20 GHz Cortex-A510 – designed for sustained performance. The S23 FE comes in two variants: the Exynos 2200 (International) and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (USA), both on a 4nm process. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 generally offers slightly better sustained performance and thermal efficiency than the Exynos 2200, but both are known to throttle under prolonged heavy load. The Dimensity 8350 Ultra’s architecture suggests a focus on efficiency, potentially mitigating throttling. The S23 FE’s CPU configuration (1x2.8 GHz Cortex-X2, 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710, 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510 or 1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 for the USA variant) prioritizes peak performance, but may come at the cost of battery life. Both devices likely utilize LPDDR5x RAM, but specific speeds are unknown.
Battery Life
The Realme P3 Ultra dominates in battery performance, achieving an impressive 16:47h of active use compared to the S23 FE’s 8:28h. This nearly doubles the endurance, making the P3 Ultra ideal for power users. While the S23 FE offers 25W wired charging, 15W wireless, and reverse wireless charging, the P3 Ultra’s 80W wired charging is significantly faster, reaching 100% in just 47 minutes. The S23 FE takes 30 minutes to reach 50%. The P3 Ultra also includes 5W reverse wired charging and bypass charging, features absent on the S23 FE. The P3 Ultra’s superior charging speed and endurance offset any potential battery capacity differences.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme P3 Ultra if you need exceptional battery endurance, blazing-fast charging, and maximum performance for demanding tasks like gaming. You’ll benefit from a brighter display and a more aggressive price point. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE if you prioritize a refined software experience, a more established brand, and access to Samsung’s ecosystem of services, and are willing to trade some battery life and charging speed for it.