Realme V23 vs Samsung Galaxy M53: A Head-to-Head Showdown

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the Realme V23 and the Samsung Galaxy M53. Both promise compelling features, but which one truly delivers?

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy M53 edges out the Realme V23 thanks to its brighter display, slightly more powerful chipset, and longer software support. While the Realme V23 offers faster charging, the M53's overall package provides a more premium and future-proof experience.

PHONES
Phone Names	Realme V23	Samsung Galaxy M53

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	LTE	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands	SA/NSA	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

Launch
Announced	2022, April 14	2022, April 07
Status	Available. Released 2022, April 14	Available. Released 2022, April 22

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions	163.8 x 75.1 x 8.1 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.32 in)	164.7 x 77 x 7.4 mm (6.48 x 3.03 x 0.29 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	190 g (6.70 oz)	176 g (6.21 oz)

Display
Protection	-	Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution	1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)	1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density)
Size	6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio)	6.7 inches, 108.1 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, 90Hz, 600 nits (HBM)	Super AMOLED Plus, 120Hz

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm)	Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm)
GPU	Mali-G57 MC2	Mali-G68 MC4
OS	Android 12, Realme UI 3.0	Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal	256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM	128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM

Main Camera
Dual	48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens	-
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad	-	108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single	8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide)	-
Video	1080p@30fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps

Selfie camera
Single	8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide)	32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide)
Video	1080p@30fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	No
35mm jack	Yes	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes
	24-bit/192kHz audio	-

Comms
Bluetooth	5.3, A2DP, LE	5.2, A2DP, LE
NFC	No	Yes (market/region dependent)
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 2.0	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	33W wired, 50% in 28 min	25W wired
Type	5000 mAh	Li-Ion 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Gradient	Green, Blue, Brown
Models	-	SM-M536B, SM-M536B/DS, SM-M536B/DSN
Price	About 240 EUR	€ 249.98
SAR	-	1.31 W/kg (head)
SAR EU	-	0.60 W/kg (head) 1.53 W/kg (body)

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 114h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-	-29.3 LUFS (Average)

Realme V23

Faster Charging (33W)
Stylish Design
Good Value for Money

Less Powerful Chipset
Lower Display Brightness
Potentially Shorter Software Support

Samsung Galaxy M53

Brighter Display (802 nits)
More Powerful Chipset (Dimensity 900)
Excellent Battery Life
Samsung Software Support

Slower Charging (25W)
Larger and Heavier Design
Potentially Less Premium Build

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy M53 boasts a significant advantage with its 802 nits peak brightness, making it much easier to view outdoors. While both phones feature Super AMOLED displays (likely on the M53 and a similar panel on the V23), the M53's higher brightness and 'infinite' contrast ratio contribute to a more immersive viewing experience. The V23's display is still good, but not as impressive.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but the Galaxy M53 likely has a more versatile setup. While specific camera specs are not fully detailed, Samsung's image processing is generally well-regarded. The V23's camera is decent, but may not match the M53's overall image quality, especially in low light.

Performance

The Galaxy M53's Dimensity 900 chipset holds a slight edge over the V23's Dimensity 810. While both are capable of handling everyday tasks, the M53's Cortex-A78 cores offer better performance in demanding applications and games. Expect smoother multitasking and slightly faster load times on the M53.

Battery Life

The Galaxy M53 shines in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 114 hours. While the V23's 33W charging is faster, the M53's larger battery capacity and efficient processor mean it will likely last significantly longer on a single charge.

Buying Guide

The Realme V23 is ideal for users prioritizing fast charging and a stylish design on a tighter budget. The Samsung Galaxy M53 is a better choice for those seeking a vibrant display, smoother performance, and the reliability of Samsung's software updates.