Samsung Galaxy F23 vs Realme 9 Pro+: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Power

The Samsung Galaxy F23 and Realme 9 Pro+ represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a 5G experience without breaking the bank, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving that goal. The F23 prioritizes a familiar Samsung experience with a focus on efficiency, while the 9 Pro+ aggressively targets performance and charging speed. This comparison will dissect the key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing performance and convenience, the Realme 9 Pro+ is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Dimensity 920 chipset offers a significant performance uplift over the Snapdragon 750G in the Galaxy F23, and the 60W charging dramatically reduces downtime. However, Samsung's software and brand recognition may appeal to some.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy F23 Realme 9 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE-A, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2022, March 082022, February 16
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, March 16Available. Released 2022, February 21
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back
Dimensions165.5 x 77 x 8.4 mm (6.52 x 3.03 x 0.33 in)160.2 x 73.3 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.89 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight198 g (6.98 oz)182 g (6.42 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFT LCD, 120HzSuper AMOLED, 90Hz, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570)Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G68 MC4
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@480fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYes-
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioFM radio, recordingNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Virtual Proximity Sensing-
Battery
Charging25W wired60W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 44 min (advertised)
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsAqua Blue, Forest GreenMidnight Black, Aurora Green, Sunrise Blue, Free Fire Limited Edition
ModelsSM-E236B, SM-E236B/DSRMX3392, RMX3393
PriceAbout 190 EUR€ 289.90 / $ 390.00 / ₹ 25,999
SAR1.24 W/kg (head)1.19 W/kg (head)     0.73 W/kg (body)    
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 117h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.3 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 495096 (v8), 416031 (v9) GeekBench: 2335 (v5.1) GFXBench: 27fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy F23

  • Familiar Samsung One UI experience
  • Potentially more efficient chipset for light tasks
  • Established brand reputation

  • Slower charging speed (25W)
  • Less powerful processor compared to the Dimensity 920
  • Likely less advanced camera system

Realme 9 Pro+

  • Significantly faster 60W charging
  • More powerful Mediatek Dimensity 920 processor
  • Potentially superior display technology (AMOLED)

  • Realme UI may not appeal to all users
  • Brand recognition is lower than Samsung
  • Potential for more aggressive software updates

Display Comparison

The provided data lacks detailed display specifications for either device. However, Realme often emphasizes high contrast ratios, advertising an 'Infinite' contrast ratio for the 9 Pro+. This suggests a strong emphasis on vibrant colors. Given the F23's positioning, it likely utilizes a standard LCD panel, while the 9 Pro+ may employ an AMOLED panel, offering superior color accuracy and deeper blacks. Without specific brightness (nits) data, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner, but AMOLED generally provides a better viewing experience, especially outdoors.

Camera Comparison

The context data is limited regarding camera specifics. However, the Realme 9 Pro+ is likely to feature a more advanced camera system, given its higher price point and focus on features. While megapixel counts aren't provided, the Realme brand generally prioritizes camera capabilities. The F23 likely offers a competent camera for everyday photography, but the 9 Pro+ is expected to deliver superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions, and potentially offer features like optical image stabilization (OIS) which is absent from the F23's spec sheet. We can assume the Realme 9 Pro+ will have a more versatile camera setup.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 9 Pro+'s Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6nm) is architecturally superior to the Samsung Galaxy F23's Snapdragon 750G (8nm). The Dimensity 920 features a more powerful CPU configuration – 2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 cores versus the F23’s 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 cores – and a more efficient manufacturing process. The 6nm node allows for higher transistor density and improved power efficiency, translating to sustained performance under load. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Cortex-A78 cores in the Dimensity 920 offer a substantial performance advantage in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The GPU within the Dimensity 920 will also provide a significantly better graphics experience.

Battery Life

The Realme 9 Pro+ boasts a significant advantage in charging speed with its 60W wired charging, capable of a full charge in a claimed 44 minutes. The Samsung Galaxy F23 is limited to 25W charging, resulting in a considerably longer charging time. While battery capacity isn't specified, the Realme 9 Pro+ also has an endurance rating of 117 hours, suggesting optimized power management. The faster charging of the 9 Pro+ is a major convenience factor, especially for users who frequently find themselves needing to top up their battery quickly. The efficiency gains from the Dimensity 920's 6nm process may also contribute to comparable real-world battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity to the F23.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy F23 if you need a reliable, efficient device with a well-established software ecosystem and prioritize long-term software support. It's ideal for everyday tasks and moderate usage. Buy the Realme 9 Pro+ if you prefer a more powerful processor for gaming and demanding applications, and value incredibly fast charging to minimize downtime. This phone is geared towards users who push their devices harder.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 920 in the Realme 9 Pro+ get excessively hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 920 is a powerful chip, Mediatek has made strides in thermal management. The 6nm process helps with efficiency, and Realme typically incorporates cooling solutions in their Pro+ models. However, sustained gaming will inevitably generate heat. Expect some throttling, but it should be manageable and less severe than on devices with less efficient chipsets.
❓ Is the 25W charging on the Samsung Galaxy F23 slow enough to be a major inconvenience in daily use?
25W charging is adequate for overnight charging, but it's significantly slower than the 60W charging on the Realme 9 Pro+. If you frequently need to quickly top up your battery during the day, the F23's charging speed will likely feel limiting. Expect a full charge to take well over an hour, potentially closer to two hours depending on battery capacity.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 750G in the Galaxy F23 handle graphically demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 750G can run PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to compromise on graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. Expect to play at medium settings for a smooth experience. The Dimensity 920 in the Realme 9 Pro+ will provide a noticeably smoother experience at higher graphics settings.
❓ Will the Realme 9 Pro+ receive consistent software updates and security patches?
Realme's software update track record has improved, but it's generally not as consistent as Samsung's. While the 9 Pro+ will receive updates, they may be less frequent and take longer to arrive compared to the Samsung Galaxy F23. Samsung typically offers longer software support for its devices.