The Samsung Galaxy F41 and Realme 7 Pro represent compelling options in the competitive sub-$200 smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take distinctly different approaches. The F41 relies on Samsung’s in-house Exynos chipset, while the 7 Pro leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 720G. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 7 Pro emerges as the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 720G chipset, built on an 8nm process, provides better performance and efficiency than the Samsung Galaxy F41’s 10nm Exynos 9611. Crucially, the 65W charging dramatically reduces downtime, a significant advantage over the F41’s slower 15W charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - Asia |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 08. Released 2020, October 16 | 2020, September 03. Released 2020, September 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3+), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 75.1 x 8.9 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) | 160.9 x 74.3 x 8.7 mm (6.33 x 2.93 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3+ |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 420 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 65W wired, 50% in 12 min, 100% in 34 min |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Fusion Black, Fusion Blue, Fusion Green | Mirror Blue, Mirror Silver |
| Models | SM-F415F/DS, SM-F415F | RMX2170 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 190 EUR |
| SAR | 0.38 W/kg (head) | 0.73 W/kg (head) 0.52 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 8GB RAM | - | Rp 3,498,000 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 113h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.8 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 278414(v8)
GeekBench: 1811 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 14fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy F41
- Samsung Brand Recognition
- Potentially lower price (depending on region)
- Adequate performance for basic tasks
- Slower 15W charging
- Less efficient Exynos 9611 chipset
- Limited display information
Realme 7 Pro
- 65W SuperDart Charging
- More efficient Snapdragon 720G chipset
- Brighter Display (585 nits)
- May be slightly more expensive
- Realme UI may not appeal to all users
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
The Realme 7 Pro boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 585 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the F41. While both displays have an 'infinite' contrast ratio (a marketing term), the higher peak brightness of the 7 Pro translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. The lack of detailed display specifications for the F41, such as refresh rate or panel type, puts it at a disadvantage against the increasingly common 90Hz or 120Hz displays found in this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are missing. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Realme brand generally focuses on camera performance, and the 7 Pro likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) which is known for its strong image processing capabilities. The F41’s camera performance will likely be adequate, but may not match the 7 Pro in challenging lighting conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 7 Pro’s Snapdragon 720G (8nm) utilizes Qualcomm’s Kryo 465 cores – 2x Gold and 6x Silver – offering a balance of performance and efficiency. The Samsung Galaxy F41’s Exynos 9611 (10nm) features a more traditional Cortex-A73/A53 configuration. The 8nm process of the Snapdragon 720G inherently provides better thermal efficiency, potentially leading to less throttling during sustained workloads like gaming. While both CPUs have a peak clock speed of 2.3 GHz on their performance cores, the architectural advantages of the Snapdragon 720G are likely to result in smoother overall performance.
Battery Life
Both devices have an endurance rating of 113 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life under typical usage. However, the Realme 7 Pro’s 65W charging is a game-changer. It can reach 50% charge in just 12 minutes and a full charge in 34 minutes. The Samsung Galaxy F41’s 15W charging is significantly slower, requiring considerably more time to fully replenish the battery. This difference in charging speed dramatically impacts the user experience, especially for those who frequently need to top up their phones.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy F41 if you prioritize brand recognition within the Samsung ecosystem and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s a reasonable option for basic smartphone tasks and media consumption. Buy the Realme 7 Pro if you value performance, fast charging, and a more modern chipset architecture. It’s the better choice for gamers, power users, and anyone who frequently finds themselves needing to top up their battery quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Galaxy F41 experience significant throttling during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611, built on a 10nm process, is more prone to thermal throttling compared to the Snapdragon 720G’s 8nm architecture. While it can handle casual gaming, demanding titles played for extended periods may experience frame drops and reduced performance as the chip heats up.
❓ How much of a real-world difference does the 65W charging on the Realme 7 Pro make?
The 65W charging is a substantial benefit. Going from 0% to 100% in just 34 minutes is a massive time saver compared to the F41’s 15W charging, which would likely take over two hours. This is particularly useful for users who have limited time to charge their phones.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specs on both phones a cause for concern?
Yes, it is. Without knowing sensor sizes, apertures, or image processing capabilities, it's difficult to assess the camera quality accurately. However, Realme generally prioritizes camera performance, suggesting the 7 Pro may have an edge.
❓ Will the Realme 7 Pro run demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 720G is capable of running PUBG Mobile smoothly at medium to high settings. The 8nm process and efficient CPU/GPU architecture contribute to a stable gaming experience, though you may need to adjust settings for optimal performance.
