Realme 9 Pro+ vs vivo V23e: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Contenders

The Realme 9 Pro+ and vivo V23e both target the competitive mid-range smartphone market, but approach it with different philosophies. The Realme prioritizes raw performance with its Dimensity 920 chipset, while the vivo V23e focuses on a balance of features and efficiency with the Helio G96. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing gaming and demanding tasks, the Realme 9 Pro+ is the clear winner thanks to its significantly more powerful Dimensity 920 processor and faster 60W charging. However, the vivo V23e remains a compelling option for everyday users seeking a reliable and efficient device at a potentially lower price point.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo V23e Realme 9 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE-A, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2021, November 092022, February 16
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, November 09Available. Released 2022, February 21
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back
Dimensions160.9 x 74.3 x 7.4 mm (6.33 x 2.93 x 0.29 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)
Weight172 g (6.07 oz)182 g (6.42 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)
Size6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLEDSuper AMOLED, 90Hz, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G68 MC4
OSAndroid 11, Funtouch 12Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single50 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (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, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single50 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNo-
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C, 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging44W wired, 69% in 30 min60W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 44 min (advertised)
Type4050 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, AuroraMidnight Black, Aurora Green, Sunrise Blue, Free Fire Limited Edition
Models-RMX3392, RMX3393
PriceAbout 330 EUR€ 289.90 / $ 390.00 / ₹ 25,999
SAR-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)

vivo V23e

  • More affordable price point
  • Decent performance for everyday tasks
  • Reliable and efficient chipset

  • Less powerful processor compared to the Realme 9 Pro+
  • Slower charging speeds
  • Likely inferior display quality

Realme 9 Pro+

  • Significantly faster processor (Dimensity 920)
  • 60W fast charging with PD3.0
  • Excellent battery endurance (117h)

  • Higher price tag
  • Potential for more heat generation under heavy load
  • May be overkill for basic users

Display Comparison

The provided data lacks detailed display specifications for the vivo V23e. However, given its market positioning, it likely features a standard LCD panel. The Realme 9 Pro+ boasts an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting a VA-type panel offering deeper blacks than the V23e’s likely LCD. The Realme’s panel is expected to deliver a more immersive viewing experience, particularly with HDR content. Without specific brightness data for the V23e, it’s difficult to assess outdoor visibility, but the 9 Pro+ is likely superior in direct sunlight.

Camera Comparison

The provided data doesn’t offer detailed camera specs beyond the presence of photo/video capabilities. However, the Realme 9 Pro+ is likely to feature a more advanced camera system, potentially including a larger main sensor and more sophisticated image processing algorithms. The V23e, while capable, will likely rely on software optimizations to compensate for a potentially less capable sensor. Without specific aperture and sensor size details, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the Realme’s positioning suggests a stronger emphasis on camera performance.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 9 Pro+’s MediaTek Dimensity 920 (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the vivo V23e’s Helio G96 (12nm). The Dimensity 920 utilizes more efficient 6nm fabrication, resulting in better thermal management and sustained performance. Its Cortex-A78 cores, clocked at 2.5 GHz, offer a significant performance advantage over the V23e’s Cortex-A76 cores at 2.05 GHz. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Realme. While both phones share 6x Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz, the overall system performance of the 9 Pro+ is demonstrably higher.

Battery Life

The Realme 9 Pro+’s 60W charging with PD3.0 is a significant advantage, promising a full charge in just 44 minutes. The vivo V23e’s 44W charging, while respectable, is noticeably slower. The Realme 9 Pro+ also boasts an endurance rating of 117 hours, indicating excellent battery life. While the V23e’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the more efficient Dimensity 920 in the 9 Pro+ likely offsets any potential capacity difference, resulting in comparable or even better real-world battery performance.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo V23e if you need a dependable daily driver with adequate performance for social media, browsing, and casual gaming, and value a potentially lower price. Buy the Realme 9 Pro+ if you prioritize smooth multitasking, demanding mobile games, and faster charging speeds, and are willing to spend a bit more for a noticeable performance boost.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the MediaTek Dimensity 920 in the Realme 9 Pro+ get noticeably hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 920 is a powerful chip, its 6nm process helps mitigate heat generation. However, sustained gaming will inevitably lead to some warming. The Realme 9 Pro+ likely incorporates thermal management solutions to prevent significant throttling, but users should expect some temperature increase during extended play.
❓ Is the 44W charging on the vivo V23e slow compared to the 60W on the Realme 9 Pro+ in real-world usage?
Yes, the difference is substantial. While 44W is still considered fast charging, the 60W on the Realme 9 Pro+ will charge the device significantly faster – approximately 44 minutes to 100% versus a longer duration for the V23e. This is particularly noticeable for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
❓ Will the Helio G96 in the vivo V23e struggle with demanding apps or multitasking?
The Helio G96 is capable for everyday tasks like social media, browsing, and light gaming. However, it will likely show its limitations when running multiple demanding apps simultaneously or playing graphically intensive games. Expect some lag or slowdown in these scenarios.