Realme 9 vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Realme 9
Realme 9
Realme

General

Launch Date April 12, 2022 October 5, 2023
Release Year 2022 2023

Physical

Volume 93.94 cm³ 99.11 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.6 "/g 3.06 "/g
Weight 178 g 209 g
Height 160.2 mm 158 mm
Width 73.3 mm 76.5 mm
Thickness 8 mm 8.2 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Meteor Black
  • Sunburst Gold
  • Stargaze White
  • Purple
  • Graphite
  • Mint
  • Cream
  • Indigo
  • Tangerine

Display

Screen Size 6.4 " 6.4 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2340
Aspect Ratio 20:9 19.5:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 84.2 % 83.2 %
Pixel Density 411 PPI 403 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness 430 nits N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness 1000 nits 1450 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 122.07 mAh/in² 109.86 mAh/in²
Battery Density 53.22 mAh/cm³ 45.4 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 4500 mAh
NFC Support No Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) Exynos 2200 (4 nm) - International
CPU Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) Octa-core (1x2.8 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) - International
GPU Adreno 610 Xclipse 920 - International

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 N/A
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 12 13
Maximum OS Version 17

Comparison Summary

Realme 9 vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 FE: A Deep Dive

Let's dissect the Realme 9 and Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, cutting through the marketing fluff to see how these phones truly stack up in the real world. We'll analyze their specs, translate them into everyday experiences, and help you decide which phone best fits your needs.

1. Specifications Breakdown

FeatureRealme 9Samsung Galaxy S23 FEReal-World Implications
Design
Dimensions160.2 x 73.3 x 8 mm158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mmS23 FE slightly wider, Realme 9 slightly taller; negligible difference in hand feel.
Weight178g209gRealme 9 noticeably lighter, reducing hand fatigue during extended use.
BuildPlasticGlassS23 FE feels more premium, potentially more durable.
Display
Size6.4"6.4"Identical screen real estate.
Resolution1080 x 24001080 x 2340Virtually indistinguishable sharpness.
Refresh Rate90Hz120HzS23 FE offers smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing visual fluidity.
Brightness1000 nitsUnknownRealme 9's superior brightness ensures excellent outdoor visibility, a crucial advantage for sunny environments.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 680 4GExynos 2200S23 FE boasts significantly higher processing power, enabling faster app launches, multitasking, and gaming.
Antutu Score216,8501,188,176S23 FE's massive performance lead translates to a noticeably smoother and more responsive user experience.
RAM6GB/8GB8GBAmple RAM in both, but S23 FE's consistent 8GB ensures smoother performance under heavy load.
Camera
Main Camera108MP, f/1.7550MP, f/1.8Realme 9 emphasizes resolution, S23 FE likely prioritizes sensor size and processing for overall image quality.
Video1080p@30fpsUp to 8K@24fpsS23 FE offers significantly higher video resolution and frame rate options for content creators.
Battery Life
Capacity5000mAh4500mAhRealme 9 likely provides longer battery life.
Charging33W Wired25W Wired, 15W WirelessRealme 9 offers faster wired charging; S23 FE provides wireless charging convenience.

2. Key Insights

  • Performance Disparity: The Exynos 2200 in the S23 FE significantly outperforms the Snapdragon 680 in the Realme 9. This translates to a dramatically smoother and more responsive experience across all tasks, especially demanding games and applications.
  • Display Trade-offs: Both feature 6.4" AMOLED displays, but the S23 FE's 120Hz refresh rate delivers smoother visuals. However, the Realme 9's significantly higher brightness makes it much more usable outdoors.
  • Camera Philosophies: Realme 9 boasts a higher resolution main sensor, while the S23 FE relies on a larger sensor and superior processing. Real-world image quality will likely depend on individual preferences and shooting conditions. The S23 FE's comprehensive video capabilities cater to content creators.
  • Battery Endurance vs. Convenience: Realme 9's larger battery and faster wired charging favor longer usage. S23 FE offers wireless charging for added convenience.

3. User Profiles and Recommendations

  • Realme 9: Best suited for budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and bright outdoor visibility. Ideal for casual users focusing on social media, web browsing, and light gaming.
  • Samsung Galaxy S23 FE: Ideal for power users and mobile gamers demanding top-tier performance, a smooth display, and advanced camera features. Content creators will appreciate the high-resolution video recording capabilities.

4. Buying Decision Framework

  • What's your budget? The Realme 9 is likely more affordable.
  • What are your performance needs? Gamers and power users will prefer the S23 FE.
  • Do you prioritize battery life or charging convenience? Realme 9 offers longer battery life and faster wired charging, while S23 FE supports wireless charging.

My Choice: I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE. While the Realme 9 offers appealing features like a larger battery and brighter display, the significant performance difference is the deciding factor for me. As someone who values a smooth and responsive user experience above all else, the S23 FE's superior processing power, coupled with its excellent camera and display, aligns better with my needs. The added future-proofing provided by the more powerful chipset also justifies the price difference in my opinion. Wireless charging, while not a necessity, is a welcome convenience.

Alex Griffin
Alex Griffin

Technology analyst specializing in mobile devices and consumer electronics.

Core Expertise

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Consumer electronics evaluation
  • Technical specification interpretation
  • User experience insights

Professional Mission Empowering readers to make informed technology decisions by transforming intricate specifications into understandable, practical guidance.

Demystifying technology, one device at a time.