Realme 9 vs Samsung Galaxy S23+ - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Realme 9
Realme 9
Realme

General

Launch Date April 12, 2022 February 17, 2023
Release Year 2022 2023

Physical

Volume 93.94 cm³ 91.39 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.6 "/g 3.37 "/g
Weight 178 g 196 g
Height 160.2 mm 157.8 mm
Width 73.3 mm 76.2 mm
Thickness 8 mm 7.6 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Meteor Black
  • Sunburst Gold
  • Stargaze White
  • Green
  • Graphite
  • Phantom Black
  • Lavender
  • Cream
  • Lime

Display

Screen Size 6.4 " 6.6 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2340
Aspect Ratio 20:9 19.5:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 84.2 % 88.9 %
Pixel Density 411 PPI 393 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness 430 nits N/A
HBM Brightness N/A 1200 nits
Peak Brightness 1000 nits 1750 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 122.07 mAh/in² 107.90 mAh/in²
Battery Density 53.22 mAh/cm³ 51.43 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 4700 mAh
NFC Support No Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
GPU Adreno 610 Adreno 740

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 3.2
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 3.2, OTG

Software

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

Comparison Summary

Realme 9 vs. Samsung Galaxy S23+: A Deep Dive for the Discerning Smartphone User

The smartphone market offers a dizzying array of choices, and deciding between two seemingly similar devices can be challenging. Today, we'll dissect the Realme 9 and the Samsung Galaxy S23+, cutting through the marketing jargon to reveal what truly matters: real-world performance and user experience.

1. Specifications Breakdown

FeatureRealme 9Samsung Galaxy S23+Real-World Implications
Design
Dimensions160.2 x 73.3 x 8mm157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6mmS23+ slightly wider, thinner; Realme 9 taller. Negligible difference in hand, but S23+ potentially feels more premium due to thinness.
Weight178g196gRealme 9 noticeably lighter, reducing hand fatigue during extended use.
Display
Size6.4"6.6"S23+ offers slightly more screen real estate for media consumption.
Resolution1080 x 24001080 x 2340Virtually identical sharpness; imperceptible difference in daily use.
Refresh Rate90Hz120HzS23+ provides smoother scrolling and animations, noticeable in games and fast-paced UI interactions.
Brightness1000 nits1750 nitsS23+ dramatically brighter, ensuring excellent outdoor visibility even in direct sunlight. A major advantage.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 680 4GSnapdragon 8 Gen 2S23+ vastly more powerful, enabling seamless multitasking, demanding gaming, and future-proof performance.
AnTuTu216,8501,508,732S23+ significantly outperforms in benchmarks, translating to a noticeably faster and more responsive user experience.
Camera
Main Sensor108MP50MPRealme 9 boasts higher resolution; S23+ likely utilizes superior sensor technology for better low-light performance and dynamic range.
Video1080p@30fps8K@30fpsS23+ capable of significantly higher resolution video recording for professional-grade content.
Battery Life
Capacity5000mAh4700mAhRealme 9 has a slightly larger battery capacity.
Charging33W45WS23+ charges faster, minimizing downtime.

2. Key Insights

The Samsung Galaxy S23+ is a clear winner in terms of overall performance, display quality, and future-proofing. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor delivers blazing-fast speeds, while the 120Hz AMOLED display offers a buttery smooth visual experience. The brighter display is a game-changer for outdoor use.

The Realme 9, however, holds its own in battery capacity and offers a lighter weight for comfortable extended use. Its 108MP camera boasts impressive resolution on paper, but real-world image quality will depend on factors beyond megapixel count.

3. User Profiles and Recommendations

Realme 9: Best suited for budget-conscious users prioritizing battery life and a lightweight design. Ideal for casual users focused on essential tasks like web browsing, social media, and light photography.

Samsung Galaxy S23+: Ideal for power users, gamers, and content creators demanding top-tier performance, a stunning display, and advanced camera capabilities. Worth the investment for those who value a premium, future-proof device.

4. Buying Decision Framework

  1. What is your budget? The Realme 9 is significantly more affordable.
  2. What are your primary smartphone usage patterns? Casual use vs. demanding tasks.
  3. How important are features like display quality, camera performance, and future-proofing?

My Choice: Samsung Galaxy S23+

While the Realme 9 offers excellent value for its price, the Samsung Galaxy S23+ is the clear choice for me. The superior performance, stunning display, faster charging, and future-proof hardware are compelling advantages. The significantly improved user experience justifies the higher price tag for my needs. As a tech journalist, having a device that can handle demanding tasks, multitask seamlessly, and capture high-quality content is crucial. The S23+'s overall package aligns perfectly with my usage patterns and priorities. While I appreciate the Realme 9's lighter weight and larger battery, the performance difference is too significant to ignore. The brighter S23+ display is a major draw for me, as I often use my phone outdoors.

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.