1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G and Realme 12 Pro+, focusing on practical impacts:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G | Realme 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm | 161.5 x 74 x 8.8 mm | S20 FE 5G is slightly more compact, potentially easier to handle for some. Realme is slightly taller and thicker. |
| Weight | 190g | 196g | S20 FE 5G is slightly lighter, which might be noticeable during extended use. |
| Build Quality (Screen) | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | S20 FE 5G offers known screen protection against scratches and impacts. Lack of information on Realme's screen protection is a concern. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Realme 12 Pro+ offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Negligible difference in sharpness. |
| PPI | 407 | 394 | Practically identical sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Similar vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and gaming experiences. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | S20 FE 5G offers dramatically better outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) | Both chipsets offer comparable day-to-day performance. The Snapdragon 865 inside the S20 FE 5G is still a very capable chip and only lags behind the Realme 12 Pro+ by 3% in Antutu. |
| AnTuTu Score | 623,000 | 603,400 | Virtually identical real-world performance for most tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 710 | Both GPUs are capable for gaming, but the Adreno 650 is slightly better. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" | Realme 12 Pro+ captures more detailed images in good lighting and performs better in low light due to larger sensor. |
| Telephoto | 8MP, f/2.0 | 64MP, f/2.6 | Realme 12 Pro+ offers significantly greater zoom range and detail in zoomed-in photos. |
| Ultrawide | 12MP, f/2.2 | N/A, dedicated Wide Angle + Macro lens | S20 FE 5G offers standard ultrawide shots. Realme 12 Pro+ has an 8MP Wide Angle + Macro lens. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/2.74" | Similar selfie quality, but S20 FE 5G might perform slightly better in low light due to wider aperture. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 4K@30fps | S20 FE 5G can record 4k at 60fps which is good for content creation. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Realme 12 Pro+ offers longer battery life, especially for heavy users. |
| Charging | 25W | 67W | Realme 12 Pro+ charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | No | S20 FE 5G offers wireless charging for added convenience. |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | Yes | No | S20 FE 5G can charge other devices wirelessly. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 | Realme 12 Pro+ has a newer OS version and will likely receive updates for a longer period. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Realme 12 Pro+ offers a larger 512 GB storage option for users with extensive media libraries. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Realme 12 Pro+ has slightly better Bluetooth connectivity. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Realme 12 Pro+ provides enhanced spatial audio, higher quality audio playback, clearer calls, better audio separation and immersion, improved voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer standard fingerprint security. |
| Other | |||
| Sensors | Compass, Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Proximity | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Geomagnetic | Similar sensor suites. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Significantly better outdoor visibility.
- Wireless Charging: Adds convenience for charging.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Can charge other devices.
- Wider Ultra-Wide Lens: Standard ultrawide shots.
Realme 12 Pro+ Advantages:
- Newer Android Version: Android 14 vs. Android 10 (upgradeable to 13).
- Larger Battery: Longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: Significantly quicker charging times.
- Higher Resolution Telephoto Lens: Better zoom capabilities.
- 512 GB Storage Option: More space for media.
- Bluetooth 5.2: Improved connectivity.
- Hi-Res Audio: Better audio quality
- Dedicated Wide Angle + Macro Lens: Ultrawide shots and macro photography.
Trade-offs:
- Choosing the S20 FE 5G means sacrificing battery life and camera zoom capabilities for a brighter screen and wireless charging.
- Choosing the Realme 12 Pro+ means getting a newer device with better battery life and zoom capabilities, but with unknown screen protection.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G Ideal User:
- Someone who prioritizes screen brightness for outdoor use.
- Users who value wireless charging.
- Users who want an ultrawide lens instead of a macro lens.
Use Cases:
- Frequent outdoor use in sunny conditions.
- Reliance on wireless charging pads.
- General photography, with a preference for ultrawide.
Realme 12 Pro+ Ideal User:
- Users who want the latest Android version.
- Users who need long battery life and fast charging.
- Users who take a lot of zoomed-in photos.
- Users who listen to Hi-Res Audio.
Use Cases:
- Heavy smartphone users who need all-day battery life.
- Travelers who need fast charging on the go.
- Photography enthusiasts who want good zoom capabilities and macro shots.
- Audiophiles that need High-Resolution audio.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to guide your decision:
- How important is screen brightness for outdoor use? If you frequently use your phone in bright sunlight, the S20 FE 5G's brighter display is a significant advantage.
- How much do you value battery life and fast charging? The Realme 12 Pro+ offers a noticeably larger battery and significantly faster charging.
- Do you need better zoom capabilities or Wireless Charging? The Realme 12 Pro+ boasts a much better zoom lens. The S20 FE 5G has wireless charging.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Outdoor Enthusiast: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G for its superior screen brightness.
- Power User: Choose the Realme 12 Pro+ for its better battery life and faster charging.
- Photography Enthusiast: Choose the Realme 12 Pro+ for its better zoom capabilities.
My Choice
I would choose the Realme 12 Pro+. While the brighter display and wireless charging of the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G are appealing, the Realme 12 Pro+'s combination of a newer Android version, better battery life, faster charging, and superior zoom camera are more important to me. The better battery life and faster charging are huge for me, and those alone give the Realme 12 Pro+ the win.
