Realme 12 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S26 FE
Compare Realme 12 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S26 FE side by side: MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ vs Exynos 2500, 5000mAh vs 4900mAh battery, $699 vs $699. Full…
Realme
Realme 12 5G
$699
2categories won
Samsung
Galaxy S26 FE
$699
5categories won
6 categories tied · 13 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Samsung Galaxy S26 FE takes the overall win
The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE proves superior overall against the Realme 12 5G, outperforming on gaming and photography. In camera testing, the Galaxy S26 FE leads with superior optics, while battery endurance leans towards the Galaxy S26 FE. Choose the Galaxy S26 FE if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the Realme 12 5G if its specific hardware strengths better fit your budget.
Galaxy S26 FE takes battery honors offering 4,900 mAh alongside 45W charging.
Galaxy S26 FE provides greater sustained gaming output with its Exynos 2500 and 8GB RAM.
Galaxy S26 FE takes photography with 50MP optics and 3x optical telephoto capabilities.
Both handsets sit in the exact same pricing bracket around $699.
Category verdicts are computed algorithmically from verified technical specifications and hardware benchmarks. Rows where neither figure is objectively better — screen size preference, operating system choice, aesthetic build materials — are displayed for direct reference without scoring bias.
Realme 12 5G vs Galaxy S26 FE: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | Realme 12 5G | Galaxy S26 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.72" | 6.7" |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400Winner | 1080 x 2340 |
| Pixel density | 392 ppi | 385 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 950 nits | 1900 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | Realme 12 5G | Galaxy S26 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ | Exynos 2500 |
| Process node | — | 3 nm |
| AnTuTu score | 420,000 | 2,400,000Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 1930 | 8900Winner |
| Maximum RAM | — | 8 GB |
| Maximum storage | — | 512GB |
Camera
| Specification | Realme 12 5G | Galaxy S26 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | — | 50 MP |
| Rear cameras | — | 3 |
| Optical zoom | — | 3x |
| Ultrawide | — | 12 MP |
| Selfie camera | 8 MP | 12 MPWinner |
| Max video | 1080p@30fps | 8K at 30fps / 4K at 120fps |
Battery and charging
| Specification | Realme 12 5G | Galaxy S26 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5,000 mAh | 4,900 mAh |
| Wired charging | 45 W | 45 W |
| Wireless charging | No | 15 WWinner |
Design
| Specification | Realme 12 5G | Galaxy S26 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 188 gWinner | 193 g |
| Thickness | 7.7 mm | 7.4 mm |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IP68 |
| Build | — | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), aluminum frame |
Software and support
| Specification | Realme 12 5G | Galaxy S26 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | 14, Realme UI 5.0 | Android 17 |
| OS updates | — | 7 years |
| Security updates | — | 7 years |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | Realme 12 5G | Galaxy S26 FE |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth) |
| Storage expansion | microSD | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $699 | $699 |
Realme 12 5G
Realme 12 5G brings watch-inspired luxury dial aesthetics, a 108MP 3x in-sensor zoom camera, 120Hz sunlight FHD+ display, and a customizable Dynamic Button for instant shortcuts.
- Display
- 6.72"
- Chipset
- MediaTek Dimensity 6100+
- Battery
- 5,000mAh
- Software
- 14, Realme UI 5.0
Samsung Galaxy S26 FE
At $699, the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE delivers a spacious 6.7-inch AMOLED display, a 3nm Exynos 2500 chipset, and an impressive seven years of software updates. It perfectly suits budget-conscious buyers who want flagship-tier build quality, capable triple cameras, and long-term reliability without paying top-tier prices.
- Display
- 6.7"
- Chipset
- Exynos 2500
- Main camera
- 50MP
- Battery
- 4,900mAh