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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerOnePlus 12R vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
You'd expect the OnePlus 12R to dominate, but the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE's optical zoom lens changes everything. If you're into photography, the S23 FE's dedicated telephoto lens allows for clearer shots at a distance, something the OnePlus lacks entirely.
📱 Display: 6.78" vs 6.4"🔋 Battery: 5500 mAh vs 4500 mAh⚖️ Weight: 7.30 oz vs 7.37 oz
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OnePlus 12R
★4.3
(23)•Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:3 major Android OS upgrades; 4 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform
Graphics:Qualcomm Adreno 740
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Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
★4.8
(13)•Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) — *Note: US/Canada model specific*
Graphics:Adreno 730
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Key spec differences
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
Winner= clear advantage
Spec
OnePlus 12R
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
OnePlus 12R
6.78" (measured diagonally from corner to corner)Winner
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
6.4"
Refresh Rate
OnePlus 12R
1–120Hz (Dynamic)
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
60Hz / 120Hz (Adaptive)
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
OnePlus 12R
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) — *Note: US/Canada model specific*
RAMKey
OnePlus 12R
8GB / 16GB LPDDR5XWinner
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
8GB
Storage
OnePlus 12R
128GB / 256GB (UFS 3.1)Winner
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
128GB / 256GB (No microSD expansion)
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
OnePlus 12R
50MP Wide (Sony IMX890, f/1.8, 24mm equiv), PDAF, OIS
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
50MP, f/1.8, OIS, Dual Pixel PDAF
Ultra-Wide Camera
OnePlus 12R
8MP Ultra-Wide (Sony IMX355, f/2.2, 112° FOV)
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
12MP, f/2.2, 123-degree FOV
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
OnePlus 12R
5,500 mAh (Dual-cell 2,750 mAh, non-removable)Winner
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
4,500mAh (Typical)
Wireless Charging
OnePlus 12R
N/A (Not supported)
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
15W Fast Wireless Charging; Wireless PowerShare (Reverse)
Design2 specs
Weight
OnePlus 12R
7.30 oz (207 g)Winner
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
7.37 oz (209 g)
Dimensions
OnePlus 12R
6.43" x 2.96" x 0.35" (163.3 x 75.3 x 8.8 mm)
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
6.22 x 3.01 x 0.32 in (158.0 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm)
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
OnePlus 12R
5G (Sub6); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; IR Blaster
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
5G (Sub-6/mmWave), Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: OnePlus 12R vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
OnePlus 12R
★4.3(23)Amazon
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
★4.8(13)Best Buy
| Criterion | OnePlus 12R | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.3(23)Amazon | ★4.8(13)Best Buy |
Operating System | Android | Android |
Software Support | 3 major Android OS upgrades; 4 years of security updates | 4 generations of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) — *Note: US/Canada model specific* |
Graphics | Qualcomm Adreno 740 | Adreno 730 |
RAM | 8GB / 16GB LPDDR5X | 8GB |
Storage | 128GB / 256GB (UFS 3.1) | 128GB / 256GB (No microSD expansion) |
Display Size | 6.78" (measured diagonally from corner to corner) | 6.4" |
Screen Type | AMOLED ProXDR Display with LTPO 4.0 | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 1,450 nits (Peak) |
Resolution | 2780 x 1264 pixels (1.5K), 450 ppi | 2340 x 1080 (FHD+) |
Refresh Rate | 1–120Hz (Dynamic) | 60Hz / 120Hz (Adaptive) |
Peak Brightness | 4,500 nits (Peak) / 1,600 nits (HBM) | 1,450 nits (Peak) |
Main Camera | 50MP Wide (Sony IMX890, f/1.8, 24mm equiv), PDAF, OIS | 50MP, f/1.8, OIS, Dual Pixel PDAF |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 8MP Ultra-Wide (Sony IMX355, f/2.2, 112° FOV) | 12MP, f/2.2, 123-degree FOV |
Telephoto Camera | N/A (No dedicated telephoto lens) | 8MP, f/2.4, OIS, 3x Optical Zoom |
Optical Zoom | N/A (Digital zoom only) | 3x Optical Zoom |
Digital Zoom | Up to 20x | Up to 30x |
Video Recording | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 8K @ 24fps; 4K @ 30/60fps |
Front Camera | 16MP Front (f/2.4, 24mm equiv), Fixed Focus | 10MP, f/2.4 |
Battery | 5,500 mAh (Dual-cell 2,750 mAh, non-removable) | 4,500mAh (Typical) |
Wired Charging | 80W SUPERVOOC (US 110V limitation); supports 100W in 220V regions | 25W Super Fast Charging (Adapter sold separately) |
Wireless Charging | N/A (Not supported) | 15W Fast Wireless Charging; Wireless PowerShare (Reverse) |
Connectivity | 5G (Sub6); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; IR Blaster | 5G (Sub-6/mmWave), Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC |
USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 |
Durability | IP64 (Dust tight; Water splash resistant); Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (front) | IP68 (Water/Dust Resistant); Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (Front & Back) |
Dimensions | 6.43" x 2.96" x 0.35" (163.3 x 75.3 x 8.8 mm) | 6.22 x 3.01 x 0.32 in (158.0 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm) |
Weight | 7.30 oz (207 g) | 7.37 oz (209 g) |
Biometrics | Optical In-display Fingerprint Sensor; Face Unlock | Optical under-display fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock |
Extras | Alert Slider; Dual Stereo Speakers; Dolby Atmos; HyperTouch; Aqua Touch | Samsung DeX, Stereo speakers, Samsung Knox |
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OnePlus 12R
Rating:★4.3(23)Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:3 major Android OS upgrades; 4 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform
Graphics:Qualcomm Adreno 740
RAM:8GB / 16GB LPDDR5X
Storage:128GB / 256GB (UFS 3.1)
Display Size:6.78" (measured diagonally from corner to corner)
Screen Type:AMOLED ProXDR Display with LTPO 4.0
Resolution:2780 x 1264 pixels (1.5K), 450 ppi
Refresh Rate:1–120Hz (Dynamic)
Peak Brightness:4,500 nits (Peak) / 1,600 nits (HBM)
Main Camera:50MP Wide (Sony IMX890, f/1.8, 24mm equiv), PDAF, OIS
Ultra-Wide Camera:8MP Ultra-Wide (Sony IMX355, f/2.2, 112° FOV)
Telephoto Camera:N/A (No dedicated telephoto lens)
Optical Zoom:N/A (Digital zoom only)
Digital Zoom:Up to 20x
Video Recording:4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Front Camera:16MP Front (f/2.4, 24mm equiv), Fixed Focus
Battery:5,500 mAh (Dual-cell 2,750 mAh, non-removable)
Wired Charging:80W SUPERVOOC (US 110V limitation); supports 100W in 220V regions
Wireless Charging:N/A (Not supported)
Connectivity:5G (Sub6); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; IR Blaster
USB:USB Type-C 2.0
Durability:IP64 (Dust tight; Water splash resistant); Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (front)
Dimensions:6.43" x 2.96" x 0.35" (163.3 x 75.3 x 8.8 mm)
Weight:7.30 oz (207 g)
Biometrics:Optical In-display Fingerprint Sensor; Face Unlock
Extras:Alert Slider; Dual Stereo Speakers; Dolby Atmos; HyperTouch; Aqua Touch
✓ Pros:
- • Exceptional battery life (5,500mAh) with very fast 80W charging (US)
- • Flagship-grade 120Hz LTPO 4.0 display with extreme peak brightness
- • Strong performance from Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset at a lower price point
- • Includes IR Blaster and the signature OnePlus Alert Slider
- • Comes with a fast charger in the box
✗ Cons:
- • No wireless charging capabilities
- • Rated IP64 is lower than the standard IP68 found in most flagships
- • USB-C port is limited to slow USB 2.0 transfer speeds
- • No telephoto lens; relies on digital crop for zoom
- • Software support period (3 years OS) is shorter than top-tier competitors
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Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Rating:★4.8(13)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) — *Note: US/Canada model specific*
Graphics:Adreno 730
RAM:8GB
Storage:128GB / 256GB (No microSD expansion)
Display Size:6.4"
Screen Type:Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 1,450 nits (Peak)
Resolution:2340 x 1080 (FHD+)
Refresh Rate:60Hz / 120Hz (Adaptive)
Peak Brightness:1,450 nits (Peak)
Main Camera:50MP, f/1.8, OIS, Dual Pixel PDAF
Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP, f/2.2, 123-degree FOV
Telephoto Camera:8MP, f/2.4, OIS, 3x Optical Zoom
Optical Zoom:3x Optical Zoom
Digital Zoom:Up to 30x
Video Recording:8K @ 24fps; 4K @ 30/60fps
Front Camera:10MP, f/2.4
Battery:4,500mAh (Typical)
Wired Charging:25W Super Fast Charging (Adapter sold separately)
Wireless Charging:15W Fast Wireless Charging; Wireless PowerShare (Reverse)
Connectivity:5G (Sub-6/mmWave), Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC
USB:USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1
Durability:IP68 (Water/Dust Resistant); Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (Front & Back)
Dimensions:6.22 x 3.01 x 0.32 in (158.0 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm)
Weight:7.37 oz (209 g)
Biometrics:Optical under-display fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock
Extras:Samsung DeX, Stereo speakers, Samsung Knox
✓ Pros:
- • Dedicated 3x optical telephoto lens (rare in this price bracket)
- • Premium build with IP68 rating and aluminum frame
- • Bright 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X display (1,450 nits)
- • Full flagship software experience including Samsung DeX
- • Guaranteed long-term software support (4 OS updates)
✗ Cons:
- • Significantly thicker bezels compared to standard S23
- • Uses older Gorilla Glass 5 (vs. Victus 2 on S23)
- • Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset can be less power-efficient than Gen 2
- • Optical fingerprint sensor is slower than the Ultrasonic sensor on S23
- • Charging speed capped at 25W
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Which one is better?
Grab the S23 FE if you need the optical zoom for photography - it's a no-brainer for anyone looking to capture stunning shots.
Who should buy each?
Choose the OnePlus 12R if: you need 2+ days of battery life, you want super-fast 80W charging, or you prefer a larger display for gaming.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE if: you take a lot of photos, you need an IP68 water resistance rating, or you want guaranteed long-term software support.
Conclusion
OnePlus 12R and Samsung Galaxy S23 FE are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
OnePlus 12R excels if you value exceptional battery life (5,500mah) with very fast 80w charging (us). Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is better if you prioritize dedicated 3x optical telephoto lens (rare in this price bracket). Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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