Budget behemoth
The Galaxy A23 5G is a viable alternative to the mid-range A53, offering similar features for under $300. You get a decent 120Hz LCD display that’s great in everyday use, and it’s backed by reliable hardware and a large 5000mAh battery. which lasts almost two days. The software is the best you’ll find in this category, and the phone gets more updates than its rivals. That said, there are a few tradeoffs; the cameras aren’t particularly great, there’s no 4K video recording, no intrusion protection, and you’re missing out on basic features like Wi-Fi 6 connectivity and stereo sound.
In front of
- 120Hz LCD Display
- Excellent battery life
- Reliable in everyday use
- Excellent software features
Against
- Poor camera quality
- No ingress protection
- No 4K video recording
- No stereo sound
Just the basics
The Galaxy A22 5G costs less than the A23 – coming in at under $200 – but you’re missing out on a lot of features. The 90Hz LCD screen isn’t quite up to par, the phone is prone to lag in everyday use, and the cameras are unsatisfactory, and you’re missing out on essentials like 4K video recording. There’s no glass protection or Wi-Fi 6 connectivity and the design looks dated. Unless you absolutely need a phone for under $200, you should buy the Galaxy A23 5G.
In front of
- 90Hz LCD Display
- Multi-day battery life
- Feature-rich software
Against
- Cameras not OK
- Delay with daily use
- No ingress protection
- No 4K video recording
The Galaxy A series extends into the entry-level and budget categories and Samsung is doing a lot of interesting things in this area. For starters, the budget portfolio of the brand offers 5G, lowering the barrier to entry for the latest connectivity standard. The Galaxy A23 and A22 deliver excellent battery life and have a decent amount of features, so if you’re looking for a new 5G phone for under $300, here’s what you need to know.
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G vs A22 5G: What’s the Same?
Samsung has changed a lot of features between generations, but the Galaxy A23 5G and A22 5G share a few basics. For starters, both devices have the same 5000mAh battery and can easily last more than a day even with heavy use. More often than not, you’ll get two days of use from both devices on a full charge.
The basics are largely unchanged, with both phones offering excellent battery life and 5G connectivity.
They also share the same materials, with a plastic back and a plastic center frame. The design on the front is also identical, with large bezels and a noticeable cutout that isn’t quite as elegant as what you get on the Galaxy A53. Both devices have a 3.5mm jack, a single speaker on the bottom and are limited to WiFi-ac connectivity – you won’t find WiFi 6 here.
That said, they both have Sub-6 5G as standard and come with a similar set of tires for use in the US and global markets. You will find a side-mounted fingerprint reader on both devices and it works well enough for everyday use. Samsung bundles 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage on both models as standard, and you can pick up the A23 or A22 with up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. If you need extra storage space, there’s a MicroSD card slot.
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G vs A22 5G: What’s Different?
With the launch of the Galaxy A23 5G a year later, it has benefited from a slew of upgrades. First up is the screen; although it’s the same 6.6-inch size, the LCD panel is a bit livelier and goes down to 120Hz – the A22 only hits 90Hz. The Galaxy A23 5G also has Gorilla Glass 5 screen protection, which makes it extra resistant to drops; the A22 is missing in this area.
The biggest difference is the internal hardware. The Galaxy A23 5G is powered by Qualcomm’s 6nm Snapdragon 695 and does well in everyday use so there is no lag in using the device. The Galaxy A22 5G is equipped with the 7nm MediaTek Dimensity 700, and while it has a lot to offer, it tends to lag behind every now and then. The A22 doesn’t last when gaming, and while the A23 isn’t designed for high-end gaming either, it does a better job.
| Category | Galaxy A23 5G | Galaxy A22 5G |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 12, one user interface 4.1 | Android 11, One UI Core 3.1 |
| Display | 6.6″ 120Hz PLS LCD, 2408 x 1080, Gorilla Glass 5 | 6.6″ 90Hz TFT LCD, 2400 x 1080 |
| chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695, 6nm | MediaTek Dimension 700, 7nm |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 4GB/6GB/8GB |
| Storage | 64GB/128GB | 64GB/128GB |
| MicroSD slot | Yes | Yes |
| Rear camera 1 | 50MP f/1.8 OIS | 48MP f/1.8 |
| Rear camera 2 | 5MP wide angle | 5MP wide angle |
| Rear camera 3 | 2MP macro | 2MP macro |
| Rear camera 4 | 2MP portrait | 2MP portrait |
| Front camera | 8MP f/2.0 | 8MP f/2.0 |
| Connectivity | Sub-6 5G, Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 5.1 | Sub-6 5G, Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| audio | 3.5mm jack | 3.5mm jack |
| Battery | 5000 mAh battery, 25 W wired charging | 5000mAh battery, 15W wired charging |
| Dimensions | 165.4 x 76.9 x 8.4mm | 167.2 x 76.4 x 9mm |
| Weight | 197g | 203g |
| Colors | White, Black, Blue, Peach, | Grey, White, Mint |
In a similar vein, neither device takes great photos, but the Galaxy A23 5G has a 50MP main lens with OIS which gives it a distinct advantage over the 48MP sensor used in the A22 5G. The 5MP wide-angle lens is also slightly better on the A23 and overall the A23 takes better photos. Note that neither device has 4K video recording, so if you’re in the market for a new phone and plan to shoot a lot of photos and videos, you’d better wait for a deal on the Galaxy A53 5G.
There are also major differences in software. The Galaxy A23 5G has full-fledged One UI 4.1 based on Android 12, while the A22 uses One UI Core 3.1 instead. There aren’t many changes for users, but the main difference between the two is that the A22 lacks Knox’s security features. Plus, the Galaxy A23 will get more software updates as it launches out of the box with Android 12.
Finally the battery. The Galaxy A23 5G lasts about the same as its predecessor, and while it uses a 6nm design – versus 7nm for the A22 – that’s offset by the energy-guzzling 120Hz panel. However, you get 25W of charging with the Galaxy A23 5G, and the device takes slightly less time to charge than the A22. In short, the Galaxy A23 is one of the best phones for under $300.
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G vs. A22 5G: which one should you buy?
Given the lack of Xiaomi and Realme options in the US market, there isn’t much choice in the sub-$300 category. As a result, the few phones available in the region have mediocre hardware and cameras that don’t meet the standards. to demand. Fortunately, Samsung got a lot right with the Galaxy A23 5G, and it’s the best device officially available in the US for under $300.
There’s no ambiguity here – if you need a budget phone, just buy the Galaxy A23 5G.
The Galaxy A23 5G isn’t going to win design awards thanks to the bezels on the front, but the plastic housing is durable and you get Gorilla Glass 5 screen protection. The 120Hz LCD has good colors and feels smooth in everyday use, and the Qualcomm hardware has no lags. The phone has the required 5G bands for Sub-6 5G connectivity in the US, so no matter which carrier you use, you should get decent coverage.
The standout feature is the battery life; Thanks to the 5000 mAh battery, the Galaxy A23 5G lasts almost two days on a full charge, and while there’s no wireless charging, you get 25W wired charging as standard – more than last year. The software is also the most sophisticated you’ll find in this category, with Samsung offering full-fledged One UI 4.1 based on Android 12. You’ll have to wait a while to get the One UI 5 update, but Samsung offers long-term updates. for the phone.
You don’t get particularly good cameras, but overall the Galaxy A23 5G ticks a lot of the right boxes for a 5G-enabled phone under $300. It’s my recommendation if you want a decent budget phone, and it has meaningful upgrades versus the Galaxy A22 5G, making it a good idea. Showing its age, the A22 5G doesn’t quite match the A23 in key areas: it lags behind in everyday use, the cameras are mediocre and you don’t get a full-fledged One UI. Since there is a $50 difference between the two devices, you’d better buy the Galaxy A23 5G.
Budget behemoth
The Galaxy A23 5G is the best 5G-enabled phone for under $300 you can currently get in the US. It has reliable hardware, extensive software features coupled with long-term updates, a smooth 120Hz display and incredible battery life. The big screen is great for streaming content and playing games, and overall you get a good price here.
Just the basics
The Galaxy A22 5G is slightly more affordable than the A23 5G, but there are significant drawbacks. The phone falters in daily use, the cameras are unusable in most situations, there’s no Gorilla Glass protection for the screen, and you don’t get all of Samsung’s software features. Yes, it will give you 5G connectivity for under $200, but you should consider paying a little more and getting the Galaxy A23 5G.