The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Blackview A53 Pro and Motorola Moto G23 both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with the Moto G23 prioritizing faster charging and a more modern CPU architecture, while the Blackview A53 Pro focuses on a lower entry price. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G23 is the better choice. Its Helio G85 chipset, featuring Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Blackview A53 Pro’s Helio G35. The 30W charging is a significant advantage, drastically reducing recharge times. While the A53 Pro is cheaper, the G23’s improved user experience justifies the slight price premium.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 - USA | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - Europe, AP/MEA |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 40 - International | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 28, 41, 66 - USA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 - AP/MEA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 03 | 2023, January 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March | Available. Released 2023, January 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 76.9 x 9.4 mm (6.48 x 3.03 x 0.37 in) | 162.7 x 74.7 x 8.2 mm (6.41 x 2.94 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194.6 g (6.88 oz) | 184.3 g (6.49 oz) |
| | - | Water-resistant design |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~80.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio G35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, Doke OS 3.0 | Android 13, planned upgrade to Android 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | - |
| Triple | 12 MP
other unspecified camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Unspecified | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 30W wired |
| Type | 5080 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Rock Grey, Murky Black, Starry Blue | Matte Charcoal, Pearl White, Steel Blue |
| Models | - | XT2333-1 |
| Price | - | About 80 EUR |
Blackview A53 Pro
- Lowest possible price point
- Acceptable for basic smartphone tasks
- Potentially longer battery life due to less demanding chipset
- Significantly slower performance
- Extremely slow 10W charging
- Likely limited software support
Motorola Moto G23
- Faster and more responsive performance
- 30W fast charging dramatically reduces recharge times
- More modern CPU architecture (Cortex-A75)
- Likely better software support from Motorola
- Slightly higher price
- May not be ideal for extremely heavy gaming
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both utilize 12nm chipsets, suggesting similar power constraints impacting display capabilities. While specific display specs (resolution, brightness) are missing, the focus here is on performance. The absence of high refresh rates on either device indicates a cost-saving measure, prioritizing battery life over visual fluidity. Bezels are likely comparable, given the price bracket, and color accuracy will likely be standard for this segment.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, it’s safe to assume both phones feature budget-oriented camera systems. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices suggests limited utility; these sensors typically lack the resolution and quality to produce genuinely useful macro shots. The primary sensor’s size and aperture will be the key differentiators, but without that data, we can only speculate. Motorola’s image processing algorithms generally lean towards more natural colors, while Blackview’s might prioritize vibrancy. The G85’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is likely more capable, potentially leading to better image quality in challenging lighting conditions.
Performance
The Motorola Moto G23 holds a clear advantage in performance. Its Mediatek Helio G85 chipset features two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz, alongside six Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts with the Blackview A53 Pro’s Helio G35, which relies solely on four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.3 GHz and another four at 1.8 GHz. The A75 cores in the G23 offer significantly better single-core performance, translating to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. While the G35’s higher clock speed on some cores might show a slight edge in certain benchmarks, the architectural advantage of the G85 will be more noticeable in real-world usage. The G23 will handle more demanding apps and games with greater ease.
Battery Life
The Motorola Moto G23’s 30W wired charging is a game-changer in this price segment. The Blackview A53 Pro’s 10W charging is comparatively slow, requiring significantly longer to reach a full charge. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the G23 mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery. A full charge on the A53 Pro could take upwards of 3 hours, while the G23 could potentially reach 100% in under 90 minutes. This difference is crucial for users who rely heavily on their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Blackview A53 Pro if your absolute priority is minimizing upfront cost and you primarily need a phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Motorola Moto G23 if you value a smoother, more responsive user experience, faster charging, and are willing to spend a little more for a phone that will feel more capable over its lifespan.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Motorola Moto G23 struggle with popular apps like TikTok or Instagram?
While not a flagship, the Helio G85 in the Moto G23 is capable of running TikTok and Instagram smoothly. The Cortex-A75 cores provide a performance boost over the A53 cores in the Blackview A53 Pro, resulting in a more responsive experience when scrolling through feeds and recording videos. Expect some occasional slowdowns with multiple apps open, but it should handle everyday social media usage without major issues.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Blackview A53 Pro realistically usable for someone who uses their phone heavily throughout the day?
10W charging is quite slow by today's standards. For heavy users, the Blackview A53 Pro’s charging speed will likely be a significant inconvenience. You’ll need to charge the phone overnight and potentially top it up during the day to avoid running out of battery. The Motorola Moto G23’s 30W charging is far more practical for users who need a quick power boost.
❓ Can the Motorola Moto G23 handle basic mobile games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Moto G23 can run PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but you’ll need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve playable frame rates. The Helio G85 is a gaming-focused chipset, but it’s not powerful enough for high-end settings. The Blackview A53 Pro will struggle even on the lowest settings, offering a less enjoyable gaming experience.
