The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Coolpad Cool 10A and Samsung Galaxy A23 5G represent two distinct approaches to delivering 5G connectivity at an accessible price point. The Cool 10A prioritizes affordability, while the A23 5G aims for a more balanced experience with a more powerful chipset and faster charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, coupled with 25W charging, offers a significantly smoother experience and quicker top-ups. However, the Coolpad Cool 10A remains a viable option for those on an extremely tight budget who primarily need basic smartphone functionality.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 2, 5, 30, 66, 77 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 29. Released 2021, March 29 | 2022, August 05 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, September 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165 x 76 x 8.8 mm (6.50 x 2.99 x 0.35 in) | 165.4 x 76.9 x 8.4 mm (6.51 x 3.03 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF, OIS
5 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 5 MP | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm - USA
8 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm - International |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | microUSB | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Black, White, Peach, Blue |
| Models | - | SM-A236U, SM-A236U1, SM-A236B, SM-A236B/DS, SM-A236B/DSN, SM-A236E, SM-S236DL |
| Price | About 90 EUR | $ 84.44 / £ 129.00 / € 125.28 / ₹ 21,000 |
| SAR | - | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.57 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.49 W/kg (head) 1.25 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 138h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1328:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.9 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 318821 (v9)
GeekBench: 1940 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Coolpad Cool 10A
- Extremely affordable price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Acceptable battery endurance
- Outdated and less powerful Unisoc chipset
- Slow 10W charging
- Likely inferior display quality
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
- More powerful Snapdragon 695 5G chipset
- Faster 25W wired charging
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Higher price compared to Coolpad Cool 10A
- May still exhibit some throttling under heavy load
- Software updates may be slower than flagship Samsung devices
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 508 nits and a 1328:1 contrast ratio, providing a noticeably more vibrant and visible display, especially outdoors. While the Coolpad Cool 10A’s display specifications are not provided, it’s reasonable to assume it falls behind in both metrics given its lower price point. The A23 5G’s larger screen real estate also contributes to a more immersive viewing experience. The identical contrast ratios suggest similar panel technology, but the brightness difference is a key differentiator.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. The absence of information regarding sensor size and aperture for the Coolpad Cool 10A makes a direct comparison difficult. However, given the A23 5G’s positioning, it likely features a more capable main sensor and potentially better image processing algorithms. The inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the A23 5G, if present, would further enhance image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. It's safe to assume the A23 5G will deliver more consistent and detailed photos.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Coolpad Cool 10A’s Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon 695 translates to significantly improved power efficiency and thermal management, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The A23 5G’s CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver – offers a more balanced and powerful performance profile compared to the Cool 10A’s 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55. This means faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience on the Samsung device.
Battery Life
Both phones share an endurance rating of 138 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G’s 25W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Coolpad Cool 10A’s 10W charging. This translates to substantially faster charging times, allowing you to quickly replenish the battery and minimize downtime. While the A23 5G doesn’t have a larger battery capacity specified, the faster charging speed provides a more convenient user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Coolpad Cool 10A if you need a functional smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media, and your budget is the absolute primary concern. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G if you prefer a more responsive user experience, faster app loading times, and the ability to handle more demanding applications, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 695 in the Galaxy A23 5G powerful enough for gaming?
The Snapdragon 695 is capable of handling many popular mobile games at medium settings. However, demanding titles may require lower graphics settings to maintain a smooth frame rate. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but it's a significant step up from the Cool 10A's chipset for gaming.
❓ How much faster is the 25W charging on the Galaxy A23 5G compared to the Cool 10A's 10W charging?
The 25W charging on the A23 5G will significantly reduce charging times. While exact figures depend on battery level and usage, you can expect a full charge to take roughly 1.5-2 hours with the A23 5G, compared to potentially 3+ hours with the Cool 10A.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G support carrier aggregation for faster 5G speeds?
Yes, the Snapdragon 695 5G supports carrier aggregation, which allows the phone to combine multiple 5G channels for faster and more reliable data speeds, provided your carrier supports it. This is a key advantage for users in areas with strong 5G coverage.
❓ Is the Coolpad Cool 10A a good option for someone who primarily uses their phone for calls and texts?
Absolutely. The Coolpad Cool 10A is a perfectly adequate device for basic communication tasks like calls and texts. Its affordability makes it a good choice for users who don't require advanced features or high performance.
