The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Huawei nova Y60 and the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is the clear winner. Its superior chipset, faster charging, 5G connectivity, and generally better camera performance outweigh the Huawei nova Y60's potential cost savings. It offers a more modern and future-proof experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 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, September 07 | 2022, August 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 07 | Available. Released 2022, September 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 76 x 9.2 mm (6.50 x 2.99 x 0.36 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· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.8% 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 (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 11, no Google Play Services | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | 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 | 8 MP, f/2.0 | - |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 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 | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Crush Green | Black, White, Peach, Blue |
| Models | WKG-LX9, Wukong-L29A | SM-A236U, SM-A236U1, SM-A236B, SM-A236B/DS, SM-A236B/DSN, SM-A236E, SM-S236DL |
| Price | About 150 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) |
Huawei nova Y60
- Potentially lower price
- Decent battery life (claimed)
- Compact size (likely)
- Outdated chipset
- Slow charging (10W)
- No 5G
- Likely lower display quality
- Unspecified camera quality
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
- Modern Snapdragon 695 5G chipset
- Fast charging (25W)
- 5G connectivity
- Brighter and likely higher resolution display
- Better camera performance (expected)
- Long battery life (claimed)
- Potentially higher price
- LCD panel (not OLED)
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G boasts a significantly brighter display (508 nits vs. likely lower on the Y60) and a similar contrast ratio (1328:1). While both likely use LCD panels, the A23 5G's improved brightness makes it more usable outdoors. The A23 5G also likely has a higher resolution, providing a sharper image.
Camera Comparison
While both phones have cameras, the Galaxy A23 5G is expected to offer superior image quality thanks to its more advanced processor and likely better sensors. Expect better low-light performance, more detail, and improved video recording capabilities on the A23 5G. Specific camera specs are missing for the Y60, but it's unlikely to compete.
Performance
The Snapdragon 695 5G in the Galaxy A23 5G is a substantial upgrade over the Helio P35 in the nova Y60. The 6nm process offers better efficiency and performance. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the A23 5G. The A23 5G also supports 5G connectivity, a feature absent in the Y60.
Battery Life
Both phones claim an impressive endurance rating of 138 hours. However, the Galaxy A23 5G's faster 25W charging means it will recharge significantly quicker than the nova Y60's 10W charging. This is a crucial advantage for daily use.
Buying Guide
The Huawei nova Y60 is a decent option for users on an extremely tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and don't need 5G. The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is ideal for those seeking a reliable, feature-rich smartphone with 5G connectivity, a better display, and a more powerful processor, even if it costs a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Huawei nova Y60 worth buying in 2024?
Only if you're on an extremely tight budget and don't need 5G or high performance. Otherwise, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G offers significantly better value.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G have a good camera?
Yes, it's expected to have a good camera for its price range, offering better image quality and features than the Huawei nova Y60.
