The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The itel S23 and Samsung Galaxy A05s both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches. The itel S23 relies on the Unisoc T606, while the Samsung A05s opts for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device offers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A05s is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 680 chipset, coupled with a significantly brighter display and faster 25W charging, provides a smoother and more enjoyable user experience, justifying the slight price premium. The itel S23 is a viable option for those prioritizing absolute lowest cost.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2023, September 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023 | Available. Released 2023, October 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164 x 76 x 8 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) | 168 x 77.8 x 8.8 mm (6.61 x 3.06 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.X", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starry Black, Mystery White | Black, Silver, Light Green, Violet |
| Models | S665L, S665LN | SM-A057F, SM-A057F/DS, SM-A057M, SM-A057M/DS, SM-A057G/DSN, SM-A057G |
| Price | About 170 EUR | $ 134.00 / C$ 146.99 / £ 83.94 / € 100.99 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.58 W/kg (head) 1.31 W/kg (body) |
itel S23
- Lowest possible price point
- Functional for basic tasks
- Acceptable for first-time smartphone users
- Slow Unisoc T606 processor
- Slow 10W charging
- Likely inferior display quality
Samsung Galaxy A05s
- Faster Snapdragon 680 processor
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- 25W fast charging
- Longer battery life (11:32h active use)
- Slightly higher price
- May still lack advanced features
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A05s boasts a clear advantage in display quality. While both phones likely utilize LCD panels (given the price bracket), the A05s achieves a measured peak brightness of 468 nits, making it significantly more visible outdoors compared to the itel S23, which lacks published brightness data. The A05s also features a 1418:1 contrast ratio, indicating deeper blacks and a more vibrant image. While neither phone is expected to offer high color accuracy, the superior brightness and contrast of the A05s make it the clear winner for media consumption and general usability.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are likely to feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. The Samsung Galaxy A05s’ camera specifications are not detailed enough to provide a full analysis, but the presence of a 'Photo / Video' designation suggests a more versatile camera experience. Given the market segment, both phones likely include a primary sensor and potentially depth or macro lenses. However, the itel S23’s reliance on a Unisoc chipset may result in less sophisticated image processing compared to the Snapdragon 680’s ISP in the A05s. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the A05s has the potential for better image quality due to its more powerful processor.
Performance
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 in the Samsung Galaxy A05s represents a substantial performance upgrade over the Unisoc T606 found in the itel S23. Built on a 6nm process versus the T606’s 12nm, the Snapdragon 680 offers improved power efficiency and thermal management. The CPU configuration further highlights this difference: the A05s features 4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold cores and 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver cores, while the itel S23 has 2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience on the Samsung device. The Snapdragon 680’s Adreno GPU also provides a noticeable boost in graphics performance.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A05s shines in the battery and charging department. While the exact battery capacity isn't specified for the itel S23, the A05s delivers an impressive 11 hours and 32 minutes of active use. Crucially, the A05s supports 25W wired charging, allowing for significantly faster top-ups compared to the itel S23’s slow 10W charging. This means less time tethered to a wall and more time using the device. The combination of good battery life and fast charging makes the A05s a more convenient option for users who are frequently on the go.
Buying Guide
Buy the itel S23 if you need a functional smartphone with basic features and are operating on an extremely tight budget. It's a good option for first-time smartphone users or as a secondary device. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A05s if you prefer a more responsive experience, a brighter and more usable display in outdoor conditions, and faster charging – all of which contribute to a more satisfying daily usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 680 in the Samsung Galaxy A05s capable of handling popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 680 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but likely at medium graphics settings and frame rates to maintain a smooth experience. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but it's a significant step up from the Unisoc T606 in the itel S23, which would struggle with consistent performance.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy A05s with the 25W charger?
While a precise 0-100% charge time isn't available, the 25W charging capability of the Samsung Galaxy A05s should allow for a full charge in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on usage during charging. This is considerably faster than the itel S23's 10W charging.
❓ Does the itel S23 support VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling?
Support for VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling on the itel S23 will vary depending on the carrier and region. It's crucial to check with your mobile provider to ensure compatibility before purchasing, as these features are essential for reliable voice calls on modern networks.
❓ What type of storage does the Samsung Galaxy A05s use – eMMC or UFS?
Given the price point, the Samsung Galaxy A05s likely utilizes eMMC storage. While not as fast as UFS, eMMC is still sufficient for basic smartphone tasks. The itel S23 likely also uses eMMC storage.
