Motorola Moto G41 vs. Samsung Galaxy A23 5G: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G Contenders
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 695 chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage and better long-term thermal management compared to the Moto G41’s Helio G85. While the G41 offers 30W charging, the A23’s overall package is more refined.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Motorola Moto G41 | Samsung Galaxy A23 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - Europe | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Europe | 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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat7 300/150 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 26, 28, 40, 66 - LATAM, Brazil | 2, 5, 30, 66, 77 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 18 | 2022, August 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 28 | Available. Released 2022, September 02 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 161.9 x 73.9 x 8.3 mm (6.37 x 2.91 x 0.33 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 | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| Water-repellent design | - | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | PLS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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 |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm | 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| - | Virtual proximity sensing | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 30W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Meteorite Black, Pearl Gold | Black, White, Peach, Blue |
| Models | XT2167-2 | 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) |
Motorola Moto G41
- Faster 30W wired charging
- Potentially lower price point
- Adequate performance for basic tasks
- Less efficient Helio G85 chipset
- Likely inferior gaming performance
- Potentially lower display brightness
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
- More powerful and efficient Snapdragon 695
- Better performance for multitasking and gaming
- Higher display brightness for outdoor visibility
- Slower 25W wired charging
- Potentially higher price point
- Similar battery endurance rating
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 508 nits and a 1328:1 contrast ratio, providing a visibly more vibrant and readable experience in bright conditions. While both displays share the same contrast ratio specification, the A23’s higher peak brightness is a tangible benefit. The Moto G41’s display specifications are not provided, making a direct comparison difficult, but given its price point, it likely falls short of the A23’s brightness. Both devices likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket, and lack high refresh rates.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. However, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), known for its strong image processing algorithms. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but Samsung’s history of camera optimization suggests a more refined photographic experience. The Moto G41’s camera performance is likely adequate for casual snapshots, but may struggle in low-light conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) offers a significant architectural advantage over the Motorola Moto G41’s MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm). The 6nm process node translates to improved power efficiency and reduced heat generation, crucial for sustained performance. The Snapdragon 695’s Kryo 660 Gold cores, clocked at 2.2 GHz, outperform the Helio G85’s Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz in CPU-intensive tasks. This difference will be most noticeable during multitasking, app loading times, and gaming. The A23’s GPU will also provide a smoother gaming experience.
Battery Life
Both devices share an endurance rating of 138 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G’s more efficient Snapdragon 695 chipset could translate to slightly longer real-world battery life, especially during demanding tasks. The Moto G41 compensates with 30W wired charging, faster than the A23’s 25W charging. This means the G41 will likely achieve a full charge in less time, a significant convenience for users who prioritize quick top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola Moto G41 if you prioritize faster charging speeds and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G if you value smoother performance for multitasking, gaming, and future-proofing with a more modern chipset, even if it means slightly slower charging.