The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Oppo A57 4G and Samsung Galaxy A23 5G represent compelling options, but cater to different priorities. The A57 4G focuses on delivering a streamlined experience with rapid 33W charging, while the A23 5G brings future-proof 5G connectivity to the table, powered by a more efficient chipset.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, fabricated on a 6nm process, offers superior performance and efficiency compared to the Oppo A57 4G’s Helio G35. While the A57 boasts faster charging, the A23’s 5G capability and generally better performance outweigh this advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 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 | 2022, May 27 | 2022, August 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June 06 | Available. Released 2022, September 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 75 x 8 mm (6.44 x 2.95 x 0.31 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 |
| Weight | 187 g (6.60 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| | IP5X (dust), IPX4 (water) resistance | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~84.2% 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 (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, ColorOS 14 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| 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, (wide) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 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 | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 50% in 30 min | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glowing Black, Glowing Green | Black, White, Peach, Blue |
| Models | CPH2387 | SM-A236U, SM-A236U1, SM-A236B, SM-A236B/DS, SM-A236B/DSN, SM-A236E, SM-S236DL |
| Price | About 440 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) |
Oppo A57 4G
- Faster 33W charging
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple, streamlined user experience
- Less powerful Helio G35 chipset
- No 5G connectivity
- Less efficient 12nm process
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
- 5G connectivity for future-proofing
- More efficient Snapdragon 695 5G chipset
- Higher peak display brightness
- Slower 25W charging
- Potentially higher price
- Samsung’s One UI can be resource intensive
Display Comparison
Both the Oppo A57 4G and Samsung Galaxy A23 5G feature displays with a 1328:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the A23 5G edges ahead with a measured peak brightness of 508 nits, providing better visibility in direct sunlight. While neither display is expected to offer high refresh rates, the A23’s higher brightness is a tangible benefit for outdoor use. We expect both to use LCD panels given the price point, but Samsung’s color calibration is typically more accurate.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are equipped with photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Given the price bracket, we anticipate both relying on primary sensors around the 50MP mark. The A23 5G likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), which generally delivers superior image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. The presence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the A23 5G, if equipped, would further enhance image quality and video stabilization. We expect both to include lower-resolution auxiliary lenses, but their utility is limited.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) is a significant upgrade over the Oppo A57 4G’s MediaTek Helio G35 (12nm). The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon 695 translates to better power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling during sustained workloads. The A23’s CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver – offers a more balanced performance profile than the A57’s 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53. This means smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience on the Samsung device.
Battery Life
Both devices share an endurance rating of 138 hours, indicating comparable battery life under typical usage. However, the Oppo A57 4G’s 33W wired charging is considerably faster than the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G’s 25W charging. The A57 can reach 50% charge in just 30 minutes, while the A23 will take longer. This faster charging is a key advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups, but the A23’s more efficient chipset may offset this difference in real-world daily use.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A57 4G if you prioritize extremely fast charging and don't require 5G connectivity. It's ideal for users who frequently top up their phones and primarily use them for basic tasks. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G if you want a phone with 5G support, better overall performance for multitasking and gaming, and a more future-proof device, even if it means slightly slower charging speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 695 5G in the Galaxy A23 5G capable of handling demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 695 5G can handle PUBG and Call of Duty, but you'll likely need to lower graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but it's significantly more capable than the Helio G35 in the Oppo A57 4G for gaming.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the Oppo A57 4G compared to the 25W charging on the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G in real-world use?
The Oppo A57 4G can reach 50% charge in approximately 30 minutes, while the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G will take closer to an hour. A full 0-100% charge on the A57 will still take over an hour, but the initial boost is considerably quicker, making it ideal for quick top-ups.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G support all 5G bands available in the US?
5G band support varies by carrier and region. The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G supports a range of 5G bands, but it's crucial to check compatibility with your specific carrier before purchasing to ensure you can take full advantage of 5G speeds.
