The Philips PH2 and Samsung Galaxy A23 5G represent two approaches to the increasingly competitive budget 5G smartphone market. The PH2 leverages the efficiency of Unisoc’s Tiger T310, while the A23 5G opts for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 695. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 695 chipset, built on a 6nm process, provides a significant performance advantage over the Philips PH2’s 12nm Unisoc Tiger T310, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. While both offer similar battery endurance, the A23 5G’s 25W charging is a welcome addition.
| 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 | 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 / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | 2, 5, 30, 66, 77 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, December 08. Released 2021, December 13 | 2022, August 05 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, September 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 156.2 x 75.3 x 9 mm (6.15 x 2.96 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 170 g (6.00 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~271 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.21 inches, 96.3 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 | Quad-core (1x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T310 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8300 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android OS, HMS (Huawei Mobile Services) | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 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, (wide), AF
2 MP | - |
| Features | LED flash | 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, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | 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 | - | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3900 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Gold | Black, White, Peach, Blue |
| Models | S702 | SM-A236U, SM-A236U1, SM-A236B, SM-A236B/DS, SM-A236B/DSN, SM-A236E, SM-S236DL |
| Price | About 110 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) |
Philips PH2
- Potentially lower price point
- Decent battery endurance
- Functional for basic tasks
- Less powerful Unisoc Tiger T310 chipset
- 12nm process leads to lower efficiency
- Limited performance for gaming and multitasking
- Missing display specifications
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
- More powerful Snapdragon 695 5G chipset
- 6nm process for better efficiency
- Faster 25W charging
- Higher peak display brightness
- Slightly higher price
- Similar battery endurance to PH2
- May include bloatware (typical for Samsung)
Display Comparison
Both devices share a similar contrast ratio of 1328:1, suggesting comparable color reproduction. However, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 508 nits, which will provide a noticeably more vibrant and readable experience outdoors compared to the Philips PH2, whose brightness remains unspecified. The lack of information regarding the PH2’s panel technology (LCD vs AMOLED) and refresh rate puts it at a disadvantage, as the A23 5G likely offers a more modern viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. Given Samsung’s established image processing algorithms and typically larger sensors in its A-series, the Galaxy A23 5G is likely to deliver superior image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The absence of sensor size or aperture information for the PH2 makes a direct comparison impossible, but it’s reasonable to assume the A23 5G has a more capable camera system.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G, fabricated on a 6nm process, features an octa-core CPU (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) and a more powerful GPU. This contrasts sharply with the Philips PH2’s Unisoc Tiger T310 (12nm) and its quad-core configuration (1x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55). The 6nm process of the Snapdragon 695 translates to better power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling, crucial for sustained performance. The A23 5G will handle demanding apps and games with greater ease.
Battery Life
Both the Philips PH2 and Samsung Galaxy A23 5G achieve an endurance rating of 138 hours, indicating similar battery life under typical usage. However, the A23 5G supports 25W wired charging, allowing for significantly faster recharge times compared to the PH2, which lacks any charging speed specification. This faster charging capability is a practical advantage for users who need to quickly top up their battery throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Philips PH2 if you prioritize extreme affordability and basic smartphone functionality. It’s a suitable option for users who primarily need a phone for calls, texts, and light social media use. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G if you value a more responsive user experience, better gaming performance, and faster charging, even if it means spending a bit more. This phone is ideal for users who stream videos, play mobile games, or multitask frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 695 in the Galaxy A23 5G capable of handling demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the Snapdragon 695 isn't a flagship-level chip, it can run Genshin Impact at lower settings (medium or low) with acceptable frame rates. Expect some frame drops during intense combat scenarios. The Philips PH2’s Unisoc Tiger T310 would struggle significantly with this title.
❓ How does the 6nm process of the Snapdragon 695 impact real-world usage compared to the 12nm Unisoc Tiger T310?
The 6nm process is significantly more efficient than 12nm. This translates to less heat generation under load, meaning the Galaxy A23 5G will experience less performance throttling during prolonged gaming or video recording. It also contributes to better battery life, even though both phones have similar endurance ratings.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G support carrier aggregation for faster 5G speeds?
Yes, the Snapdragon 695 supports carrier aggregation, allowing it to combine multiple 5G channels for faster download and upload speeds, provided your carrier supports it. This is a significant advantage over the Philips PH2, which may have limited 5G capabilities.
