The Realme Narzo 80 Lite and Samsung Galaxy A23 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive sub-$200 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price, they take different approaches to achieving this, particularly in chipset choice and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and faster charging, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 695, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance edge over the Narzo 80 Lite’s Unisoc T7250, and the 25W charging significantly reduces downtime.
| 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, 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 | 2025, July 23 | 2022, August 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, July 28 | Available. Released 2022, September 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Panda Glass), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 167.2 x 76.6 x 7.9 mm (6.58 x 3.02 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 | 201 g (7.09 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Panda Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LCD, 90Hz, 563 nits | PLS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T7250 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 15, Realme UI 5.0 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 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, 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 | 13 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, 27mm (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 | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | 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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired
6W reverse wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 6300 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Beach Gold, Obsidian Black | Black, White, Peach, Blue |
| Models | - | SM-A236U, SM-A236U1, SM-A236B, SM-A236B/DS, SM-A236B/DSN, SM-A236E, SM-S236DL |
| Price | ₹ 7,798 | $ 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) |
Realme Narzo 80 Lite
- Potentially lower price point
- 6W reverse wired charging
- 5G connectivity
- Less powerful Unisoc T7250 chipset
- Slower 15W charging
- Limited performance headroom
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
- More efficient Snapdragon 695 5G chipset
- Faster 25W charging
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Slightly higher price
- No reverse wireless charging
- Similar battery endurance to Narzo 80 Lite
Display Comparison
Both the Realme Narzo 80 Lite and Samsung Galaxy A23 5G feature displays with a 1328:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual depth. However, the Galaxy A23 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 508 nits, which will translate to better visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Narzo 80 Lite, for which brightness data is unavailable. While both likely utilize LCD panels given the price point, the A23’s higher brightness is a tangible advantage for outdoor use.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specs are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, Samsung’s image processing algorithms are generally more refined, potentially leading to better dynamic range and color accuracy in the A23 5G. The prevalence of low-resolution auxiliary cameras on both devices suggests focusing on the main sensor’s performance is key, and Samsung’s software could give it an edge.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) utilizes Kryo 660 Gold and Silver cores clocked up to 2.2 GHz, offering a clear architectural advantage over the Realme Narzo 80 Lite’s Unisoc T7250 (12nm). The 6nm process of the Snapdragon 695 results in improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling, meaning sustained performance will be higher. The Narzo 80 Lite’s Cortex-A75 cores, while capable, are less efficient than the Kryo 660 Gold cores. This translates to a smoother experience on the A23 5G during demanding tasks.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 138 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G supports 25W wired charging, allowing for a much faster 0-100% charge compared to the Realme Narzo 80 Lite’s slower 15W charging. The Narzo 80 Lite does offer 6W reverse wired charging, a niche feature for topping up accessories, but the A23’s faster charging is a more broadly useful benefit.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Narzo 80 Lite if you primarily need a phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and are willing to trade performance for potential cost savings. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G if you value smoother multitasking, occasional gaming, and faster charging speeds, even if it means spending slightly more upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Unisoc T7250 in the Narzo 80 Lite capable of handling demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Unisoc T7250 can *run* PUBG Mobile, expect to play at lower graphics settings and potentially experience frame drops during intense moments. The Snapdragon 695 in the A23 5G offers a more stable gaming experience due to its superior processing power and thermal efficiency.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G with the 25W charger?
With the included 25W charger, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G can typically charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on usage during charging. This is significantly faster than the Narzo 80 Lite’s 15W charging, which will take considerably longer.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G support carrier aggregation for improved 5G speeds?
Yes, the Snapdragon 695 5G chipset in the Galaxy A23 5G supports carrier aggregation, allowing it to combine multiple 5G channels for faster and more reliable 5G speeds where available from your carrier. This is a key advantage for users in areas with strong 5G infrastructure.
