Samsung Galaxy A13 5G vs A23 5G: The Ultimate Budget Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy A23 5G edges out the A13 5G thanks to its faster Snapdragon chipset, brighter display, and quicker 25W charging. While the A13 5G is a solid budget option, the A23 5G provides a noticeably better user experience for a slight price premium.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy A13 5G | Samsung Galaxy A23 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 2, 5, 66, 77 Sub6/mmWave | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 2, 5, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77 Sub6/mmWave - SM-A136U | 2, 5, 30, 66, 77 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, December 02 | 2022, August 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, December 03 | Available. Released 2022, September 02 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm (6.48 x 3.01 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 |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD, 90Hz | PLS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 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, panorama, HDR | 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, f/2.0, (wide) | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 5 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | 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 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, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| Virtual proximity sensing | Virtual proximity sensing | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, White, Peach, Blue |
| Models | SM-A136U, SM-A136U1, SM-A136W, SM-A136B, SM-S136DL | SM-A236U, SM-A236U1, SM-A236B, SM-A236B/DS, SM-A236B/DSN, SM-A236E, SM-S236DL |
| Price | € 178.00 / $ 64.00 / £ 72.54 | $ 84.44 / £ 129.00 / € 125.28 / ₹ 21,000 |
| SAR | 1.27 W/kg (head) 0.58 W/kg (body) | 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) |
Samsung Galaxy A13 5G
- Affordable
- 5G Connectivity
- Decent Battery Life
- Slower Performance
- Slower Charging
- Less Bright Display
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
- Faster Performance
- Brighter Display
- Faster Charging
- Better Camera
- Slightly More Expensive
- Still a Budget Phone
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G boasts a brighter display with a measured peak brightness of 508 nits, offering better visibility in sunlight. Both phones share a similar contrast ratio of 1328:1, indicating good black levels. The A23's slightly improved brightness gives it a noticeable edge.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer capable cameras, the A23 5G generally produces better image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The A23 5G's image processing tends to be more refined. Specific camera specs are missing, but reviews consistently favor the A23 5G's camera system.
Performance
The A23 5G's Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset (6nm) is significantly faster and more efficient than the A13 5G's Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm). Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the A23 5G. The Snapdragon 695 also generally handles heat better.
Battery Life
Both phones boast an impressive endurance rating of 138 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. However, the A23 5G's 25W charging is considerably faster than the A13 5G's 15W charging, allowing for quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A13 5G? Those on the absolute tightest budget who prioritize basic 5G connectivity and don't need top-tier performance. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G? Users seeking a smoother experience, better camera performance, faster charging, and a brighter display – all while staying within a reasonable budget.