Samsung Galaxy A23 5G vs A34: The Ultimate Showdown

Choosing between Samsung's Galaxy A series can be tough. Both the A23 5G and A34 offer compelling features at mid-range prices, but which one truly delivers the best experience? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which phone is right for you.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy A34 edges out the A23 5G thanks to its significantly brighter display, more powerful processor, and generally improved camera performance. While the A23 5G boasts impressive battery life, the A34's overall package makes it the better choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy A23 5G Samsung Galaxy A34
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 2, 5, 30, 66, 77 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA-
Launch
Announced2022, August 052023, March 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, September 02Available. Released 2023, March 24
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions165.4 x 76.9 x 8.4 mm (6.51 x 3.03 x 0.33 in)161.3 x 78.1 x 8.2 mm (6.35 x 3.07 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight197 g (6.95 oz)199 g (7.02 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypePLS LCD, 120HzSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G68 MC4
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad50 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/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm - USA 8 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm - International13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radio (market/region dependent)No
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only)Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 Virtual proximity sensingVirtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging25W wired25W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Peach, BlueLime, Graphite, Violet, Silver
ModelsSM-A236U, SM-A236U1, SM-A236B, SM-A236B/DS, SM-A236B/DSN, SM-A236E, SM-S236DLSM-A346E, SM-A346B, SM-A346B/DS, SM-A346B/DSN, SM-A346E/DS, SM-A346E/DSN, SM-A346M, SM-A346M/N, SM-A346M/DSN, SM-A3460
Price$ 84.44 / £ 129.00 / € 125.28 / ₹ 21,000€ 169.99 / $ 175.00 / £ 164.99 / ₹ 23,999
SAR0.68 W/kg (head)     0.57 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU1.49 W/kg (head)     1.25 W/kg (body)0.55 W/kg (head)     1.49 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 138h Endurance rating 133h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: 1328:1 (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -25.9 LUFS (Very good) -26.1 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 318821 (v9) GeekBench: 1940 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 472126 (v9) GeekBench: 2316 (v5.5), 2518 (v6) GFXBench: 23fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy A23 5G

  • Excellent battery life
  • Large display
  • Affordable price

  • Less powerful processor
  • Dimmer display
  • Camera performance could be better

Samsung Galaxy A34

  • Brighter display
  • Faster performance
  • Improved camera
  • Modern design

  • Slightly higher price
  • Battery life marginally less than A23 5G

Display Comparison

The A34's display is a clear winner. It boasts a measured peak brightness of 1009 nits compared to the A23 5G's 508 nits, making it significantly easier to see outdoors. The A34 also claims an 'infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting superior image quality, while the A23 5G has a respectable 1328:1 ratio. Both use a similar FHD+ resolution, but the A34's brightness advantage is substantial.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer capable camera systems, the A34 generally produces better results. The A34 is expected to have a more advanced main sensor and image processing algorithms, leading to improved image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Both likely feature similar ultrawide and macro lenses, but the A34's overall camera experience is anticipated to be superior. Specific camera specs (megapixels, aperture) would be needed for a more precise comparison.

Performance

The A34's Mediatek Dimensity 1080 chipset offers a noticeable performance boost over the A23 5G's Snapdragon 695 5G. The Dimensity 1080's Cortex-A78 cores provide faster processing speeds for demanding tasks and smoother multitasking. While both phones have octa-core CPUs, the A34's architecture is more efficient and powerful.

Battery Life

Battery life is a close contest. The A23 5G has an endurance rating of 138h, while the A34 sits at 133h. In real-world usage, the difference is likely minimal, and both phones should easily last a full day on a single charge. Both support 25W wired charging, which is relatively slow compared to some competitors.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G? Budget-conscious users prioritizing maximum battery life and a large display. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A34? Users seeking a brighter screen, faster performance, and a more versatile camera system, even at a slightly higher price point.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A34 worth the extra money compared to the A23 5G?
Yes, for most users, the A34's improved display, performance, and camera justify the slightly higher price. However, if battery life is your absolute top priority and you're on a tight budget, the A23 5G remains a viable option.
❓ What are the key differences in the design of the A23 5G and A34?
The A34 typically features a more modern and premium design with a glass back and a more refined camera module. The A23 5G often has a plastic back and a more traditional design.