The Samsung Galaxy A23 and OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both aim to deliver 5G connectivity and essential features without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches. The A23 prioritizes endurance and a familiar Samsung experience, while the Nord CE 2 Lite focuses on faster 5G speeds and quicker charging.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and long battery life, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 695 chipset offers a noticeable performance uplift over the A23’s Snapdragon 680, and the 33W charging significantly reduces downtime, despite a similar battery endurance rating.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 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, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 04 | 2022, April 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 25 | Available. Released 2022, April 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.4 x 76.9 x 8.4 mm (6.51 x 3.03 x 0.33 in) | 164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF, OIS
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | - |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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 | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 25W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Peach, Blue | Black Dusk, Blue Tide |
| Models | SM-A235F, SM-A235F/DS, SM-A235F/DSN, SM-A235M, SM-A235M/DS, SM-A235N | CPH2381, CPH2409 |
| Price | £ 99.00 / ₹ 14,999 | About 220 EUR |
| SAR | 0.48 W/kg (head) | 1.19 W/kg (head) 0.71 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.36 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 130h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1241:1 | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-27.6 LUFS (Good)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 273554 (v9)
GeekBench: 1632 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 6.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Samsung Galaxy A23
- Excellent battery endurance (130h)
- Familiar Samsung One UI experience
- Potentially lower price point
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Slower Snapdragon 680 processor
- Slower 25W charging
OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G
- Faster Snapdragon 695 5G processor
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- Faster 33W wired charging
- Battery endurance rating not provided
- OnePlus OxygenOS may not appeal to all users
- Potentially slightly higher price
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A23 features a display with a measured peak brightness of 464 nits and a contrast ratio of 1241:1. While adequate for indoor use, this brightness level may struggle in direct sunlight. The Nord CE 2 Lite’s display specifications are not provided, but given its market positioning, it likely offers a similar experience. The A23’s contrast ratio suggests a standard LCD panel, lacking the vibrant colors and deeper blacks of AMOLED displays found in some competitors. Neither device is expected to offer high refresh rates, focusing instead on power efficiency.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are expected to offer a multi-camera setup, but detailed sensor information is limited. The context data only indicates 'Photo / Video' capabilities for the A23. Given the price point, image quality will likely be adequate for social media sharing but won’t compete with flagship devices. The absence of specific sensor details makes a direct comparison difficult, but the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite’s focus on delivering a well-rounded experience suggests a potentially more refined camera system. It's reasonable to assume both will include a primary sensor, ultrawide, and potentially a macro lens, though the quality of the latter is often questionable.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G boasts the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm), while the Galaxy A23 utilizes the Snapdragon 680 4G (6nm). The 695, with its Kryo 660 cores (2x2.2 GHz & 6x1.7 GHz), offers a performance advantage over the A23’s Kryo 265 cores (4x2.4 GHz & 4x1.9 GHz). This translates to snappier app loading times and smoother multitasking on the Nord CE 2 Lite. Crucially, the 695 supports 5G connectivity, a feature absent in the A23. Both devices utilize a 6nm process, suggesting comparable power efficiency, but the architectural improvements in the 695 likely give it a slight edge.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A23 achieves an endurance rating of 130 hours, indicating excellent battery life. While the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite’s endurance rating is not provided, its 33W wired charging capability offers a significant advantage over the A23’s 25W charging. This means the Nord CE 2 Lite can replenish its battery much faster, minimizing downtime. Despite the A23’s higher endurance rating, the faster charging of the Nord CE 2 Lite effectively mitigates any potential battery life disadvantage for most users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A23 if you need maximum battery longevity and prefer the Samsung One UI software experience. It’s ideal for users who prioritize talk time and casual browsing over demanding applications. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G if you prefer faster 5G download speeds, quicker charging, and a slightly more responsive user experience, making it better suited for streaming, social media, and light gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 695 in the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 695 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but it offers a playable experience for casual gamers.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy A23 with the 25W charger?
Based on similar devices with 25W charging, expect a full charge from 0% to 100% to take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours. While the endurance rating is high, the charging speed is comparatively slow.
❓ Is the lack of 5G on the Samsung Galaxy A23 a significant drawback in 2024?
If you live in an area with widespread 5G coverage and frequently download large files or stream high-resolution video, the lack of 5G on the A23 will be noticeable. However, if 5G isn't readily available in your location, it's less of a concern.
❓ What kind of storage options are available on each device, and can it be expanded?
While not specified in the provided data, both devices likely offer options for 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. Both are also expected to include a microSD card slot for expandable storage, allowing you to add more space for photos, videos, and apps.
