The Samsung Galaxy A23 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 11R represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, they take different approaches to achieving this. The A23 prioritizes long-term battery endurance, while the Redmi Note 11R focuses on offering a more modern chipset for potentially better performance.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and a slightly brighter display, the Samsung Galaxy A23 is the better choice. Its 130-hour endurance rating significantly surpasses what we'd expect from the Redmi Note 11R, despite the latter's more powerful chipset. However, gamers may find the Redmi Note 11R more appealing.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA 800 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 04 | 2022, September 30 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 25 | Available. Released 2022, September 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 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| 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) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| 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, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 25W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Peach, Blue | Black, Blue, Gray |
| Models | SM-A235F, SM-A235F/DS, SM-A235F/DSN, SM-A235M, SM-A235M/DS, SM-A235N | 22095RA98C |
| Price | £ 99.00 / ₹ 14,999 | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | 0.48 W/kg (head) | - |
| 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
- Exceptional 130-hour battery endurance
- Brighter display (464 nits) for outdoor use
- Faster 25W wired charging
- Snapdragon 680 may struggle with demanding games
- Camera specifications are unknown
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11R
- More powerful Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset
- Potentially smoother multitasking and gaming
- Modern chipset architecture
- Slower 18W wired charging
- Likely shorter battery life compared to the A23
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A23 boasts a display capable of reaching 464 nits of peak brightness, coupled with a 1241:1 contrast ratio. While the Redmi Note 11R’s display specifications are not provided, Samsung’s measured brightness gives it an edge in outdoor visibility. The contrast ratio suggests a decent viewing experience, though the absence of information regarding panel technology (like IPS or AMOLED) and refresh rate on both devices leaves room for uncertainty. The A23’s higher brightness is particularly beneficial for users who frequently consume content outdoors or in brightly lit environments.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details about sensor size, aperture, or optical image stabilization (OIS). Without this information, a direct camera comparison is impossible. However, given the price bracket, it’s reasonable to assume both phones rely on similar sensor technology. The absence of details suggests neither phone will excel in low-light photography or offer advanced camera features. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is likely to provide limited practical benefit due to its low resolution.
Performance
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11R is equipped with the Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm), featuring a dual-core Cortex-A76 setup alongside six Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts with the Samsung Galaxy A23’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm), which utilizes an octa-core configuration with Kryo 265 Gold and Silver cores. The 7nm process of the Dimensity 700 generally allows for higher peak performance, but the 6nm process of the Snapdragon 680 may offer better power efficiency. The Redmi Note 11R’s Cortex-A76 cores provide a performance boost for demanding tasks, while the A23’s Snapdragon 680 prioritizes efficiency. The lack of RAM specifications for both devices makes a definitive performance comparison difficult, but the Dimensity 700 is likely to handle graphically intensive tasks more smoothly.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A23 shines with an impressive endurance rating of 130 hours, indicating exceptional battery life. The Redmi Note 11R’s battery capacity and endurance are not specified, but its 18W wired charging is slower than the A23’s 25W charging. While the Dimensity 700 might consume more power under load, the A23’s larger endurance rating suggests it can sustain usage for a significantly longer period. The 25W charging on the A23 will also result in faster top-ups, reducing downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A23 if you need exceptional battery life for extended use, value a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and prefer the Samsung ecosystem. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11R if you prioritize a more modern chipset for potentially smoother multitasking and gaming, and are comfortable with a potentially shorter battery life. The Redmi Note 11R is the better pick for those who frequently stream video or play mobile games.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 680 in the Galaxy A23 struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG?
The Snapdragon 680 is a capable chipset for everyday tasks, but it may require lower graphics settings and frame rates in demanding games like PUBG to maintain a smooth experience. The Redmi Note 11R’s Dimensity 700 is better suited for gaming, offering potentially higher frame rates and more consistent performance.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy A23 with the 25W charger?
While a precise 0-100% charging time isn't available, the 25W charging capability of the Galaxy A23 should result in a full charge in approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, significantly faster than the Redmi Note 11R’s 18W charging.
❓ Is the difference in chipset architecture (Snapdragon vs Dimensity) noticeable in everyday use?
For basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging, the difference between the Snapdragon 680 and Dimensity 700 is unlikely to be significant. However, the Dimensity 700’s more powerful cores will be more noticeable when multitasking or running demanding applications.