The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Samsung Galaxy A23 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 are two of the top contenders. Both offer compelling features at an affordable price, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will break down every aspect, helping you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi Note 12 edges out the A23 thanks to its brighter display, faster charging, and slightly more modern chipset. While the A23 boasts impressive battery endurance, the Note 12's overall package provides a more polished and feature-rich experience for the price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 04 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 25 | Available. Released 2023, January 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 165.4 x 76.9 x 8.4 mm (6.51 x 3.03 x 0.33 in) | 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.53 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD, 90Hz | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 | Android 12, MIUI 14 (International), MIUI 13 (India) |
| 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 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED dual-tone 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 | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0" |
| 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) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 25W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 22 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Peach, Blue | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue |
| Models | SM-A235F, SM-A235F/DS, SM-A235F/DSN, SM-A235M, SM-A235M/DS, SM-A235N | 22111317I, 22111317G |
| Price | £ 99.00 / ₹ 14,999 | € 151.99 / $ 219.99 / ₹ 11,999 |
| SAR | 0.48 W/kg (head) | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.36 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.91 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 130h
|
Endurance rating 101h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1241:1 |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-27.6 LUFS (Good)
|
-28.0 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 273554 (v9)
GeekBench: 1632 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 6.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 360745 (v9)
GeekBench: 1998 (v5.1), 2017 (v6) |
Samsung Galaxy A23
- Exceptional battery life
- Large and immersive display
- Good camera quality (natural colors)
- Reliable Samsung brand
- Slower charging speed
- Less powerful chipset compared to Note 12
- Lower peak brightness display
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- Brighter display
- Faster charging (33W)
- More modern chipset (Snapdragon 4 Gen 1)
- Slightly better performance
- Shorter battery life than A23
- Camera colors can be oversaturated
- Build quality may feel less premium
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 takes the display crown with a measured peak brightness of 706 nits, significantly higher than the A23's 464 nits. While both offer excellent contrast ratios (1241:1 for the A23 and 'Infinite' for the Note 12, which is a nominal value), the Note 12's superior brightness makes it more visible in direct sunlight. The A23's display is still good, but the Note 12 offers a more vibrant viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is subjective and depends on individual preferences. Both phones feature versatile camera setups, but the A23 generally produces slightly more natural-looking images. The Note 12's camera tends to have more saturated colors. Video recording capabilities are comparable on both devices.
Performance
The Redmi Note 12's Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset, while not a powerhouse, offers a slight edge over the A23's Snapdragon 680. The Cortex-A78 cores in the Note 12's CPU provide better performance for demanding tasks. Both phones handle everyday tasks smoothly, but the Note 12 feels a bit more responsive overall. Gaming performance is adequate on both, but don't expect high frame rates on demanding titles.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A23 shines in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 130 hours. The Redmi Note 12's endurance rating is 101 hours, still respectable but noticeably lower. However, the Note 12's 33W charging significantly reduces charging times, reaching 50% in just 22 minutes, a considerable advantage over the A23's 25W charging.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy A23 is ideal for users prioritizing exceptional battery life and a large, immersive display. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is a better choice for those who value a brighter screen, faster charging speeds, and a more contemporary processor for smoother performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Samsung Galaxy A23 has significantly better battery life with an endurance rating of 130 hours compared to the Redmi Note 12's 101 hours.
❓ Is the Redmi Note 12 worth the extra cost?
If you prioritize a brighter display, faster charging, and a slightly more modern chipset, the Redmi Note 12 is worth the extra cost. However, if battery life is your top priority, the A23 remains a strong contender.
