Choosing between the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G and A23 can be tough – both offer compelling features at affordable prices. But which one truly delivers the best experience? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you make the right decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy A33 5G edges out the A23 thanks to its 5G connectivity and brighter display. However, the A23 boasts significantly better battery life and a slightly more efficient chipset, making it a strong contender for budget-conscious users prioritizing longevity.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 17 | 2022, March 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 20 | Available. Released 2022, March 25 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 159.7 x 74 x 8.1 mm (6.29 x 2.91 x 0.32 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· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 90Hz | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Exynos 1280 (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 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)
Auxiliary lens | 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 | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 25W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Blue, Peach | Black, White, Peach, Blue |
| Models | SM-A336E, SM-A336B, SM-A336B/DS, SM-A336B/DSN, SM-A336E/DS, SM-A336M, SM-A3360 | SM-A235F, SM-A235F/DS, SM-A235F/DSN, SM-A235M, SM-A235M/DS, SM-A235N |
| Price | £ 174.99 / € 187.50 / ₹ 21,999 | £ 99.00 / ₹ 14,999 |
| SAR | 0.35 W/kg (head) | 0.48 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | 0.57 W/kg (head) 1.59 W/kg (body) | 0.36 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 104h
|
Endurance rating 130h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1241:1 |
| Loudspeaker |
-26.5 LUFS (Good)
|
-27.6 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 354420 (v8), 394918 (v9)
GeekBench: 1900 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 20fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 273554 (v9)
GeekBench: 1632 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 6.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy A33 5G
- Brighter Display
- 5G Connectivity
- Slightly Faster Performance
- Good Video Recording
- Shorter Battery Life
- Exynos Chipset (can be less efficient)
Samsung Galaxy A23
- Exceptional Battery Life
- More Affordable Price
- Efficient Snapdragon Chipset
- Good Value for Money
- Lower Display Brightness
- No 5G
- Slightly Slower Performance
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A33 5G takes the display crown with a measured peak brightness of 728 nits, significantly brighter than the A23's 464 nits. While both offer a respectable contrast ratio (A33's is nominal 'infinite'), the A33's higher brightness makes it more usable in direct sunlight. Both utilize similar display technology (likely AMOLED) offering vibrant colors and deep blacks.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature similar camera setups, likely including a main sensor, ultrawide, macro, and depth sensor. Image quality is generally good in well-lit conditions, but low-light performance may vary. The A33 5G might offer slightly better video recording capabilities due to its more powerful chipset, but both are capable of capturing decent photos and videos.
Performance
The A33 5G's Exynos 1280 chipset generally offers a slight performance advantage over the A23's Snapdragon 680. The Cortex-A78 cores in the Exynos provide a boost for demanding tasks. However, the Snapdragon 680's efficiency contributes to the A23's superior battery life. Day-to-day performance on both phones is smooth for typical usage.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A23 shines in the battery department, boasting an endurance rating of 130 hours, significantly higher than the A33 5G's 104 hours. This translates to noticeably longer battery life for the A23, making it ideal for heavy users or those who prioritize longevity.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G? Users who prioritize 5G connectivity, a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and slightly faster performance. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A23? Those seeking exceptional battery life, a more affordable price point, and don't require 5G.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G worth the extra money?
If 5G connectivity and a brighter display are important to you, then yes. Otherwise, the A23 offers excellent value with its superior battery life.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Samsung Galaxy A33 5G generally offers slightly better gaming performance due to its more powerful chipset, but both phones are suitable for casual gaming.
