Samsung Galaxy M13 vs M23: The Ultimate Budget Phone Battle

Samsung's Galaxy M series consistently delivers impressive value. But with multiple models available, choosing the right one can be tricky. Today, we're pitting the Galaxy M13 against the M23 to see which budget champion reigns supreme.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Galaxy M23 emerges as the clear winner thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 750G chipset, faster charging, and improved camera capabilities. While the M13 offers a slightly lower price point, the M23's overall performance and features justify the extra cost.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy M13 Samsung Galaxy M23
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2022, May 272022, March 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, July 01Available. Released 2022, April 08
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame-
Dimensions165.4 x 76.9 x 8.4 mm (6.51 x 3.03 x 0.33 in)165.5 x 77 x 8.4 mm (6.52 x 3.03 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight192 g (6.77 oz)198 g (6.98 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypePLS LCDTFT LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570)
ChipsetExynos 850 (8 nm)Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)
GPUMali-G52Adreno 619
OSAndroid 12, One UI Core 4.1Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, panorama, HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@480fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoFM radio, recording
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 Virtual proximity sensingVirtual Proximity Sensing
Battery
Charging15W wired25W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsDeep Green, Orange Copper, Light BlueDeep Green, Light Blue, Orange Copper
ModelsSM-M135F, SM-M135F/DSNSM-M236B, SM-M236B/DS, SM-M236L
Price£ 139.99 / € 135.81£ 195.34
SAR EU0.45 W/kg (head)     1.36 W/kg (body)0.78 W/kg (head)     1.09 W/kg (body)

Samsung Galaxy M13

  • Affordable price
  • Large 6000mAh battery
  • Decent display
  • Expandable storage (microSD card slot)

  • Slower performance
  • Slow charging (15W)
  • Less impressive camera
  • 60Hz display

Samsung Galaxy M23

  • Faster Snapdragon 750G chipset
  • 120Hz display
  • Faster charging (25W)
  • Improved camera system
  • 5G connectivity

  • Slightly higher price
  • No significant design upgrades over M13

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a large 6.6-inch display, but the M23 typically boasts a slightly higher refresh rate (120Hz vs 60Hz on the M13), resulting in smoother scrolling and animations. The M23 also often has a brighter display, improving outdoor visibility.

Camera Comparison

The M23 generally offers a more versatile and higher-quality camera system. While both have a main 50MP sensor, the M23 often includes additional features like OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) and improved image processing algorithms, leading to better low-light performance and sharper photos. The M23 also typically has a better front-facing camera.

Performance

This is where the M23 truly shines. The Snapdragon 750G is a substantial upgrade over the Exynos 850. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the M23. The M13 can feel sluggish at times, especially with demanding apps.

Battery Life

Both phones pack a large 6000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life. However, the M23's faster 25W charging means it will recharge significantly quicker than the M13's 15W charging.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy M13 is a good choice for users on a very tight budget who prioritize affordability over raw performance. The Galaxy M23 is ideal for those seeking a smoother experience, better camera quality, and 5G connectivity without breaking the bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy M23 worth the extra money compared to the M13?
Yes, the M23's improved performance, faster charging, and better camera make it a worthwhile upgrade, especially if you value a smoother user experience and future-proof features like 5G.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy M13 handle gaming?
The M13 can handle basic games, but demanding titles may experience lag and stuttering. The M23 is significantly better suited for gaming due to its more powerful chipset.