Samsung Galaxy M23 vs OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing faster charging and a slightly more efficient chipset, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 695, built on a 6nm process, offers a modest efficiency advantage, and the 33W charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the M23's 25W. However, the M23 remains a viable option for those heavily invested in the Samsung ecosystem.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy M23 | OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 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, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 04 | 2022, April 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 08 | Available. Released 2022, April 30 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.5 x 77 x 8.4 mm (6.52 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 | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) | 64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@480fps | 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 | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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 | Deep Green, Light Blue, Orange Copper | Black Dusk, Blue Tide |
| Models | SM-M236B, SM-M236B/DS, SM-M236L | CPH2381, CPH2409 |
| Price | £ 195.34 | About 220 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 0.71 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.78 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy M23
- Familiar Samsung One UI experience
- Established Samsung ecosystem integration
- Potentially lower price (depending on region)
- Slower 25W charging
- Less efficient 8nm Snapdragon 750G
- Potentially more bloatware
OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G
- Faster 33W charging
- More efficient 6nm Snapdragon 695
- Cleaner, near-stock Android experience
- Less brand recognition than Samsung
- OxygenOS may not appeal to all users
- Potentially slightly higher price
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. While specific panel details (like peak brightness or color gamut coverage) are absent, both likely utilize LCD panels common in this price bracket. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity. The real difference lies elsewhere.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the chipsets, a direct comparison is limited. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup with a primary sensor, ultrawide, and potentially a macro lens. However, the image processing algorithms will differ significantly between Samsung and OnePlus. Samsung typically favors vibrant, saturated colors, while OnePlus aims for a more natural look. The absence of information regarding sensor size and aperture makes it difficult to assess low-light performance, but given the price point, expectations should be tempered.
Performance
The core of the distinction lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy M23 features the Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G, fabricated on an 8nm process, paired with an octa-core CPU configuration (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570). The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G, however, utilizes the Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G, built on a more efficient 6nm process, with an octa-core CPU (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver). The 6nm process of the Snapdragon 695 generally translates to better thermal efficiency and potentially longer sustained performance under load, even though the peak CPU clock speeds are identical. The Kryo 660 cores in the Nord CE 2 Lite are a newer generation, offering incremental architectural improvements over the Kryo 570 cores in the M23. This means the Nord CE 2 Lite will likely handle multitasking and moderately demanding games with slightly more ease.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified, but both devices likely house batteries in the 4500-5000 mAh range, typical for this segment. The key differentiator is charging speed. The Samsung Galaxy M23 supports 25W wired charging, while the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G boasts 33W wired charging. This 8W difference translates to a noticeably faster charging experience for the Nord CE 2 Lite, allowing users to replenish their battery more quickly. A full 0-100% charge on the Nord CE 2 Lite is expected to be significantly faster than on the M23.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M23 if you prioritize a familiar Samsung One UI experience and are comfortable with slightly slower charging speeds. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G if you value faster charging, a potentially more efficient chipset, and a cleaner, near-stock Android experience. The Nord CE 2 Lite is ideal for users who frequently top up their phones throughout the day.