Samsung Galaxy M23 vs Galaxy A23 5G: The Ultimate Showdown

Choosing between Samsung's Galaxy M23 and A23 5G can be tricky. Both offer 5G connectivity and a focus on affordability, but key differences exist. This comprehensive comparison will break down the specs, performance, and features to help you decide which phone best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Galaxy M23 edges out the A23 5G thanks to its more powerful Snapdragon 750G chipset, offering noticeably better performance for gaming and demanding apps. While the A23 5G boasts impressive battery life, the M23's processing power makes it the overall winner for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy M23 Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -2, 5, 30, 66, 77 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2022, March 042022, August 05
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 08Available. Released 2022, September 02
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions165.5 x 77 x 8.4 mm (6.52 x 3.03 x 0.33 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
Weight198 g (6.98 oz)197 g (6.95 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
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 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFT LCD, 120HzPLS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-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)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 619
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF, OIS 5 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)-
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@480fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)8 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm - USA 8 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm - International
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radio, recordingFM radio (market/region dependent)
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only)
 Virtual Proximity SensingVirtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging25W wired25W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsDeep Green, Light Blue, Orange CopperBlack, White, Peach, Blue
ModelsSM-M236B, SM-M236B/DS, SM-M236LSM-A236U, SM-A236U1, SM-A236B, SM-A236B/DS, SM-A236B/DSN, SM-A236E, SM-S236DL
Price£ 195.34$ 84.44 / £ 129.00 / € 125.28 / ₹ 21,000
SAR-0.68 W/kg (head)     0.57 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.78 W/kg (head)     1.09 W/kg (body)1.49 W/kg (head)     1.25 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 138h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1328:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.9 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 318821 (v9) GeekBench: 1940 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy M23

  • More powerful Snapdragon 750G chipset
  • Smoother performance for gaming and multitasking
  • Likely better software updates (M series often prioritized)
  • Competitive price

  • Potentially shorter battery life than A23 5G
  • Camera details less clear

Samsung Galaxy A23 5G

  • Exceptional battery life (138h endurance rating)
  • Vibrant display with good contrast and brightness
  • Reliable performance for everyday tasks
  • Good value for money

  • Less powerful Snapdragon 695 5G chipset
  • Slower performance for demanding apps and games
  • Potentially fewer software updates compared to M series

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.6-inch FHD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate, offering a smooth visual experience. The A23 5G's contrast ratio of 1328:1 and measured 508 nits brightness suggest slightly better color accuracy and visibility in bright conditions, though the difference is likely minimal in real-world use. The M23's display is expected to be comparable.

Camera Comparison

Camera specs are not fully detailed, but both phones are expected to offer a versatile quad-camera setup. The A23 5G likely has a slightly higher resolution main sensor. Image quality will depend on software processing, so real-world testing is crucial. Both are expected to perform well in good lighting conditions.

Performance

Here's where the M23 shines. Its Snapdragon 750G chipset is significantly faster than the A23 5G's Snapdragon 695 5G. Expect quicker app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the M23. The A23 5G is still capable for everyday tasks, but will struggle more with intensive applications.

Battery Life

The A23 5G's endurance rating of 138h is exceptional, indicating outstanding battery life. The M23, while still offering good battery performance, is unlikely to match the A23 5G's longevity. Users prioritizing all-day (or multi-day) battery life should lean towards the A23 5G.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy M23 is ideal for users who prioritize performance and smoother multitasking, especially those who enjoy mobile gaming. The Galaxy A23 5G is a great choice for those who value exceptional battery life and a vibrant display, and are less concerned with raw processing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy M23 is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 750G chipset.
❓ Which phone has the best battery life?
The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G offers significantly better battery life, with an endurance rating of 138 hours.
❓ Are the cameras comparable?
Both phones have quad-camera setups, but detailed camera comparisons require further testing. Expect similar performance in good lighting conditions.
❓ Which phone will receive longer software support?
Historically, Samsung's M series has received slightly more prioritized software updates compared to the A series.