Samsung Galaxy M23 vs M33: Which Mid-Range Phone Should You Choose?

The Samsung Galaxy M series consistently delivers solid mid-range smartphones at competitive prices. The M23 and M33 are two popular contenders, but which one offers the best value? This comprehensive comparison will break down their key differences to help you make an informed decision.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Galaxy M33 generally edges out the M23 thanks to its more powerful Exynos 1280 chipset and slightly better camera capabilities. However, the M23 might be a better choice for those prioritizing a more compact design and slightly better battery life in some usage scenarios. Ultimately, it depends on your priorities.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy M23 Samsung Galaxy M33
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, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2022, March 042022, March 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 08Available. Released 2022, April 08
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 9.4 mm (6.51 x 3.03 x 0.37 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight198 g (6.98 oz)198 g (Global) / 215 g (India) (6.98 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, 120HzTFT LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570)Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)Exynos 1280 (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G68
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1Android 12, upgradable to Android 16, One UI 8
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)8 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@480fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
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, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioFM radio, recordingUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
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
 Virtual Proximity SensingVirtual Proximity Sensing
Battery
Charging25W wired25W wired 4.5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhMarket-dependent versions:· Li-Ion 5000 mAh (Global)· Li-Ion 6000 mAh (India only)
Misc
ColorsDeep Green, Light Blue, Orange CopperGreen, Blue, Brown
ModelsSM-M236B, SM-M236B/DS, SM-M236LSM-M336B, SM-M336B/DS, SM-M336BU, SM-M336BU/DS, SM-M336K
Price£ 195.34£ 299.00
SAR EU0.78 W/kg (head)     1.09 W/kg (body)1.04 W/kg (head)     1.38 W/kg (body)

Samsung Galaxy M23

  • More affordable
  • Slightly more compact design
  • Excellent battery life
  • Decent performance for everyday tasks

  • Less powerful chipset
  • Lower camera quality
  • Likely LCD display
  • No reverse wired charging

Samsung Galaxy M33

  • More powerful chipset (Exynos 1280)
  • Better camera system
  • Likely AMOLED display
  • Reverse wired charging
  • Smoother performance

  • Slightly more expensive
  • Larger and heavier
  • Battery life marginally less than M23 in some scenarios

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.6-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering a smooth visual experience. The M33 might have slightly better color accuracy due to its panel technology (likely AMOLED vs. LCD on the M23), but the difference is subtle. Brightness levels are comparable.

Camera Comparison

The M33 boasts a more versatile camera system, typically including a higher resolution main sensor and potentially better image processing. While both offer decent image quality in good lighting, the M33 generally produces more detailed and vibrant photos, especially in low light. The M23's camera is still adequate for casual photography.

Performance

The Exynos 1280 in the M33 is significantly more powerful than the Snapdragon 750G in the M23. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the M33. The M23 is still capable for everyday use, but it will struggle more with demanding tasks.

Battery Life

Both phones have a 6000mAh battery, promising excellent battery life. While the M23 might have a slight edge in some real-world scenarios due to the less power-hungry chipset, both should easily last a full day of moderate to heavy use. The M33's 4.5W reverse wired charging is a useful bonus.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy M23? Users seeking a more budget-friendly option, a slightly smaller form factor, and decent performance for everyday tasks. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy M33? Those prioritizing smoother performance, a better camera system, and the added convenience of reverse wired charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy M33 worth the extra money?
If you prioritize performance and camera quality, the M33 is definitely worth the extra investment. The Exynos 1280 provides a noticeable upgrade over the Snapdragon 750G.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
Both offer excellent battery life, but the M23 might have a slight edge due to its less demanding chipset. However, the difference is unlikely to be significant in most usage scenarios.