Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime vs Galaxy A23 5G: The Ultimate Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy A23 5G takes the crown thanks to its 5G connectivity, more modern chipset (Snapdragon 695 5G), faster charging, and generally improved performance. While the M31 Prime is a decent option, the A23 5G offers a more future-proof and refined experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime | Samsung Galaxy A23 5G |
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| EDGE | Yes | - |
| GPRS | Class 10 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| - | 2, 5, 30, 66, 77 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 14. Released 2020, October 17 | 2022, August 05 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, September 02 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 75.1 x 8.9 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.35 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 |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 420 nits (peak) | PLS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 10, One UI 2.0 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Phonebook | Yes | - |
| UFS 2.1 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | 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 |
| Single | 3.15 MP | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 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 |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Games | Downloadable | - |
| Java | Yes | - |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS, Email, Push Email, IM | - |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| Virtual proximity sensing | Virtual proximity sensing | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 25W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 150 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 1 h 30 min | - |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Ocean Blue, Space Black, Iceberg Blue | Black, White, Peach, Blue |
| Models | SM-M315F/DS | SM-A236U, SM-A236U1, SM-A236B, SM-A236B/DS, SM-A236B/DSN, SM-A236E, SM-S236DL |
| Price | About 190 EUR | $ 84.44 / £ 129.00 / € 125.28 / ₹ 21,000 |
| SAR | 0.38 W/kg (head) | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.57 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 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 M31 Prime
- Potentially lower price
- Larger screen (likely)
- Older chipset
- Slower charging (15W)
- No 5G connectivity
- Less efficient processor
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
- 5G connectivity
- More powerful Snapdragon 695 5G chipset
- Faster 25W charging
- More efficient processor
- Brighter display
- Potentially higher price
- Slightly smaller screen (likely)
Display Comparison
The Galaxy A23 5G boasts a brighter display (508 nits vs unknown for M31 Prime) and a similar contrast ratio (1328:1). While both offer a good viewing experience, the A23 5G's higher brightness makes it more usable outdoors. Both likely use an AMOLED panel, providing vibrant colors and deep blacks.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature capable camera systems, but the A23 5G likely has an edge due to the newer image processing capabilities of the Snapdragon 695. Specific camera specs (megapixels, aperture) would need to be compared directly for a more precise assessment, but the A23 5G's chipset generally provides better image quality.
Performance
Here's where the A23 5G shines. The Snapdragon 695 5G is significantly more powerful and efficient than the Exynos 9611. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the A23 5G. The 6nm process also contributes to better power efficiency.
Battery Life
Both phones boast an impressive endurance rating of 138 hours. While this suggests similar battery life in typical usage, the A23 5G's more efficient chipset could translate to slightly better real-world performance.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime? Those prioritizing a slightly larger screen and potentially a lower price point (depending on current deals) might consider it. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G? Anyone wanting 5G connectivity, a more efficient processor, faster charging, and a generally more modern smartphone experience.