Samsung's mid-range lineup is packed with options, making it tough to choose. The Galaxy M33 and A23 are two popular contenders, offering compelling features at accessible prices. But which one delivers the best overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy M33 edges out the A23 thanks to its more powerful Exynos 1280 chipset, offering noticeably better performance for gaming and demanding tasks. While the A23 boasts impressive battery life, the M33's processing power makes it the slightly better choice for most users.
| 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 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 04 | 2022, March 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 08 | Available. Released 2022, March 25 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.4 x 76.9 x 9.4 mm (6.51 x 3.03 x 0.37 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 |
| Weight | 198 g (Global) / 215 g (India) (6.98 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 120Hz | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Exynos 1280 (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 16, One UI 8 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF, OIS
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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 |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | Virtual Proximity Sensing | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 25W wired
4.5W reverse wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Market-dependent versions:· Li-Ion 5000 mAh (Global)· Li-Ion 6000 mAh (India only) | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Green, Blue, Brown | Black, White, Peach, Blue |
| Models | SM-M336B, SM-M336B/DS, SM-M336BU, SM-M336BU/DS, SM-M336K | SM-A235F, SM-A235F/DS, SM-A235F/DSN, SM-A235M, SM-A235M/DS, SM-A235N |
| Price | £ 299.00 | £ 99.00 / ₹ 14,999 |
| SAR | - | 0.48 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | 1.04 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body) | 0.36 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 130h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1241:1 |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.6 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 273554 (v9)
GeekBench: 1632 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 6.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy M33
- More powerful processor (Exynos 1280)
- Better gaming performance
- Slightly better image processing
- 5nm process for efficiency
- Battery life slightly less than A23
- Design may be less premium than A23
Samsung Galaxy A23
- Exceptional battery life (130h endurance)
- Vibrant display with good brightness
- Reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Often more affordable
- Less powerful processor (Snapdragon 680 4G)
- Struggles with demanding games
- Slower app loading times
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.6-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering smooth scrolling and visuals. The A23's display boasts a measured 464 nits of brightness and a 1241:1 contrast ratio, providing vibrant colors and good visibility. The M33's display is comparable, though specific brightness measurements are harder to find, but generally considered good for the price point.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer versatile camera setups. The A23 typically features a 50MP main camera with OIS, an ultrawide lens, a macro lens, and a depth sensor. The M33 also has a similar setup, but the Exynos 1280's image signal processor (ISP) often results in slightly better image processing and low-light performance. Video recording capabilities are comparable on both devices.
Performance
Here's where the M33 shines. Its Exynos 1280 chipset (5nm) is significantly more powerful than the A23's Snapdragon 680 4G (6nm). Expect faster app loading times, smoother gaming, and better overall responsiveness on the M33. The A23 is still capable for everyday tasks, but will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The A23 excels in battery life, consistently achieving an endurance rating of 130 hours. The M33's battery life is still good, but not quite as impressive as the A23's. Expect a full day of moderate use from both phones, but the A23 will likely last longer.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy M33 is ideal for users who prioritize performance and smoother multitasking, especially gamers. The Galaxy A23 is a great pick for those focused on long battery life and a vibrant display, and who don't need the absolute fastest processing speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy M33 worth the extra money over the A23?
If you prioritize performance and gaming, the M33's more powerful chipset justifies the price difference. If battery life is your top concern, the A23 is the better value.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Both phones are Samsung devices and will receive similar software updates and security patches for several years.
