The budget smartphone market is booming, offering incredible value for money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Sharp Aquos Wish and the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G. Both promise 5G connectivity and a decent experience, but which one delivers the best overall package?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G edges out the Aquos Wish thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset, brighter display, and generally more polished software experience. While the Aquos Wish offers a unique design, the A23 5G provides a more well-rounded and reliable budget 5G option.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 38, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 7, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 2, 5, 30, 66, 77 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January 19 | 2022, August 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 21 | Available. Released 2022, September 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Plastic body, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 147 x 71 x 8.9 mm (5.79 x 2.80 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 + eSIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 162 g (5.71 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| | IPX5/IP6X/IPX7 water/dust resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
MIL-STD-810G compliant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 81.1 cm2 (~77.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED 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 |
| Single | 13 MP, (wide), AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 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 | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C | 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 | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3730 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Spring Bud Green, Foggy Black | Black, White, Peach, Blue |
| Models | - | SM-A236U, SM-A236U1, SM-A236B, SM-A236B/DS, SM-A236B/DSN, SM-A236E, SM-S236DL |
| Price | About 230 EUR | $ 84.44 / £ 129.00 / € 125.28 / ₹ 21,000 |
| SAR | - | 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) |
Sharp Aquos wish
- Unique design
- Compact size (likely)
- Potentially more affordable
- Less powerful chipset
- Limited camera details
- Potentially lower display brightness
- Less established software support
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
- More powerful chipset (Snapdragon 695 5G)
- Brighter display
- Reliable Samsung software
- Versatile camera system (expected)
- 25W fast charging
- Larger size
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G boasts a brighter display (508 nits vs. likely lower on the Aquos Wish, though specific Aquos Wish brightness data is scarce) which will be noticeable in outdoor use. Both offer a 1328:1 contrast ratio, suggesting good black levels, but the A23 5G's higher brightness gives it a slight advantage. The Aquos Wish may have a more compact form factor, which some users will prefer.
Camera Comparison
While both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the Galaxy A23 5G is generally expected to have a more versatile and higher-quality camera system, likely including a higher resolution main sensor and potentially more advanced features. Specific camera specs for the Aquos Wish are limited, making a direct comparison difficult.
Performance
The Snapdragon 695 5G in the Galaxy A23 5G is a step up from the Snapdragon 480 5G in the Aquos Wish. The 695's 6nm process also contributes to better power efficiency. Expect smoother multitasking and slightly faster app loading times on the A23 5G. Gaming performance will also be better on the A23 5G.
Battery Life
Both phones claim an impressive endurance rating of 138 hours. In real-world usage, the Galaxy A23 5G's more efficient chipset should contribute to slightly better battery life, especially under heavy load. The A23 5G also supports 25W wired charging, a standard feature.
Buying Guide
The Sharp Aquos Wish is ideal for users prioritizing a unique, compact design and a potentially more affordable price point. The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is a better choice for those seeking a more powerful processor, a brighter display, and the reliability of the Samsung ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better performance?
The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G has a more powerful Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, offering better performance for multitasking and gaming.
❓ Is the Sharp Aquos Wish worth considering?
Yes, if you prioritize a unique design and a compact size, and are willing to compromise slightly on performance and camera quality. It's a good option if it's significantly cheaper than the A23 5G.
