Umidigi A13 vs Samsung Galaxy A23 5G: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G

The sub-$200 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Umidigi A13 and Samsung Galaxy A23 5G represent two distinct approaches to delivering 5G connectivity at an accessible price point. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device offers the best balance of performance, features, and value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 695 chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Umidigi A13’s Unisoc T610. While both offer similar battery endurance, the A23 5G’s 25W charging significantly reduces downtime.

PHONES
Phone Names Umidigi A13 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, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 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
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -2, 5, 30, 66, 77 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced20222022, August 05
StatusAvailable. Released 2022Available. Released 2022, September 02
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions168 x 75.7 x 8.7 mm (6.61 x 2.98 x 0.34 in)165.4 x 76.9 x 8.4 mm (6.51 x 3.03 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight200 g (7.05 oz)197 g (6.95 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution720 x 1650 pixels (~269 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 106.2 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDPLS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetUnisoc T610 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MP2Adreno 619
OSAndroid 11Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual20 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)-
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED 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
Video1080p@30fps1080p@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 -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioWireless FM radioFM radio (market/region dependent)
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 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, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only)
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging10W wired25W wired
Type5150 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsStarry Black, Sunglow Gold, Galaxy BlueBlack, White, Peach, Blue
Models-SM-A236U, SM-A236U1, SM-A236B, SM-A236B/DS, SM-A236B/DSN, SM-A236E, SM-S236DL
Price-$ 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)

Umidigi A13

  • Most affordable option
  • Acceptable battery life
  • Functional for basic tasks

  • Slow 10W charging
  • Less powerful Unisoc T610 chipset
  • Display specifications are limited

Samsung Galaxy A23 5G

  • Faster Snapdragon 695 5G chipset
  • 25W fast charging
  • Brighter display (508 nits)

  • Higher price point
  • Similar battery endurance to A13
  • May still exhibit some budget limitations

Display Comparison

Both devices feature displays with a 1328:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual characteristics in terms of black levels and color pop. However, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 508 nits, which will provide a significantly better viewing experience outdoors or in brightly lit environments compared to the Umidigi A13, whose brightness remains unspecified. The lack of information regarding the A13’s panel technology (LCD vs. AMOLED) and refresh rate puts it at a disadvantage, as the A23 5G likely offers a more fluid visual experience.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. Given Samsung’s established image processing algorithms and typically larger sensors in its A-series, the Galaxy A23 5G is likely to deliver superior image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The absence of sensor size information for both devices makes a precise comparison impossible, but Samsung’s brand reputation suggests a more refined camera experience. It's reasonable to assume the A23 5G will offer more consistent results.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G, fabricated on a 6nm process, offers a clear architectural advantage over the Umidigi A13’s Unisoc T610 (12nm). The Snapdragon 695 utilizes 2x Kryo 660 Gold cores clocked at 2.2 GHz alongside 6x Kryo 660 Silver cores at 1.7 GHz, while the T610 features 2x Cortex-A75 cores at 1.8 GHz and 6x Cortex-A55 cores also at 1.8 GHz. The 6nm process and more modern core designs in the Snapdragon 695 translate to better power efficiency and sustained performance, particularly during demanding tasks. The A23 5G will handle multitasking and gaming with noticeably less lag.

Battery Life

Both the Umidigi A13 and Samsung Galaxy A23 5G achieve an endurance rating of 138 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the charging speeds differ dramatically. The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G supports 25W wired charging, allowing for significantly faster top-ups compared to the Umidigi A13’s slow 10W charging. This means the A23 5G can recover a substantial portion of its battery capacity in a shorter timeframe, minimizing downtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the Umidigi A13 if you prioritize absolute affordability and basic smartphone functionality. It’s a suitable option for users who primarily need a phone for calls, texts, and light social media use. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G if you value smoother performance for multitasking, gaming, and content consumption, alongside faster charging and the established reliability of the Samsung ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Unisoc T610 in the Umidigi A13 powerful enough for casual gaming?
The Unisoc T610 can handle less demanding games, but expect reduced graphics settings and potential frame rate drops in more graphically intensive titles. The Snapdragon 695 in the A23 5G offers a considerably smoother gaming experience.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Umidigi A13 with its 10W charger?
With a 10W charger, a full charge from 0% on the Umidigi A13 will likely take over 3 hours, potentially closer to 4. The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G’s 25W charging will complete a full charge in approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G support carrier aggregation for faster 5G speeds?
Yes, the Snapdragon 695 5G chipset supports carrier aggregation, allowing the A23 5G to combine multiple 5G channels for potentially faster download and upload speeds, provided your carrier supports it. The Umidigi A13's 5G capabilities are less well-defined.
❓ What kind of storage does the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G use, and is it expandable?
The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G typically uses UFS 2.2 storage, offering decent read/write speeds for a budget device. It also supports microSD card expansion, allowing you to increase storage capacity beyond the internal options.