Umidigi F3 vs Samsung Galaxy A23 5G: A Detailed Comparison

The budget 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Umidigi F3 and Samsung Galaxy A23 5G both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches. The F3 relies on a slightly older, but still capable, Mediatek Helio P70, while the A23 5G leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 695 5G. This comparison dives deep into the specifications to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing future-proofing and smoother performance, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 695, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage and better thermal management, despite the Umidigi F3’s lower price.

PHONES
Phone Names Umidigi F3 Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 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 / CDMA / 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
Dimensions168.3 x 76.6 x 8.8 mm (6.63 x 3.02 x 0.35 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
Weight195 g (6.88 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 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDPLS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek Helio P70 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G72 MP3Adreno 619
OSAndroid 11Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
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
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", AF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)-
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single16 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
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
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
Charging18W wired25W wired
Type5150 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsHawaii Blue, Matte Silver, Starry 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 F3

  • Lower price point makes it highly accessible.
  • Functional for basic smartphone tasks.
  • Decent battery endurance (138h rating).

  • Older Mediatek Helio P70 chipset offers limited performance.
  • Slower 18W charging.
  • Camera specifications are unknown, likely inferior to the A23 5G.

Samsung Galaxy A23 5G

  • More powerful and efficient Snapdragon 695 5G chipset.
  • Faster 25W wired charging.
  • Better 5G connectivity and performance.

  • Higher price compared to the Umidigi F3.
  • Standard IPS LCD display without high refresh rate.
  • May still exhibit some software bloat common in Samsung devices.

Display Comparison

Both devices offer a similar visual experience, with the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G boasting a measured peak brightness of 508 nits and a 1328:1 contrast ratio. While the Umidigi F3’s display specifications aren’t provided, it’s likely to be in the same ballpark given its price point. The A23 5G’s contrast ratio, though nominal, suggests a standard IPS LCD panel. Neither device is expected to offer high refresh rates or advanced panel technologies like LTPO, focusing instead on affordability. The A23 5G’s higher measured brightness will provide better visibility in direct sunlight.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking for the Umidigi F3. The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G likely features a more sophisticated camera system, benefiting from Samsung’s image processing algorithms. Without knowing the sensor sizes or apertures of the F3, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, given the A23 5G’s position within Samsung’s lineup, it’s reasonable to expect better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the A23 5G, if equipped, would further enhance image and video stability.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) is a significant upgrade over the Umidigi F3’s Mediatek Helio P70 (12nm). The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon 695 translates to improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling, crucial for sustained performance. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon 695 utilizes newer Kryo 660 cores (2x2.2 GHz Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Silver) offering better single-core and multi-core performance compared to the Helio P70’s Cortex-A73 (4x2.1 GHz) and Cortex-A53 (4x2.0 GHz) configuration. This means faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience on the A23 5G.

Battery Life

Both devices share an endurance rating of 138 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G’s 25W wired charging is significantly faster than the Umidigi F3’s 18W charging. This translates to quicker top-ups, reducing downtime. While the mAh capacity isn’t specified for either device, the Snapdragon 695’s superior power efficiency could offset any potential capacity difference, resulting in similar real-world battery performance despite the faster charging on the A23 5G.

Buying Guide

Buy the Umidigi F3 if you need a functional, affordable smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and are comfortable with potentially slower app loading times. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G if you prioritize a more responsive user experience, better 5G performance, and a more refined software experience, even if it means spending a bit more.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 695 in the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 695 is built on a 6nm process, which offers improved thermal efficiency compared to the 12nm Helio P70 in the Umidigi F3. While it can get warm during prolonged gaming, it's less prone to significant throttling, maintaining a more consistent frame rate over longer periods. The A23 5G’s thermal design is also likely more robust.
❓ How does the 5G performance differ between the Umidigi F3 and the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G?
The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G, powered by the Snapdragon 695, is designed with 5G connectivity as a core feature. The Snapdragon 695 includes an integrated 5G modem, offering faster download and upload speeds, and better network compatibility compared to the Umidigi F3, which may rely on an external modem with potentially lower performance.
❓ Is the camera on the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G a significant upgrade over what's likely found on the Umidigi F3?
While specific camera specs for the Umidigi F3 are unavailable, Samsung generally invests heavily in its camera technology. The A23 5G benefits from Samsung’s image processing algorithms and potentially features a larger sensor and more advanced features, resulting in better image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Expect improved detail, dynamic range, and low-light performance.