The sub-$250 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo T1x 4G and Samsung Galaxy A23 5G both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches. The T1x focuses on a streamlined 4G experience, while the A23 5G adds 5G connectivity and faster charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing future-proofing and faster charging, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 695 offers a performance edge and 5G capability, despite the T1x 4G’s competitive price. However, users solely focused on essential tasks and 4G connectivity will find the T1x a capable and cost-effective option.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 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 |
| 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 | 2022, April 26 | 2022, August 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 26 | Available. Released 2022, September 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 76.1 x 8 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.31 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 | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | PLS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android, Funtouch 12 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | 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 | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (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 |
| Video | 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, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gravity Black, Space Blue | Black, White, Peach, Blue |
| Models | V2143 | SM-A236U, SM-A236U1, SM-A236B, SM-A236B/DS, SM-A236B/DSN, SM-A236E, SM-S236DL |
| Price | About 150 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) |
vivo T1x 4G
- More affordable price point
- Sufficient performance for basic tasks
- Decent battery life
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Slower 18W charging
- Less powerful processor
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
- 5G connectivity for future-proofing
- Faster 25W wired charging
- More powerful Snapdragon 695 processor
- Slightly higher price
- Potentially higher power consumption with 5G enabled
- Similar battery endurance rating despite faster charging
Display Comparison
Both the vivo T1x 4G and Samsung Galaxy A23 5G feature displays with a 1328:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual quality in terms of black levels and color pop. However, the A23 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 508 nits, which will provide a noticeably better viewing experience outdoors or in brightly lit environments. While both likely utilize LCD panels (given the price point), Samsung’s display calibration is generally more accurate, offering more natural colors. Bezels are expected to be comparable, typical for this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are equipped with a photo/video camera system, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Given the market segment, it’s reasonable to assume both feature a primary sensor around the 50MP mark. The A23 5G likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, potentially delivering more vibrant and detailed photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The presence of a 5G modem in the A23 5G may also allow for faster uploads of high-resolution photos and videos. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G’s Snapdragon 695 5G represents a clear step up in processing power compared to the vivo T1x 4G’s Snapdragon 680. The 695 features a 2x2 Kryo 660 Gold core configuration clocked at 2.2 GHz, versus the T1x’s 4x Kryo 265 Gold cores at 2.4 GHz. While the T1x has more cores overall, the 695’s newer architecture and higher clock speeds on its performance cores translate to better sustained performance in demanding applications. Both chipsets are fabricated on a 6nm process, offering good efficiency, but the 695’s integrated 5G modem adds to its overall system complexity and power draw. The A23 5G is likely to handle multitasking and gaming slightly smoother.
Battery Life
Both the vivo T1x 4G and Samsung Galaxy A23 5G achieve an endurance rating of 138 hours, indicating comparable battery life under typical usage scenarios. However, the A23 5G’s 25W wired charging significantly outperforms the T1x 4G’s 18W charging. This translates to a faster 0-100% charge time, reducing downtime. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed of the A23 5G provides a tangible advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo T1x 4G if you need a reliable, affordable smartphone for everyday tasks like calling, texting, and social media, and don't require 5G connectivity. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G if you prefer the flexibility of 5G, faster 25W charging, and a slightly more powerful processor for smoother multitasking and potentially longer software support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 695 in the Galaxy A23 5G get noticeably warmer during extended gaming sessions compared to the Snapdragon 680?
While both chipsets are 6nm, the Snapdragon 695's higher performance ceiling means it's more likely to generate heat under sustained load. However, Samsung typically employs thermal management techniques to mitigate throttling, so the difference may not be dramatically noticeable for casual gaming. The T1x 4G will likely remain cooler, but at the cost of performance.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Galaxy A23 5G actually useful, or is it just a marketing feature?
The usefulness of 5G depends heavily on your location and carrier coverage. If you live in an area with robust 5G infrastructure, you'll experience significantly faster download and upload speeds. However, if 5G coverage is limited, the benefit will be minimal. The A23 5G offers future-proofing, as 5G networks continue to expand.
❓ How does the software update policy differ between vivo and Samsung for these models?
Samsung generally provides longer software support for its devices compared to vivo. Expect at least 3 years of security updates and 2 major Android version upgrades on the Galaxy A23 5G, while the T1x 4G may receive less frequent updates and a shorter support lifespan. This is a crucial consideration for long-term usability.
