vivo V23e 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range 5G Contenders

The mid-range 5G market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo V23e 5G and Samsung Galaxy A53 5G represent compelling options for budget-conscious consumers. While both aim to deliver a 5G experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches to achieving this, particularly in chipset choice and display technology. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which phone offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G emerges as the stronger all-rounder. Its brighter 830-nit display and proven endurance rating of 113 hours outweigh the vivo V23e 5G’s faster 44W charging. However, the V23e’s Dimensity 810 offers a competitive performance profile for the price.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo V23e 5G Samsung Galaxy A53 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, 20, 28, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66 - SM-A536U
5G bands1, 3, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA2, 5, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536U
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 2, 5, 48, 66, 77, 78, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536V
Launch
Announced2021, November 232022, March 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, December 01Available. Released 2022, March 24
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions160.9 x 74.3 x 7.4 mm (6.33 x 2.93 x 0.29 in)159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.94 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight172 g (6.07 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLEDSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm)Exynos 1280 (5 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G68
OSAndroid 11, Funtouch 12Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7X", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (market/region dependent)
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging44W wired, 69% in 30 min25W wired
Type4050 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsSunshine Coast (Sunshine Gold), Moonlight Shadow (Midnight Blue)Black, White, Blue, Peach
ModelsV2126SM-A536B, SM-A536B/DS, SM-A536U, SM-A536U1, SM-A5360, SM-A536E, SM-A536E/DS, SM-A536V, SM-A536W, SM-A536N, SM-S536DL
PriceAbout 350 EUR$ 151.42 / £ 185.00 / € 169.14
SAR-0.75 W/kg (head)     1.58 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.89 W/kg (head)     1.60 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 113h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.5 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 329802 (v8), 379313 (v9) GeekBench: 1891 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo V23e 5G

  • Faster 44W charging significantly reduces downtime.
  • Competitive performance from the Dimensity 810 chipset.
  • Potentially more affordable price point.

  • Likely inferior display quality compared to the A53.
  • Uncertain long-term software support.

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

  • Brighter and more vibrant Super AMOLED display.
  • Excellent battery life with a 113-hour endurance rating.
  • Samsung’s established software ecosystem and update commitment.

  • Slower 25W charging.
  • Exynos 1280 can exhibit some thermal throttling under heavy load.

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G boasts a significant advantage in display quality with a measured peak brightness of 830 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the V23e 5G’s display specs are not provided, it’s unlikely to match the A53’s brightness. The A53’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a Super AMOLED panel, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks, a contrast to the likely LCD panel in the V23e. This makes the A53 a better choice for media consumption and outdoor use.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for the V23e 5G. The A53 5G likely features a more sophisticated camera system, typical of Samsung’s mid-range offerings. While the presence of a 2MP macro camera on the A53 is largely inconsequential, the larger main sensor (spec not provided, but assumed larger than V23e) and potential for optical image stabilization (OIS) would give it an edge in image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. Samsung’s image processing algorithms are also generally more refined.

Performance

Both phones utilize octa-core CPUs with a similar core configuration (2x high-performance, 6x efficiency). However, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G’s Exynos 1280, built on a 5nm process, has a clear architectural advantage over the vivo V23e 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6nm). The Cortex-A78 cores in the Exynos 1280 offer superior single-core performance compared to the A76 cores in the Dimensity 810. While both are capable of handling everyday tasks, the Exynos 1280 will likely exhibit smoother performance in demanding applications and games. The 5nm node also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during extended gaming sessions.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G’s endurance rating of 113 hours indicates excellent battery life, despite not having the fastest charging speed. The vivo V23e 5G compensates with 44W wired charging, capable of reaching 69% charge in just 30 minutes. However, a faster charging speed doesn’t necessarily translate to a better overall experience if the battery capacity is significantly smaller (capacity not provided for V23e). The A53’s endurance rating suggests a larger battery and more efficient power management, making it the better choice for users who prioritize all-day battery life.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo V23e 5G if you prioritize rapid charging and a slightly more streamlined software experience, and are comfortable with potentially less consistent long-term software support. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G if you value a brighter, more visible display, longer battery life, and Samsung’s established ecosystem and software update commitment.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the Galaxy A53 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 1280 can experience some thermal throttling under sustained heavy load, the 5nm manufacturing process helps mitigate this. Samsung’s software also includes thermal management features to prevent overheating and maintain stable performance. It’s unlikely to reach critical temperatures, but expect some performance reduction after extended gaming.
❓ Is the 44W charging on the vivo V23e 5G significantly faster in real-world use than the 25W on the A53?
Yes, the 44W charging on the V23e 5G is noticeably faster, reaching 69% in 30 minutes. While 25W charging is still adequate, the V23e 5G offers a more convenient top-up experience, especially for users who frequently need to quickly recharge their phone.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the vivo V23e 5G and the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G?
Samsung’s One UI offers a feature-rich and polished software experience with a strong emphasis on customization. vivo’s Funtouch OS, while improved in recent iterations, is often considered less refined and may include more pre-installed bloatware. Samsung also provides a longer commitment to software updates and security patches.