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

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G and vivo V23e represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. While both aim to deliver a well-rounded experience, they take different approaches to achieving it. The A53 5G prioritizes a smoother, more future-proof experience with its 5nm Exynos 1280, while the V23e focuses on fast charging and a sleek design.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing long-term performance and a brighter display, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is the better choice. Its Exynos 1280 chipset, despite slower charging, offers a noticeable performance advantage over the vivo V23e’s Helio G96, making it more capable for demanding tasks and future software updates.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo V23e Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66 - SM-A536U
5G bands-2, 5, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536U
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 2, 5, 48, 66, 77, 78, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536V
Launch
Announced2021, November 092022, March 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, November 09Available. 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 (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 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 RAM, 256GB 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
Single50 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple64 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
Single50 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
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, 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
ColorsBlack, AuroraBlack, White, Blue, Peach
Models-SM-A536B, SM-A536B/DS, SM-A536U, SM-A536U1, SM-A5360, SM-A536E, SM-A536E/DS, SM-A536V, SM-A536W, SM-A536N, SM-S536DL
PriceAbout 330 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

  • Superior performance with the Exynos 1280 chipset
  • Brighter and more vibrant display (830 nits)
  • More efficient 5nm process for better battery life and thermal management

  • Slower 25W charging compared to the V23e
  • Potentially higher price point

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

  • Extremely fast 44W charging (69% in 30 minutes)
  • Sleek and lightweight design
  • Competitive price

  • Less powerful Helio G96 chipset
  • Potentially lower display brightness and color accuracy

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 830 nits, compared to an unstated value for the V23e. This translates to superior visibility outdoors. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, Samsung’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio suggests deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. The A53’s larger screen size (typically 6.5 inches vs. the V23e’s 6.44 inches) also contributes to a more immersive viewing experience. The absence of refresh rate data for the V23e suggests it may not match the A53’s smooth scrolling.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but details are limited. The A53 5G likely benefits from Samsung’s established image processing algorithms and potentially a larger main sensor (typical for Samsung A-series). While the V23e may offer unique camera features, the A53’s overall image quality and video stabilization are likely superior. The presence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the A53 (a common feature in this price range) would further enhance low-light performance and video smoothness, a feature likely absent on the V23e.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G’s Exynos 1280, fabricated on a 5nm process, offers a clear advantage in efficiency and performance over the vivo V23e’s 12nm Mediatek Helio G96. The A53’s CPU configuration – 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores – is architecturally superior to the V23e’s 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 setup. This means faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the A53. The 5nm process also means less heat generation under sustained load, reducing throttling.

Battery Life

Both devices share an endurance rating of 113 hours, suggesting comparable battery life despite differing charging speeds. However, the A53 5G’s more efficient Exynos 1280 chipset likely contributes to better real-world battery performance under heavy use. The V23e’s 44W charging is significantly faster than the A53 5G’s 25W, achieving 69% charge in 30 minutes. This is a major advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups, but the A53’s efficiency may offset the slower charging in daily use.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo V23e if you prioritize extremely fast charging – its 44W capability significantly outperforms the A53 5G’s 25W. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G if you value sustained performance, a brighter and more visible display in sunlight (830 nits), and a chipset built on a more efficient 5nm process, ensuring better thermal management and longevity.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the Galaxy A53 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1280, built on a 5nm process, is generally efficient and manages heat well. While it can get warm during extended gaming, it's less prone to significant throttling compared to the Helio G96 in the V23e, which is fabricated on a less efficient 12nm process. Samsung's thermal management system further helps mitigate overheating.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up shots?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on phones in this price range offer limited detail and image quality. They are often included for marketing purposes but rarely deliver truly impressive macro photography. The A53 5G's potentially larger main sensor and superior image processing are more likely to produce acceptable close-up shots even without a dedicated macro lens.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high frame rates (90fps)?
The Galaxy A53 5G *can* run PUBG Mobile at high frame rates, but performance will depend on the specific graphics settings chosen. While the Exynos 1280 is capable, maintaining a consistent 90fps may require lowering the graphics settings to balanced or even low, especially during intense firefights. The V23e's Helio G96 will likely struggle to maintain stable high frame rates.