The sub-$200 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G and vivo Y20g both aim to deliver affordable 5G connectivity, but they take distinctly different approaches. The A23 5G leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 695, while the Y20g relies on MediaTek’s Helio G80. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is the superior choice. Its more efficient Snapdragon 695 chipset, coupled with 25W charging, provides a smoother user experience and faster power-ups. While the Y20g is a viable option, the A23 5G’s performance edge justifies the potential price difference.
| 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, 8, 38, 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 | 2021, January 19 | 2022, August 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, January 19 | Available. Released 2022, September 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 76.3 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.33 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 | 192.3 g (6.77 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 10, Funtouch 11 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| 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 |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| 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 | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | 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 | Purist Blue, Obsidian Black | Black, White, Peach, Blue |
| Models | V2037, V2065 | SM-A236U, SM-A236U1, SM-A236B, SM-A236B/DS, SM-A236B/DSN, SM-A236E, SM-S236DL |
| Price | About 170 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 Y20g
- More powerful Snapdragon 695 chipset
- Faster 25W wired charging
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Likely higher price point
- May have bloatware (typical for Samsung)
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
- Lower upfront cost
- Decent battery endurance
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Less powerful Helio G80 chipset
- Slower 18W charging
- Potentially lower-quality display
Display Comparison
Both phones offer a similar visual experience, with the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G achieving a measured peak brightness of 508 nits and a 1328:1 contrast ratio, matching the nominal contrast ratio of the vivo Y20g. However, the A23 5G’s larger screen size (not specified in the data, but generally known) provides more immersive viewing. The lack of detailed display specifications for the Y20g, such as panel type (IPS vs. AMOLED) and resolution, suggests a more basic display experience. The A23 5G’s higher brightness is beneficial for outdoor visibility.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but lack specific details. Given the market positioning, we can infer that neither phone will feature flagship-level camera systems. The A23 5G likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, potentially delivering more refined images. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the Snapdragon 695’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is generally more capable than the Helio G80’s, allowing for better noise reduction and dynamic range. The prevalence of low-resolution auxiliary cameras on both devices suggests focusing on the main sensor’s performance is key.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) boasts a more modern architecture and fabrication process compared to the vivo Y20g’s MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm). The Snapdragon 695’s Kryo 660 Gold cores, clocked at 2.2 GHz, offer a performance advantage over the Helio G80’s Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz. The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon 695 translates to improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling, crucial for sustained performance during gaming or demanding applications. While both are octa-core CPUs, the architectural improvements in the Snapdragon 695 provide a noticeable edge.
Battery Life
Both phones share an endurance rating of 138 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G’s 25W wired charging significantly outperforms the vivo Y20g’s 18W charging. This translates to faster top-ups, reducing downtime. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 695’s superior power efficiency likely contributes to comparable endurance despite potentially having a smaller battery cell. The faster charging speed of the A23 5G is a significant convenience factor.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y20g if you prioritize a lower upfront cost and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G if you value smoother multitasking, better gaming performance, faster charging, and the benefits of a more modern and efficient chipset for long-term usability.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 695 in the Galaxy A23 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 695 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with stable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship gaming experience, it provides a significantly smoother experience than the Helio G80, which may struggle with consistent performance during intense gaming sessions.
❓ How much faster is the 25W charging on the Galaxy A23 5G compared to the 18W charging on the vivo Y20g?
The 25W charging on the A23 5G will noticeably reduce charging times. Expect a full charge in approximately 1.5-2 hours, while the Y20g will likely take closer to 2.5-3 hours. This difference is particularly beneficial for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Does the vivo Y20g support 5G connectivity in the US?
The vivo Y20g supports 5G connectivity, but its compatibility with US carriers is limited. It primarily supports 5G bands used in other regions, and may not function optimally or at all on certain US 5G networks. Check carrier compatibility before purchasing.
❓ Is the camera on the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G significantly better than the vivo Y20g?
While specific camera specs are limited, the Galaxy A23 5G likely offers better overall camera performance due to Samsung’s image processing and the more capable ISP within the Snapdragon 695. Expect improved dynamic range and noise reduction, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
