The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the vivo Y21t (India) and the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches: the Y21t prioritizes 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 5G chipset and 25W charging offer a tangible advantage. However, users primarily concerned with cost and a reliable 4G experience will find the vivo Y21t a capable and efficient 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, 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 | 2022, January 03 | 2022, August 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 03 | 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 11, Funtouch 12 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | 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
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| 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 | USB Type-C 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
2.5W reverse wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Blue, Pearl White | Black, White, Peach, Blue |
| Models | - | SM-A236U, SM-A236U1, SM-A236B, SM-A236B/DS, SM-A236B/DSN, SM-A236E, SM-S236DL |
| Price | About 200 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 Y21t (India)
- More affordable price point
- Efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset for everyday tasks
- 2.5W reverse wired charging
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Slower 18W charging
- Limited display brightness information
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
- 5G connectivity for future-proofing
- Faster 25W wired charging
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Slightly higher price
- Potentially more aggressive image processing
- No reverse wired charging
Display Comparison
Both devices offer similar display experiences, with a measured contrast ratio of 1328:1. The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G boasts a slightly brighter panel at 508 nits, which will translate to better visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Y21t’s unlisted brightness. While both lack high refresh rates, the A23’s higher peak brightness provides a more comfortable viewing experience outdoors. The lack of detailed display specs for the Y21t makes a precise comparison difficult, but the A23 5G has a clear edge in brightness.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera setup, but detailed sensor information is lacking for both. Without specifics on megapixel counts, sensor sizes, or aperture values, a direct comparison is challenging. However, given Samsung’s generally more aggressive image processing, the A23 5G is likely to produce more vibrant, albeit potentially less natural, images. The presence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the A23 5G (assuming it carries over from previous A-series models) would be a significant advantage for low-light photography and video recording, a feature likely absent on the Y21t. We can safely assume the 2MP macro cameras on both devices offer limited utility.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G’s Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) is a step up from the vivo Y21t’s Snapdragon 680 4G (6nm). The 695 features a more modern CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold cores and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver cores – compared to the Y21t’s 4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold and 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver. This translates to better multi-core performance and improved responsiveness in demanding applications. Crucially, the 695 also integrates a 5G modem, offering future-proof connectivity. While both are 6nm chips, the architectural improvements in the 695 provide a noticeable performance boost.
Battery Life
Both devices share an Endurance rating of 138h, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G’s 25W wired charging is a significant advantage over the vivo Y21t’s 18W charging. This faster charging will reduce downtime and allow for quicker top-ups. While the Y21t does offer 2.5W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the A23 5G, this is a niche function unlikely to be a deciding factor for most users. The faster charging speed of the A23 5G effectively mitigates any potential battery capacity differences.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y21t (India) if you need a dependable 4G smartphone with a focus on efficiency and don't anticipate needing 5G connectivity in the near future. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G if you prefer the flexibility of 5G, faster charging speeds, and are willing to pay a slight premium for those features. Consider your network coverage and data usage patterns when making your decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 695 in the Galaxy A23 5G offer a noticeable gaming improvement over the Snapdragon 680 in the Y21t?
Yes, the Snapdragon 695’s more modern CPU architecture and slightly more powerful GPU provide a noticeable improvement in gaming performance. While neither phone is a dedicated gaming device, the A23 5G will handle more demanding titles at higher settings with smoother frame rates. Expect better sustained performance due to the 695’s improved thermal efficiency.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Galaxy A23 5G worth the extra cost if 5G coverage is limited in my area?
That depends on your future plans. If you anticipate moving to an area with better 5G coverage or want to future-proof your device, the A23 5G’s 5G connectivity is a worthwhile investment. However, if 5G is unavailable or unreliable in your location, the Y21t’s reliable 4G performance may be a more practical choice.
❓ How significant is the difference in charging speed between 18W and 25W charging?
The difference is substantial. 25W charging on the A23 5G will significantly reduce the time it takes to fully charge the battery compared to the Y21t’s 18W charging. Expect a 30-60 minute reduction in full charge time with the A23 5G, depending on battery capacity and usage patterns.
