The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Xiaomi Redmi A2, often running Android Go, aims for ultimate affordability. The Motorola Moto G23, while still budget-focused, attempts to offer a more robust experience with a faster chipset and significantly quicker charging. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you choose the right phone for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G23 is the better buy. Its Helio G85 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Redmi A2’s Helio G36, and the 30W charging is a game-changer for convenience. While the Redmi A2 offers a lower entry price, the G23’s improved speed and charging justify the small premium.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - Europe, AP/MEA |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - India | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 - AP/MEA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 24 | 2023, January 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 24 | Available. Released 2023, January 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 76.8 x 9.1 mm (6.49 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) | 162.7 x 74.7 x 8.2 mm (6.41 x 2.94 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 184.3 g (6.49 oz) |
| | - | Water-resistant design |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G36 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12 or 13 (Go edition), MIUI | Android 13, planned upgrade to Android 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
0.08 MP (depth) | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aqua Blue, Classic Black, Sea Green | Matte Charcoal, Pearl White, Steel Blue |
| Models | 23028RN4DG, 23026RN54G | XT2333-1 |
| Price | € 59.00 / £ 54.95 | About 80 EUR |
| SAR | 1.10 W/kg (head) 1.01 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.90 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) | - |
Xiaomi Redmi A2
- Lowest possible price point
- Android Go edition for streamlined experience
- Potentially longer battery life (depending on capacity)
- Significantly slower performance
- Extremely slow 10W charging
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Motorola Moto G23
- Faster and more responsive performance
- 30W fast charging for quick top-ups
- Better suited for gaming and streaming
- Slightly higher price
- May not run Android Go
- Potentially shorter battery life (depending on capacity)
Display Comparison
Neither phone is expected to deliver a stunning visual experience. Details regarding panel type (IPS vs. LCD) and resolution are missing, but both likely utilize basic LCD panels. The focus here isn't on display quality. However, the overall user experience will be impacted by the processor's ability to smoothly render the UI, which we'll cover in the performance section.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, it’s safe to assume both phones feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. The Moto G23 likely benefits from the more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Helio G85, potentially leading to better image processing and low-light performance. The Redmi A2 will likely rely heavily on software processing, which may not be as refined. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely inconsequential; image quality will be limited.
Performance
The Motorola Moto G23 holds a clear advantage thanks to its MediaTek Helio G85 chipset. While both chips are 12nm, the G85’s CPU configuration – 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 – is significantly more powerful than the Redmi A2’s 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53. The Cortex-A75 cores in the G85 offer substantially better single-core performance, translating to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. The Redmi A2 will likely struggle with demanding applications. The G85 also has a more capable GPU, offering a better gaming experience, even if limited to lower settings.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices, but the real differentiator is charging speed. The Redmi A2’s 10W charging is painfully slow in 2024, requiring several hours for a full charge. The Moto G23’s 30W charging is a massive improvement, potentially delivering a full charge in under an hour. This difference in charging speed significantly impacts usability, especially for users who rely heavily on their phones throughout the day. Even if the Redmi A2 has a slightly larger battery, the G23’s faster charging will likely result in less perceived downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi A2 if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and prioritize a streamlined Android experience through Android Go, ideal for basic communication and light tasks. Buy the Motorola Moto G23 if you value faster performance for social media, streaming, and casual gaming, and if you want to minimize downtime with its significantly faster 30W charging capability.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Moto G23 struggle with popular apps like TikTok or Instagram?
While the Helio G85 isn't a powerhouse, it's capable of running apps like TikTok and Instagram smoothly for most users. Expect some occasional slowdowns with heavy multitasking or prolonged use, but it's a significant improvement over the Redmi A2's Helio G36.
❓ Is the Android Go edition on the Redmi A2 a good experience for a first-time smartphone user?
Android Go is designed for devices with limited resources. It offers a simplified interface and uses less storage space, making it a good option for first-time users or those who primarily need basic functionality like calls, texts, and light web browsing. However, it also means fewer features and limited app compatibility.
❓ How long does it *really* take to charge the Redmi A2 with its 10W charger?
Expect a full charge from 0% to 100% to take approximately 3-4 hours with the Redmi A2’s 10W charger. This is a significant drawback compared to the Moto G23’s 30W charging, which can achieve a full charge in under an hour.
❓ Can the Moto G23 handle basic mobile games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Moto G23 can run PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but you'll need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low and likely reduce the frame rate to achieve playable performance. It's not a gaming phone, but it's capable of casual gaming sessions.
