The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 4G and Samsung Galaxy A23 5G represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price, they diverge significantly in their core hardware, particularly in chipset and connectivity. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a performance edge and future-proofs with 5G connectivity. While the Redmi Note 11 4G offers a slightly lower price point, the A23 5G’s superior efficiency and connectivity 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 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 / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 | 2, 5, 30, 66, 77 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 25 | 2022, August 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, December 01 | Available. Released 2022, September 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 162 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.38 x 2.97 x 0.35 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 | 181 g (6.38 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LCD, 90Hz | 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 MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 12.5 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | 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/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0”, 1.12µm | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0”, 1.12µm | 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, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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
9W reverse wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Carbon Gray, Pebble White, Sea Blue | Black, White, Peach, Blue |
| Models | 21121119SC | SM-A236U, SM-A236U1, SM-A236B, SM-A236B/DS, SM-A236B/DSN, SM-A236E, SM-S236DL |
| Price | About 210 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) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 4G
- Potentially lower price point.
- Reverse wired charging available.
- Familiar MIUI software experience (for Xiaomi users).
- Less efficient Helio G88 chipset.
- Lacks 5G connectivity.
- Slower 18W charging.
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
- More efficient Snapdragon 695 5G chipset.
- 5G connectivity for future-proofing.
- Faster 25W wired charging.
- May be slightly more expensive.
- Samsung’s One UI can be resource-intensive.
- No significant camera advantages without detailed sensor specs.
Display Comparison
Both the Redmi Note 11 4G and Galaxy A23 5G share a contrast ratio of 1328:1, suggesting similar panel characteristics in terms of black levels. However, the Galaxy A23 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 508 nits, offering a noticeably brighter viewing experience, especially outdoors. While neither display is expected to feature high refresh rates, the A23 5G’s higher brightness provides a more comfortable experience in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are equipped with a photo/video camera system, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without specifics, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, Samsung’s image processing algorithms generally prioritize vibrant colors and detail, while Xiaomi often leans towards a more natural look. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization, potentially impacting low-light video quality. The usefulness of any included 2MP macro cameras on either device is questionable, offering limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm), while the Redmi Note 11 4G is powered by the MediaTek Helio G88 (12nm). The 6nm process of the Snapdragon 695 translates to significantly improved power efficiency and thermal management compared to the 12nm Helio G88. The Snapdragon 695’s CPU, with 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold cores, also offers a slight clock speed advantage over the Redmi Note 11 4G’s 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. This results in smoother multitasking and better sustained performance during gaming. The A23 5G also benefits from 5G connectivity, a feature absent in the Redmi Note 11 4G.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 138 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G’s 25W wired charging significantly outperforms the Redmi Note 11 4G’s 18W charging. This translates to faster top-ups, reducing downtime. While both have reverse wired charging, the Redmi Note 11 4G’s 9W output is less powerful than the A23 5G’s (spec not provided, but likely higher due to faster charging capability).
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 4G if your priority is absolute lowest cost and 5G isn't a necessity. It's a viable option for basic smartphone tasks. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G if you value future-proofing with 5G, a more efficient processor for sustained performance, and a slightly brighter display. It’s the better all-rounder for most users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 695 in the Galaxy A23 5G get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 695, built on a 6nm process, is significantly more thermally efficient than the Helio G88. While it will warm up during prolonged gaming, it's less likely to experience significant throttling compared to the Redmi Note 11 4G, allowing for more consistent performance over longer periods.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Galaxy A23 5G actually useful, or is it just a marketing feature?
5G connectivity offers significantly faster download and upload speeds where available. While 5G coverage is still expanding, purchasing a 5G-enabled device like the Galaxy A23 5G future-proofs your investment, ensuring compatibility with evolving network infrastructure. It's particularly beneficial for streaming, online gaming, and large file transfers.
❓ How much faster is the 25W charging on the Galaxy A23 5G compared to the 18W charging on the Redmi Note 11 4G?
While exact charging times depend on various factors, 25W charging will typically reduce the 0-100% charging time by approximately 30-45 minutes compared to 18W charging. This difference is substantial and provides a more convenient user experience.
