Xiaomi Redmi Note 11E vs Samsung Galaxy A23 5G: A Detailed Comparison of Budget 5G Contenders

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11E and Samsung Galaxy A23 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive sub-$250 5G smartphone market. Both aim to deliver 5G connectivity and a modern smartphone experience without breaking the bank, but they achieve this with different approaches to chipset choice and feature prioritization. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing faster charging and a slightly brighter display, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is the better choice. However, the Redmi Note 11E’s Dimensity 700, built on a smaller 7nm process, may offer better sustained performance and thermal management during extended use, making it preferable for moderate gamers.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Redmi Note 11E Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 2, 5, 30, 66, 77 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2022, March 022022, August 05
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, March 18Available. Released 2022, September 02
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions164 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.35 in)165.4 x 76.9 x 8.4 mm (6.51 x 3.03 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight200 g (7.05 oz)197 g (6.95 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzPLS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Adreno 619
OSAndroid 11, MIUI 13Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.2-
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED 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
Single5 MP-
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single5 MP8 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
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoFM radio (market/region dependent)
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only)
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging18W wired25W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsGray, Silver, Atlantic BlueBlack, White, Peach, Blue
Models22041219CSM-A236U, SM-A236U1, SM-A236B, SM-A236B/DS, SM-A236B/DSN, SM-A236E, SM-S236DL
PriceAbout 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)

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11E

  • Potentially better sustained performance due to Dimensity 700’s thermal characteristics.
  • 7nm process may offer better efficiency under heavy load.
  • Competitive price point.

  • Slower 18W charging.
  • Display likely less bright than the A23 5G.
  • Limited detailed specifications available.

Samsung Galaxy A23 5G

  • Faster 25W wired charging.
  • Brighter display (508 nits).
  • Samsung brand recognition and software support.

  • Snapdragon 695 may throttle more under sustained load.
  • 6nm process doesn't guarantee superior real-world efficiency.
  • 2MP macro camera is likely of limited use.

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G boasts a display capable of reaching 508 nits of peak brightness, a measurable advantage over what we’d expect from the Redmi Note 11E. Both displays share a 1328:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar black levels and color depth. While neither phone features a high refresh rate panel, the A23’s higher brightness makes it more usable in direct sunlight. The lack of detailed display specs for the Redmi Note 11E means we can only infer its performance will be adequate, but likely not as vibrant as the A23.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are equipped with photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specs are absent. Given the market segment, we can expect similar image quality in good lighting conditions. The absence of information regarding sensor size and aperture makes a direct comparison difficult. It’s likely both phones rely heavily on software processing to enhance image quality. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the A23 is a common, but often underwhelming, feature in this price range, offering limited practical benefit.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Redmi Note 11E utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm), while the Galaxy A23 5G features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm). While both CPUs feature a 2x2.2 GHz prime core configuration, the Snapdragon 695’s 6nm process *should* offer improved power efficiency. However, the Dimensity 700’s 7nm process, coupled with potentially more aggressive thermal design in the Redmi Note 11E, could translate to less throttling under sustained load. The Snapdragon 695’s Kryo 660 Gold cores are architecturally similar to the Cortex-A76 in the Dimensity 700, suggesting comparable peak performance, but the 6nm node gives Qualcomm an edge in efficiency.

Battery Life

Both the Redmi Note 11E and Galaxy A23 5G achieve an endurance rating of 138 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the Galaxy A23 5G’s 25W wired charging significantly outperforms the Redmi Note 11E’s 18W charging. This translates to a faster 0-100% charge time for the A23, a crucial advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed of the A23 5G is a clear win.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11E if you prioritize sustained performance during gaming or prolonged app usage and are comfortable with slower 18W charging. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G if you value faster 25W charging, a slightly brighter display for outdoor visibility, and the Samsung brand ecosystem. Both phones are excellent choices for basic smartphone tasks, but their strengths diverge when pushed.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 695 in the Galaxy A23 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 695 is a capable chip, its 6nm process and potentially less aggressive thermal design compared to the Redmi Note 11E could lead to thermal throttling during extended gaming. Expect some performance reduction after 30-45 minutes of demanding games.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Redmi Note 11E significantly slower in real-world use?
Yes, 18W charging is noticeably slower than the 25W charging on the Galaxy A23 5G. Expect a full charge to take considerably longer, potentially over 2 hours, compared to the A23’s faster charging time.
❓ Does the Galaxy A23 5G support VoLTE/VoWiFi on all carriers?
Samsung generally provides good carrier compatibility, but VoLTE/VoWiFi support can vary by region and carrier. It's crucial to check compatibility with your specific carrier before purchasing.
❓ How does the Dimensity 700 handle multitasking compared to the Snapdragon 695?
Both chipsets are capable of handling typical multitasking scenarios. However, the Dimensity 700’s potentially better thermal management might allow it to maintain consistent performance with more apps open simultaneously.