The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is a cellphone in quest of the center floor. Its sizable crisp show and equally massive and long-lasting battery are glorious amongst funds telephones, although it has some tough edges in tender spots. Nevertheless, in the event you’re prepared to just accept some compromises, the Galaxy A23 5G delivers greater than your cash’s price over the course of its lengthy replace dedication.
Samsung’s Galaxy A variety is a dominant drive amongst funds Android units. It competes with the likes of the Google Pixel A and iPhone SE collection within the mid-range whereas dominating the decrease finish with refined software program and long-term replace commitments. What occurs once you land in between the 2? How does Samsung deal with a mid-priced center floor? Let’s discover out in our Samsung Galaxy A23 5G review.
What you have to know in regards to the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
- Samsung Galaxy A23 5G (6GB RAM/64GB): $299
The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G arrived in early September 2022 because the successor to the Galaxy A22 and the 5G-ready counterpart to the usual Galaxy A23, the latter of which is barely out there in choose markets like India. The model we examined for this review is proscribed to the US in the meanwhile and is available in only one configuration. It’s powered by Qualcomm’s mid-tier Snapdragon 695 chip for, as Samsung places it, “nearly lag-free 5G.”
Samsung’s newest sub-$300 entry appears to take the “little little bit of every little thing” method, pulling from each its premium siblings and funds cousins to considerably fill the hole left by the ageing (however nonetheless nice) Galaxy A32 5G. It sports activities a big 6.6-inch LCD panel, just like the Galaxy A13 5G, however the Gorilla Glass 5 development, Full HD Plus decision, and 120Hz adaptive refresh fee are nearer to these of the Galaxy A53 5G. The remainder of the construct is plastic, which is in keeping with Samsung’s Galaxy A collection, however there’s no IP score in opposition to water or mud.
Underneath that plastic physique lies a strong 5,000mAh battery with 25W wired charging. You’ll discover a side-mounted fingerprint reader and quantity rocker on the proper facet, with a twin nano-SIM and microSD tray on the left facet. The latter is especially welcome as you may want it to stability out the restricted inner storage. Not like many different Samsung telephones, the Galaxy A23 5G retains a 3.5mm headphone jack round for another yr, and it lives alongside the underside edge alongside the only down-firing speaker and USB-C port.
The plastic again panel has a matte end, and a camera bump pulled proper from the Galaxy A53 5G. It sports activities a 50MP main lens, a 5MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro lens, in addition to a depth sensor to spherical issues out. On the entrance, Samsung tapped an 8MP selfie camera to stay within the Infinity-V notch.
Our Samsung Galaxy A23 5G arrived with Android 12 and One UI 4.1 onboard. It was on the Could 1, 2022 Google Play system replace with the July 1, 2022 safety patch. We must always count on the machine to learn from Samsung’s glorious replace coverage, following the Galaxy A13 5G’s sample of 4 years of quarterly safety patches (biannually within the latter two years) and two full Android variations. Android 13 will, sadly, depend as a type of variations, nevertheless it nonetheless beats most different commitments within the funds sector.
You received’t discover a lot within the Galaxy A23 5G packaging. There’s a little bit of important paperwork, alongside a SIM ejector instrument and a USB-C cable, however that’s it.
The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G solely is available in Black within the US. You should purchase the cellphone from Samsung and Amazon, in addition to carriers comparable to AT&T and T-Cellular.
What’s good?
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
Large batteries and sub-flagship 5G processors are a match made in heaven. No, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G received’t blow the doorways off of a dearer machine for uncooked efficiency, however it would get the job finished and final a very long time. I commonly pushed the budget-friendly cellphone by way of a day and a half to 2 days of use, primarily scrolling social media, responding to emails, and really mild gaming. It definitely doesn’t set the world on fireplace with benchmarks, however we’ve seen related scores from different Snapdragon 695-powered telephones — such because the Sony Xperia 10 IV, Moto G Stylus 5G, and OnePlus Nord N20 — that carry out equally nicely for on a regular basis duties whereas remaining cool below mild stress.
If you lastly tick the hefty cell all the way down to empty, the 25W quick charging will get you transferring once more in a rush. It took about 80 minutes to recharge, which isn’t dangerous, although you’ll want a Energy Supply-compatible charger to hit the quickest charging occasions — take a look at our information if you have to decide one up. There’s no wi-fi charging, however that’s anticipated at this worth level.
In case you’re contemplating the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G, you’re in all probability not attempting to find top-end gaming chops. Nevertheless, you’ll most definitely need a easy, dependable software program expertise that will get your cash’s price. The Galaxy A23 5G delivers on that entrance with out subject. One UI stays one of many cleanest, most feature-rich Android skins available on the market. There’s loads of room to customise your themes and icons, and the replace dedication is second to none at this worth tier.
One UI stays probably the greatest Android skins within the recreation, and the Galaxy A23 5G’s long-term replace dedication is a blessing.
One UI additionally affords the liberty to axe bloatware apps through the setup course of. It’s a pleasant contact, although I’d a lot fairly skip the bloatware part altogether. Given a alternative between Google and Samsung apps, I’ll take the previous and would favor to not must uninstall each bit of the latter. That mentioned, in the event you’re embedded into Samsung’s ever-growing ecosystem of services, you may want to go for the latter.
Regardless of its funds price ticket, the Galaxy A23 5G appears like a cellphone that’s meant for media streaming. It affords an impressively massive 6.6-inch show for the worth, with an adaptive 120Hz refresh fee and a pointy Full HD Plus decision. Even the teardrop-style notch retains interruptions to the minimal and might simply be lined by the tip of a finger in panorama if it’s bothering you. The colour accuracy can be good, although the LCD isn’t as brilliant because the AMOLED panel on Samsung’s personal Galaxy A53 5G, making it barely much less pleasurable to make use of in direct daylight.
What’s not so good?
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
Facet-mounted fingerprint readers are nice, and I’m thrilled they’re having a continued second within the solar, however the Galaxy A23 5G is an effective instance of what to not do. It seems that there’s such a factor as too small and too flat, and Samsung appears to have discovered that time. I commonly missed the fingerprint reader as a result of my thumb couldn’t discover it as I pulled the cellphone from my pocket. On the intense facet, after I ultimately situated the fingerprint reader, I had no points with accuracy.
It’s not honest to count on a $300 cellphone to have the identical bezels as a flagship, however the Galaxy A23 5G has a little bit of a Dracula drawback. It’s styled nearly like Bela Lugosi within the unique vampire flick — a widow’s peak of a notch flows proper right into a thick black prime that works nicely on a vampire however not a lot on a smartphone. The chin is even bigger, too, contributing to a cellphone that’s a bit taller than it must be, even accounting for its sizable display screen.
Like Bela Lugosi’s hair in Dracula, the Galaxy A23 5G’s prime bezel is a bit taller than it must be.
Samsung’s low-cost plastic development is one other reminder that this machine is simply above the cut price worth. There’s no flex to the again panel, but it doesn’t really feel fairly as refined as different plastic choices available on the market. The Galaxy A23 5G additionally incorporates a glossier plastic body, which is prone to seem premium, however the draw back is that it grabs fingerprint smudges. Increased water resistance scores are usually nonexistent at this worth level, too, although it might be good to see Samsung testing for splash proofing on the very least — as a substitute, you get nothing.
A lot of the Galaxy A23 5G’s design components counsel it’s a dream machine for budget-friendly media streaming. The sizeable crisp show and the headphone jack clearly lean that manner. Nevertheless, the only down-firing speaker all however ensures that you need to get pleasure from your reveals alone. It doesn’t group up with the earpiece for a stereo expertise, and its place alongside the proper facet of the underside edge leaves audio sounding weak and unbalanced.
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G camera review
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
Maybe the Galaxy A23 5G’s most obtrusive instance of imitation happens once you flip the cellphone over. Its comparatively versatile camera setup is impressed by the extra premium Galaxy A53 5G with an nearly similar camera bump that bleeds into the again panel. Nevertheless, not all quad-camera setups are created equal, because it’s not fairly as spec’d out as Samsung’s standard mid-ranger — a cellphone which stays one of many higher funds shooters on the market. As a substitute, like just a little child carrying their older sibling’s sneakers, the Galaxy A23 5G will get just a few steps proper earlier than stumbling over itself.
Most significantly, the Galaxy A23 5G makes good use of its main sensor… more often than not. The 50MP extensive lens bins to 12.5MP by default, delivering good leads to most lighting. It’s the place I spent most of my time, although even that lens gave me occasional pause. Commonplace photographs got here again clear, with good particulars and shadows, however as quickly as you faucet into portrait mode, it feels such as you’re playing with the colour profile.
The Galaxy A23 5G’s cameras are a combined bag, however its video seize choices are outright sub-standard.
To see what I imply, look no additional than the portrait of a yellow pumpkin on prime of an orange one within the gallery beneath. It’s saturated far past the purpose of any pure pumpkin (like these within the picture instantly beneath or beside it), and the depth of subject seems notably pressured. Different portraits taken below cloudy skies, just like the stone owl, appear much more pure, however I’d wrestle to count on daylight to have such a drastic influence.
Commonplace
Portrait
Commonplace
Macro
Portrait
Commonplace
Portrait
Macro
We don’t usually reward a smartphone for a measly 2MP macro sensor, however the Galaxy A23 5G managed just a few respectable outcomes. I used to be happy with the picture of a maple leaf, even when it isn’t massively close-up, and the picture of a Cock’s Comb (the orange flower) preserved good element within the white space. It suffered a bit in essentially the most vivid orange part, and in the event you blow it up on a bigger display screen it’ll disintegrate within the particulars, nevertheless it’s a ok macro shot contemplating what the cellphone is working with.
Ultrawide
Ultrawide
Ultrawide
Then, there’s the ultrawide camera. The Galaxy A23 5G delivers an inexpensive 123-degree subject of view, however the edges instantly begin to endure. The distortion is obvious within the bushes throughout all three photographs, with leaves that mix into mushy inexperienced blobs. Each the picture of the crimson church and the backyard additionally function utterly blown-out skies, showing as white voids fairly than the cloudy sky of the center image. It’s nonetheless a great way to seize additional element in comparison with the zoom comparability beneath, however the mushy particulars restrict how a lot use you’ll get out of your pictures.
Commonplace
2x zoom
4x zoom
10x zoom
Regardless of not having a zoom lens, the Galaxy A23 5G delivered usable outcomes when zoomed as much as about 4x. The colours are constant throughout all 4 pictures, and solely the main points begin to break down once you hit 10x zoom. Even then, the end result isn’t atrocious given the worth of the cellphone and the comprehensible lack of devoted {hardware}. I additionally struggled to get Samsung’s usually glorious picture stabilization to kick in at 10x, so that you may discover some hand shake except you possibly can prop your camera on one thing stable.
Night time Mode
Night time Mode
Night time mode on the Galaxy A23 5G isn’t glorious, nevertheless it’s serviceable in some conditions. It appears like a pure enhancement for the topic, such because the pavilion, however the background stays comparatively darkish and devoid of particulars. The pool signal, for instance, has vegetation and flowers in entrance of it, although you’d by no means realize it, given the processing. Total, the outcomes are correct to what my eye might see, although not a lot enhanced in the way in which we count on from Night time mode on extra succesful camera telephones.
Commonplace
Portrait
Lastly, we’ve the 8MP selfie camera. It’s the second sharpest lens on the cellphone and doubtless the second most helpful. I’ve no complaints in regards to the colour accuracy or particulars relating to my face or shirt, and portrait mode solely blurred out just a few of my wilder hairs. Background particulars, just like the bushes’ leaves, get a bit messy, however the non-portrait shot preserved the partly sunny skies nicely.
In case you’re hoping for crisp video seize, you’re contemporary out of luck. You’ll as a substitute must accept 1080p at 30fps from the first and selfie cameras. Each specs align with the extra reasonably priced Galaxy A13 5G however cease in need of the Galaxy A53 5G’s 4K/30fps recording with digital gyro stabilization. Providing 1080p/60fps recording would’ve at the very least made the Galaxy A23 5G considerably usable for video. Sadly, you’ll must stay with some fairly uneven footage that isn’t notably good to look at now, however will age very poorly in the event you’re trying to seize recollections for the longer term.
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G specs
| Samsung Galaxy A23 5G | |
|---|---|
|
Show |
– 6.6-inch LCD |
|
Processor |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 |
|
RAM |
6GB |
|
Storage |
64GB |
|
Energy |
5,000mAh battery |
|
Cameras |
Rear: – 50MP extensive, OIS, ƒ/1.8 – 5MP ultrawide, 1.12μm, ƒ/2.2, 123-degree FOV – 2MP Macro, ƒ/2.4 – 2MP depth sensor, ƒ/2.4 Entrance: |
|
Audio |
Single speaker |
|
SIM |
Twin nano-SIM tray |
|
Biometrics |
Facet-mounted fingerprint reader |
|
Software program |
Android 12 |
|
Dimensions and weight |
165.4 x 76.9 x 8.4mm
197g IP52 water resistance |
|
Colour |
Black |
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G review: The decision
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
The $300 no man’s land of Android telephones is a wild and unpredictable place. It’s stuffed with units that make you decide and select between succesful cameras, long-lasting batteries, and rugged designs which can be constructed to final. Samsung’s Galaxy A23 5G, nonetheless, asks what would occur in the event you discovered the center floor between these specs. It pulls just a little little bit of every little thing right into a stable however flawed budget-friendly machine.
The massive, easy, Full HD show received’t allow you to down, nor will its sturdy Gorilla Glass 5 development. A bodily dual-SIM tray with microSD growth and a headphone jack present that some outdated fan-favorite options may also stay on in 2022. Even the 4 rear cameras are an instance of Samsung making an attempt to push the envelope at an approachable worth level, although they lack the consistency that retains the model among the many prime funds camera telephones yr in and yr out. Regardless of the shortcomings, the Galaxy A23 5G affords a dedication to software program and safety updates that continues to be powerful to match.
Samsung’s Galaxy A23 5G is a tremendous however flawed try to seek out the center floor in a ~$300 worth bracket that is largely uncontested within the US.
It stacks up remarkably nicely when you take into account its US-based competitors, too. The Motorola Moto G 5G ($299 on sale) is probably the closest rival, although it comes with a litany of compromises. OnePlus’ Nord N20 ($282) fares higher, bringing a 64MP main camera and 16MP selfie shooter to the desk, although its restricted promise of future updates makes it a poor long-term alternative.
Ultimately, the Galaxy A23 5G’s greatest challenges may come from Samsung itself. It’s a greater purchase than the Galaxy A13 5G ($249), a cellphone that we felt was overpriced at its asking level. Nevertheless, you may have the ability to observe down a provider deal that saves sufficient cash to sway you somehow. You may also be contemplating the Galaxy A23 5G as a pseudo-successor to the Galaxy A32 5G ($279), although it’s not fairly like-for-like. It affords a sharper, brighter, and punchier show and sooner charging, however the Galaxy A32 5G triumphs within the camera division. Its relative age implies that you may additionally discover the Galaxy A32 5G someplace for a steal.
In case you’re shopping for outright and unlocked, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G ($449) is the actual check. Sure, it’s a step as much as the next worth level, nevertheless it takes on one of the best mid-range units from the likes of Google and Apple and smooths lots of the Galaxy A23 5G’s rougher edges. It’s a greater performer (although just a little behind on energy in comparison with its closest rivals), has a full IP68 score for water resistance, stereo audio system, and is a transparent improve throughout all of its cameras, too. The Galaxy A53 5G additionally affords a greater software program dedication to see you into the longer term, because of a assure of 5 years of safety patches and 4 years of OS upgrades. Typically it’s price spending that bit additional if it’ll prevent within the lengthy haul.
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
Strong design • Glorious show • Lengthy-lasting battery
It appears just like the Galaxy A53 5G however is priced nearer to the Galaxy A13 5G
With the Galaxy A23 5G, Samsung put collectively a dependable camera, a long-lasting battery, and a strong design at an reasonably priced worth. It has a superb 6.6-inch show with a 120Hz refresh fee. This cellphone is a superb match for individuals who want basic fundamentals and reliability.
Prime Samsung Galaxy A23 5G questions and solutions
Is the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G waterproof?
The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G doesn’t have any official score for water resistance, so we advise in opposition to getting it moist.
What number of SIM playing cards can the Galaxy A23 5G take?
The Galaxy A23 5G helps two nano-SIM playing cards in its detachable tray, with no eSIM help.
Does the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G have wi-fi charging?
The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G doesn’t help wi-fi charging.
Is the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G good for gaming?
The 6.6-inch 120Hz show and 5,000mAh battery are nice for gaming, although the Snapdragon 695 limits you to lighter, much less graphically intense video games.
Does the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G include a charger?The place is the Galaxy A23 5G’s fingerprint reader?
The Galaxy A23 5G’s fingerprint sensor is mounted on the facet of the machine, proper beneath the quantity buttons.
When did the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G come out?
Samsung launched its budget-friendly Galaxy A23 5G on September 1, 2022.
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