Among its highlights we have a long-lasting battery, as well as a quad camera Although it does not offer exaggerated quality, it is very versatile, since it allows you to take all kinds of photographs. To this we add a Qualcomm processor and some signature extras that round off a very competent device.
basic description
The mobile offers all the specifications that we could expect from a mid-range, but with the good work of Samsung on board. On the one hand, we have a 6.60-inch panel and a series of features that make it not look like a mid-range mobile. In addition to compatibility with 5G networks, it comes with up to 8 GB of RAM and an internal memory that stays at 128 GB. It works with Android 12 and One Ui 4.1, the latest version of the firm’s own operating system.
When it comes to cameras, this kit from the Korean firm on the back includes a quad camera setup, something that draws a lot of attention within these tight budgets. It is configured with a lens 50 megapixel primary and a 5-megapixel wide-angle camera, flanked by two 2 MP macro and depth sensors. In front is an 8-megapixel sensor for selfies.
It stays on thanks to a 5000mAh batterysomething difficult to see in the Samsung catalog, and is completed with extra details such as a fingerprint sensor, NFC or Bluetooth 5.1.
Price
This is an inexpensive device that costs less than 300 euros and can be bought in blue or black in our country. It is precisely in Spain that we can only buy the phone in two unique memory configurations.
- Samsung Galaxy A23 5G with 4 + 64 GB: 279 euros
- Samsung Galaxy A23 5G with 4 + 128 GB: 299 euros
Competitors
Many devices aspire to take customers away from Samsung in the market, with Xiaomi and lip balm being the most prominent.
- Redmi Note 11S 5G: More power, with faster charging, with more memory options and with a camera that offers similar results. All this is what the Xiaomi smartphone offers for a price close to 210 euros.
- Little M4 Pro 5G: Maintaining the screen dimensions and its FHD+ resolution, the phone mounts a MediaTek Dimensity 810 processor that offers more optimal performance. Its camera is a little better, and its front camera has more resolution, but on battery they are very even. It costs a little more than 200 euros.
- Realme 9 5G: Another model with the same screen and resolution, but with greater operating power thanks to its Snapdragon 695, more powerful than the Samsung mobile chipset. Its battery charges faster, but its autonomy is somewhat reduced. As for the cameras, they are very similar, except for the higher resolution of the front sensor. Currently, it costs less than 200 euros.
MovilZona’s opinion
The Galaxy A23 5G is the cheaper brother of the A33 and A53. Its hardware, despite not being the best in this price range, is surprisingly smooth and the TFT LCD screen is really nice. In addition, having the One UI interface, which includes interesting features such as Samsung Pass, and all the news from Android 12, is something to take into account. And let’s not forget that the brand promises 4 years of support in the terminal.
The bad thing is that at the storage level we are very limited. That the entry-level version only has 64 GB is a bit of an exaggeration, but that we don’t have more than 128 GB also leaves a lot to be desired. Of course, at least the phone is compatible with MicroSD cards to expand this memory.
At the end of our analysis you will see how, if the phone stands out for something, it is because of the versatility of its cameras, the good behavior of its screen and its broad support throughout its years of life. The battery could have a faster charge and the processor could be more powerful, yes, but then the smartphone would be more expensive and would no longer belong to the mid-range.
mobile analysis
In the following lines we analyze how the different components of the mid-range phone of the Korean brand behave.
screen and design
The Galaxy A23 it’s best described as a Galaxy A53 or A33 with rounder shapes, making it feel more comfortable to hold in the hand and moving away from the Apple-initiated ode to bringing phones with straighter bezels to market. On the other hand, this decision might make you feel a bit cheaper.
The rear module is perfectly integrated into the plastic bodyand it is appreciated to have a minijack at the bottom of the device, along with a speaker and the USB Type C port. What we do miss most is some type of protection against water.
The brand continues to give essential prominence to mounting a large front (6.6 inches) with hardly any frames, introducing the selfie camera into a hole that is located at the top of the mobile. This makes it possible have more screen space to watch our series and movies without interruptions. It is a Full HD + panel that has a fairly decent pixel density on the screen, but that fails in technology, since it is IPS and not AMOLED. At least this means having better viewing angles.
The 120 Hz refresh rate This is appreciated, as it makes gaming and browsing on your mobile phone a much smoother experience. To this we have to add a good screen brightness that is not a problem when it comes to enjoying our content both outside and inside the home.
Camera
The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G It includes a 50 MP main camera with a 5 MP ultra-wide angle lens and a 2 MP depth and macro lens array. It really is one of the best smartphones you can buy for less than 300 euros to get good photos.
The pictures taken with the camera look great on this phonewith excellent detail and contrast in outdoor shots, although color reproduction is a bit dimmed indoors without an additional light source, the same as when it gets dark.
selfies
The best thing about the front camera is not its quality, but a quite realistic treatment of our skin tone. Chinese mobiles tend to wash our face too much and that is something that, fortunately, does not happen in the Samsung phone. Also, background blur is applied quite aptly.
ultra wide angle
The 5-megapixel wide-angle lens does not enjoy the same quality as the main sensor. Distant objects are little more than a collection of pixels when we zoom in on the photo, and there is significant distortion and blur at the edges. All this is amplified as soon as the light falls.
Macro
Another sensor that makes an appearance more to add lenses than for anything else. It doesn’t have enough quality to achieve attractive shots you will not use it much while using the phone. In these cases, if you like Macro photography, it’s better to invest money in terminals like the OPPO Find X3 Pro and its microscopic sensor.
night photo
Low-light images still have a lot to improve on this device. However, the night mode is pretty decent and gets quality shots that can even be shared to brag about. Yes indeed, you should keep the device as stable as possible.
Video
The video looks good too, offering us different shooting modes depending on whether we want to record at normal speed or in slow motion (at 120 fps). Of course, there is no compatibility with 4K, and when we record at night or indoors, there is a fairly abundant presence of noise in the scene.
Drums
Once again, Samsung’s commitment to improving the autonomy of its cheapest devices is demonstrated. In the case of this Galaxy A23 5G, there is a 5,000 mAh cell. The brand has not provided data on how long it will last, but taking into account the rest of the characteristics, it is quite logical that you reach the end of the day without having to connect the mobile to the current.
Another feature that is repeated in the different mid-range models of the firm is the quick charge 25 by cable through USB Type C connector, essential to be able to use this technology. This implies that we will be able to fully fill the energy of the device in just under 120 minutes.
Performance
Samsung says goodbye to its own Exynos processors in this model, going on to collaborate with Qualcomm SnapdragonAlthough this is not the first time this has happened. On paper, it is a change for the better, since the processor manufacturer has taken a great leap in quality this year and offers great power along with the always demandable connectivity with 5G networks.
The smartphone works quite well with all kinds of games, although the most demanding ones tend to suffer from the odd stoppage and we have come across unexpected crashes in a couple of apps. This has been repeated a couple of times, so we think it’s a one-time bug.
The memory configuration is what stands out the most from the set, but for the worse. We have already said that you can only buy the phone in our country with 4 GB of RAM along with 64 or 128 of storage. It is not that it is a wide range of possibilities, but at least any user has the option of using an external MicroSD to increase capacity or even to move files easily.
In terms of software, we find Android 12 on Galaxy A23 5G and One UI 4.1. In fact, for the first time, we get to enjoy the full One UI ‘package’, including Gallery cloud integration and, if you want, set up Google Discover on your home screen.
Samsung promises to provide the Galaxy A23 5G security updates for at least four years. Also, the device will receive updates to Android versions 13, 14, and 15 in the future.