Alright, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the Nokia G21 and the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G. I’ve put on my engineering hat and my user-experience glasses to break down what these specs really mean for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at how these phones stack up, going beyond the numbers to explore the practical implications:
| Feature | Nokia G21 | Samsung Galaxy A23 5G | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-02-15 | 2022-09-02 | The A23 5G is newer, meaning potential for longer software support and newer features. |
| Dimensions | 164.6 × 75.9 × 8.5 mm | 165.4 × 76.9 × 8.4 mm | Both phones have virtually the same size and thickness, so they'll feel very similar in hand. |
| Weight | 190g | 197g | The Nokia is slightly lighter, possibly more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | Practically the same viewing area; a negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2408 | The A23 5G has a significantly sharper display, making text and images appear clearer. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 400 | The A23 5G's higher PPI means a more detailed and less pixelated visual experience, especially noticeable in text and small icons. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | PLS LCD | IPS LCD generally offers better viewing angles and color reproduction than PLS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The A23 5G offers smoother scrolling and animations, making the experience feel more fluid, especially during gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have similar brightness. I think this is an error, it should be an actual value. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | The A23 5G’s chip is more powerful and efficient, leading to better overall performance and responsiveness. |
| AnTuTu Score | 253,300 | 418,000 | The A23 5G’s higher score indicates significantly better performance, smoother multitasking, and enhanced gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 619 | The A23 5G's GPU is more powerful, resulting in better gaming and graphics-intensive app performance. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5050mAh | 5000mAh | Both have very similar capacities and will probably offer comparable all-day battery life. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 25W fast charging | The A23 5G charges faster, saving time, which is very handy for on-the-go lifestyles. |
| Features | 10W in-box charger | Bypass Charging | The A23 5G can continue charging without a thermal impact and does not have an included charger. The G21 does come with a charger, but slow at 10W |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" Samsung S5KJN1 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" Samsung S5KJN1 | Both have identical main sensors. Should provide similar results in good light conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 8MP, f/2.0 | The same selfie specs. Expect comparable front camera performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 5MP, f/2.2 | The A23 5G offers an additional wide-angle lens for more versatile photography. |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both have identical depth sensors for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both phones feature a macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, No stabilization | 1080p@30fps, Yes stabilization | The A23 5G has video stabilization, which leads to less shaky videos. The A23 5G also records slow-motion. |
| Features | Triple camera, Front Flash | Quadruple camera, OIS, PDAF | The A23 5G has OIS for stabilized videos and PDAF for faster focusing; The Nokia has a front-facing flash. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, max version 13 | Android 12, max version 14 | The A23 5G comes with a newer OS, meaning access to more features and a longer potential software update cycle. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 5 + Wi-Fi Direct | The A23 5G supports Wi-Fi Direct. The G21 has dual band and display capabilities. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.1 | The A23 5G has a newer version for improved connection stability and features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The A23 5G has better positioning with additional support for QZSS. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Single SIM | The G21 has dual SIM capability, which is great for users who need two lines. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB or 128 GB | The G21 has internal storage options, while the A23 is unknown. | |
| RAM | 4GB or 6GB | The G21 has RAM options, while the A23 is unknown. | |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports storage expansion, so users need to decide before purchase. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 microphones | Basic audio | The G21 appears to offer better audio input quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer basic biometric security with a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | The A23 5G is equipped with a superior glass which should be more resistant to scratches and drops |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer, Geomagnetic, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | The A23 5G has more sensors, useful for motion gaming, environmental data, and better proximity detection. |
2. Key Insights
Nokia G21 Strengths
- Slightly lighter: A bit more comfortable for prolonged use.
- Dual SIM: A great feature for managing two phone numbers simultaneously.
- IPS LCD Display: Offers better viewing angles and color reproduction.
- 2 Microphones: Enhanced audio input.
- In-box charger: Includes a charger for convenience.
Nokia G21 Tradeoffs
- Weaker performance: The Unisoc chipset doesn’t match the Snapdragon in performance or efficiency.
- Lower display resolution: Less detailed screen.
- Older OS version: Potentially shorter software support.
- No Wide Angle Lens: Limited photography options.
- Slower Charging: takes longer to charge.
- No expandable Storage: Limited storage options
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G Strengths
- Stronger performance: Snapdragon chipset offers better responsiveness and speed.
- Higher resolution display: Sharper and more detailed visuals.
- Smoother display: 120Hz refresh rate.
- Faster charging: Get back to a full battery quickly.
- Wider connectivity options: newer bluetooth and wifi
- Advanced camera features: OIS, PDAF, and a wide-angle lens are nice to have.
- Newer Android version: Potentially longer software support and features.
- Gorilla Glass 5: A stronger screen
- More sensors: Gives additional data for games and utilities
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G Tradeoffs
- Slightly heavier: Might be less comfortable for long use.
- No included charger: You need to use your own charger.
- PLS LCD Display: Inferior to IPS LCD for viewing angles and color reproduction.
- Single SIM: No ability to use two SIMs.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Nokia G21:
- Best For: Budget-conscious users who prioritize dual SIM functionality, battery life, and decent display quality for casual use. Users who do not require high performance.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday browsing and social media.
- Users with multiple phone lines.
- Users who value included accessories like a charger.
- Samsung Galaxy A23 5G:
- Best For: Users who value performance, display quality, a more versatile camera, and faster charging. Users who like gaming and want a smooth experience.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and multitasking.
- Frequent photography and video recording.
- Users who prefer a smoother and more responsive user interface.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
Do I need dual SIM support? If yes, the Nokia G21 is your only option between the two.
What's more important, top performance or battery and convenience? If performance is a priority, choose the Samsung. If battery is a priority, the Nokia has it with a slightly larger battery, and comes with a charger.
How important is a high-quality display and versatile camera? If you value high resolution and a versatile camera, the Samsung A23 5G is a better pick.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Casual User: If you're mostly browsing social media and want a simple, reliable phone with a long battery life and dual sim, the Nokia G21 is sufficient.
- The Content Creator/Gamer: For capturing photos and videos or playing games, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is the clear choice because of its performance, camera features, and display.
- The Value Seeker: If you want the best performance and features for your money, consider the value-add of each device. The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G usually offers more for the same price or less.
My Choice
If I were picking between these two, I would go with the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G. The significant boost in performance, higher resolution display, faster charging, and better camera features make it the more compelling option for me, a tech journalist who needs the performance. While the slightly heavier design and lack of dual SIM support might be downsides, the advantages far outweigh these drawbacks for my use case. I like the camera stabilization, and that it comes with a better screen.
