1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Oppo Find X3 Neo | Samsung Galaxy A23 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 72.5 × 8 mm | 165.4 × 76.9 × 8.4 mm | A23 5G is larger and may feel less comfortable in hand for some users. |
| Weight | 184g | 197g | X3 Neo is slightly lighter, more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.6" | Negligible size difference, both offer good viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2408 | Both offer similar sharpness; not a noticeable difference in real-world use. |
| PPI | 402 | 400 | Insignificant difference in pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | PLS LCD | X3 Neo has better contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and potentially better battery life for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | A23 5G offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations; X3 Neo is still very smooth. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | X3 Neo is significantly better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. Samsung's brightness is not listed, which is a notable drawback of the dataset |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) | Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | X3 Neo offers significantly higher performance, better for gaming and demanding apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 743,500 | 418,000 | X3 Neo is noticeably faster in day to day use and more future-proof. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 619 | X3 Neo has significantly better graphics performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1 | X3 Neo's larger sensor and Sony sensor capture more light and detail, resulting in better image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/2.74", Sony IMX615 | 8MP, f/2.0 | X3 Neo has much higher resolution and a good sensor for better quality selfies; Samsung has a wider aperture which allows more light. |
| Telephoto Lens | 13MP, f/2.4, 1/3.4", Samsung S5K3M5 | None | X3 Neo offers optical zoom capabilities; A23 5G lacks a dedicated zoom lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 16MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.2 | X3 Neo captures much more detail in wide-angle shots. |
| Portrait Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | A23 5G has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, but it does not provide much detail. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", GalaxyCore GC02M1 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both offer comparable macro quality. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30/60fps, HDR, EIS, slow-mo 480fps | 1080p@30fps, EIS, slow-mo 120fps | X3 Neo records much higher-quality video with better stabilization and slow-motion capabilities. |
| DXOMark | 106 | Not tested | X3 Neo has an independently verified excellent camera performance. |
| Camera Features | 4K, OIS, Optical Zoom, Dual Shot, Night Mode | OIS | X3 Neo has many more camera features, such as digital image stabilization. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | A23 5G has slightly larger capacity for longer usage time. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 25W fast charging | X3 Neo charges much faster, significantly reducing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | Bypass Charging | X3 Neo can charge other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 12 (upgradable to 14) | A23 5G launches with a newer OS out of the box and more future OS updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6, Dual band, WiFi Direct, Display, MiMO | 802.11ac, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Direct | X3 Neo offers faster and more reliable Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.1, A2DP, LE, APT-x, AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, PAN, OPP, PBAP/PAB, HOGP | A23 5G offers a wider range of audio profiles. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Single SIM | X3 Neo allows using two SIM cards simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256GB | Not Specified | X3 Neo offers more internal storage; specific storage option for A23 is not specified |
| RAM | 12GB | Not Specified | X3 Neo offers more RAM for better performance. A23 RAM is not specified |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports SD card expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio features | X3 Neo offers much higher quality audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | A23 5G has a faster and more convenient fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass 5 | Both offer similar scratch resistance. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer, Geomagnetic, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | A23 5G has additional environmental sensors for better feature support. X3 Neo has a compass which is good for navigation. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Oppo Find X3 Neo Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED with 1100 nits brightness offers better visuals, deeper blacks, and excellent outdoor visibility.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 865 chipset provides much faster processing for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Better Camera System: Larger sensor, optical zoom, and 4K video recording capabilities offer superior image and video quality. The DXOMARK score backs this up.
- Faster Charging: 65W charging is much quicker than 25W.
- Hi-Res Audio and Stereo Speakers: Provides a premium audio experience.
- Dual SIM Support: Enables simultaneous use of two SIM cards.
- Reverse Charging: Allows charging other devices using your phone.
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G Advantages:
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 12 and has a confirmed upgrade to 14.
- Slightly Larger Battery: 500mAh more capacity for slightly longer battery life.
- 120Hz Refresh Rate: Offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Provides faster and more convenient access.
- Additional Environmental Sensors: Offers a Barometer.
- Wider Bluetooth Audio Profile Support: Supports more audio codecs.
Trade-offs:
- Oppo Find X3 Neo: Older software, smaller battery (though not by much), and basic fingerprint sensor.
- Samsung Galaxy A23 5G: Significantly weaker performance, inferior display, lower-quality camera system, and slower charging. The brightness is missing from the dataset which makes it hard to evaluate outdoor visibility which is a significant drawback.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Oppo Find X3 Neo Ideal User:
- Gamers: Its high-performance chipset and GPU are excellent for mobile gaming.
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: The superior AMOLED display, stereo speakers, and excellent camera system make it great for content consumption and creation.
- Users Prioritizing Performance: Those who need a fast phone for multitasking, demanding apps, and overall snappy performance.
- Users Requiring Good Photography: The camera system offers high quality image capture.
Users Who Need Fast Charging: 65W is much faster than 25W.
Use Cases: Gaming, video editing, photography, watching high-quality videos, and using demanding applications.
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who are looking for a basic phone with 5G capabilities at a lower price point.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Slightly longer battery life is an advantage.
- Users Who Need Software Longevity: Newer software and support for future updates are benefits.
- Users Who Don't Game Much: The weaker chipset is suitable for basic tasks and social media.
Users Who Need Additional Sensors: Barometer for measuring air pressure changes
Use Cases: Basic browsing, social media, casual gaming, and everyday tasks.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Oppo Find X3 Neo: Offers a premium experience with high-end features, excellent for those willing to invest more for top performance.
- Samsung Galaxy A23 5G: A more budget-friendly option that makes compromises on performance and display to offer 5G connectivity at a low price point.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- How important is performance for your daily tasks and gaming?
- How much do you value display quality, especially outdoor visibility?
- What is your budget and how much are you willing to spend?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High-Performance User: If you need top performance, a great display, and an excellent camera, the Oppo Find X3 Neo is the clear choice, despite its older software.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious User: If you're looking for a basic 5G phone with a good battery life at an affordable price, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is a viable option, however, it lacks significantly in other areas.
- Scenario 3: Camera Enthusiast: If your primary focus is high-quality photography and videography, the Oppo Find X3 Neo is significantly better due to its superior sensors, optical zoom, and 4K capabilities.
- Scenario 4: Software Longevity Focus: If having the latest Android version and software support is important to you, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G would be preferable. However, software might not be worth the massive sacrifices.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Oppo Find X3 Neo. While it's true that the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G has a newer software and slightly larger battery, the trade-offs in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities are too significant for me. I value a smooth user experience with fast performance for my daily tasks and the ability to capture high-quality photos and videos. The Oppo Find X3 Neo's superior display, powerful processor, significantly better camera, and fast charging are far more important for my personal use case and offer a much better value despite the older software. The absence of any brightness specification for the A23 5G is also a concern, as outdoor visibility is a key component of a usable smartphone. The fact that the X3 Neo has undergone DXOMARK testing, and the A23 has not, further supports the claim that the camera is much better on the X3 Neo.
