Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A02 vs. Samsung Galaxy S23+
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Samsung Galaxy S23+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.1 mm | 157.8 × 76.2 × 7.6 mm | The A02 is taller and thicker, making the S23+ more pocketable and comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 206g | 196g | The S23+ is slightly lighter, which can be noticeable during extended use, and offers a more premium feel. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Samsung Galaxy S23+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | Both are similarly sized, offering a large viewing area, but the S23+ provides slightly more screen in a smaller overall package due to reduced bezel. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2340 | The S23+ has a significantly sharper display, resulting in much clearer text, images, and videos. |
| PPI | 270 | 393 | The higher pixel density on the S23+ means a noticeably crisper image, especially for small details. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | The S23+'s AMOLED display offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors compared to the A02's LCD, and also uses less power for dark content |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The S23+'s 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations smoother and more fluid, which greatly impacts the user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1750 nits | The S23+ display is much brighter and easily readable in direct sunlight. The A02's screen is not practical outdoors. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Samsung Galaxy S23+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6739W (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AC (4 nm) | The S23+ has a much more powerful and efficient chipset which results in significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking and better gaming. |
| Antutu Score | 50,774 | 1,508,732 | The S23+ offers vastly superior performance. The A02 is suitable for very basic use only. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8100 | Adreno 740 | The Adreno 740 GPU on the S23+ is far more powerful, enabling much better graphics performance for games and demanding applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Samsung Galaxy S23+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 13MP, f/1.9, 1.12µm pixels | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57" sensor, 1.0µm pixels | The S23+ has higher resolution and a slightly wider aperture, resulting in more detail, better low light performance and more dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP, f/2.0 | 12MP, f/2.2 | The S23+ has a higher resolution front camera for better quality selfies and video calls. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP, f/2.4, 1/3.9" sensor, 1.0µm pixels | The S23+ includes a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed shots without quality loss, which the A02 lacks. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor, 1.4µm pixels | The S23+ includes a dedicated ultra wide lens to capture more in one photo, an ability that the A02 lacks. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The A02 has a macro lens for very close up photography but the lack of detail renders it mostly useless, while the S23+ lacks a dedicated Macro lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps; No stabilization | Up to 8K@30fps, EIS, Stereo Sound | The S23+ can shoot much higher-quality video, supports HDR recording and has image stabilization, while the A02 has limited video recording and no image stabilization. |
| Features | Basic photo features | 4K/8K Video, OIS, RAW, Night Mode, Optical Zoom | The S23+ offers a much more versatile and feature-rich camera experience. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Samsung Galaxy S23+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4700mAh | The A02 has a slightly larger battery which might translate to marginally longer battery life due to less powerful hardware. |
| Charging | 7.5W | 45W | The S23+ charges much faster, enabling a quicker return to use. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, 10W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless, Non-removable | The S23+ has wireless charging capabilities along with reverse charging options, allowing it to charge other devices, these are capabilities that the A02 lacks. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A02 Advantages:
- Slightly larger Battery: May offer marginally better battery life, but this is negated by its inefficient processor.
- Lower Price: It is a significantly more affordable device.
Samsung Galaxy A02 Disadvantages:
- Massively inferior performance: Struggles with even basic tasks, resulting in slow app loading, and a sluggish experience.
- Low-resolution display: The screen is not sharp, the colours are not vibrant and difficult to see in bright environments.
- Basic Camera: Image quality is significantly inferior, with limited video capabilities and no image stabilization.
- Outdated Software: Ships with an older version of Android that is no longer supported.
- No fast charging: Very slow charging time.
- Poor build quality: Uses basic materials and offers no form of screen protection.
Samsung Galaxy S23+ Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The S23+ provides very fast app loading, smooth multitasking, and excellent gaming capabilities.
- High-Quality Display: The AMOLED screen is sharp, vibrant, and bright, and is suitable for outdoor usage.
- Versatile Camera System: High-resolution main camera, multiple lenses, excellent low-light performance, and advanced video features like 8K recording.
- Fast Charging and Wireless Capabilities: It charges much quicker, and offers features such as wireless and reverse charging,
- Newer Software: Comes with the latest version of Android and will receive many more OS updates.
- Better build quality: Uses premium materials and offers superior screen protection.
Samsung Galaxy S23+ Disadvantages:
- Higher Price: Significantly more expensive than the A02.
- Slightly smaller battery: Despite this it will likely last the user longer, due to the more efficient processor.
Key Trade-offs
- Performance vs. Price: The A02 sacrifices performance for a lower price, while the S23+ delivers a premium experience at a higher cost.
- Display Quality vs. Affordability: The A02 has a basic display, while the S23+ has a superior one.
- Camera Versatility vs. Simplicity: The S23+ offers a more complex but versatile camera system compared to the A02's basic one.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A02 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who need a smartphone for very basic tasks like calls, texts, and light web browsing and do not care about performance or camera quality.
- First-time Smartphone Users: Individuals new to smartphones who require a very basic, low-cost device to start with.
- Backup Phone: Users seeking a secondary phone for basic communication.
Use Cases:
- Making and receiving calls.
- Sending and receiving texts.
- Basic web browsing.
- Simple note-taking.
Samsung Galaxy S23+ Ideal User:
- Power Users: Those who need a high-performance phone for gaming, multitasking, and resource-intensive applications.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize a versatile and high-quality camera system.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who watch videos, play games, and consume a lot of multimedia content.
- Users who prioritize a good user experience Users that want smooth performance and responsive feedback.
- Users who prioritize future-proofing: Users that want software updates for years to come.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming.
- High-quality video recording and photography.
- Multitasking between demanding apps.
- Professional use of productivity apps.
- Watching videos and consuming multimedia content.
- Day-to-day usage and future-proofing.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- Samsung Galaxy A02: Offers a very basic experience at a very low price point. It offers low value for money overall.
- Samsung Galaxy S23+: Justifies its higher price tag with premium features and performance. It offers great value for money.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The A02 is much cheaper, but the S23+ is a higher quality device.
- How important is performance and smooth user experience? The S23+ is far more responsive than the A02.
- How important is camera quality and versatility? The S23+ offers a far superior camera system compared to the A02.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Tight Budget, Basic Use): If your budget is extremely tight and you only need a basic phone for calls and texts, the A02 might suffice, but it will be slow and will not offer a good user experience.
- Scenario 2 (General Use, Moderate Budget): If you want a device capable of handling all modern usage scenarios well and can spend the extra money, the S23+ is the clear choice.
- Scenario 3 (High Performance, Camera Focus): If you value performance, screen quality, and a high-quality camera system, the S23+ is the recommended option.
My Choice and Why
If I had to choose, I would unequivocally choose the Samsung Galaxy S23+. The A02 is simply too underpowered and outdated to be a viable option in 2024. The slow processor, low-resolution display, basic camera, and lack of software updates make it a poor choice even for basic tasks.
The S23+, on the other hand, provides a premium smartphone experience. Its strengths are very clear:
- Performance: The difference in speed and responsiveness is night and day.
- Display Quality: The AMOLED screen is fantastic, and makes the phone enjoyable to use.
- Camera System: The S23+'s camera versatility and image quality are significantly better.
- Software Support: It will receive several years of Android updates, unlike the A02 which is already stuck with an old version.
- Overall user experience: The S23+ is simply a more enjoyable and smoother experience all-around.
While the S23+ is considerably more expensive, the value it offers is superior. It delivers performance, quality, and longevity, which is not the case with the A02. If the budget permits, the S23+ is the phone that I would recommend without any hesitation. The A02 is only a viable choice for those with extreme budgetary constraints who have no other option, or for someone needing a very basic backup device.
