Samsung Galaxy A02s vs Samsung Galaxy A23 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date January 4, 2021 March 25, 2022
Release Year 2021 2022

Physical

Volume 113.41 cm³ 106.84 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.32 "/g 3.38 "/g
Weight 196 g 195 g
Height 164.2 mm 165.4 mm
Width 75.9 mm 76.9 mm
Thickness 9.1 mm 8.4 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Red
  • Blue
  • White
  • Black
  • Blue
  • White
  • Peach

Display

Screen Size 6.5 " 6.6 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 1080 x 2408
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 81.8 % 82.5 %
Pixel Density 270 PPI 400 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 118.34 mAh/in² 114.78 mAh/in²
Battery Density 44.09 mAh/cm³ 46.8 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support No Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver)
GPU Adreno 506 Adreno 610

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 10 12
Maximum OS Version 12 14

Comparison Summary

Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A02s vs. Samsung Galaxy A23

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A02sSamsung Galaxy A23Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions164.2 × 75.9 × 9.1 mm165.4 × 76.9 × 8.4 mmA23 is slightly taller and thinner; A02s is marginally wider, but larger in overall volume
Weight196g195gNegligible weight difference, both feel similar in hand
Display
Size6.5"6.6"Similar screen sizes, negligible real-world difference
Resolution720x16001080x2408A23 has a noticeably sharper display, better for detailed content, reading, and viewing videos
PPI270400A23 has a much higher pixel density resulting in significantly sharper text and images
TechnologyPLS LCDPLS LCDSimilar color reproduction and viewing angles
Refresh Rate60Hz90HzA23 offers smoother scrolling and animations, making the user interface feel more fluid
Brightness0 nits0 nitsBoth are expected to be similar in peak brightness, however, brightness is a major factor and 0 nits indicates either the data is missing or a mistake, making this information unreliable.
Performance
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 450 (14 nm)Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)A23 is significantly faster and more efficient, leading to snappier app loading, better multitasking, and improved gaming
AnTuTu Score74,800401,000A23 offers much better overall performance; A02s may struggle with demanding tasks
GPUAdreno 506Adreno 610A23 has a much more capable GPU, better for gaming and graphics-intensive apps
Camera
Main Camera13MP, f/1.850MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor, 0.64µm pixelsA23 captures much more detailed photos, especially in good lighting conditions. It also offers better low light performance due to a larger sensor and larger pixel size.
Selfie Camera5MP, f/2.28MP, f/2.2A23 provides slightly sharper and more detailed selfies
Wide Angle LensNone5MP, f/2.2A23 can capture a broader field of view, ideal for group shots and landscapes
Portrait Mode (depth)2MP, f/2.42MP, f/2.4Similar depth-sensing capabilities for portrait mode
Macro Lens2MP, f/2.42MP, f/2.4Similar macro lens capabilities for close-up photography
Video Recording1080p@30fps, No Stabilization1080p@30fps, Yes StabilizationA23 offers video stabilization for smoother footage, making it better for videos
Battery
Capacity5000mAh5000mAhSimilar battery life, both should last a full day with moderate use
Charging15W Fast Charging25W Fast ChargingA23 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime
FeaturesNon-removableBypass Charging, Non-removableA23 can bypass the battery to reduce heat while gaming
Software
OSAndroid 10, Max Android 12Android 12, Max Android 14A23 offers newer software and is expected to receive longer software support
Connectivity
WiFi802.11b/g/n802.11a/b/g/n/acA23 offers faster Wi-Fi speeds and more stable connections
Bluetooth4.2 LE5.1 LEA23 offers a more reliable connection with lower power consumption and broader feature set
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GalileoGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GalileoA23 offers better GPS accuracy with additional satellite support
SIMDual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM)Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM)Both support dual SIM functionality
Storage
Internal32 GB or 64 GB64 GB or 128 GBA23 offers more internal storage for apps, media, and files, especially if the 128GB variant is chosen
RAM3 GB or 4 GB4 GB or 6 GBA23 has a higher RAM capacity, allowing smoother multitasking
Expandable StorageNo Expandable StorageNo Expandable StorageNeither phone supports expandable storage.
Audio
QualityBasic Audio FeaturesBasic Audio FeaturesBoth phones have comparable audio features
Security
FeaturesBasic Security FeaturesSide-mounted Fingerprint SensorA23 provides a convenient biometric unlock method
Build Quality
Screen ProtectionUnknownCorning Gorilla Glass 5A23 has better screen protection which is more resistant to scratches and minor impacts
Sensors
SensorsProximity, AccelerometerFingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Ultrasonic proximity virtualA23 has a comprehensive set of sensors, which may be necessary for several app functionalities

2. Key Differences Analysis

Samsung Galaxy A02s Advantages:

  • Potentially Lower Price: The A02s was initially released with budget in mind and may be available at a lower price point depending on the market conditions.
  • Slightly smaller overall size The A02s is slightly smaller than the A23.

Samsung Galaxy A23 Advantages:

  • Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 680 chipset provides much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance compared to the Snapdragon 450 of the A02s.
  • Higher Resolution Display: The 1080p display offers a sharper and clearer viewing experience, noticeably superior to the 720p display of the A02s.
  • Smoother Display: The 90Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations feel much more fluid than the 60Hz display of the A02s.
  • Superior Camera System: The 50MP main camera, 8MP selfie camera, and addition of a wide-angle lens allow for much higher quality photos and greater versatility.
  • Faster Charging: 25W fast charging significantly reduces charging time compared to the 15W charging of the A02s.
  • Modern Software: Comes with Android 12 out-of-the-box and will likely receive longer software support than the A02s, which started with Android 10.
  • Improved Connectivity: Supports newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards for faster and more reliable connections.
  • Better Security: Includes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for convenient biometric unlocking.
  • Better Build Quality: The screen is protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 5.

Significant Trade-offs:

  • A23 has no expandable storage and has a 0.1" larger screen

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Samsung Galaxy A02s - Ideal Users:

  • Budget-conscious users: Those who need a functional smartphone for basic tasks and are on a very tight budget.
  • Users with very light use cases: Those who mainly use their phone for calls, text, and very basic web browsing.
  • Those who value simplicity: Users who do not need high performance, sophisticated camera systems, or the latest technology features.

    Use Cases:

    • Basic communication (calls, messaging)
    • Casual browsing (social media, web surfing)
    • Simple multimedia consumption (watching videos on occasion)

Samsung Galaxy A23 - Ideal Users:

  • Everyday users seeking a well-rounded experience: Users who want a phone that performs smoothly, captures decent photos, and offers modern features.
  • Multimedia enthusiasts: Users who enjoy watching videos, browsing social media, and playing casual games.
  • Users who value responsiveness and modern features: Those who want faster performance, a smoother display, and a better camera system.
  • Users seeking better software support: Users who want to receive longer software support and security updates.

    Use Cases:

    • Daily use including email, social media, and navigation
    • Taking high-quality photos and videos
    • Moderate gaming
    • Streaming and watching videos
    • Smooth multitasking

Price-to-Value:

  • The A02s offers a lower price but its value is limited by its older features and performance. It may be suitable if you're looking for the absolute cheapest available option.
  • The A23 represents a much better value for the money, given its significant improvements in performance, display, camera, and features. It provides a significantly enhanced experience for a slightly higher cost.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
  2. Primary Use Cases: What will you primarily use the phone for? (e.g., calls, social media, gaming, photography)
  3. Performance Requirements: Do you prioritize performance, or is basic functionality enough?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Extremely Budget-Conscious User
    • Recommendation: The Samsung Galaxy A02s might be suitable if the price is the absolute lowest, you only need basic phone functions, and can tolerate a much slower experience and a low-quality display.
  • Scenario 2: Everyday User with Moderate Needs
    • Recommendation: The Samsung Galaxy A23 is the clear choice. Its superior performance, enhanced display, better camera, and longer software support make it a more well-rounded option for most users.
  • Scenario 3: Users Who Value Performance and Multimedia:
    • Recommendation: The Samsung Galaxy A23 is the better option. The smoother display, faster processor, and better camera make it ideal for gaming and multimedia consumption.

My Choice

If I were choosing between these two phones, I would definitely pick the Samsung Galaxy A23.

Reasons:

  • Performance: The significant performance jump provided by the Snapdragon 680 chipset is a key factor. I prioritize smooth multitasking and responsiveness for day-to-day use, which the A02s simply cannot match.
  • Display: The higher resolution 1080p screen on the A23 is a big improvement for readability and media consumption, further enhanced by the 90Hz refresh rate. This makes scrolling much more fluid and pleasurable.
  • Camera: The improved camera system on the A23 makes it much more capable, especially with the versatility of the added wide-angle lens.
  • Software Support: Getting a phone with Android 12 out of the box is important for future updates and security.
  • Overall Experience: The combination of faster charging, improved connectivity, a fingerprint sensor, and the addition of Gorilla Glass protection means that the A23 is a much more complete and enjoyable device.

While the A02s might be marginally cheaper, the trade-offs are too significant for me. The A23 offers a superior overall experience for an extra cost which makes it a much better value proposition in the long run. I value a smooth, modern, and feature-rich experience, and the A23 delivers that in spades.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.