Samsung Galaxy A03s vs Samsung Galaxy A23 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date August 18, 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
  • 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 Yes Yes
Chipset Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver)
GPU PowerVR GE8320 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 11 12
Maximum OS Version 12 14

Comparison Summary

Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A03s and the Galaxy A23. I'll break down the specs, highlight key differences, and offer some real-world advice on which phone might be best for you.

1. Specifications Breakdown

Here’s a detailed table comparing the key specifications of both devices, focusing on what these numbers actually mean for your daily use:

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A03sSamsung Galaxy A23Real-World Implications
Design
Dimensions164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm165.4 x 76.9 x 8.4 mmA23 is slightly taller and thinner, A03s is a tad bulkier. Both are quite similar in the hand.
Weight196g195gPractically identical weight. Both feel fairly substantial without being too heavy.
Display
Size6.5"6.6"Very similar screen sizes. The difference is barely noticeable in daily use.
Resolution720 x 1600 (HD+)1080 x 2408 (FHD+)A23 has a noticeably sharper and more detailed display. Text and images look clearer.
PPI270400A23 boasts significantly better clarity with a higher pixel density.
TechnologyPLS LCDPLS LCDBoth use the same LCD panel tech, offering adequate but not outstanding visuals.
Refresh Rate60Hz90HzA23 has a smoother scrolling and animation experience.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsIdentical peak brightness; both adequate for indoor use but may struggle in direct sunlight.
Performance
ChipsetMediatek Helio P35Snapdragon 680 4GA23's Snapdragon chipset is significantly faster, leading to smoother performance.
AnTuTu Score117,049401,000A23 is much faster, handling apps and games with ease. A03s will feel slower.
GPUPowerVR GE8320Adreno 610A23's GPU offers better graphics performance for gaming and media.
Battery Life
Capacity5000mAh5000mAhBoth offer similar all-day battery life.
ChargingStandard25W Fast ChargingA23 charges much faster, saving you time waiting for your battery to refill.
Camera
Standard Camera13MP, f/2.250MP, f/1.8A23 captures much higher quality images, especially in low light.
Selfie Camera5MP, f/2.08MP, f/2.2A23 has better selfie quality; A03s has slightly wider aperture, but not by much.
Wide Angle LensNone5MP, f/2.2A23 offers more versatile photography with a wide-angle option.
Portrait LensNone2MP, f/2.4A23 has better depth of field effect with its portrait mode.
Macro Lens2MP, f/2.32MP, f/2.4Similar macro lens on both, not a huge difference in quality here.
Video StabilizationNoYesA23's video footage will be less shaky.
Slow-mo RecordingNo, 30 fpsYes, 120fpsA23 can record more detailed slow-motion videos.
Software
OSAndroid 11, max 12Android 12, max 14A23 is more up-to-date, and will receive updates for longer.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi802.11b/g/n802.11a/b/g/n/acA23 supports faster WiFi speeds.
Bluetooth5.0 LE5.1 LEA23 has slightly more advanced Bluetooth, with support for more audio codecs.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GalileoA23 is more accurate due to better satellite support.
Storage
Internal Storage32/64 GB64/128 GBA23 has more internal storage, providing more space for media and apps.
RAM3/4 GB4/6 GBA23 offers smoother multi-tasking capabilities with higher RAM.
Expandable StorageNoNoBoth don't support expandable storage.
Other
SecuritySide FingerprintSide FingerprintSimilar fingerprint sensors for basic biometric security.
Build QualityUnknown ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5A23 has a more durable screen, less prone to scratches and minor damage.
SensorsAccelerometer, ProximityAccelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Ultrasonic proximityA23's comprehensive sensor suite, better for advanced functionality and certain apps.

2. Key Insights

  • Galaxy A23 Dominance: The Galaxy A23 is the clear winner in terms of performance, display quality, and camera capabilities. It features a faster processor, sharper display, better cameras, faster charging, and supports newer Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technologies.
  • A03s as an Entry-Level Option: The Galaxy A03s is a basic, budget-friendly phone focused on essential functions. While it gets the job done for simple tasks, its performance lags far behind the A23.
  • Real-World Performance Gap: The difference in AnTuTu scores (117,049 vs. 401,000) is massive. This means the A23 will handle games, apps, and multitasking far more smoothly than the A03s.
  • Camera Capabilities: The A23's 50MP main camera and additional lenses (wide-angle, portrait) offer a significantly more versatile and higher quality photography experience.
  • Display Quality Matters: The jump from a 720p (HD+) to a 1080p (FHD+) display and a higher refresh rate (60Hz vs 90Hz) on the A23 is significant, making everything look sharper and smoother.

3. User Profiles and Recommendations

  • Samsung Galaxy A03s:

    • Ideal for: First-time smartphone users, those on a very tight budget, people who only need basic calling, texting, and web browsing capabilities.
    • Use Cases: Simple social media, basic communication, occasional use of apps like email or navigation. Not for demanding games or heavy multitasking.
  • Samsung Galaxy A23:

    • Ideal for: Users who want a balanced smartphone with good performance, a decent camera, and smooth display.
    • Use Cases: Moderate gaming, social media, everyday photography, browsing, and streaming media. A good daily driver for most users.

4. Buying Decision Framework

To decide between these phones, ask yourself these three crucial questions:

  1. How much do you value smooth performance? If you need a phone for more than basic tasks, the A23's significantly faster chipset is essential.
  2. How important is display quality? The A23's higher resolution and refresh rate will enhance the viewing experience, especially for watching videos, browsing, and gaming.
  3. What are your photography needs? The A23 offers superior camera quality and versatility compared to the A03s.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • If budget is the biggest concern: The A03s is the more affordable option, but understand the limitations it comes with.
  • For casual social media, browsing, and calls: The A03s will suffice.
  • For gaming, photography, and better overall performance: The A23 is the way to go, offering a much better experience across the board.
  • For future-proofing: The A23 is more future-proof due to its better processor, faster storage, more RAM, and more up-to-date software.

My Choice and Why:

If I were choosing, I would absolutely pick the Samsung Galaxy A23. The difference in overall user experience is just too significant to ignore. The A23's superior performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and even faster charging make it a far more versatile and satisfying device. While the A03s might be attractive for its low price, the A23 is a better overall value, even if it costs a bit more. It's the kind of phone that'll keep you happy and performing efficiently for a long time. It’s the clear winner in this matchup and would be the sensible, rational, and logical choice. It is future-proof, more feature-rich, and just a much better user experience overall.

Alex Griffin
Alex Griffin

Technology analyst specializing in mobile devices and consumer electronics.

Core Expertise

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Consumer electronics evaluation
  • Technical specification interpretation
  • User experience insights

Professional Mission Empowering readers to make informed technology decisions by transforming intricate specifications into understandable, practical guidance.

Demystifying technology, one device at a time.