Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G and the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024). As a tech journalist with an engineering background, I’m keen to look past the marketing fluff and into what these devices actually offer in the real world.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed table breaking down the key specifications, along with real-world implications for everyday users:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A23 5G | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-02 | 2024-05-30 | The Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is significantly newer, with more modern features and software. |
| Dimensions | 165.4 x 76.9 x 8.4 mm | 162.6 x 74.8 x 8.3 mm | The Moto is slightly smaller and lighter, potentially making it more comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 197g | 190g | A minor difference, but the Moto will feel a bit lighter in hand, which is noticeable with extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.7" | The Moto offers a slightly larger viewing area, which can enhance media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2408 | 1080x2400 | Both are sharp enough for most daily tasks; the difference is negligible. |
| Pixel Density | 400 PPI | 395 PPI | Both offer a similar level of clarity; users won't notice a difference in everyday use. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | P-OLED | P-OLED on the Motorola provides richer colors, deeper blacks, and better viewing angles, leading to a much more pleasant visual experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | The Motorola is significantly brighter, making it far more usable outdoors under bright sunlight. The Samsung’s brightness is not specified, but the lack of data indicates it may not perform as well in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) | Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm) | The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is a newer, more powerful chip, offering better performance for gaming and multitasking, and potentially better battery efficiency due to its smaller fabrication process. |
| AnTuTu Score | 418,000 | 514,000 | The Motorola boasts a notably higher benchmark score, suggesting faster app loading times and smoother overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 710 | The Adreno 710 in the Motorola provides a more powerful graphics processing capability, beneficial for gaming and graphically intensive apps. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same capacity, so expect similar battery life. However, chipset efficiency differences might tip the scales. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | 30W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | The Moto has faster charging speeds, so you’ll be able to get back up and running faster. Li-Polymer is also generally considered safer, more robust, and with a longer lifespan over Li-Ion. |
| Features | Bypass Charging, Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable, 15W Wireless charging | Motorola has more features, including wireless charging and the ability to reverse-charge other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Sensor | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" | The Motorola has a larger sensor, allowing it to capture more light and detail, particularly in low-light situations, plus larger 1.00 µm pixels vs Samsung's 0.64 µm. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 32MP, f/2.45 | The Moto takes significantly sharper selfies due to the higher resolution sensor, though the aperture is narrower than on the Samsung. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | None | Only the Samsung offers a dedicated wide-angle lens, useful for group photos and landscapes. |
| Portrait mode (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Only the Samsung offers a dedicated depth sensor for more accurate background blur effects. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Only the Samsung offers a dedicated macro sensor for detailed close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm | The Motorola combines wide-angle and macro functionality into one lens with larger pixels, a flexible and useful option for creative shots, giving it a leg up over the Samsung here |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps | The Motorola can record in 4K, offering higher resolution video quality. The Motorola also supports 1080p recording at 60 and 120 FPS. |
| Features | Quadruple Camera | Dual Camera, Time-Lapse, 4K Video, Digital Image stabilization, Continuous Autofocus, Manual Focus, Dual Capture, Night Mode | Motorola offers advanced features like time-lapse, 4k recording, image stabilization, and night mode for superior control and creative options. Samsung boasts having a Quadruple camera, which is generally accepted to be a worse alternative to Motorola's dual camera setup. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (up to 14) | Android 14 (up to 15) | The Motorola has the latest Android version out of the box, ensuring the latest features and security patches and will receive an update to a newer version of Android, while the Samsung is two versions behind on launch. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6/6E) | The Motorola supports Wi-Fi 6/6E for faster and more efficient wireless connections, including access to the 6GHz band for less interference. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 LE | Bluetooth 5.1 LE, LDAC, SBC | Both support Bluetooth 5.1, but Motorola has LDAC which is a great audio codec for high-quality audio. The Samsung has extra profiles, but these aren’t as essential as the LDAC codec. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System | The Motorola has support for more satellite systems for higher positioning accuracy and overall reliability. |
| SIM | Single SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | The Motorola supports dual SIM functionality and eSIM for more flexibility in carrier management. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | N/A | 256 GB | The Motorola has significantly more internal storage which is great for users storing plenty of files, apps, and media. |
| RAM | N/A | 8 GB | The Motorola has 8GB of RAM for better multitasking and smoother app performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | The Motorola has superior audio capabilities, offering immersive sound via Dolby Atmos, great sound separation from stereo speakers and clear voice recordings with its dual microphone setup. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | The side-mounted sensor on the Samsung may be more convenient for some users, while the basic sensor on the Motorola likely sits on the back, or in the power button, and will still get the job done. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | The Samsung has a known screen protection while the Motorola's is not specified, meaning it’s likely not as resilient against scratches and impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer, Ultrasonic Proximity Virtual | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Samsung includes a barometer which is useful for altitude tracking, whilst the Motorola has a compass, which is great for navigation. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) Strengths:
- Superior Display: The P-OLED display offers far better visuals compared to the Samsung’s LCD screen.
- Better Performance: The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset delivers a noticeable performance boost.
- Enhanced Camera: While not offering multiple specific sensors, the Moto provides superior imaging with its larger main sensor, much better selfie camera, and 4K video capabilities, as well as a versatile and practical wide angle + macro lens.
- Faster Charging: 30W charging and wireless charging support makes a big difference in daily convenience.
- More Features: The Moto G Stylus also comes with an included stylus, a versatile tool that can help with creative tasks or general navigation.
- Modern Connectivity: The latest Wi-Fi standards and enhanced GPS support future-proof the device.
- More Storage: 256GB of internal storage and 8GB of RAM is fantastic at this price point.
- Latest Software: Android 14 out of the box.
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G Strengths:
- Dedicated Wide Angle, Depth and Macro Sensors: Gives extra utility to the rear camera.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Is convenient for unlocking the phone in a natural position.
- Screen Protection: Known screen protection.
- Barometer Sensor: Useful for environmental tracking.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung: Falls short in display quality, processing power, and camera versatility. While the presence of specific rear camera lenses for depth, macro, and wide angle can be appealing to some, the overall image quality is noticeably poorer than that of the Motorola, the sensor size is much smaller, and these multiple lenses are often not very good quality, a poor substitute to one very good lens such as the Motorola has here.
- Motorola: Lacks the specific extra camera lenses, a barometer sensor, and a known screen protection.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is best for:
- Media Consumers: Those who watch videos, play games, and browse the web will appreciate the superior display and enhanced audio.
- Creatives: The inclusion of the stylus can be a great tool for note taking, drawing, and more.
- Multitaskers: The powerful processor and ample RAM will ensure a smooth, responsive user experience, as well as plenty of storage.
- Value Seekers: Users that prioritize better performance and future proofing over the gimmicks on the camera.
- Travelers: The enhanced GPS and dual-SIM support make the Moto a more versatile companion for those on the go.
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is best for:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those looking for a functional device with a focus on specific rear camera lenses, even if the image quality is less than ideal.
- Users with basic needs: The Samsung is still functional for those that need only basic smartphone capabilities.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
- How important is display quality to you? If you prioritize vibrant colors, deep blacks, and outdoor visibility, the Motorola is the clear winner, as the P-OLED is dramatically superior over the LCD found in the Samsung.
- What do you value more - more powerful performance or multiple camera lenses? The Motorola offers faster processing, while the Samsung has dedicated wide, macro and depth lenses that may be appealing to some. Note, these lenses are generally considered lower quality than that of the single main lens on the Motorola.
- Do you require faster charging or wireless charging? The Moto’s 30W charging and support for wireless charging give it a clear advantage here.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: The Daily Driver: If you need a phone for everyday tasks, media consumption, and general use, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) offers the best balance of features, performance, and value, as it does most things and well, making it easy to recommend over the Samsung.
- Scenario 2: The Creative: For those who like to doodle, jot notes, or use a stylus for navigation, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is a great option with its included stylus.
- Scenario 3: The Budget Buyer: For those on a strict budget, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G might be a more affordable choice with its focus on extra cameras, although for a slightly higher price, the Motorola offers a far superior overall experience.
Personal Choice
If I had to pick between these two, I would absolutely choose the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024). The improved display technology, the significantly faster processor, superior camera performance, 4K video capabilities, faster charging, wireless charging and stylus make it a much better all-around device, plus a larger internal storage is a great bonus. While the Samsung may offer specific camera lenses, the Motorola is superior in nearly every other way. The user experience on the Motorola is also superior due to the modern Android software, and the various extras such as the stylus and wireless charging capabilities.
