Okay, let's dive deep into the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G and A24 4G. I'm going to put on my tech journalist hat here and break down these two phones, focusing on what really matters to you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at the specs, framed in terms of real-world impact:
Feature | Samsung Galaxy A23 5G | Samsung Galaxy A24 4G | Real-World Implications |
---|---|---|---|
Design | |||
Dimensions | 165.4 × 76.9 × 8.4 mm | 162.1 × 77.6 × 8.3 mm | A23 5G is slightly taller, but both are roughly the same size and should feel similar in hand. |
Weight | 197g | 195g | Practically identical – both are moderately weighted for a solid feel without being overly heavy. |
Display | |||
Size | 6.6" | 6.5" | A negligible difference. You’d barely notice it. |
Resolution | 1080x2408 | 1080x2340 | Very similar sharpness levels. Both will be sharp enough for everyday use. |
PPI | 400 | 396 | Almost identical pixel density. Displays will look crisp. |
Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | A24 4G is the clear winner. Expect deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency, especially with dark themes. This is a big difference in quality. |
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | A23 5G wins with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
Brightness | 0 nits | 1000 nits | A24 4G wins by a landslide. 1000 nits is great for sunlight visibility, the A23 5G is useless outdoors. |
Performance | |||
Chipset | Snapdragon 695 5G | Helio G99 | Different processors. Performance is similar, but the Snapdragon 695 supports 5G. |
AnTuTu Score | 418,000 | 411,900 | Practically identical performance. Expect similar speeds for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. |
GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Different GPUs but, in real terms, performance will be very similar. |
Camera | |||
Standard Camera | 50MP f/1.8 | 50MP f/1.8 | Similar main camera quality. Expect good performance in daylight. |
Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.0 | 13MP f/2.2 | A24 4G wins with a higher resolution front camera but the A23 5G might be slightly better in low light because of its wider aperture. |
Wide Angle | 5MP f/2.2 | 5MP f/2.2 | Identical wide-angle quality. |
Depth Camera | 2MP f/2.4 | None | A23 5G has dedicated depth sensor for more effective portrait mode, but you might not notice that much. |
Macro Camera | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Identical macro lens quality. |
Video | 1080p@30fps; OIS | 1080p@30fps with EIS; OIS | Both offer decent video capabilities with stabilization. The A24 has electronic stabilization, while both phones have OIS which is better. |
Features | Quad Camera | Triple Camera | The A23 has a dedicated depth lens while the A24 only has 3 lenses. |
Battery Life | |||
Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Identical battery capacity. Expect all-day battery life with moderate use for both. |
Charging | 25W fast, Li-Ion | 25W fast, Li-Polymer | Both have similar 25W fast charging and similar speeds, but the battery technology is different. |
Features | Bypass Charging | None | A23 5G has a very important Bypass charging feature which could help to preserve battery health long term. |
Software | |||
OS | Android 12 (upgradable to 14) | Android 13 (upgradable to 17) | A24 4G ships with a newer Android version with more updates, offering a more modern experience. |
Connectivity | |||
WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 5 | Similar WiFi performance. A24 4G has a very negligible "dual band" feature. |
Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.3 LE | A24 4G wins with a newer version, theoretically offering slightly better power efficiency and connection stability. |
SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM | A24 4G has dual SIM support and that can be very handy if you travel or want to separate work and personal numbers. |
Storage | No onboard Storage | 128GB | A24 4G wins by having 128GB. A23 5G comes in and variants. |
RAM | 4/6/8 GB | A24 4G with 8GB of RAM has better multitasking capabilities. | |
Expandable storage | No | No | Neither phone has an SD Card slot, so storage can't be upgraded. |
Security | |||
Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Both offer convenient and quick fingerprint unlocking. |
Build Quality | |||
Screen protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | None | The A23 5G is a little more protected with Gorilla Glass 5. |
Sensors | |||
Sensors | Barometer | Compass | A23 5G includes additional environmental sensors while the A24 4G includes a compass. |
2. Key Insights
- Display Battle: The A24 4G's AMOLED display is a significant win. The contrast, vibrancy, and outdoor visibility are far superior to the LCD on the A23 5G.
- Performance is Similar: Both phones offer very similar performance for day-to-day use, although the Snapdragon 695 of the A23 5G does have 5G connectivity, which the A24 4G does not.
- Camera Nuances: The A24 4G has a higher-resolution selfie camera, while the A23 has the depth sensor. The A24 4G offers electronic image stabilization (EIS) but the A23 5G does have OIS.
- Software Advantage: The A24 4G has a newer version of Android. The software update difference is another important advantage.
- Battery and Charging: Both have 5000mAh batteries and 25W charging. The A23 5G has the bypass charging feature which is very beneficial for battery health.
- Connectivity: A24 4G has dual SIM and more modern Bluetooth 5.3 LE.
- Storage and RAM: A24 4G has an advantage in storage and RAM.
- Build Quality: The A23 5G offers a more durable screen with Gorilla Glass 5.
- Sensors: A23 5G has additional environmental sensors like a barometer while the A24 4G includes a compass.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Samsung Galaxy A23 5G:
- Users: People who need 5G connectivity, or someone who doesn't need dual-SIM support and wants a more durable screen with Gorilla Glass 5. This phone is well suited to people who play mobile games, because it features Bypass charging.
- Use Cases: Gaming, general everyday use, mobile video consumption, and occasional photography.
- Samsung Galaxy A24 4G:
- Users: Everyday users who prioritize display quality and don't need 5G. The dual SIM slot and newer version of Android are beneficial for people who travel, or want a newer phone.
- Use Cases: Watching videos, social media, everyday photography, and general use.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to guide your decision:
- Do you need 5G connectivity? If yes, the A23 5G is the obvious choice. If not, then the A24 4G is a great candidate.
- How much do you care about the display quality? If you want the best display at this price point, then the A24 4G is far superior. If you are ok with a decent LCD display, the A23 5G is still a contender.
- Do you want a more modern Android version and dual SIM support? If yes, then the A24 4G is a very good choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Casual User: If you want great display quality and you don't really care about 5G, the A24 4G is your winner.
- The Mobile Gamer: If you need 5G and a good gaming experience with bypass charging the A23 5G is the better option.
- The Photography Enthusiast: Both are very similar. But, if you take a lot of selfies, the higher resolution of the A24 4G selfie camera is a small win.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I'd go with the Samsung Galaxy A24 4G. The AMOLED display is a game-changer in this price range, offering a significantly better viewing experience. The other improvements, like the more recent version of Android, dual SIM capability, and better Bluetooth support, make it a more modern phone. And, even though the A23 5G has 5G capabilities, in my day-to-day experience, 5G isn't a make-or-break factor. The better display is. The A23 5G's slightly better refresh rate is nice to have but is not as noticeable as the huge difference between a PLS LCD display and an AMOLED display. I value the improved screen quality much more. If I needed 5G connectivity, the A23 5G would be the obvious choice. But for me, the A24 4G’s improved display, newer Android version, and dual SIM capabilities, would be far more important.