Alright, let's dive deep into the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G and the Xiaomi Poco F5. These two phones offer very different experiences, even though they might look similar on paper in some areas. I'm going to break down each aspect, translate the tech into plain English, and give you the real deal on which phone might fit your life better.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at the specs, paired with real-world implications you should care about:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A23 5G | Xiaomi Poco F5 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.4 × 76.9 × 8.4 mm | 161.1 × 75 × 7.9 mm | Poco F5 is slightly smaller and thinner, making it feel more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 197g | 181g | The Poco F5 is noticeably lighter, which can make a difference during long hours of use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.67" | Very similar screen size, the difference is negligible. |
| Resolution | 1080x2408 | 1080x2400 | Again, a minor difference; both offer sharp visuals for everyday use. |
| PPI | 400 | 395 | Both phones offer similar pixel density, sharpness should be close. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | Big Win for Poco F5: AMOLED displays deliver richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast. This makes a huge difference in vibrancy and clarity, especially for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | This information is incomplete, real-world brightness may vary greatly from 0 nits. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 (4 nm) | Massive Win for Poco F5: The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 is a much more powerful chip. Expect faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and significantly better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 418,000 | 1,134,558 | The Poco F5's score is over 2.5x higher, showcasing its superior processing power. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 725 | Poco F5's more powerful GPU will provide better graphics for gaming and other visually intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor, 0.64µm pixels | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor, 0.70µm pixels | Poco F5 has a higher resolution and larger sensor, suggesting better low-light performance and sharper images. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.1" sensor, 1.12 µm pixels | The Poco F5 has double the resolution for selfies and larger pixels to capture more light, but the A23 5G has a wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle | 5MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" sensor, 1.12 µm pixels | Poco F5 has a higher resolution, which should result in more detailed wide-angle shots. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4 Depth sensor | None | The A23 5G includes a depth sensor for portraits, while the Poco F5 does not. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" sensor, 1.75 µm pixels | Both phones include a macro camera with comparable performance. The Poco F5 has a slightly larger pixel size. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, OIS, slow-mo 120fps | 4K@30fps w/EIS, 1080p@30/60/120fps w/EIS, slow-mo 240fps | Big Win for Poco F5: Shoots in higher 4K resolution with better video quality and higher slow-mo framerates. The A23 5G only shoots in 1080p. |
| Features | Quad Camera, OIS, PDAF | Triple Camera, OIS, PDAF, EIS, 4k Video, Night Mode, Front Flash | Win for Poco F5: Both have OIS, but the Poco F5 gets better video, better low-light capabilities, and front flash for better selfies at night. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar capacity, so should provide comparable endurance. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Big Win for Poco F5: Significantly faster charging. You'll be back to full power much faster than with the Samsung. |
| Features | Bypass Charging | None | A23 5G allows bypass charging for reduced heat while gaming or performing other intensive tasks. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13 | Poco F5 ships with a newer OS version. Both should get upgraded to Android 14. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Win for Poco F5: Newer, faster, and more reliable Wi-Fi support. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | Win for Poco F5: Newer Bluetooth version which is better for connectivity |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Poco F5 supports additional satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM | Win for Poco F5: You can use two SIM cards simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 256 GB | Big Win for Poco F5: Provides a large storage option, while the A23 5G has a varied selection. | |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | Big Win for Poco F5: Significantly more RAM for smoother performance, especially when multitasking. | |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone, 2 microphones | Big Win for Poco F5: Significantly better sound quality and features |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both offer a side-mounted fingerprint scanner for basic security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass 5 | Both devices feature the same level of protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer, Ultrasonic proximity sensor | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity sensor | A23 5G features a Barometer. Poco F5 features a compass. |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G Strengths:
- Bypass Charging: Niche but very useful for gamers and those that use their phones for hours daily, this feature is very practical.
- Portrait Mode: The A23 5G includes a dedicated depth sensor for improved portrait photography, although the overall camera setup isn’t as strong as the Poco F5.
- Additional Sensors: The A23 5G has a barometer for atmospheric data, useful for hikers, while the Poco F5 has a compass.
Xiaomi Poco F5 Strengths:
- Performance King: The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 is a significant leap over the A23 5G's Snapdragon 695. This translates to noticeably faster performance in every task: from daily browsing and social media to heavy gaming.
- Superior Display: The AMOLED screen makes a huge difference in terms of vibrancy, color accuracy, and overall viewing experience compared to the A23 5G’s LCD.
- Fast Charging: The 67W charging speed is considerably faster than the 25W on the Samsung, getting you back up and running in less time.
- Better Camera System: While the A23 5G may have a depth sensor, the Poco F5’s main camera and video capabilities are vastly superior. Its front camera and ultra-wide lens are better than the equivalent counterparts on the Samsung.
- Improved Audio: The inclusion of Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and stereo speakers offers a much richer audio experience.
- Dual SIM, Wi-Fi 6 and newer Bluetooth: The Poco F5 has many connectivity advantages over the A23.
Trade-offs:
- Poco F5 lacks a Depth sensor for portraits: You won't get the same portrait mode quality out of the Poco F5 since it has no depth sensor.
- A23 5G has fewer camera features: Although it does have a depth sensor, its low light capabilities and video are clearly worse than the Poco F5.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Samsung Galaxy A23 5G:
- Casual Users: People who need a decent phone for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light app usage.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those looking for a relatively inexpensive 5G phone with a good display (if you don’t mind the LCD panel), decent camera, and long battery life.
- Users Needing Bypass Charging: If you are gaming for long hours or are constantly using the phone while plugged in, this is a very useful feature.
- Xiaomi Poco F5:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Gamers and heavy users that prioritize speed and power for demanding apps and games.
- Media Lovers: People who value a vibrant display and great audio for movies, videos, and music.
- Photography Buffs: Users who want a good camera setup with features like 4K video, OIS, EIS, and a capable front camera with night mode.
- Users Looking for Future Proofing: With its superior chip, faster Wi-Fi, and more RAM and storage, this phone is better at keeping up with future software and app updates.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to guide your decision:
- How Important is Performance? If you demand a smooth, fast experience for demanding tasks and gaming, the Poco F5 is the clear winner.
- What's Your Priority for Display and Camera Quality? The Poco F5’s AMOLED display and vastly superior camera system is a game-changer for media consumption and mobile photography.
- What Features are the most useful for you? If you're looking for the latest tech and features such as fast charging, great audio, 4k recording and dual SIM, then the Poco F5 is the best option. The A23 5G provides bypass charging, which is a very nice feature for heavy users.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User with a Budget - If you just need a basic smartphone for day-to-day use, the A23 5G is fine, but I'd recommend you spend a little more for the performance and display of the Poco F5.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer or Heavy User - The Poco F5 is the clear choice. Its performance will deliver a better gaming and multitasking experience.
- Scenario 3: Photography and Videography Fan - The Poco F5 offers higher video quality and far more features and the pictures will be much more consistent, if a little bit less detailed on the portrait mode.
- Scenario 4: Bypass Charging lover - If this is your priority, then the A23 5G is the clear choice.
My Choice
If I were buying a phone between the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G and the Xiaomi Poco F5, I'd choose the Xiaomi Poco F5.
Here’s why:
- Performance Leap: The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 is a game-changer. For someone like me, who multitasks, browses, plays games, and does video editing on the go, the sheer power of the Poco F5 is irresistible.
- Stunning Display: The AMOLED display is not just a minor upgrade; it transforms the entire user experience. Colors are vivid, blacks are deep, and everything looks crisp and clear, making it a joy to watch videos, browse photos, and play games.
- Faster Charging: The 67W charging is a convenience I wouldn't trade, saving me so much time as I'm always on the go.
- Better camera system: The higher video resolution, OIS, and EIS will give me much more confidence to record and shoot pictures. Also, the better wide angle and selfie cameras will make me much more creative when shooting.
- Enhanced Connectivity: With its dual SIM, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, the Poco F5 is simply a better phone in this regard.
- Superior Audio: The enhanced audio experience provided by the stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos makes a big difference in my enjoyment of multimedia.
The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is a perfectly capable phone for the casual user, but the Poco F5 excels in almost every aspect that I find essential for my needs. The combination of performance, display, and camera quality makes it a much more complete and future-proof device. The fact that it has Dual SIM and better connectivity only makes the choice even clearer. For someone who spends so much time on their phone, investing in a superior user experience is a no-brainer. While the bypass charging in the A23 5G is good, the faster charging, better cameras and superior performance of the Poco F5 is a better overall package for me.
