Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 vs. Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Samsung Galaxy A23 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm | 165.4 x 76.9 x 8.4 mm | A23 5G is taller and wider, may feel slightly less comfortable in hand for some. Both phones have a similar thickness. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 197g | Redmi Note 10 is lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use and easier to carry around. |
| Build | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | A23 5G's screen has better protection against scratches and minor drops. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Samsung Galaxy A23 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.43" | 6.6" | A23 5G offers a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2408 | Both offer a similar level of sharpness. |
| Pixel Density | 409 PPI | 400 PPI | Both offer a similar level of sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | PLS LCD | Redmi Note 10 has superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | A23 5G provides smoother scrolling and animations, which is noticeable in UI navigation and gaming. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | Redmi Note 10 is significantly more visible in bright sunlight, while the A23 5G brightness information is unavailable, suggesting it may not be as bright outdoors. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Samsung Galaxy A23 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM678 Snapdragon 678 (11nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) | A23 5G's chipset is newer and more powerful, leading to better performance and power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 277,254 | 418,000 | A23 5G is significantly faster for everyday tasks, multitasking, and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Adreno 619 | A23 5G's GPU provides better graphics performance for demanding apps and games. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Samsung Galaxy A23 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", Sony IMX582, 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1, 0.64µm | Redmi Note 10 has larger sensor, wider aperture, larger pixels - better low light performance and bokeh. A23 5G has more megapixels. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06", Omnivision OV13B10, 1.12µm | 8MP, f/2.0, (no sensor info), no pixel size | Redmi Note 10 has higher resolution, while the A23 5G has a wider aperture, better low-light selfies. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX355, 1.14µm | 5MP, f/2.2, (no sensor info), no pixel size | Redmi Note 10 captures more detail and has larger pixel size with the wide angle lens. |
| Depth Camera | 2MP, f/2.4, no sensor info, 1.75µm | 2MP, f/2.4, (no sensor info), no pixel size | Both provide similar portrait mode capabilities. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", GalaxyCore GC02M1, 1.75µm | 2MP, f/2.4, (no sensor info), no pixel size | Both offer basic macro capabilities. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, EIS (No), 960fps slow motion | 1080p@30fps, OIS (Yes), 120fps slow motion | Redmi Note 10 records higher resolution videos but lack OIS, while the A23 5G benefits from optical stabilization. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Night Mode | Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Redmi Note 10 includes night mode and 4K recording while the A23 5G includes OIS, better for handheld shots. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Samsung Galaxy A23 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life, generally lasting a full day for most users. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging, Li-Polymer | 25W fast charging, Li-Ion | Redmi Note 10 charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Features | Reverse Charging | Bypass Charging | Redmi Note 10 can act as a power bank for other devices. A23 5G will not charge the battery while directly powered by a charger |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen offers better contrast, colors and outdoor visibility.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging gets the phone powered up faster than the A23 5G's 25W.
- Better Main Camera: Larger sensor and aperture result in superior low light shots and natural bokeh.
- Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers: Provides better audio experience.
- 4K Video Recording: Higher resolution videos with more detail and dynamic range.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices, increasing versatility.
- Lighter: More comfortable to hold for long periods.
- More Storage: Comes in 64 GB and 128 GB variants.
- Dual SIM: Supports using two SIM cards simultaneously.
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate makes the user interface more fluid.
- Better Performance: More powerful chipset provides a smoother experience in apps and games.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Reduces blur in photos and videos, particularly in low light.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Supports a wider range of features, like aptX
- More Satellite Systems: Offers improved GPS accuracy.
- Newer Software: Comes with Android 12 out of the box, and is upgradeable to 14, compared to the older Android 11 on the Redmi Note 10 that is upgradeable only to Android 12
- Bypass Charging: Allows the phone to be used while directly powered without charging the battery
Trade-offs:
- The Redmi Note 10 prioritizes display quality, charging speed, and camera features at the expense of some performance and refresh rate compared to the A23 5G.
- The A23 5G prioritizes performance and display smoothness, and a newer OS, sacrificing display technology, charging speed and a better main camera in the process.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10:
- Ideal User: Casual users who prioritize a vibrant display, good camera performance, fast charging, and a light device.
- Use Cases:
- Social media browsing with rich color reproduction
- Casual photography and video recording
- Users needing a reliable media consumption device
- Users who want to charge their phone quickly
- Users who need to charge other devices while on the go
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G:
- Ideal User: Users looking for a smoother, faster overall experience with good battery life, and a newer Android OS.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming with 120Hz refresh rate
- Users who need the newest version of Android
- Users who need stable video footage
- General everyday use, multitasking
Price-to-Value:
- The Redmi Note 10 is older and it should cost less than the A23 5G. If the price difference is significant, the Redmi Note 10 is the better value for the money given the better screen, main camera, and charging capabilities.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Display Preference: Is a vibrant AMOLED screen with better outdoor visibility more important, or is a smoother 120Hz LCD display more appealing?
- Performance vs. Features: Do you need the latest chipset for maximum performance, or are you happy with a slightly less powerful phone with better camera features, fast charging, and a high quality screen?
- Camera Priorities: Is high resolution video with slow motion more valuable, or is video stabilization and overall image quality with OIS a bigger priority?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
If you prioritize multimedia consumption with vivid colours and outdoor visibility, plus a better camera and fast charging, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 is the better choice.
If you want the smoothest possible user experience, better gaming performance and a more up-to-date OS, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is the better choice.
If you want to record videos and you need a camera that handles shaky hands, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G with OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) will produce videos with less shake, leading to better overall video quality.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10.
My reasoning is based on a few key factors:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED display is a significant advantage for me. I value the deeper blacks, vibrant colors, and better contrast it provides. This makes a difference when viewing photos and videos and is a better viewing experience overall. The much higher brightness also ensures better outdoor visibility.
- Faster Charging: The faster 33W charging on the Redmi Note 10 is a significant advantage. I always like to reduce the time the phone is plugged in.
- Camera: While the A23 5G has OIS, the larger sensor and wider aperture in the Redmi Note 10's main camera will likely produce better pictures in most situations, and especially in low light, which is more important to me.
- Price: Since the Redmi Note 10 is an older model, it should be more affordable than the newer Galaxy A23 5G, which could potentially make it the more cost-effective choice.
While the 120Hz refresh rate on the A23 5G is nice to have, I feel that the advantages provided by the Redmi Note 10's display and camera outweigh it. The Redmi Note 10 suits my needs and priorities as a user.
