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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for longer battery life and a larger screen, the Samsung Galaxy A23 may be the better option. However, if you prioritize camera quality for both still photos and videos, along with stronger performance, the Google Pixel 6a is the superior choice despite being more expensive. Both phones run on Android and are made of plastic, but the Pixel 6a has a smaller OLED screen which typically displays more vibrant colors compared to the A23's larger LCD screen. Keep in mind that the Pixel 6a also offers 5G connectivity which might be important if you want faster data speeds. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Google Pixel 6a
- Good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Good performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A23
- Very good battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.6
4.7
The Google Pixel 6a has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A23 has poor overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 6a delivers a superior camera experience with features like Magic Eraser, higher quality in terms of selfie, low light performance, and photo dynamic range, while the Samsung Galaxy A23 falls short in these areas, offering a lower overall camera experience. This is significant for users who prioritize selfie quality and advanced photo capabilities, as the Pixel 6a outshines the Galaxy A23 notably in these respects.
Photo Quality
7.4
4.7
The Google Pixel 6a takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A23 takes poor photos.
The Google Pixel 6a produces very good selfies and overall better photos due to its superior software experience, higher dynamic range, and better low light performance, along with Pixel-exclusive camera features such as Magic Eraser. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A23 falls short in these areas, with a poorer selfie quality, less capable software, and weaker performance across various photo conditions, leading to a less impressive photo experience.
Video Quality
7.2
4.3
The Google Pixel 6a takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A23 takes poor videos.
The Google Pixel 6a offers a better video experience with higher scores in video resolution/framerate, stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and mic quality compared to the Samsung Galaxy A23, which has lower scores in these areas, resulting in poorer video quality overall. The Pixel 6a's superior video software experience also contributes to its ability to take good videos, whereas the Galaxy A23 lacks in this aspect, impacting its video performance negatively.
Battery
7.6 Hours
9.3 Hours
The Google Pixel 6a has 7.6 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy A23 has 9.3 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 6a has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy A23 is 6.6 inches.
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Key similarities
Cost
$349
$350
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
$450
$500
The Google Pixel 6a has a price of $349 and the Samsung Galaxy A23 costs $350.
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How the Google Pixel 6a and the Samsung Galaxy A23 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 6a | Samsung Galaxy A23 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$349 | $350 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 21, 2022 | September 2, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.6" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2408 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 429 | 400 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | LCD | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Tensor | SD695 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 64 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 4 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 4.7/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.5/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 4.4/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12.2 megapixels + OIS | 50 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.6 Hours | 9.3 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4410 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.99" x 2.83" | 6.51" x 3.03" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.28 oz | 6.95 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | No | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.1 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 5 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)2, 5, 30, 66, 77 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Side | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Chalk, Sage, Charcoal | Black | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Google Pixel 6a
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Dig into reviews and images
Ars Technica
Ron Amadeo | July 2022
"it's very hard to find fault with the Pixel 6a. It has a processor that, in the US at least, blows away other Android phones in this price range. The design is great, the camera is fine, and the price is right. What's not to like?"
Samsung Galaxy A23
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Police
Connor Nolan | October 2022
"With four years of security updates, a Snapdragon 695, and far and away the best display at this price point, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is one of the best values in the budget category you're likely to see for quite a while. Buy it if you want a super long support life for your budget phone."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel 6a or the Samsung Galaxy A23
About Google
Google can be considered a relatively new player in the smartphone industry, joining as late as 2016 with their phone, the Google Pixel. Since then, the Pixel lineup has undergone many changes, but it has always been characterized by a focus on photography and clean software, by providing a pure Android experience. By virtue of Google being the creator of the Android operating system, Pixels are known for receiving timely software updates and for being supported with updates for a long time. Additionally, over the past few generations of devices, Google started designing their own processors. This allowed for the implementation of unique software features that are not present in any other phone, such as automatic call screening and unique voice transcribing capabilities.
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
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About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
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Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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