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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a better camera and display with higher brightness and OLED technology, as well as a more powerful processor, you'll prefer the Samsung Galaxy S21, even though it has a smaller battery and screen compared to the A23. However, if battery life and a larger screen are more important for you, and you don't mind a lower-grade camera and processor, then the Samsung Galaxy A23 might be the right choice. Keep in mind, the S21 also offers wireless charging and a more premium video recording quality. Both phones run on Android and have a plastic body. 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 Samsung Galaxy A23
- Very good battery life
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21
- Good for taking photos
- Fair for recording videos
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
4.7
7.2
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A23 has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy A23's camera performance is considered poor partly because it has a lower selfie camera score and overall inferior camera capabilities, including resolution, dynamic range, and low light performance. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S21 boasts good cameras, benefiting from higher photo and video quality across these aspects, and a significantly better selfie score, which is very important for overall camera satisfaction.
Photo Quality
4.7
7.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21 takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A23 takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 captures good photos due to its very good photos software experience and good camera versatility, while the Samsung Galaxy A23 takes poor photos largely because it has a poor photos software experience and poor camera versatility.
Video Quality
4.3
6.6
The Samsung Galaxy S21 takes only fair videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A23 takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy A23 produces poor video partly due to lower ratings in resolution and framerate, software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S21 captures good videos as it excels in all the same areas where the A23 falls short.
Battery
9.3 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy A23 has 9.3 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy A23 has a screen size of 6.6 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 is 6.2 inches.
Cost
$350
$145
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
The Samsung Galaxy A23 has a price of $350 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 costs $145.
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How the Samsung Galaxy A23 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy A23 | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$350 | $145 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 2, 2022 | January 29, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.6" | 6.2" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2408 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 400 | 421 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | LCD | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD695 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 4.7/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 4.8/10 | 7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 4.4/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9.3 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.51" x 3.03" | 5.97" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.95 oz | 5.96 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | No | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 5 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)2, 5, 30, 66, 77 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Side | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Black | Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | No | |
Shopping
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."
Samsung Galaxy S21
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Central
Huseman Joe | February 2022
"The Galaxy S21 delivers the flagship Samsung experience in a phone that's much more pocketable (and affordable) than the top-end S21 Ultra.The triple-camera system is incredibly capable, Samsung's One UI 3.1 software is chock-full of features and settings to mess with, and I've not once missed having expandable storage."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy A23 or the Samsung Galaxy S21
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
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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.
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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.
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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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