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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize improved camera performance, especially video quality, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ would be a better choice as it offers higher overall camera quality, and it has the ability to record HDR10+ video. It also comes with a glass back, wireless charging capabilities, and has a slightly larger OLED screen which typically displays more vibrant colors compared to the LCD screen of the Galaxy A23. However, if battery life and a newer model are more important to you and you are looking for a device with more hours of battery life and released more recently, then you may prefer the Galaxy A23. It's also important to consider that while the Galaxy A23 is often slightly more expensive, it provides a higher refresh rate for smoother visuals, but does not include wireless charging or an OLED screen. 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
- The Samsung Galaxy A23 has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S21+.
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 cameras are considered poor due to its subpar performance across aspects like photo software experience, dynamic range, low light capabilities, camera versatility, and particularly the quality of selfies. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ is recognized for having good cameras, boasting much better software, dynamic range, low light performance, versatility, and notably superior selfie quality.
Photo Quality
4.7
7.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A23 takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy A23 takes poorer photos mainly due to its lower selfie quality and weaker overall performance in photo software, dynamic range, low light, and camera versatility. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ delivers good photos, supported by superior selfie quality and generally better performance across these aspects.
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 takes poor videos primarily due to its low video resolution/framerate, inferior video software experience, lack of video stabilization, limited video dynamic range, weak low light performance, and fair microphone quality. Conversely, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ delivers good video quality, benefiting from the best video resolution/framerate, a superior video software experience, effective stabilization, good dynamic range, better low light performance, and good microphone quality.
Battery
9.3 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy A23 has 9.3 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has 8 hours of battery life.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy A23 has a screen size of 6.6 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ is 6.7 inches.
Cost
$350
$340
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
$450
$500
The Samsung Galaxy A23 has a price of $350 and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ costs $340.
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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 | $340 | ||
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" | 6.7" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2408 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 400 | 394 | |
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 | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4800 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" | 6.36" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.95 oz | 7.05 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
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 Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink, Phantom Gold, Phantom Red | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | No | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy A23
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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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Tom's Guide
Jordan Palmer | May 2022
"All told, Samsung nailed it with the Galaxy S21 Plus. It has most of the strengths of the smaller S21 in a bigger package. It’s got a lot going for it. If you’re coming from an older device, like the Galaxy S10 series, this is a solid upgrade."
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
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
153,000
Recommendations made
86,700
Consumer hours saved
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
Phones Expert
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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