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Updated January 10, 2024· Prices updated 24 hours ago
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Samsung Galaxy A23 will save you money and still offer a solid battery life with a large screen, although the screen quality and camera capabilities will be more modest. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, while pricier, provides a superior camera setup, including a powerful telephoto lens, higher screen resolution, better overall performance, and additional features like stylus support. The A23 has a plastic build compared to the S21 Ultra's more premium glass finish. For advanced features and top-tier specs, the S21 Ultra is the better choice, but if cost is a major factor, the Galaxy A23 offers a decent experience for its price. 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 Ultra
- Good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
4.7
7.8
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A23 has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy A23 has poor selfie quality, which is very important, alongside poor ratings in photo resolution, photo software experience, and low light performance, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra provides good selfie quality and is noted for its good camera versatility, which includes a robust photo and video system that enhances the user's experience across various lighting conditions and situations. Additionally, the Galaxy S21 Ultra offers superior microphone quality, which complements its video capabilities, unlike the Galaxy A23 that has a fair microphone quality.
Photo Quality
4.7
7.8
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A23 takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes better photos than the Galaxy A23 due to its higher selfie quality, alongside better photo resolution, dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility. While the Galaxy A23's performance in these areas is rated as poor, the Galaxy S21 Ultra's capabilities are good or very good, contributing to its ability to produce superior images.
Video Quality
4.3
7.1
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A23 takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra records high-quality videos thanks to its superior video resolution and framerate, comprehensive video software experience, effective video stabilization, wider video dynamic range, and better performance in low light conditions, accompanied by a higher mic quality. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A23 struggles with video capture due to lower scores in all the mentioned aspects, resulting in poorer video and audio output.
Battery
9.3 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy A23 has 9.3 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$350
$423
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Samsung Galaxy A23 has a price of $350 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra costs $423.
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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 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
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How the Samsung Galaxy A23 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy A23 | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$350 | $423 | ||
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" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2408 x 1080 | 3200 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 400 | 515 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | LCD | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD695 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 12 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 4.7/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 4.8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 4.4/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels + OIS | 108 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9.3 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 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" | 6.5" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.95 oz | 8.01 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 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 5 | 6e | |
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 Navy, Phantom Titanium | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | No | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy A23
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Pricing last updated 24 hours ago |
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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 Ultra
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Android Authority
David Imel | January 2023
"The Galaxy S21 Ultra is a killer combo of great design, blazing-fast performance, a wonderful display, long-lasting battery life, and one of the most versatile camera systems you can get in a smartphone today."
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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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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
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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