Samsung Galaxy A23 5G vs A22 5G | The Clear Winner

Choosing between Samsung’s budget 5G phones comes down to whether the upgrades are worth the extra cash. The Galaxy A23 5G (SM-A236) improves on the A22 5G (SM-A226) in nearly every area — a faster screen, a more capable processor, a better main camera, and quicker charging — while keeping the same battery life and display size. Here’s how they compare and which one to buy.

Why The A23 5G Is The Better Phone

The A23 5G upgrades the experience across the board. Its 120Hz display makes scrolling and animations noticeably smoother than the A22’s 90Hz panel, and peak brightness hits roughly 504 nits versus 374 nits for better outdoor visibility.

The Snapdragon 695 5G chip outpaces the MediaTek Dimensity 700 in both CPU and GPU performance. Apps open faster, games run smoother, and the phone launched with Android 12 — it now supports Android 14 — while the A22 shipped with Android 11 and is capped at Android 13.

The camera is a clear step up. The A23’s 50MP main sensor includes optical image stabilization (OIS), producing sharper low-light shots and steadier video than the A22’s 48MP sensor without OIS. The A23 also adds a second 2MP depth sensor for better portrait effects, making it a quad-camera setup versus the A22’s triple-lens array.

Charging jumps from 15W to 25W, cutting the time to a full charge by roughly 30 minutes. The A23 also adds IP53 splash resistance — the A22 has none — and ships with Bluetooth 5.1 instead of 5.0, all while weighing 8 grams less.

Galaxy A23 5G vs A22 5G: Where They Match Up

Both phones share a 6.6-inch TFT LCD display, a 5000 mAh battery that lasts a full day, an 8MP front camera, and 1080p video recording at 30fps. They both support Sub-6 5G (no mmWave), microSD expansion up to 1TB, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a side-mounted fingerprint reader. Neither includes a wall charger in the US box.

Which One Should You Buy?

For most people, the Galaxy A23 5G is the straightforward pick. The faster display, better processor, superior camera with OIS, and faster charging add up to a noticeably better experience for about $25 more on the used market. If you grab one, a good case for the Samsung A23 5G keeps it protected day to day.

The A22 5G still works as a basic phone for browsing, social apps, and calls. But the Dimensity 700 chip shows its age, the 90Hz display feels less fluid, and the lack of OIS means dimly lit shots turn out blurry. The only real reason to pick it over the A23 is a tight budget — the A22 currently sells for around $85 used versus about $109 for the A23.

Both phones require a Sub-6 5G plan (no mmWave support), and neither ships with a wall charger in the US. For peak charging on the A23, use Samsung’s 25W Adaptive Fast Charging adapter; the A22 tops out at 15W regardless of the charger. Android Central’s detailed comparison covers additional testing and benchmarks.