👍 Pros
- Excellent battery life
- Dedicated microSDXC slot
- 120Hz display refresh rate
- OIS on main camera
- Affordable price point
👎 Cons
- Plastic build feels dated
- Underwhelming camera performance (especially ultrawide/macro)
- Slower charging speeds
- Limited software updates (Android 14 in 2026)
- PLS LCD display lacks vibrancy
Expert Review & Rating
Quick Overview
Forget the flagship frenzy, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G, even in 2026, still offers a compelling value proposition primarily driven by its absolutely insane battery life and a surprisingly smooth 120Hz display for its budget-tier pricing.
The Compromises
Let’s be brutally honest: this is not a premium device. The all-plastic build, while durable, feels undeniably cheap in hand, a stark contrast to the glass and metal designs prevalent today. That PLS LCD display, despite its high refresh rate, lacks the vibrant colors and deep blacks of modern AMOLED panels, making media consumption a less immersive experience. Charging at 25W feels sluggish compared to the 60W+ speeds common even in budget phones now. And while the 50MP main camera is decent, the 5MP ultrawide and especially the 2MP macro are borderline useless, feeling like filler lenses rather than genuinely useful tools. Software updates are also a concern; being stuck on Android 14 in 2026 means you’re missing out on two years of OS advancements.
The Best Features
The true hero here is the 5000 mAh battery. This cell, combined with the efficient Snapdragon 695, delivers multi-day endurance for most users. You’ll genuinely forget where your charger is. The 120Hz refresh rate on that 6.6-inch PLS LCD, while not the most vibrant, makes scrolling and navigating feel incredibly fluid, a feature often reserved for more expensive devices. The dedicated microSDXC slot is another massive win, allowing users to expand storage without sacrificing a second SIM slot, a flexibility increasingly rare. And having Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the main 50MP camera is a fantastic inclusion at this price, making for more stable photos and videos in decent lighting.
Performance & Daily Usage
Under the hood, the Snapdragon 695 5G, while not a powerhouse, handles daily tasks with surprising competence. Social media, web browsing, and light gaming are smooth. UI responsiveness is generally good, thanks to the 120Hz display. Apps open fairly quickly. Multitasking with a few apps is manageable, especially with the 6GB or 8GB RAM variants. Thermal management is excellent; the plastic back dissipates heat well, meaning no uncomfortable warmth during extended use. It’s not a speed demon, but it’s reliably functional.
Is It Worth Buying?
In 2026, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is a relic from a different era of budget phones. However, for a very specific niche, it remains surprisingly viable. If your absolute top priorities are phenomenal battery life, a smooth scrolling experience, and you’re on an incredibly tight budget (around $100), then yes, it’s still worth considering. This phone is for the user who needs a reliable communication device, doesn’t care about cutting-edge cameras or screen tech, and wants to stretch their dollar as far as possible. It’s a fantastic backup phone or a first smartphone for a young user. Anyone expecting modern smartphone refinements or robust long-term software support should absolutely look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For casual games, it's fine. Demanding titles will struggle significantly, requiring low settings and still delivering choppy frame rates. It was a mid-range chip in 2022, not designed for 2026's graphically intensive games.
It's a trade-off. The 120Hz makes scrolling feel smoother, which is noticeable. However, a 60Hz AMOLED would offer vastly superior colors, contrast, and blacks, making media consumption much more enjoyable. The 'upgrade' depends entirely on your priority: smoothness or visual quality.
Highly unlikely. Samsung typically provides 2-3 major OS updates for its A-series phones. Since it launched on Android 12 and is now on Android 14, its update cycle is almost certainly complete. You'll be missing out on future Android features and security patches.