Galaxy A23 5G Vs Galaxy S25 Ultra

Galaxy A23 5G
Galaxy A23 5G
Starting at

Refurbished price:108.00

Versus €600.00 new

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Galaxy S25 Ultra
Galaxy S25 Ultra
Starting at

Refurbished price:735.00

Versus €1,408.78 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G, released in late 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, launched in early 2025, represent distinct tiers within Samsung's smartphone lineup. While both operate on the Android platform, the S25 Ultra is a premium flagship device, offering advanced features and top-tier performance, whereas the A23 5G is designed for everyday use with a focus on essential functionality. This comparison will highlight the practical differences that influence real-world usage decisions for consumers.

Scores

Durability

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical durability. These two devices offer different expectations in terms of their practical lifespan.

  • Release Timeline: The Galaxy A23 5G was released in August/September 2022, making it an older model compared to the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which launched in February 2025. This age difference directly impacts their remaining software support.
  • Software Longevity: The Galaxy A23 5G typically receives around two major Android OS updates and four years of security updates from its release. In contrast, the Galaxy S25 Ultra benefits from Samsung's extended support policy, promising seven years of major Android OS updates and security patches, extending its usable life significantly further into the future.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy A23 5G features a plastic back and frame with Gorilla Glass 5 protection for its display. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, however, boasts a more robust construction with a titanium frame and Corning Gorilla Armor 2 on both the front and back, offering enhanced scratch and drop resistance, along with an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.

Year of Release

2022

2025

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance differences between these two devices are substantial, impacting everything from daily app usage to demanding tasks like gaming and advanced photo editing.

  • Everyday Responsiveness: The Galaxy A23 5G handles typical daily applications and light multitasking adequately. However, some users have reported occasional sluggishness and lag, particularly with the 4GB RAM variant or when switching between multiple applications. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, powered by a current-generation processor, delivers exceptionally smooth performance across all tasks, ensuring rapid app loading, seamless multitasking, and fluid navigation without noticeable delays.
  • Demanding Applications and Gaming: For graphically intensive games or professional-grade applications, the Galaxy S25 Ultra offers a significantly more capable experience. Its advanced processing power and ample RAM allow for sustained high performance, improved thermal management, and faster rendering. The A23 5G, while capable of running many games, may struggle with higher graphics settings and exhibit slower load times.
  • Storage and Multitasking: The A23 5G comes with various RAM and storage configurations, including expandable storage via microSD, which is useful for users needing more space for media. The S25 Ultra offers higher base RAM configurations and faster internal storage technology, contributing to its overall responsiveness and efficiency in handling numerous applications simultaneously without needing to offload data as frequently.

Memory (GB)

4 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on these two smartphones differs considerably due to their display technologies and specifications.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy A23 5G features a 6.6-inch PLS LCD panel with Full HD+ resolution. This display provides clear visuals for general content consumption. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, on the other hand, boasts a larger 6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display with a sharper Quad HD+ resolution. This results in deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and superior contrast, enhancing the viewing experience for high-quality media.
  • Brightness and Smoothness: Both devices offer a 120Hz refresh rate, contributing to smoother scrolling and more fluid animations. However, the Galaxy S25 Ultra's LTPO technology allows for an adaptive refresh rate, optimizing power consumption. The S25 Ultra also achieves a significantly higher peak brightness of 2600 nits, making it much more legible in bright outdoor conditions compared to the A23 5G.
  • Viewing Experience: The larger, higher-resolution AMOLED display of the S25 Ultra provides a more immersive canvas for movies, games, and detailed content. Its superior color accuracy and brightness make it well-suited for users who prioritize a premium visual experience. The A23 5G offers a functional and clear display suitable for everyday tasks, but without the same level of visual fidelity.

Resolution

1080 x 2408

1080 x 2340 pixels

Audiovisual

The camera systems on the Galaxy A23 5G and Galaxy S25 Ultra cater to different photography needs, with the Ultra model offering a significantly more versatile and advanced setup.

  • Rear Camera Capabilities: The Galaxy A23 5G includes a quad-camera setup with a 50-megapixel main sensor featuring optical image stabilization (OIS), a 5-megapixel ultrawide, and two 2-megapixel auxiliary lenses for macro and depth. It is capable of recording Full HD video at 30 frames per second. The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a sophisticated quad-camera system, including a 200-megapixel main sensor with OIS, a 50-megapixel ultrawide lens, a 10-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto lens offering 5x optical zoom. It also includes a Quad Tele System for various optical zoom levels.
  • Photography Performance: The S25 Ultra excels in capturing highly detailed images across various lighting conditions, with advanced AI processing for scene optimization and noise reduction. Its multiple telephoto lenses provide exceptional flexibility for zooming in on distant subjects with clarity. The A23 5G performs well in good lighting for general photos, but its low-light performance and zoom capabilities are more limited. Some users have noted the A23 5G's camera can be slow to capture.
  • Video and Audio Recording: The S25 Ultra supports video recording up to 8K resolution at 30 frames per second, along with 4K at higher frame rates and advanced stabilization features. It also offers 10-bit HDR video capture. The A23 5G is limited to Full HD video recording. The S25 Ultra also features stereo speakers tuned by AKG, providing a richer audio experience for media consumption compared to the A23 5G.

Front camera

8 megapixels

8K@24/30fps

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance and display, several practical elements differentiate these two Samsung smartphones, influencing their overall user experience and utility.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G connectivity. The Galaxy A23 5G includes a 3.5mm headphone jack and supports Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, a more modern flagship, omits the headphone jack but features advanced Wi-Fi 7 and a newer Bluetooth standard, offering faster and more stable wireless connections. Both utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer.
  • Biometric Security and Additional Features: The A23 5G incorporates a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. The S25 Ultra features an ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensor, which is generally considered more convenient and secure. The S25 Ultra also integrates the S Pen stylus, offering enhanced productivity for note-taking, drawing, and navigation, a feature absent on the A23 5G.
  • Build Materials and Handling: The Galaxy A23 5G has a more utilitarian build with a plastic construction, contributing to its lighter feel. The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a premium titanium frame and Gorilla Armor 2 glass, providing a more robust and refined feel. Despite its larger screen, the S25 Ultra's design aims for comfortable handling, though its weight of 218 grams is noticeable.

Weight

197 g

2 g

Screen size (in)

6.6

6.9

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C + Jack 3.5mm

USB-C

User feedback for the Galaxy A23 5G often highlights its reliable battery life and decent screen for its category, with some appreciating its overall value for basic smartphone needs. However, common criticisms include occasional performance slowdowns, particularly with lower RAM configurations, and a camera experience that can be slow or inconsistent in challenging conditions. Some users have also reported issues with overheating and general lag over time.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra generally receives high praise for its exceptional display quality, powerful performance, and impressive battery life, often lasting more than a full day even with heavy use. Its advanced camera system and integrated S Pen are frequently cited as major advantages. Criticisms, though fewer, sometimes point to the iterative nature of upgrades compared to its immediate predecessor, and some users have noted minor software bugs or camera shutter lag.

For users prioritizing a comprehensive, high-performance smartphone experience with cutting-edge camera capabilities, a vibrant display, and long-term software support, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is well-suited. Its robust build and productivity features make it ideal for professionals, content creators, or those who demand the best from their device. Conversely, users seeking a dependable smartphone for everyday communication, social media, and light media consumption, without the need for top-tier performance or advanced camera features, may find the Galaxy A23 5G to be a practical choice. It serves as a functional device for students or those on a tighter budget who still require 5G connectivity.

Both devices are available as quality-assured refurbished options, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers looking to make a sustainable choice while still enjoying reliable technology.

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