Samsung has unleashed five new Galaxy A-series phones in one big launch, and today we’re taking a look at their most affordable phones — the Samsung Galaxy A13 and A23. Both share similar traits, but are they more than just identical twins? Here’s our hands-on.
We’re fortunate to be invited by Samsung Philippines in its offices to preview the new Samsung Galaxy A-series phones, and the evolution in design from the previous years is quite the treat. The entry-level phones for this year’s A-series feature glossy backs, notched displays, and eye-catching colors that are surely made for the youth.
Both these phones share very similar visuals. The front features a 6.6-inch Full HD+ display that emits vivid colors, good viewing angles, and sharp density. The 8-megapixel selfie camera is notched at the top-middle part with the call speaker above it, while the bottom offers a nicely-spaced chin that aids in landscape use. The A23 has a 90Hz refresh rate which makes it more enticing for those who want smoother visuals.
The right side houses the volume rockers and the caved power and lock button that doubles as the phone’s fingerprint scanner. The glossy back felt like a single shell as it extends towards the sides, offering a more comfortable grip.
The bottom part has the 3.5mm audio jack, the microphone, the USB Type-C port, and the bottom-firing speakers. On the left side is the triple-card slot for two nano SIMs and a microSD card.
While both phones offer Awesome Black, Awesome Blue, and Awesome Peach colorways as we’ve seen in the studio, the only difference with its visuals is this part. The A13 features a quad rear camera setup with the cameras at level with the backplate, leaving no part for protrusion.
On the other hand, the A23 cameras are elevated in a rectangular part against their back. Both these devices offer a quad-camera setup consisting of a 50MP main lens, an eight-megapixel ultrawide, a 2-megapixel macro, and a 2-megapixel depth lens which is a welcome improvement from its predecessor.
Photos took from the device are generally good with vivd colors and good amount of contrast and sharpness. Selfie shots too are nice, but doesn’t catch up in low-light or shadowy scenarios. Here are some sample shots:
The A13 launching in the Philippines features a 2.2GHz Exynos 850 octa-core chip, while the A23 has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 in tow. Both also have 5000mAh battery capacities, but their fast charging capabilities differ — 15W on the A13 compared to the 25W on the A23.
Both sport OneUI 4.1 based on Android 12, which makes them one of the more recent phones launched this month with the new OS in tow. The software feels really smooth and fluid, and we did not have any issues with navigating through both phones as we tested them for a while.
The Samsung Galaxy A13 retails for PHP 11,490 for the 6GB+128GB configuration and PHP 10,490 for the 4GB+128GB. Customers who purchase the Galaxy A13 from March 21 to April 30, 2022, will get a free cover that can be redeemed via the Samsung Redemption Management website. The Galaxy A23, on the other hand, will only have a 6GB/128GB model which will be on sale for PHP 13,990.
