Samsung Galaxy A53 5G vs Vivo V23 5G: Which is better

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G vs Vivo V23 5G: The Vivo V23 5G with its dual front cameras is one of the best budget selfie smartphones you can buy in 2022. While the Galaxy A53 5G has the set of most complete cameras you can get in a smartphone at a budget price. But placed side by side, between the Galaxy A53 5G and Vivo V23 5, which is better?

To answer the question above, we’ll have to look through the specifications and understand the similarities and differences between these two phones. Then, I’ll point out areas where one is better than the other. At the end of this post, you’ll understand which is better and why.

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G vs Vivo V23 5G

Specifications	Galaxy A53 5G	Vivo V23 5G
Display	6.52-inch, 120Hz	6.44-inch, 90Hz
RAM	6/8GB	8/12GB
Storage	128/256GB	128/256GB
Back Camera	64 + 12 + 5 + 5MP	64 + 8 + 2MP
Front Camera	32MP	50 + 8MP
Chipset	Exynos 1280 5G	Dimensity 920 5G
Software	Android 12	Android 12
Battery	5,000mAh (25W)	4,200mAh (44W)
IP Rating	IP67	NO

Display and Design

The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G comes with a 6.52-inch display, 120Hz refresh rate, AMOLED panel, and has support for HDR10+ support. It also has a 1080 x 2400 pixels resolution and its peak brightness is 1000 nits. Its build material is Glass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic back, and plastic frame. Galaxy A53 5G is rated to be IP67 water and dust resistant and it has a single punch hole at the top center screen.

The Vivo V23 5G comes with a 6.44-inch display, uses an AMOLED panel, and has support for HDR10+ and a 90Hz refresh rate. It has a 1080 x 2400 pixels resolution and is protected by Schott Xensation Up. Its build material is Glass front (Schott Xensation Up), glass back, and aluminum frame. The front screen is slightly curved and it has a cut-out notch on the top screen that houses dual front cameras.

The difference in display size and quality of these two phones is very small. However, the Galaxy A53 5G comes with a faster 120Hz refresh rate and is built to be water and dust-resistant. These two features are missing from the display and build of the Vivo V23 5G. The higher refresh rate and water/dust resistant features are why the Galaxy A53 5G is a better phone in this category.

Camera

When it comes to cameras the Vivo V23 5G has triple rear cameras and dual front cameras. At the rear, it has a 64MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro lens. And up-front it comes with a 50MP main selfie camera supported by an 8MP ultra-wide lens. Both the back and front cameras of the Vivo V23 5G can shoot videos in 4K resolution and the 50MP front camera also comes with an AF feature.

The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G features a quad rear camera set-up and a single front camera. It has a 64MP main camera with OIS, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, a 5MP macro lens, a 5MP depth sensor, and a 32MP selfie camera. Both the front and back camera can shoot videos in 4K resolution and also has gyro-EIS for video stabilization.

When it comes to the selfie game and front videography, the Vivo V23 5G is no doubt the better phone here. It gives you more options with the dual 50 + 8MP selfie cameras. However, the Galaxy A53 5G has a better rear camera when it comes to photography and videography. The presence of a dedicated 5MP depth sensor and OIS feature makes the quality of photos from the Galaxy A53 5G top quality. For those who are into selfies more, the Vivo V23 5G is your phone but the Galaxy A53 5G still offers more balance photography and videography experience.

Performance | Storage | RAM | 5G

Both phones are powered by 5G chipsets and this means both have 5G network connectivity. And the performance of both phones is also similar even though both come with different chipsets inside.

The Vivo V23 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 920 5G chipset while the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is powered by the Samsung Exynos 1280 5G chipset. These chipsets have different names and are produced by two different companies but both chipsets have the same CPU cores and use the same Arm Mali-G68 MC4.

The RAM inside Vivo V23 5G is 8/12GB RAM and the storage option is 128/256GB. The RAM inside the Galaxy A53 5G is 6/8GB RAM and the storage options are 128GB and 256GB. The Galaxy A53 5G has room for storage expansion via a microSD card slot while the Vivo V23 5G has no space for storage expansion.

When it comes to gaming, overall performance, and power efficiency, both the Galaxy A53 5G and Vivo V23 5G are practically the same. This is because the chipsets inside both phones use the same CPU cores, the same GPU, the same ISP, and the same Neural Engine.

Software

The Vivo V23 5G boots Funtouch 12 based on Android 12 out of the box. Vivo has promised three years of major software updates and security patches. The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G boots One UI 4 based on Android 12 out of the box. Samsung has promised four years of major software updates and five years of monthly security patches.

When it comes to software, the Galaxy A53 5G has better software plans/policies. In fact, Samsung has the best software update policy in the Android industry. And while the Vivo V23 5G will stop getting OS updates at Android 15, the Galaxy A53 5G will get OS updates till Android 16.

Battery

The Vivo V23 5G is powered by a 4,200mAh battery with a 44W fast charge. The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is also powered by a 5,000mAh battery but with a 25W fast charge. You will get better battery life with the Galaxy A53 5G but you get a better charging experience with the Vivo V23 5G.

Although the 90Hz refresh rate in the Vivo V23 5G will drain the battery slower, the extra 300mAh battery inside the Galaxy A53 5G will give you extra battery life.

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G vs Vivo V23 5G: Price

The starting price of the Vivo V23 5G is $399 for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage configuration. While the price of the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is about $450 for the 6GB RAM and 128GB storage configuration.

Buy Vivo V23 5G and Galaxy A53 5G

Vivo V23 5G	Price	Galaxy A53 5G	Price
Buy on Flipkart	$399	Buy on Amazon	$449
Buy on eBay	$500	Buy on Amazon DE	€509

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G vs Vivo V23 5G: Verdict

So, between the Vivo V23 5G and Samsung Galaxy A53 5G which is better? The Galaxy A53 5G offers better durability with its IP67 water/dust resistance rating and a smooth display with its 120Hz refresh rate. Else, every other thing is pretty much debatable.

The chipsets inside both phones bring similar performance. When it comes to the camera, even though the Galaxy A53 5G has a more sophisticated camera setup, the Vivo V23 5G still offers a better selfie experience. Both battery life is great, good software update plans for both phones, and the price of both phones starts at $399.

If I’m to score both phones, I’ll score the Vivo V23 5G (49%) and the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G (51%). The extra point for the Galaxy A53 5G comes from the IP67 water/dust resistance ratings and faster 120Hz refresh rate.