The Samsung Galaxy A23e is one of those devices that quietly slips into the market without much fanfare, yet manages to carve out a niche for itself among budget-conscious consumers. As a more compact and slightly pared-down version of the Galaxy A23, it offers a blend of essential features at an affordable price point. But how does it hold up in daily use? Let’s dive into the details.

Design and Build Quality

At first glance, the Galaxy A23e doesn’t stray far from Samsung’s recent design language. It sports a plastic back with a glossy finish that mimics glass, though it’s prone to fingerprints. The frame is also plastic, which keeps the weight down but doesn’t feel as premium as metal. The phone is surprisingly lightweight at 195 grams, and its 6.4-inch display makes it comfortable to hold for extended periods. The rear camera module is arranged vertically, sticking out slightly, but it doesn’t wobble too much when placed on a flat surface.

The power button doubles as a fingerprint scanner, and while it’s not the fastest in the market, it gets the job done with reasonable accuracy. On the bottom, you’ll find a USB-C port, a 3.5mm headphone jack (a rarity these days), and a single speaker. The lack of stereo speakers is a bit disappointing, but at this price point, it’s not entirely unexpected.

Display

The Galaxy A23e features a 6.4-inch PLS LCD with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. It’s not an AMOLED panel, which means blacks aren’t as deep, and colors lack the vibrancy of Samsung’s higher-end models. That said, the display is decent for everyday tasks—browsing, watching videos, and scrolling through social media. Brightness levels are adequate indoors but can struggle under direct sunlight. The 90Hz refresh rate is a nice touch, making animations and scrolling feel smoother than standard 60Hz displays.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the Galaxy A23e is powered by the Exynos 1280 chipset, paired with either 4GB or 6GB of RAM depending on the variant. This isn’t a powerhouse by any means, but it handles basic tasks like web browsing, messaging, and light gaming without much trouble. Multitasking can be a bit sluggish, especially with heavier apps, and you might notice some stuttering when switching between applications.

The phone runs One UI 5.1 based on Android 13, which brings a clean and user-friendly interface. Samsung’s software support has improved over the years, and the A23e is promised at least two major Android updates and four years of security patches. Bloatware is present but not as intrusive as in some other budget phones.

Camera Performance

The camera setup on the A23e is modest but functional. The primary sensor is a 50MP shooter with an f/1.8 aperture, accompanied by a 5MP ultra-wide lens and a 2MP depth sensor. Daylight photos from the main camera are surprisingly good, with decent dynamic range and accurate colors. The ultra-wide lens is usable but suffers from softer edges and distortion. Low-light performance is mediocre—images tend to lose detail and exhibit noise, though Night Mode helps to some extent.

The 8MP front-facing camera is serviceable for selfies and video calls, though it struggles in low light. Video recording maxes out at 1080p at 30fps, and while it’s stable enough for casual use, don’t expect cinematic quality.

Battery Life

One area where the Galaxy A23e shines is battery life. The 5000mAh cell easily lasts a full day of moderate to heavy use, and with lighter usage, you might even stretch it to two days. Charging, however, is a different story. The included 15W charger feels sluggish, taking over two hours to go from 0% to 100%. Wireless charging is absent, which is expected at this price.

Connectivity and Extras

The phone supports 5G, which is a welcome addition for future-proofing. Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, and NFC are also onboard, though the absence of Wi-Fi 6 is a minor letdown. Storage options include 64GB or 128GB, expandable via microSD card. The inclusion of a headphone jack will please those who still rely on wired audio.

Final Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy A23e is a solid budget phone that covers the basics well. It won’t blow you away with premium features, but it delivers a reliable experience for its price. The display is decent, battery life is excellent, and the software support is commendable. However, the mediocre low-light camera performance and sluggish charging speed hold it back from being a standout.

If you’re looking for an affordable Samsung device with good battery life and a clean software experience, the A23e is worth considering. But if you can stretch your budget a bit further, there are better options with more powerful hardware and improved cameras.

Specifications:

Display: 6.4-inch PLS LCD, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 90Hz refresh rate

Chipset: Exynos 1280

RAM: 4GB / 6GB

Storage: 64GB / 128GB, expandable via microSD

Rear Cameras: 50MP main (f/1.8), 5MP ultra-wide (f/2.2), 2MP depth (f/2.4)

Front Camera: 8MP (f/2.2)

Battery: 5000mAh, 15W wired charging

OS: Android 13 with One UI 5.1

Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC, 3.5mm headphone jack

Dimensions: 165.4 x 76.9 x 8.4 mm

Weight: 195 grams