Samsung Galaxy M23 review
The Samsung Galaxy M23 5G is an affordable device that checks all the right boxes for those looking for a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank. I bought this phone to replace my old man's Xiaomi phone with a Samsung device, and after testing it out myself, I'm impressed with its performance. One of the standout features of the M23 is its display, which may not be OLED but still offers good color calibration and supports Full HD playback on Netflix and 4K video playback on YouTube. The 6.6-inch LCD panel strikes a balance between screen real estate and one-hand comfortability. While it's not the brightest panel, the brightness level is sufficient for everyday use. The phone's design is also noteworthy, with a smooth frosted finish on the back and a glossy plastic frame that feels cheap compared to other Samsung devices. The teardrop notch may be a letdown for some, but overall, the M23 looks good and feels solid in the hand. Performance-wise, the Galaxy M23 handles day-to-day tasks with ease, thanks to its Snapdragon 750G chipset. Gaming is not its strongest suit, but it can handle casual gaming without major issues. The cameras on this phone are also more than usable, producing good photos with impressive portrait modes and sharpness. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy M23 5G may not be the best option out there or the best value in Samsung's lineup, but if you find a good deal, it's definitely worth considering. It's not great, but it's good enough.
Build Quality and Design
The Samsung Galaxy M23 boasts an all-plastic design, which may raise some eyebrows given the current trend towards more premium materials in smartphones. However, the back panel's smooth frosted finish is an impressive feat, giving it a sleek appearance that almost resembles brushed metal. Upon closer inspection, the cameras are neatly integrated into the module, creating a seamless surface with no unsightly bumps. The phone's dimensions strike a balance between screen real estate and one-hand comfortability, making it an ideal choice for those who value usability over sheer size. One aspect where Samsung seemed to have compromised is in the use of glossy plastic for the frame. In contrast to the higher-end Galaxy A series phones, this feels somewhat cheap and less durable. Furthermore, the teardrop notch may not be everyone's cup of tea, particularly after Samsung faced some backlash from users who prefer pinhole-style cutouts. Another notable omission is the lack of a protective case or charging adapter in the box, which might necessitate additional purchases to fully utilize the phone's capabilities. The cable included with the Galaxy M23 uses Type-C connectors exclusively, so anyone relying on an older charging brick will need to upgrade their charging setup as well. In terms of build quality and design, the Samsung Galaxy M23 feels sturdy enough in hand but may not be the most premium offering from the brand. However, its aesthetic appeal is undeniable, particularly with the frosted finish on the back panel. It's worth noting that this phone was priced aggressively at Php13,000 (approximately $250 USD), making it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize value over absolute luxury.
Battery Life
One of the standout features of the Samsung Galaxy M23 is its exceptional battery life. Despite its mid-range status, this phone packs a 5000mAh battery that manages to deliver an impressive performance. In my testing, I was able to achieve a staggering 36 hours off the charger, with a respectable 6 hours of screen time. This is no small feat, especially considering the device's 120Hz display and relatively powerful Snapdragon 750G chipset. The combination of efficient hardware and optimized software ensures that the battery life remains solid even after heavy use. Whether you're streaming videos, browsing the web, or playing casual games, this phone will keep going for a surprisingly long time. What's more, the Galaxy M23 doesn't seem to suffer from excessive heat buildup during extended usage. This suggests that Samsung has done a good job in balancing performance and power efficiency. Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed with the battery life of the Samsung Galaxy M23. If you're looking for a phone that can keep up with your daily needs without requiring frequent top-ups, this one is definitely worth considering.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy M23 boasts a 6.6-inch LCD display that strikes a balance between screen real estate and one-hand comfortability. While it's not the largest display available, it's more than sufficient for daily use. However, I do wish the panel was a bit brighter, as it can struggle in sunlight conditions. One of the standout features of the display is its impressive color calibration, which Samsung has managed to achieve without any settings to adjust. The saturation level is bumped up to mimic the look of OLED panels, and it works surprisingly well. You also get Full HD playback on Netflix and 4K video playback on YouTube, making it a great option for media consumption. The display's refresh rate is a respectable 120Hz, but I found the animations to be a bit slow, leading me to believe it was running at 90Hz instead. Unfortunately, this is not an adaptive refresh rate, so you won't get the added benefit of battery savings. Despite this, the display holds its own, and the efficiency of the Snapdragon 750G chipset ensures that you'll get one-and-a-half days of use on a single charge. In terms of performance, the Galaxy M23 handles day-to-day tasks with ease, whether it's for work, communication, or live streaming. Gaming is not the strongest suit of this phone, but I was able to play Ni No Kuni Cross Worlds at high settings, averaging 25-35fps. Overall, while the display on the Samsung Galaxy M23 may not be the best available, it gets the job done and provides a smooth viewing experience for most users.
Camera
As I delved into the world of mid-range smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy M23 caught my attention with its impressive camera credentials. While it may not be the flagship device's equal in this department, the M23's cameras have truly impressed me. The main camera boasts a 50MP sensor that takes stunning photos with crisp details and vibrant colors. The sharpness is impressive, making even casual shots look great. Of course, there are some saturation issues, but these can be easily rectified by disabling the scene optimizer in the camera settings. I was particularly impressed by the portrait mode, which produces some of the cleanest results I've seen from a mid-range device. The ultrawide sensor is equally impressive, capturing broad vistas with minimal distortion. Unfortunately, Samsung doesn't provide an option to fix distortions on this phone, so be cautious when using the ultrawide lens. Video recording is available at up to 4K 30fps, but stabilization leaves a bit to be desired. One of my favorite features on the M23's camera is its macro mode, which captures stunning close-up shots with great detail. The 2MP sensor may not sound impressive, but it produces some of the best macro photos I've seen from any phone. The selfie camera takes clean and crisp shots, perfect for social media or just capturing a quick snap. While there's no LED flash to help illuminate darker areas, the front-facing camera still performs admirably. Overall, the cameras on the Samsung Galaxy M23 are more than usable. In fact, they're downright impressive considering the phone's mid-range price tag. Sure, there are some minor issues with stabilization and noise reduction, but these can be overlooked in favor of the excellent overall performance. If you're in the market for a solid camera smartphone at an affordable price point, the M23 is definitely worth considering.
Price and Value
The Samsung Galaxy M23 5G is an affordable smartphone that has piqued the interest of many budget-conscious buyers. Priced at PHP 17,990 in the Philippines, this device offers a range of features that make it an attractive option for those looking to upgrade without breaking the bank. One of the most significant advantages of the Galaxy M23 is its affordability. With a retail price of under PHP 18,000, it's one of the most affordable Samsung devices available in the market. And, as I discovered during my purchase, this device often goes on sale within the first two to three months of its lifespan. I was able to snag the Galaxy M23 for just PHP 13,000 with all the discounts and vouchers applied - a steal considering its feature-packed specs. While not the most premium Samsung device out there, the Galaxy M23 offers an impressive set of features, including a large screen, microSD card expansion, good cameras, and 5G connectivity. For a price tag under PHP 15,000 or almost $300, this phone offers excellent value for money. It may not be the best option out there, nor the best value Samsung phone in its series, but if you happen to find a good deal at your local store, this phone is definitely worth considering. In terms of pricing, I'd say the Galaxy M23 sits perfectly in the mid-range segment. While it's not as cheap as some other budget devices out there, it offers significantly more features and better build quality than many of its competitors. Overall, I think the Samsung Galaxy M23 5G is a great option for those looking to upgrade without spending an arm and a leg. Its affordability, combined with its feature-packed specs, make it a solid choice for anyone in the market for a reliable mid-range smartphone.
Performance
I was pleasantly surprised with the performance of the Samsung Galaxy M23, which I purchased for my father. Despite being a mid-range device, it handles day-to-day tasks and casual gaming with ease. The phone is powered by the Snapdragon 750G chipset, which proves to be efficient in managing power consumption. The 5000mAh battery life is impressive, lasting a whole day and a half even with moderate use. I managed to get 6 hours of screen time while clocking nearly 36 hours off the charger. While gaming on the Galaxy M23 may not be the best experience at this price point, it still manages to deliver smooth performance. I played Ni No Kuni Cross Worlds at high settings, averaging 25-35fps. The temperature management feature in Samsung's Game Launcher automatically drops frames in-game to keep temperatures under control, but can be disabled if desired. The phone also handles multitasking and resource-intensive apps without any issues. The One UI 4.1 skin provides a smooth experience with optimized animations and features like Google's Material You theme engine. Overall, the performance of the Samsung Galaxy M23 is more than satisfactory for its price range. It's a solid choice for casual users who want a reliable device that can handle everyday tasks without any hiccups. While it may not be the best performer in its class, it still manages to deliver good enough performance to satisfy most users' needs.