Samsung A12 Vs A23 5g Is It Worth Upgrading Or Are They Basically The Same

Choosing between two Samsung budget phones can be tricky—especially when one carries a newer model number and 5G capability. The Samsung Galaxy A12 and Galaxy A23 5G sit close in price but differ significantly under the hood. For users considering an upgrade, the real question isn’t just about specs—it’s whether those upgrades translate into meaningful improvements in daily use.

This comparison dives deep into design, performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and connectivity to determine if stepping up from the A12 to the A23 5G delivers tangible benefits—or if both devices are functionally similar for everyday needs.

Design and Build: Subtle Upgrades, Same Philosophy

The Galaxy A12 and A23 5G follow Samsung’s entry-level design language: plastic backs, thick bezels, and fingerprint sensors on the back. Both are available in similar color options and feel solid in hand, though neither exudes premium appeal.

The A23 5G is slightly more refined. It features a smoother matte finish that resists fingerprints better than the glossy A12. At 195g, it’s marginally heavier than the A12 (205g), but its dimensions make it easier to grip. The A23 also includes Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on the front—a notable upgrade over the A12’s basic glass protection.

Tip: Use a case and screen protector regardless of model—neither phone is built for drops.

While neither device turns heads, the A23 5G shows Samsung’s effort to elevate the mid-range experience without inflating the price.

Performance: Where the Real Difference Lies

Beneath the surface, these phones diverge sharply. The Galaxy A12 runs on the MediaTek Helio P35, a 4G-only chipset with eight Cortex-A53 cores clocked at up to 2.3GHz. It handles basic tasks like messaging, web browsing, and light social media apps but struggles with multitasking or gaming.

In contrast, the A23 5G uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G—a modern 6nm chip designed for efficiency and performance. With two Cortex-A78 performance cores and six efficient A55s, it outperforms the A12 by nearly 2.5x in benchmark tests. Apps launch faster, animations are smoother, and background processes don’t cause lag.

“Upgrading from older MediaTek chips to the Snapdragon 695 is like moving from dial-up to broadband in terms of responsiveness.” — Raj Mehta, Mobile Hardware Analyst at TechPulse Weekly

Both phones come with 4GB or 6GB of RAM and Android 12 (upgradable), but the A23 5G supports longer software updates—up to four years of security patches versus two on the A12. This makes the A23 not only faster today but more future-proof tomorrow.

Camera Comparison: More Than Megapixels

On paper, both phones boast quad-camera setups. The A12 includes a 48MP main sensor, 5MP ultrawide, 2MP macro, and 2MP depth lens. The A23 5G steps up with a 50MP main sensor, 5MP ultrawide, 2MP macro, and 2MP depth—similar configuration, slightly higher resolution.

In practice, the difference comes down to processing power and consistency. The A23 5G produces sharper images in daylight, better dynamic range, and improved low-light performance thanks to larger pixels and AI-enhanced HDR. Its ultrawide lens also captures less distortion.

Video recording sees a major leap: the A23 5G records 1080p at 60fps with better stabilization, while the A12 maxes out at 30fps with noticeable shake. Neither supports 4K, but for vlogging or social clips, the A23 clearly wins.

Feature	Samsung A12	Samsung A23 5G
Main Camera	48MP, f/1.8	50MP, f/1.8
Ultrawide	5MP, f/2.2	5MP, f/2.2
Macro	2MP, f/2.4	2MP, f/2.4
Video Recording	1080p @ 30fps	1080p @ 60fps
Front Camera	8MP, f/2.0	8MP, f/2.2

Battery and Charging: Longevity vs Speed

The A12 packs a massive 5000mAh battery, capable of lasting two full days with moderate use. The A23 5G matches that capacity exactly—but introduces 25W fast charging, compared to the A12’s sluggish 15W.

This means the A23 5G can charge from 0% to 100% in about 70 minutes, while the A12 takes closer to 110 minutes. In real-world terms, a 15-minute top-up gives you around 30% on the A23, enough to get through a workday. That flexibility matters for users on the go.

Despite supporting 5G, the A23 5G manages battery efficiently thanks to the Snapdragon 695’s power-saving architecture. In mixed usage tests, both phones deliver roughly 6–7 hours of screen-on time, so the 5G impact is minimal unless you're constantly streaming or downloading.

Connectivity and Future-Proofing

This is where the decision becomes clearer. The A12 is strictly a 4G LTE device. If your carrier is phasing out 3G or planning a 4G sunset (as several are globally), this phone may become obsolete sooner.

The A23 5G supports sub-6GHz 5G networks widely available across North America, Europe, and Asia. While peak speeds won’t rival flagship models, real-world downloads are consistently 2–3x faster than 4G LTE. For users in areas with expanding 5G coverage, this ensures longevity and better video calling, cloud access, and app update performance.

The A23 5G also includes NFC for Google Pay, which the A12 lacks entirely. If contactless payments matter to you, this alone could justify the upgrade.

Tip: Enable Smart 5G mode on the A23 5G to balance speed and battery life automatically.

Real-World Example: Maria’s Upgrade Decision

Maria used her Galaxy A12 for three years. It handled calls, WhatsApp, and Facebook well initially, but recently became sluggish—apps crashed, photos took seconds to load, and charging felt endless. She considered buying another A12 due to its long battery life but decided to test the A23 5G at a local store.

After using it for 20 minutes, she noticed immediate differences: apps opened instantly, her photo gallery scrolled smoothly, and the camera focused faster. She also appreciated being able to pay with her phone via Google Pay. Though the A23 cost $50 more, she chose it—and hasn’t regretted it in six months of daily use.

Her experience reflects a broader trend: incremental hardware gains compound into a noticeably better user experience over time.

Is It Worth Upgrading? A Step-by-Step Decision Guide

If you’re still unsure, follow this checklist to evaluate your needs:

1. Assess current pain points: Does your A12 freeze, lag, or take forever to charge?
2. Check network readiness: Is 5G available and stable in your area?
3. Evaluate usage habits: Do you stream videos, use navigation, or rely on mobile banking?
4. Consider future needs: Will you keep the phone for 2+ years?
5. Compare prices: Is the A23 5G within $60 of the A12? If yes, upgrade.

If you answered “yes” to two or more of the first four questions, the A23 5G offers meaningful improvements. If you only make calls and texts and rarely use data, the A12 remains sufficient.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Samsung A12 be upgraded to support 5G?

No. The A12 lacks the necessary modem and antenna hardware. 5G support requires a new device.

Do both phones have headphone jacks and microSD slots?

Yes. Both models include a 3.5mm headphone jack and support microSD cards up to 1TB, making them ideal for users who rely on wired audio or extra storage.

Is the display quality different between the two?

They both use 6.5-inch PLS LCD panels with 720p resolution and 90Hz refresh rate on the A23 5G (60Hz on A12). The A23 offers smoother scrolling and slightly brighter colors due to updated panel tuning.

Final Verdict: Not the Same Phone at All

At first glance, the Samsung A12 and A23 5G may seem like siblings in Samsung’s budget lineup. But beneath their similar exteriors lies a generational shift in performance, connectivity, and usability.

The A23 5G isn’t just a minor refresh—it brings modern processing, faster charging, better cameras, 5G readiness, and longer software support. For anyone using a phone older than three years, or someone frustrated by slowdowns and outdated features, the upgrade pays off quickly.

The A12 still serves as a reliable basic phone, especially for seniors or secondary-device users. But if you want a single smartphone that handles today’s apps and prepares for tomorrow’s demands, the A23 5G is the smarter investment—even at a slightly higher price.

🚀 Ready to make the leap? Evaluate your current phone’s limitations and consider trying the A23 5G for a week. You might wonder why you waited so long.