Samsung Galaxy A23 5G Review -Tracfone Smartphone

Tracfone Samsung Galaxy A23 5G (S236DL) Review, Specs and Features

Tracfone Samsung Galaxy A23 5G Review

A 6.6" full HD screen, Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor and quad-rear camera setup are just some of the exciting features on the Galaxy A23. This budget friendly smartphone newly available from Tracfone  also comes with 5G network capability.

Samsung's lineup of budget phones is a somewhat crowded space. Their Galaxy A13 is just a little cheaper than the A23 while still offering 5G network access, and their A53 5G has more powerful features, for just a little higher cost. 

Where does the Galaxy A23 5G fit in and is it a worthy smartphone option? We're going to find out. Let's start with our pro's and con's of the A23.

Samsung Galaxy A23 5G Quick Facts

What we Like:
Full HD touchscreen with 120hz refresh rate
Gorilla Glass 5 screen protection
Quad-rear camera
Qualcomm Snapdragon processor

What we Don't Like:
Mediocre video recording
No wall charger included
No water/dust protection rating

The full HD screen and Gorilla Glass protection are a huge plus that help the A23 stand out among budget phones. That, combined with the rear camera setup and solid performance make it a very attractive device. Samsung currently offers a number of different phones through Tracfone, each at different price points and with different features. So does the A23 have the right features at the right price?

Let's take a look at the full list of features and specs.

Samsung Galaxy A23 5G (S236DL) Features and Specs

Below are the features followed by the technical specs

• Android 12
• Samsung One UI 4.1
• 5G (Verizon)
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
• Bluetooth 5.1
• Alarm Clock
• GPS
• MP3 Player
• Standard 3.5mm Headphone Jack
• Hearing Aid Compatible
• Access to over 1 Million Apps on Google Play
• Voicemail, Caller ID, Call Waiting
• SMS/MMS
• USB Charger (USB Type-C 2.0)
• Compatible with Samsung Gear Smartwatches
• Face unlock
• Side mounted Fingerprint sensor

Samsung Galaxy A23 5G Technical Specs
Size: 6.51 x 3.03 x 0.33 in (6.95 oz)
Camera: Quad rear camera 50+5+2+2MP and 8MP front camera
Screen: 6.6" HD PLS LCD 120hz display (1080x2408 resolution)
Processor: Octa-core Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G

Memory: 4 GB
Storage: 64 GB internal storage, supports up to 1 TB MicroSD Card
Battery: 5,000 mAh battery (non-removable) with 25W fast charging

Many consumers are familiar with the Samsung brand as they are a global manufacture and the largest consumer electronics maker (by revenue) in the world. They are based in South Korea and have a broad lineup of smartphones with their high end device, like the Samsung Galaxy S22, a contender for some of the best phones in the world.

The Galaxy A23 5G does get some of the classic design elements of Samsung phones with a familiar layout for the charging and headphone ports and it also features Samsung's UI changes. But a budget phone will have to cut some corners, and we will dive into that below.

Now let's get into the details with our review of the A23.

Tracfone Samsung Galaxy A23 5G Review

Touchscreen

The 6.6" full HD screen on the A23 5G is one of the standout features. It has a resolution of 1080x2408 for about 400 ppi pixel density, which is on par with more expensive devices. Plus it has 120hz refresh rate, something also generally only available in high-end phones.

Screen ratio is 20:9, for a taller, thinner look and feel that has become common these days. Besides the great resolution, the A23 also features Gorilla Glass 5 which improves durability for both drops and scratches. 

In direct sunlight, the A23 still has some issues with adequate brightness, but that's a common issue for many low-cost smartphones. 

The PLS-LCD screen is a big step up from the budget brother, the A13 5G, and for some will be enough reason to warrant the slightly higher price tag.

Internal Performance - Processor, RAM and Storage

With 4 GB RAM, 64 GB internal storage and the Snapdragon 695 octa-core processor, the A23 5G performs very well for the majority of tasks thrown at it. 

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 has generally only been available in mid-level smartphones, like the Moto G Stylus 5G (2022), so we're very impressed to see it included with the A23. It outperforms the processor in the A13 5G (MediaTek Dimensity 700) by a significant margin and provides smooth operation even with a variety of games or other resource intensive apps. The processor also provides the 5G network capability.

64 GB internal storage can get used up quickly, but there is an additional 1 TB expandable external storage via a MicroSD card slot. We recommend at least 128 GB card (find it on Amazon) and then you can set certain things to be stored on the card rather than the phone.

Camera

A 50MP main shooter along with a 5MP ultrawide, 2MP macro and 2MP depth come on the back of the A23 5G. There is also an LED flash. While most people will only find the main camera and ultrawide mode useable, it is nice to have the depth and macro options.

The 50MP rear camera on the Galaxy A23 5G actually only produces 12.5MP images due to pixel binning. This is pretty common on most smartphones, even the iPhone 14, and is used to help improve lowlight performance. But even with the extra help, lowlight performance on the A23 is mediocre. For most other uses, the main camera sensor does just fine and captures good images.

On the front is an 8MP selfie camera in the tear-drop cutout in the screen. The images are adequate for social sharing and things like that.

Video performance is nothing special, with just 1080p at 30fps on the rear and front sensors. The quality is just fine, but goes downhill quickly when in low-light situations. For 4K and other features, consider the Galaxy A53 5G.

Get the most from your camera with our Best Tips for Better Cell Phone Photos.

Battery

Both battery life and charging speeds are quite good on the Galaxy A23 5G thanks to the 5,000 mAh battery, and 25W fast charging.

The large battery size has become the norm on most budget smartphones, allowing for 2 or even 3 days between charging. But a rather annoying trend on many low cost phones is a slower charging speed of just 10 or 15W. We're happy to see not only the big battery, but also fast charging on the A23.

Android OS

The Galaxy A23 5G comes with Android 12 OS and will likely get an upgrade to Android 13 when that becomes available to Samsung devices. Samsung boasts software support for the A23 for several years, and hopefully the Tracfone version will also take advantage of these updates.

Android 12 comes with a host of design, performance and security updates over previous versions that make it safer and more useable. Some of the updates include more privacy control, the ability to limit apps from using your exact location, and improved accessibility options.

As a Samsung device, the A23 also comes with One UI 4.1 which has features like Smart Calendar, Samsung Pay, Smart Widgets, extra brightness toggle, and pro camera features. For those who are fans of Samsung's additional UI features, the A23 will feel very familiar. But for those who prefer a more stock Android experience, consider devices from Motorola.

Design

The design of the A23 5G is consistent with Samsung's budget phones and retains many of the features that consumers like, such as a standard 3.5mm headphone jack and side mounted fingerprint reader which is quick and efficient for unlocking the device. 

The screen on the front of the device has a 82.5% screen-to-body ratio which is pretty good. There is a notch at the top of the screen for the front facing camera.

On the back of the phone is a noticeable bump where the rear cameras are located. We would recommend a cover or case to protect the device and it would also help eliminate the camera bump which is a little awkward. 

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G falls right in-between the Galaxy A13 5G and A53 5G. 

Compared to the A13, the A23 offers a significantly improved touchscreen with both a higher resolution, and 120hz refresh rate. That alone might be worth the $50 difference between these two phones. But the A23 5G also has a better processor, and improved camera setup. For many users, it may be worth it to spend a little more on the A23.

So does that hold true for Samsung's A53 5G which is just $50 more than the A23? The A53 has a Super AMOLED full HD screen, IP67 waterproof rating, slightly improved processor and increased RAM and storage. Plus it has a more robust camera setup. The A53's features are very impressive for the price, but it starts to stretch the bounds of a 'budget' device and for many, Samsung's Galaxy A23 will be more than capable for handling everything required.

Finally, the Galaxy A03s is the ultra-budget option that really can't compare to the A23 and is only a device for those with a budget under $100.

The Bottom Line - Samsung has produced a phone that 'fixes' the top complaints about the A13 5G and only costs a little more. The discounted price through Tracfone is rather reasonable, and we may see an even lower price during the holidays.

UPDATE: The Galaxy A23 5G, A13 5G and A53 5G have all dropped about $50 in price, leading them to all be a little more worthwhile considering.

Best Prices on the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G

The A23 is not as widely available as some Samsung devices, but here are the top options we've found:

Get the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G on the Tracfone Website

Samsung Galaxy A23 5G User Manual and Device Detailed Information

View the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G User Manual

View the Galaxy A23 5G Detailed Information

That concludes our review of the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G. Please leave a comment below with your thoughts or questions. 

If you are new to Tracfone, start with our Beginners Guide!

Join us over on Facebook for the latest news and posts or send us a message for more direct help questions.

If you're shopping around for other plans, take a look at the Best Alternatives to Tracfone. 

Take a look at some of our recent posts, including a Guide for Making your Airtime Last Longer and Everything you Need to Know about Data Cards.

And don't miss out on the best Tracfone Deals, Discounts and Sales!

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Samsung Galaxy A03s Review - Tracfone Smarpthone

Tracfone Samsung Galaxy A03s (S134DL) Specs, Features and Review

With a 6.5" touchscreen, Android 11 and triple rear camera, the ultra-budget Tracfone A03s packs in a lot of features for the price.

Samsung smartphones are a popular option for many consumers as they typically pass along some of the features from their high-end smartphones to the cheaper ones, or at least, a version of them.

And the Galaxy A03s comes with some familiar design and software features while keeping the cost under $100.

With the low price, however, the A03s does not come with 5G network capability and there are a few other corners that had to be cut. For 5G capability, take a look at the Samsung Galaxy A13 5G. Or view all the Latest Tracfone Smartphones to keep up with what's new.

Let's get to the Galaxy A03s Pro's and Con's

Samsung Galaxy A03s Quick Facts

What we Like About the A03s
Under $100
Large Screen
Good Battery Life

What we Don't Like about the A03s
Mediocre Camera
Only 32GB internal Storage
Slow Charging Speed

The A03s comes with similar features as it's predecessor, the A02s, which was a popular low-cost option. The A03s does have some modest improvements including newer Android OS, updated processor and battery performance.

The low price and generally solid features make the A03s a very exciting device for low cost smartphone shoppers. Many of the other sub $100 devices, like the Moto G Pure, or Moto G Play, offer similar performance and features, but they don't have the Samsung UI changes, which some users prefer.

The Tracfone version of the A03s and others mentioned above are available at discounted prices for the locked version from Tracfone. Unlocked versions are also available, but generally run a little more expensive. (Learn how to Unlock your Tracfone Smartphone here.)

Samsung Galaxy A03s (S134DL) Features and Specs

Below are the features followed by the technical specs

• Android 11 (upgrade to Android 12 likely)
• 4G LTE (Verizon)
• Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
• Bluetooth 5.0
• Alarm Clock
• GPS (A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS)
• MP3 Player
• Standard 3.5mm Headphone Jack
• Hearing Aid Compatible
• Access to over 1 Million Apps on Google Play
• Voicemail, Caller ID, Call Waiting
• SMS/MMS
• USB Charger (USB Type-C 2.0)
• Compatible with Samsung Gear Smartwatches
• Fingerprint sensor

Samsung Galaxy A03s Specs
Size: 6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 in (6.91 oz)
Camera: Triple rear camera 13+2+2MP and 5MP front camera
Screen: 6.5" HD PLS LCD display (720x1600 resolution)
Processor:  Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) MediaTek Helio P35

Memory: 3 GB
Storage: 32 GB internal storage, supports a MicroSD Card
Battery: 5,000 mAh battery (non-removable) with talk time up to 34 hrs, standby 16 days

Many consumers are familiar with the Samsung brand as they are a global manufacture and the largest consumer electronics maker (by revenue) in the world. They are based in South Korea and have a broad lineup of smartphones with their high end device, like the Samsung Galaxy S22, a contender for some of the best phones in the world.

The Galaxy A03s does get some of the classic design elements of Samsung phones with a familiar layout for the charging and headphone ports and it also features Samsung's UI changes. But a budget phone will have to cut some corners, and we will dive into that below.

Now let's get into the details with our review of the A03s.

Tracfone Samsung Galaxy A03s Review

Touchscreen
The 6.5" touchscreen on the A03s is the standard size for many smartphones these days and provides great viewing of videos or other media consumption. Screen resolution is just 720x1600 for about 270 ppi, which is on the low end, but about what we would expect at this price, and the screen ratio is 20:9.

Brightness and colors for the A03s are not as good as what you would get with devices like the Galaxy A53 or Moto G Stylus 2022, but the contrast helps the A03s render decent image on the screen.

Performance - Processor, RAM and Storage
32 GB internal storage and 3 GB RAM come with the A03s and that's about the lowest amount of each we would recommend. Any lower, and the device either won't have any room for apps, or won't be able to multitask very well.

The MediaTek Helio P35 is an octa-core processor but not the most powerful and will struggle to keep up with gaming or other resource intensive apps. Combined with the RAM and storage, the A03s will accomplish all the basic functions of a smartphone - just know that you may get some stuttering and lag.

There is a MicroSD card slot for additional storage, and it is a great place to store photos or video to free up the limited internal storage. We've not been able to verify the size card accepted, but anything 512 GB or smaller should work.

Camera
The main 13 MP shooter offers good images in proper lighting, and the 2 MP depth and 2 MP macro give some additional features, but aren't really worth using much. The front 5 MP selfie camera will also capture adequate photos, but the detail and image quality for all the photos is lacking compared with more expensive smartphones. 

For video, the A03s does capture full 1080p at 30fps and it is good enough for saving and sharing with friends and family.

Most devices in this price range have cameras that can capture good photos in good light, but will struggle with anything else and the A03s falls in line. For a better camera, consider the A53.

And take a look at our Top 8 Tips for Better Cell Phone Photography.

Battery Life
One of the big features on the A03s is the large 5,000 mAh battery that delivers exceptionally long runtime. Talk time is about 30 hours and the device should last 2-3 days with low to moderate usage.

A drawback to the large battery is that it takes a long time to charge and the 'fast charging' is rather slow on the A03s.

Android OS
Android 11 offers plenty of great features and upgrades over previous versions, and the A03s is likely to get Android 12 at some point. 

Samsung also offers a number of user experience changes with their One UI 3.1 core. Although some features aren't included with the A03s that come on more expensive devices.

Take a look at our Top Android Apps for Tracfone Users.

Design
The all-plastic construction on the A03s does have a textured finish is pretty solid overall. The USB Type-C 2.0 charging port, speaker, and headphone jack are all located on the bottom of the phone.

The side mounted dual fingerprint scanner and power button is a great addition to this phone and improvement over previous models.

The SIM card tray and external storage slot are on the left side of the phone. 

We're pleasantly surprised to see the fingerprint sensor included with this version of the device, and the overall design is more than adequate. Plus it is nice to see some devices retaining the 3.5mm headphone jack, for now.

Conclusion
The A03s is a no-frills budget smartphone that delivers adequate performance for most users. It is a similar offering compared to other devices in this price range, like the Moto G Pure, but comes with familiar features from Samsung that some users prefer.

While it is not a significant improvement over the previous model (the Galaxy A02s) it does offer a more powerful processor, more RAM and fingerprint sensor among a few other changes.

Many users who are willing to spend a little more might find the Galaxy A13 5G much more desirable as it comes with an improved camera, more storage and better processor. Plus the A13 has 5G network capability and costs less than $100 more. Or, the newly available Samsung Galaxy A23 5G packs in even more features and performance, for just over $200.

The bottom line - for users who prefer Samsung devices and are on a very tight budget, the A03s will handle all the basic smartphone functions. Just don't expect too much from the performance or camera.

Lastly, there are unlocked versions of the A03s available (but they are a little more expensive), and you can see all the Best Unlocked Phones for Tracfone if you're interested in more options.

Best Prices on the Samsung Galaxy A03s

These are the lowest prices from around the web, but price can change quickly.

Get the Samsung Galaxy A03s from QVC (with airtime bundle) - $59
Get the Samsung Galaxy A03s from Target - $49
Get the Samsung Galaxy A03s from Amazon - $59

Samsung Galaxy A03s User Manual and Device Detailed Information

View the Samsung Galaxy A03s User Manual

View the Galaxy A03s Detailed Information

That concludes our review of the Samsung Galaxy A03s. Please leave a comment below with your thoughts or questions. 

If you are new to Tracfone, start with our Beginners Guide!

Join us over on Facebook for the latest news and posts or send us a message for more direct help questions.

If you're shopping around for other plans, take a look at the Best Alternatives to Tracfone. 

Take a look at some of our recent posts, including a Guide for Making your Airtime Last Longer and Everything you Need to Know about Data Cards.

And don't miss out on the best Tracfone Deals, Discounts and Sales!

Thanks for visiting!

Best Tracfone Smartphone Deals for October 2022

Lowest Prices on Tracfone Cell Phones - October 2022

Best Deals on Tracfone Smartphones

Everyone wants the best deal and to save some money, especially when buying an expensive new smartphone. Plus, there are so many different places to buy from these days, how do you know where to find the best deal?!

We are here to help! With the list of best prices on recent Tracfone smartphones and unlocked devices! 

We track and monitor various deals online and each month we gather the best prices on popular Tracfone smartphones and provide the updated deals to our readers below. Some of these deals include airtime bundles, and others just the phone. (The best value usually includes airtime bundles).

Prices and availability can change quickly, and we update this list every month. If you are looking for a new phone, also check out our List of the Latest Tracfone Smartphones.

Best Deals on Tracfone Smartphones - October 2022

These are the lowest prices from around the web on some of the latest and greatest smartphones from Tracfone.

Moto G Power (2022) - $99

6.5" touchscreen, 4 GB RAM/64 GB storage,  (Read our full review of the Moto G Power)

Amazon | (affiliate link)eBay

Moto G Stylus (2022) - $169

6.8" touchscreen, 6 GB RAM/128 GB storage, (Read our full review of the Stylus)

HSN (with airtime bundle)

Moto G Stylus 5G (2021) - $219

6.8" touchscreen, 6 GB RAM/128, 5G network compatible

(affiliate link)eBay

Samsung Galaxy A03s - $59

6.5" touchscreen, 3 GB RAM/32 GB storage, 

Amazon

Samsung Galaxy A13 5G - $140

6.5" touchscreen, 4 GB RAM/64 GB storage, 5G network compatible

HSN (with airtime bundle) | Amazon

Great Deals on Unlocked Smartphones

Google Pixel 6a 5G (Unlocked) - $350 ($100 off)

6.1" touchscreen, 6 GB RAM/128 GB storage, 5G network compatible 

Amazon

Moto G Stylus (2022) (Unlocked) - $200 ($100 off)

6.8" touchscreen,6 GB RAM/128 GB storage

Amazon

That concludes our deals and sales list and hope these help you get the best price on a new smartphone!

Leave a comment below with any thoughts or questions and also join us on Facebook to connect with our growing community and get the latest info.

All the phones in our list above are VoLTE capable according to Tracfone, but you may want to take a look at updates to our post about Tracfone Closing their 3G CDMA network and how it may affect you.

Keep up with the latest in 5G network access with Tracfone including 5G Coverage maps! And a list of Tracfone 5G phones.

If you're new to Tracfone, start with our Beginners Guide which shares helpful information about how it all works.

And finally don't miss out on our Tracfone Promo Code list with many different codes to get free minutes when adding airtime!

Thanks for visiting!