Samsung Galaxy A16 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S23+
The Verdict
Samsung's budget Galaxy A16 5G delivers surprising value with a large 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display, 90Hz refresh rate, and capable 50MP main camera, all powered by MediaTek's Dimensity 6300 chipset. However, the S23+ commands a premium with its superior Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, brighter 1750-nit Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, professional-grade camera system featuring 8K video recording and optical zoom, plus wireless charging and IP68 water resistance. While the A16 handles everyday tasks admirably and offers exceptional value at $199, the S23+ justifies its $999 price through flagship performance, advanced imaging capabilities, and refined materials. For budget-conscious buyers, the A16 is compelling; for those prioritizing camera excellence and processing power, the S23+ is the clear choice.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G if…
- →Six generations of OS updates — unprecedented for a $199 phone
- →5G connectivity at true budget pricing
- →Large 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23+ if…
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy delivers top-tier performance
- →Bright 1750-nit display is excellent in direct sunlight
- →4700 mAh battery provides strong all-day endurance
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G
Pros
- Six generations of OS updates — unprecedented for a $199 phone
- 5G connectivity at true budget pricing
- Large 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display
- All-day 5000 mAh battery easily lasts through heavy use
- NFC for contactless payments included
Cons
- Only 4 GB RAM feels tight for multitasking
- Camera quality falls off sharply in low light
- 90Hz display is a step below 120Hz competitors
- IP54 is splash-resistant only — not waterproof
Samsung Galaxy S23+
Pros
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy delivers top-tier performance
- Bright 1750-nit display is excellent in direct sunlight
- 4700 mAh battery provides strong all-day endurance
- Four years of OS updates and five years of security patches
- Versatile triple camera with 3x optical zoom
Cons
- Only 8 GB RAM at the $999 price point
- FHD+ resolution instead of QHD+ on the 6.6-inch display
- 45W charging is slower than Chinese competitors
- No expandable storage or microSD slot
- Design is very similar to S22+ with minimal visual changes
Full Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy A16 5G | Samsung Galaxy S23+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 14 (One UI 6.1) | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 192 g | 195 g |
| Material | Plastic | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP54 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.9 mm | 157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8 | 50 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 13 MP, f/2.0 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 2 MP, f/2.4, macro | 10 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS |
| Ultrawide | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4700 mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | — | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.6 inches |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 90Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 800 | 1750 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 740 |
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 6300 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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