The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the Oppo A16 and the Samsung Galaxy A13. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the ultimate winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A13 takes the crown. While the Oppo A16 is a decent budget option, the A13's superior chipset, brighter display, and generally better camera performance make it the more compelling choice for most users, despite similar battery life.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, July 17 | 2022, March 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 17 | Available. Released 2022, March 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 75.6 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 165.1 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.5 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, ColorOS 12 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Pearl Blue, Space Silver, Crystal Black | Black, White, Peach, Blue |
| Models | CPH2269 | SM-A135F, SM-A135F/DS, SM-A135M, SM-A135U, SM-A135U1, SM-A135N |
| Price | £ 88.50 / € 109.99 | € 94.99 / $ 129.99 / £ 89.00 |
| SAR | 0.77 W/kg (head) 0.97 W/kg (body) | 0.49 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.37 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 114h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1324:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.7 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 122822 (v8), 136286 (v9)
GeekBench: 588 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Oppo A16
- Very affordable
- Large display
- Decent battery life
- Weak performance
- Mediocre camera
- Lower brightness display
- Outdated chipset
Samsung Galaxy A13
- Better performance
- Brighter display
- Improved camera
- More efficient chipset
- Samsung's software support
- Slightly more expensive than Oppo A16
- 15W charging is slow
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A13 boasts a significantly brighter display (587 nits vs. Oppo A16's likely lower brightness, estimated around 400 nits) and a slightly better contrast ratio. While both offer a large screen, the A13's improved visibility in sunlight and overall clarity give it an edge. Both likely use an LCD panel.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy A13 generally offers better camera performance. While specific megapixel counts might be similar, the A13's image processing and overall sensor quality are superior. Expect more detailed photos, better low-light performance, and more natural colors. The A16's camera is functional but lacks the refinement of the A13.
Performance
Here, the Galaxy A13 shines. The Exynos 850 chipset (8nm) is noticeably faster and more efficient than the Oppo A16's Helio G35 (12nm). Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the A13. The A16's CPU is adequate for basic tasks but struggles with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones offer excellent battery life, with an endurance rating of 114 hours. This suggests both devices can easily last a day and a half or even two days on a single charge, depending on usage. Charging speeds are similar at 15W wired.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Oppo A16? Users prioritizing a very basic smartphone experience and extremely tight budget. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A13? Anyone seeking a more well-rounded budget phone with better performance, a brighter display, and a more capable camera.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Samsung Galaxy A13's Exynos 850 chipset provides significantly better gaming performance than the Oppo A16's Helio G35.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A13 worth the extra cost?
Yes, the Galaxy A13's improved performance, display, and camera justify the slightly higher price tag, especially for users who want a more versatile and future-proof smartphone.
