Oppo Reno12 vs Samsung Galaxy A55: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Power

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Oppo Reno12 and Samsung Galaxy A55 represent two compelling options. The Reno12 aims to deliver a performance edge with its Mediatek Dimensity 7300 Energy chipset, while the Galaxy A55 leans on Samsung’s established brand and a focus on all-around usability. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the Oppo Reno12 is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 7300 Energy chipset and 80W charging significantly outperform the Galaxy A55’s Exynos 1480 and 25W charging. However, the Galaxy A55 offers a more balanced experience with a slightly longer battery life in active use.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo Reno12 Samsung Galaxy A55
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - version 1HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - version 11, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - version 11, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, June 182024, March 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, June 25Available. Released 2024, March 15
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), plastic frame, glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame
Dimensions161.4 x 74.1 x 7.6 mm (6.35 x 2.92 x 0.30 in)161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2 mm (6.34 x 3.05 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight177 g (6.24 oz)213 g (7.51 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 7iCorning Gorilla Glass Victus+
Resolution1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~90.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 7300 Energy (4 nm)Exynos 1480 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G615 MC2Xclipse 530
OSAndroid 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, ColorOS 14.1Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS, OIS, HDR4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanorama, HDR-
Single32 MP, f/2.0, 21mm (wide), 1/3.1", PDAF32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYes, 360˚ (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
Battery
Charging80W wired, PD2.0, 47% in 18 min, 100% in 46 min, Reverse wired25W wired
Type5000 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsMatte Brown, Sunset Pink, Astro SilverIceblue, Lilac, Navy, Lemon
ModelsCPH2625SM-A556V, SM-A556B, SM-A556B/DS, SM-A556E, SM-A556E/DS, SM-A5560
Price€ 303.99$ 324.99 / £ 251.50 / € 319.99 / ₹ 23,998
SAR EU-0.68 W/kg (head)     1.04 W/kg (body)

Oppo Reno12

  • Faster 80W charging significantly reduces downtime.
  • More powerful Dimensity 7300 Energy chipset for better performance.
  • Brighter display enhances outdoor visibility.

  • Battery life, while good, is slightly shorter than the A55.
  • Software experience may not be as polished as Samsung’s One UI.

Samsung Galaxy A55

  • Slightly longer battery life in active use.
  • Samsung’s One UI offers a refined and feature-rich software experience.
  • Strong brand reputation and established ecosystem.

  • Significantly slower 25W charging.
  • Less powerful Exynos 1480 chipset.
  • Dimmer display can be challenging in bright sunlight.

Display Comparison

The Oppo Reno12 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1378 nits compared to the Galaxy A55’s 1010 nits. This translates to superior visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both utilize 4nm chipsets, the Reno12’s brighter panel will draw slightly more power. We lack data on panel technology (LTPO vs standard OLED) but the brightness difference is a key differentiator for users who consume a lot of media outdoors. Bezels appear comparable based on available imagery, and color accuracy is likely similar given both brands’ focus on vibrant displays.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Reno12’s brand positioning suggests a stronger emphasis on camera capabilities. While both likely feature a multi-camera setup, the Reno12 may prioritize larger sensors and more advanced image processing algorithms. The Galaxy A55’s camera is likely competent, but Oppo often focuses on computational photography to enhance image quality. We can safely assume both will include standard wide, ultrawide, and potentially macro lenses, but the Reno12 is likely to offer a more versatile and higher-quality camera experience.

Performance

Both phones employ octa-core CPUs with a similar core configuration (4x Cortex-A78 and 4x Cortex-A55), but the Galaxy A55’s cores are clocked slightly higher at 2.75 GHz versus the Reno12’s 2.5 GHz. However, the Reno12’s Mediatek Dimensity 7300 Energy, built on a 4nm process, is generally considered more efficient and offers a performance advantage in GPU-intensive tasks. The Dimensity’s architecture is optimized for sustained performance, potentially leading to less thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. RAM speed (LPDDR5x is expected on both) is not specified, but the chipset difference is the primary performance driver.

Battery Life

The Oppo Reno12 achieves an active use battery score of 14:53h, outperforming the Samsung Galaxy A55’s 13:27h. This difference, while not massive, is notable. However, the Reno12’s 80W wired charging is a game-changer, reaching 47% charge in just 18 minutes and 100% in 46 minutes. The Galaxy A55’s 25W charging is significantly slower, making the Reno12 the preferred choice for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly. The Reno12 also offers reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the A55.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo Reno12 if you need a phone that can handle demanding tasks like gaming and video editing with ease, and if minimizing charging time is a priority. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A55 if you prefer a more refined software experience, a slightly longer-lasting battery for everyday use, and value Samsung’s ecosystem of features and services.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 1480 in the Galaxy A55 tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 1480 is a capable chipset, it's known to exhibit some thermal throttling under sustained load. The Oppo Reno12’s Dimensity 7300 Energy, with its more efficient 4nm process and optimized architecture, is likely to maintain higher sustained performance during extended gaming.
❓ Is the 80W charging on the Oppo Reno12 compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers from other devices?
Yes, the Oppo Reno12 supports PD2.0, meaning it's compatible with many standard USB-C PD chargers. However, to achieve the full 80W charging speed, you'll need a charger specifically rated for that wattage. Using a lower-wattage charger will still charge the phone, but at a slower rate.
❓ How does the software update policy differ between Oppo and Samsung?
Samsung generally offers a longer software support commitment than Oppo. The Galaxy A55 is expected to receive four years of OS updates and five years of security patches, while Oppo’s update policy is typically shorter, though improving with recent models. This is a key consideration for users who prioritize long-term software support.