Oppo Reno13 vs Samsung Galaxy A55: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Powerhouses

The Oppo Reno13 and Samsung Galaxy A55 represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. The Reno13 aims to deliver flagship-level performance at a more accessible price point, leveraging the Mediatek Dimensity 8350. Conversely, the Galaxy A55 focuses on a balanced experience with Samsung’s Exynos 1480, emphasizing software integration and a refined user experience. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing performance and fast charging, the Oppo Reno13 is the stronger choice. Its Dimensity 8350 chipset and 80W charging significantly outperform the Galaxy A55’s Exynos 1480 and 25W charging. However, Samsung’s software and brand recognition remain strong advantages for those within the ecosystem.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo Reno13 Samsung Galaxy A55
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - InternationalHSDPA 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 - International1, 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 - International1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, November 252024, March 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, November 29Available. Released 2024, March 15
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), aluminum alloy frame, glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame
Dimensions157.9 x 74.7 x 7.2 mm (6.22 x 2.94 x 0.28 in)161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2 mm (6.34 x 3.05 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight181 g (6.38 oz)213 g (7.51 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 4Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
Resolution1256 x 2760 pixels (~460 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density)
Size6.59 inches, 105.6 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 3840Hz PWM, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.35 GHz Cortex-A715 & 3x3.20 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.20 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 8350 (4 nm)Exynos 1480 (4 nm)
GPUMali G615-MC6Xclipse 530
OSAndroid 15, ColorOS 15Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED 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, 15mm, 115˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF Auxiliary lens50 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@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanorama, HDR-
Single50 MP, f/2.0, 21mm (wide), 1/2.75", AF32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 55.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes (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, PD, UFCS 33W, PPS 33W Reverse wired25W wired
Type5600 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsPlume White, Luminous Blue, Black, Purple, BlueIceblue, Lilac, Navy, Lemon
ModelsCPH2689, PKM110SM-A556V, SM-A556B, SM-A556B/DS, SM-A556E, SM-A556E/DS, SM-A5560
Price€ 409.95 / $ 470.00 / £ 344.99 / ₹ 23,999$ 324.99 / £ 251.50 / € 319.99 / ₹ 23,998
SAR EU-0.68 W/kg (head)     1.04 W/kg (body)
EU LABEL
Battery64:19h endurance, 1600 cycles-
EnergyClass A-
Free fallClass C (120 falls)-
RepairabilityClass B-

Oppo Reno13

  • Significantly faster charging (80W)
  • More powerful processor (Dimensity 8350)
  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility

  • Oppo’s ColorOS may not appeal to all users
  • Potentially less refined software experience compared to Samsung

Samsung Galaxy A55

  • Samsung’s One UI offers a polished software experience
  • Strong brand recognition and ecosystem integration
  • Reliable and consistent performance

  • Slower charging speed (25W)
  • Less powerful processor (Exynos 1480)
  • Dimmer display compared to the Oppo Reno13

Display Comparison

The Oppo Reno13 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1204 nits compared to the Galaxy A55’s 1010 nits. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While both feature a 4nm chipset, the Reno13’s brighter panel will consume more power. The lack of LTPO technology on either device means refresh rate scaling isn’t as efficient as on higher-end phones, but the Reno13’s brightness advantage is a clear win for outdoor usability.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is limited. However, the focus should be on the main sensor and image processing. Assuming similar sensor sizes (which is unknown), the Reno13’s more powerful chipset will likely enable faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance. The Galaxy A55 benefits from Samsung’s established camera software, known for its vibrant colors and user-friendly interface. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely inconsequential; image quality from these sensors is typically poor.

Performance

The Mediatek Dimensity 8350 in the Reno13 represents a substantial performance leap over the Samsung Galaxy A55’s Exynos 1480. The Dimensity 8350’s octa-core configuration (1x3.35 GHz Cortex-A715, 3x3.20 GHz Cortex-A715, 4x2.20 GHz Cortex-A510) is architecturally more advanced than the Exynos 1480’s (4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55), resulting in faster CPU and GPU performance. This difference will be most noticeable in demanding games and multitasking scenarios. While both are built on a 4nm process, the Dimensity 8350’s newer architecture provides a performance edge.

Battery Life

The Oppo Reno13 delivers a measured 16:50h of active use, while the Galaxy A55 achieves 13:27h. This difference, coupled with the Reno13’s impressive 80W wired charging (compared to the A55’s 25W), makes a significant impact on the user experience. The Reno13’s 80W charging can replenish the battery from 0-100% much faster, minimizing downtime. The Reno13 also boasts a claimed 1600 battery cycles, suggesting greater long-term battery health. While the A55’s battery life is respectable, the Reno13’s combination of endurance and charging speed is superior.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo Reno13 if you need raw processing power for gaming or demanding applications, and value incredibly fast charging speeds. This phone is ideal for users who frequently use their phone for extended periods and need a battery that can keep up. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A55 if you prefer a more polished software experience, prioritize Samsung’s ecosystem integration, and value a consistently reliable, albeit less powerful, performance profile. It’s a great choice for everyday users who appreciate a streamlined experience.

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 chip, it's known to throttle under sustained load, particularly in graphically demanding games. The Reno13’s Dimensity 8350, with its more efficient architecture, is less prone to overheating and maintains higher performance for longer periods.
❓ What charging protocols does the Oppo Reno13 support beyond 80W SuperVOOC?
The Oppo Reno13 supports a wide range of charging protocols including PD, UFCS 33W, and PPS 33W, offering compatibility with various chargers. It also supports reverse wired charging, allowing you to top up other devices.
❓ Is the difference in active use battery life between the two phones noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the 3+ hour difference in active use battery life is quite noticeable. Users who heavily utilize their phones for streaming, gaming, or social media will likely appreciate the Reno13’s longer endurance. However, the A55 still provides a full day of use for moderate users.
❓ How does Samsung’s software update policy compare to Oppo’s for these devices?
Samsung generally offers longer software support for its A-series devices, typically providing 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security patches. Oppo’s update policy is typically shorter, around 3 years of OS updates and 4 years of security patches. This is a significant consideration for users who prioritize long-term software support.