Oppo Reno8 vs Samsung Galaxy A53 5G: Which Mid-Range Phone Reigns Supreme?

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Oppo Reno8 and Samsung Galaxy A53 5G represent compelling options for users seeking premium features without the flagship price tag. This comparison dives deep into their core specifications, focusing on performance, display quality, battery life, and charging speeds to determine which device offers the best overall experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw performance and incredibly fast charging, the Oppo Reno8 emerges as the winner. Its Dimensity 1300 chipset and 80W SuperVOOC charging significantly outperform the Galaxy A53’s Exynos 1280 and 25W charging. However, the Galaxy A53 offers slightly better battery endurance and a brighter display.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo Reno8 Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66 - SM-A536U
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA2, 5, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536U
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -2, 5, 48, 66, 77, 78, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536V
Launch
Announced2022, July 182022, March 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, July 25Available. Released 2022, March 24
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions160.6 x 73.4 x 7.7 mm (6.32 x 2.89 x 0.30 in)159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.94 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight179 g (6.31 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 90Hz, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM), 800 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 1300 (6 nm)Exynos 1280 (5 nm)
GPUMali-G77 MC9Mali-G68
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 14, ColorOS 14Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7X", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single32 MP, f/2.4, 23mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanorama, HDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.4, 23mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (market/region dependent)
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging80W wired, 50% in 11 min, 100% in 28 min Reverse wired25W wired
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsShimmer Gold, Shimmer BlackBlack, White, Blue, Peach
ModelsCPH2359SM-A536B, SM-A536B/DS, SM-A536U, SM-A536U1, SM-A5360, SM-A536E, SM-A536E/DS, SM-A536V, SM-A536W, SM-A536N, SM-S536DL
Price£ 279.99 / € 158.14 / ₹ 24,999$ 151.42 / £ 185.00 / € 169.14
SAR-0.75 W/kg (head)     1.58 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.89 W/kg (head)     1.60 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 105h Endurance rating 113h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -28.7 LUFS (Average) -26.5 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 619610a (v9) GeekBench: 2694 (v5.1) GFXBench: 42fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 329802 (v8), 379313 (v9) GeekBench: 1891 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Oppo Reno8

  • Significantly faster charging (80W SuperVOOC)
  • More powerful processor (Dimensity 1300)
  • Potentially better thermal management

  • Lower peak display brightness
  • Slightly shorter battery endurance

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility
  • Slightly longer battery life
  • Established Samsung ecosystem

  • Slower processor (Exynos 1280)
  • Significantly slower charging (25W)

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 830 nits compared to the Oppo Reno8’s 633 nits. This translates to superior visibility under direct sunlight. Both displays share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting excellent black levels. While both are likely OLED panels, the Reno8’s lower peak brightness may be noticeable for users accustomed to vibrant, outdoor viewing. The A53’s larger screen size (not specified in data, but typical for the A53) also contributes to a more immersive viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature capable photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without specifics on sensor size or aperture, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. However, the inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device (assumed based on market segment) would be a significant advantage for low-light photography and video recording. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the A53 is likely a marketing feature with limited real-world utility, as image quality is often compromised by the small sensor size. Image processing styles will likely differ, with Samsung typically favoring more saturated colors and Oppo aiming for a more natural look.

Performance

The Oppo Reno8’s Mediatek Dimensity 1300, fabricated on a 6nm process, holds a clear architectural advantage over the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G’s Exynos 1280 (5nm). The Dimensity 1300 features a more powerful CPU configuration with a 3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 core, alongside three additional Cortex-A78 cores, versus the A53’s two 2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 cores. This translates to faster application loading times and smoother multitasking. The 6nm node of the Dimensity 1300 also suggests potentially better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended gaming sessions. While the Exynos 1280 is a capable chip, the Reno8 offers a noticeable performance uplift.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G edges out the Oppo Reno8 in endurance, achieving 113 hours in our tests versus the Reno8’s 105 hours. This suggests slightly more efficient power management or a larger battery capacity (not specified). However, the Reno8’s 80W wired charging is a game-changer, replenishing 50% of the battery in just 11 minutes and achieving a full charge in 28 minutes. The A53’s 25W charging is considerably slower, making the Reno8 the clear choice for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly. The Reno8 also offers reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the A53.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo Reno8 if you need a phone that can handle demanding tasks like gaming and video editing with ease, and if minimizing charging downtime is a priority. Its faster processor and charging capabilities cater to power users. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G if you prefer a slightly longer-lasting battery, a brighter screen for outdoor visibility, and the established Samsung ecosystem, even if it means sacrificing some processing power and charging speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the Galaxy A53 5G tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 1280 is a capable chip, it's known to exhibit some thermal throttling under sustained heavy loads like gaming. The 5nm process helps, but the Reno8’s Dimensity 1300, with its 6nm process and more efficient CPU architecture, is likely to maintain higher sustained performance during extended gaming.
❓ Is the 80W SuperVOOC charging on the Oppo Reno8 compatible with standard USB-PD chargers?
No, Oppo’s SuperVOOC charging protocol is proprietary. While the Reno8 will charge with a standard USB-PD charger, it will do so at a significantly slower rate (likely around 18W). To achieve the full 80W charging speed, you must use the included Oppo charger.
❓ How significant is the difference in charging speed between 25W and 80W in real-world usage?
The difference is substantial. 25W charging will take well over an hour to fully charge the Galaxy A53 5G, while the Reno8’s 80W charging can achieve a full charge in just 28 minutes. This means you can quickly top up the Reno8 during short breaks, making it ideal for users on the go.
❓ Are there any known issues with the display quality on either the Oppo Reno8 or the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G?
The Galaxy A53 5G has received some criticism regarding its color accuracy and viewing angles, though it excels in brightness. The Reno8’s lower peak brightness may be a drawback for some users, but its color reproduction is generally considered good. Both use OLED panels, so black levels should be excellent.