The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme 12+ and Samsung Galaxy A55 are two strong contenders vying for your attention. The Realme 12+ focuses on rapid charging and a bright display, while the Galaxy A55 emphasizes a more refined software experience and a slightly longer-lasting battery. This comparison dives deep into the specifications and real-world performance to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained battery life and a polished software experience, the Samsung Galaxy A55 emerges as the winner. Its marginally longer active use score (13:27h vs 13:03h) and the efficiency of the 4nm Exynos 1480 chipset provide a slight edge, despite the Realme 12+'s faster charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, February 29 | 2024, March 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, March 02 | Available. Released 2024, March 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, silicone polymer back (eco leather), plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163 x 75.5 x 7.9 mm (6.42 x 2.97 x 0.31 in) | 161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2 mm (6.34 x 3.05 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 213 g (7.51 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 600 nits (typ), 2000 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | Exynos 1480 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Xclipse 530 |
| OS | Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades, Realme UI 5.0 | Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.95", 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) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/3.0" | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes, 360˚ (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 67W wired, 50% in 19 min | 25W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Pioneer Green, Navigator Beige | Iceblue, Lilac, Navy, Lemon |
| Models | RMX3867 | SM-A556V, SM-A556B, SM-A556B/DS, SM-A556E, SM-A556E/DS, SM-A5560 |
| Price | € 192.98 / $ 200.22 / £ 203.26 / ₹ 18,999 | $ 324.99 / £ 251.50 / € 319.99 / ₹ 23,998 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.68 W/kg (head) 1.04 W/kg (body) |
Realme 12+
- Significantly faster 67W charging
- Brighter display for outdoor use
- Potentially more aggressive pricing
- Less efficient 6nm chipset
- Slightly shorter battery life
- Software experience may not be as refined as Samsung's
Samsung Galaxy A55
- More efficient 4nm Exynos 1480 chipset
- Slightly longer battery life
- Polished and reliable Samsung software experience
- Slower 25W charging
- Lower peak display brightness
- Potentially higher price point
Display Comparison
The Realme 12+ boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1148 nits, compared to the Galaxy A55’s 1010 nits. This translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. However, both devices likely utilize AMOLED panels, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. While neither spec sheet details refresh rate or PWM dimming, Samsung historically implements higher PWM frequencies in its A-series, potentially making the A55 a more comfortable viewing experience for users sensitive to flicker. The difference in peak brightness is noticeable, but the A55’s color accuracy and overall panel quality are likely comparable, given Samsung’s display expertise.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the main sensors, a direct comparison is limited. However, the focus should be on image processing. Samsung’s Galaxy A55 typically employs a more saturated and contrast-rich image processing style, appealing to social media users. Realme often aims for a more natural look. The absence of OIS information for either device is a concern, as it significantly impacts low-light photography and video stabilization. The usefulness of the often-included 2MP macro cameras on both phones is questionable; image quality is typically subpar. The larger sensor (if present) on either device will be the primary determinant of low-light performance.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A55’s Exynos 1480, fabricated on a 4nm process, holds a theoretical advantage in power efficiency over the Realme 12+'s Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6nm). While the A55’s CPU configuration (4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) has a slightly higher peak clock speed on its prime cores compared to the 12+'s (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55), the 4nm node is crucial for managing heat during prolonged tasks. This suggests the A55 may exhibit less thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. The impact of RAM speed (likely LPDDR5X on both) isn’t specified, but the Exynos 1480’s integrated GPU is expected to deliver comparable, if not slightly better, graphics performance.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A55 edges out the Realme 12+ in real-world battery life, achieving 13:27 hours of active use compared to the 12+'s 13:03 hours. This difference, while not massive, highlights the efficiency gains of the 4nm Exynos 1480. However, the Realme 12+ compensates with significantly faster 67W wired charging, reaching 50% charge in just 19 minutes. The Galaxy A55’s 25W charging is considerably slower, making it less convenient for users who need quick top-ups. The trade-off is clear: longer runtime with the A55 versus faster charging with the 12+.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 12+ if you need blazing-fast 67W charging and prioritize a very bright display for outdoor visibility. This phone is ideal for users who frequently top up their battery throughout the day and consume a lot of media on the go. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A55 if you prefer a more balanced experience with a focus on software stability, slightly better battery endurance, and a potentially more efficient processor for sustained workloads. This is the better choice for users who value long-term reliability and a seamless user interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1480 in the Galaxy A55 tend to overheat during demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Exynos 1480, built on a 4nm process, is generally more thermally efficient than the Dimensity 7050. While some throttling is inevitable during extended gaming sessions, the A55 is less likely to experience significant performance drops due to overheating compared to the Realme 12+. Samsung’s software also includes thermal management features to mitigate this.
❓ Is the 67W charging on the Realme 12+ compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers?
While the Realme 12+ supports 67W charging, it's crucial to use the included charger or a compatible SuperVOOC charger to achieve those speeds. Standard Power Delivery (PD) chargers may charge the device at a slower rate, typically around 18-20W. Using a non-compatible charger won't damage the phone, but it will significantly increase charging times.
❓ How does the software update commitment differ between Realme and Samsung?
Samsung generally provides longer software support for its A-series devices, typically offering 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security patches. Realme’s update commitment is typically shorter, often around 3 years of OS updates and 4 years of security patches. This makes the Galaxy A55 a more future-proof option for users who prioritize long-term software support.
