Realme 13 Pro+ vs Samsung Galaxy A55: Which Mid-Range Phone Reigns Supreme?

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme 13 Pro+ and Samsung Galaxy A55 are two strong contenders vying for your attention. The Realme boasts a brighter display and faster charging, while the Samsung counters with a potentially more refined software experience and a well-regarded brand reputation. This comparison dives deep into the specifications to determine which device delivers the best value.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing display brightness and charging speed, the Realme 13 Pro+ emerges as the winner. Its significantly brighter 1398 nits display and 80W charging are compelling advantages. However, the Samsung Galaxy A55 remains a solid choice for those deeply embedded in the Samsung ecosystem and valuing software polish.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme 13 Pro+ Samsung Galaxy A55
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 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, July 302024, March 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, August 06Available. Released 2024, March 15
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), plastic frame, glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame
Dimensions161.3 x 73.9 x 8.2 or 8.4 mm161.1 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)
Weight185.5 g or 190 g (6.56 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 (~90.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 600 nits (typ), 1200 nits (HBM), 2000 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm)Exynos 1480 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 710Xclipse 530
OSAndroid 14, Realme UI 5.0Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (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/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.7, 73mm, (periscope telephoto), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm50 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@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 21mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYes, 360˚ (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB 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, 50% in 19 min, 100% in 49 min25W wired
Type5200 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsMonet Gold, Emerald Green, Monet PurpleIceblue, Lilac, Navy, Lemon
ModelsRMX3920, RMX3921SM-A556V, SM-A556B, SM-A556B/DS, SM-A556E, SM-A556E/DS, SM-A5560
Price$ 549.00 / ₹ 24,999$ 324.99 / £ 251.50 / € 319.99 / ₹ 23,998
SAR EU-0.68 W/kg (head)     1.04 W/kg (body)

Realme 13 Pro+

  • Significantly brighter display for outdoor visibility
  • Much faster 80W charging
  • Potentially better gaming performance due to Adreno GPU

  • Realme’s software update commitment may be shorter than Samsung’s
  • Brand recognition is lower than Samsung

Samsung Galaxy A55

  • Strong brand reputation and software support
  • Potentially more refined software experience
  • Samsung ecosystem integration

  • Dimmer display compared to the Realme 13 Pro+
  • Significantly slower 25W charging
  • Exynos 1480 may be prone to thermal throttling under sustained load

Display Comparison

The Realme 13 Pro+ immediately stands out with its measured peak brightness of 1398 nits, significantly exceeding the Samsung Galaxy A55’s 1010 nits. This difference translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While both utilize 4nm chipsets, the display’s power draw will impact overall efficiency. We lack panel technology details (LTPO vs standard AMOLED) but the brightness gap is a clear win for the Realme. Bezels appear comparable based on available imagery, and color accuracy will likely be excellent on both, though Samsung historically has a slight edge in calibration.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the market positioning suggests the Realme 13 Pro+ may prioritize camera features. We can infer that both phones will feature multi-camera systems, but the sensor sizes and optical image stabilization (OIS) are crucial differentiators. Larger sensors capture more light, resulting in better low-light performance. OIS is essential for sharp photos and stable videos. Image processing styles will also differ – Samsung typically favors vibrant, saturated colors, while Realme often aims for a more natural look. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely irrelevant; image quality will be limited.

Performance

Both phones employ 4nm chipsets, but the architectures differ. The Galaxy A55’s Exynos 1480 features a slightly higher peak CPU clock speed (2.75 GHz vs 2.40 GHz on the Realme’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2). However, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 utilizes Cortex-A78 cores, known for their efficiency, and benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized software. The A55’s Exynos 1480 may offer a marginal advantage in raw CPU benchmarks, but the real-world impact will depend on thermal management. Both devices likely utilize LPDDR5x RAM, but the speed and configuration could vary, impacting multitasking performance. The Snapdragon’s Adreno GPU is generally considered more powerful than the Exynos’s Xclipse GPU, potentially giving the Realme an edge in gaming.

Battery Life

Battery life is remarkably similar, with the Realme 13 Pro+ achieving 13:39 hours of active use compared to the Galaxy A55’s 13:27 hours. This suggests efficient power management on both sides. However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The Realme 13 Pro+ supports 80W wired charging, reaching 50% in just 19 minutes and 100% in 49 minutes. The Samsung Galaxy A55 is limited to 25W charging, a significantly slower pace. This difference is a major advantage for the Realme, especially for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme 13 Pro+ if you need a vibrant, easily visible display for outdoor use and value incredibly fast charging. This phone is ideal for media consumers and power users who don't want to be tethered to a charger. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A55 if you prefer a more established brand with a long track record of software updates and a generally more conservative, refined user experience. It's a better fit for users prioritizing long-term software support and a seamless Samsung ecosystem integration.

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, Exynos chips have historically been more prone to thermal throttling than their Snapdragon counterparts. The 4nm process helps, but sustained gaming at high settings could lead to performance drops as the chip heats up. The Realme 13 Pro+'s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, with Qualcomm's thermal management optimizations, may offer more consistent performance over extended periods.
❓ Is the 80W charging on the Realme 13 Pro+ safe for long-term battery health?
80W charging is fast, but modern smartphones have sophisticated charging management systems to protect battery health. The Realme 13 Pro+ likely employs these technologies to regulate voltage and current, minimizing battery degradation. While extremely fast charging *can* theoretically contribute to faster degradation over years of use, the convenience and time savings are significant for most users.
❓ How does the software experience differ between Realme UI and Samsung's One UI?
Samsung's One UI is known for its feature-richness and polished interface, with a strong emphasis on customization. Realme UI is generally lighter and more streamlined, offering a cleaner aesthetic. Samsung typically provides longer software support (more OS updates and security patches) than Realme. The choice depends on your preference for a feature-packed or minimalist experience and your need for long-term software updates.