The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme 13 and Samsung Galaxy A55 are two strong contenders vying for your attention. The Realme 13 aims to deliver solid performance at an aggressive price point, while the Galaxy A55 focuses on a more refined experience with a brighter display and longer battery life. This comparison dives deep into the key differences to help you choose the right phone for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and a vibrant display, the Samsung Galaxy A55 is the better choice. Its Exynos 1480 chipset, coupled with a measured 13:27h active use score, provides a more consistent and enjoyable experience, despite the slower 25W 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, August 29 | 2024, March 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, September 06 | Available. Released 2024, March 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 165.6 x 76.1 x 7.8 mm (6.52 x 3.00 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 (~392 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 580 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm) | Exynos 1480 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Xclipse 530 |
| OS | Android 14, 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 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF, OIS
other unspecified camera | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | - | 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 | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, OIS | 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 | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | 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, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, 50% in 30 min | 25W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Speed Green, Dark Purple | Iceblue, Lilac, Navy, Lemon |
| Models | RMX3951 | SM-A556V, SM-A556B, SM-A556B/DS, SM-A556E, SM-A556E/DS, SM-A5560 |
| Price | ₹ 14,599 | $ 324.99 / £ 251.50 / € 319.99 / ₹ 23,998 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.68 W/kg (head) 1.04 W/kg (body) |
Realme 13
- Faster 45W charging for quicker top-ups
- Potentially more affordable price point
- Mediatek Dimensity 6300 offers capable performance for everyday tasks
- Likely inferior display quality compared to the A55
- Potentially shorter battery life
- Less refined software experience
Samsung Galaxy A55
- Exceptional 13:27h battery life
- Brighter and more color-accurate display (1010 nits)
- More powerful Exynos 1480 chipset for smoother performance
- Slower 25W charging
- Higher price tag
- Samsung’s One UI can be resource-intensive
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A55 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 1010 nits. This is crucial for outdoor visibility, a clear advantage over the Realme 13 (brightness data unavailable). While the Realme 13’s panel specifics are unknown, Samsung’s Super AMOLED technology typically delivers superior color accuracy and contrast. The A55’s brightness also suggests a more effective HDR experience. The lack of LTPO on either device means refresh rate scaling isn’t as efficient, but the A55’s overall display quality is a clear win.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Realme 13, a direct comparison is limited. However, Samsung typically focuses on image processing and computational photography, which often translates to more consistent results, even with similar hardware. The A55 likely benefits from Samsung’s advanced algorithms for noise reduction and dynamic range. The presence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the A55 (assumed based on Samsung’s A-series tradition) is a significant advantage for capturing sharp photos and stable videos, especially in low-light conditions. We can expect the A55 to deliver more versatile and reliable camera performance.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A55’s Exynos 1480 (4nm) chipset offers a performance edge over the Realme 13’s Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6nm). The A55’s CPU configuration – 4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – utilizes more powerful Cortex-A78 cores compared to the Realme’s 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55. The 4nm process node of the Exynos 1480 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. While both phones feature octa-core CPUs, the A55 is expected to handle demanding tasks and gaming more smoothly.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A55 shines in battery life, achieving an impressive 13:27h in active use testing. While the Realme 13’s battery capacity is unknown, the A55’s endurance is a major selling point. The Realme 13 compensates with faster 45W wired charging, claiming 50% charge in 30 minutes, compared to the A55’s 25W charging. However, the A55’s superior battery life means you’ll likely need to charge it less frequently, mitigating the slower charging speed. The efficiency of the 4nm Exynos 1480 also contributes to the A55’s longer runtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 13 if you need a phone that prioritizes quick charging and are comfortable with potentially slightly less refined software. It's ideal for users who frequently top up their battery throughout the day and want a more budget-friendly option. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A55 if you prefer a phone with exceptional battery endurance, a brighter and more color-accurate display, and Samsung’s established software ecosystem. This is the better choice for media consumption and users who want a phone that lasts a full day on a single charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1480 in the Galaxy A55 tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1480’s 4nm process node is designed for improved thermal efficiency. While some heat generation is inevitable during intensive gaming, the A55 is less prone to significant throttling compared to phones with less efficient chipsets. Samsung also incorporates thermal management solutions to mitigate overheating.
❓ Is the 45W charging on the Realme 13 significantly faster in real-world use than the 25W charging on the Galaxy A55?
While 45W is numerically faster, the difference in charging speed isn’t always dramatic. The Realme 13 can reach 50% in 30 minutes, but the A55’s larger battery and efficient power management mean you’ll still have ample battery life even with slower charging. The convenience of less frequent charging often outweighs the benefit of faster charging speeds.
❓ How does the software experience differ between Realme UI and Samsung One UI?
Samsung’s One UI is a more mature and feature-rich software experience, but it can also be more resource-intensive. Realme UI is generally lighter and faster, but may lack some of the advanced features found in One UI. Samsung also offers longer software support commitments.
