The Realme 5s and Samsung Galaxy A50s represent compelling options in the sub-$200 smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches to achieving this. The Realme 5s focuses on endurance and a versatile camera system, while the Galaxy A50s prioritizes processing power and faster charging. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and a decent camera, the Realme 5s emerges as the stronger choice. Its 143-hour endurance rating significantly surpasses what the A50s can offer, and the contrast ratio of 1412:1 provides a visually pleasing display. While the A50s boasts a more powerful chipset, the real-world benefits are marginal for everyday tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE (2CA) 450/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, November 20. Released 2019, November | 2019, August 22. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.6 x 9.3 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.37 in) | 158.5 x 74.5 x 7.7 mm (6.24 x 2.93 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 169 g (5.96 oz) |
| | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3+ | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Realme UI | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Crystal Purple, Crystal Blue, Crystal Red | Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Green, Prism Crush Violet2 |
| Models | RMX1925 | SM-A507F, SM-A507FN, SM-A5070 |
| Price | About 270 EUR | About 290 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.43 W/kg (head) 1.55 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.5dB / Crosstalk -90.1dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 143h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1412:1 | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 89dB
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 139103 (v7), 168635 (v8)
GeekBench: 5596 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 154761 (v7)
GeekBench: 5295 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 9.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme 5s
- Exceptional battery life (143h endurance)
- High contrast display (1412:1)
- Potentially more versatile camera system
- Slower charging speed (10W)
- Less powerful processor compared to A50s
Samsung Galaxy A50s
- Faster processor (Exynos 9611)
- Faster charging (15W)
- Samsung’s image processing expertise
- Shorter battery life
- Potentially less vibrant display
Display Comparison
Both devices lack detailed display specifications beyond the Realme 5s's impressive 1412:1 contrast ratio. This suggests a more vibrant and detailed image compared to the A50s, assuming similar panel technology. Given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The A50s, being a Samsung device, may benefit from Samsung’s display calibration expertise, potentially offering more accurate colors, but without specific nit brightness data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. Bezels are expected to be comparable, typical of phones in this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. However, the market positioning suggests the Realme 5s likely emphasizes its quad-camera setup (though details are missing), while the A50s focuses on Samsung’s image processing algorithms. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to assess image quality. The A50s may offer slightly better dynamic range and color accuracy due to Samsung’s software optimization, but the Realme 5s’s potential for a versatile camera system (ultra-wide, macro, depth) could appeal to users seeking more creative options. The absence of OIS on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A50s utilizes the Exynos 9611 (10nm) chipset, featuring a more powerful CPU configuration – octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) – compared to the Realme 5s’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11nm) with its octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver). The 10nm process of the Exynos 9611 is less efficient than the 11nm process of the Snapdragon 665, potentially leading to slightly higher power consumption. While the A50s’s CPU clock speeds are higher, the Snapdragon 665 benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized software and GPU, potentially offering a smoother gaming experience despite the theoretical CPU disadvantage. The A50s will likely handle more demanding applications with greater ease, but the difference will be noticeable primarily during intensive tasks.
Battery Life
The Realme 5s boasts a significant advantage in battery endurance with a rating of 143 hours. The A50s lacks this specific endurance rating, but its 15W wired charging is faster than the Realme 5s’s 10W charging. This means the A50s can replenish its battery more quickly, but the Realme 5s will likely last considerably longer on a single charge. For users who prioritize minimizing charging frequency, the Realme 5s is the clear winner. The faster charging of the A50s is beneficial for those who frequently top up their battery throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 5s if you need exceptional battery life for extended use, value a high contrast display for media consumption, and prioritize a versatile camera setup for everyday photography. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A50s if you prefer a slightly faster processor for smoother multitasking and appreciate the convenience of 15W fast charging, even if it comes at the cost of battery endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Galaxy A50s tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 9611 is a capable chipset, it's known to exhibit some thermal throttling under sustained load. The 10nm process isn't as efficient as newer nodes, meaning it generates more heat. While it won't likely shut down, users may experience frame drops during extended gaming sessions. The Realme 5s's Snapdragon 665, with its 11nm process, may manage heat slightly better, though it has less raw processing power.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up shots?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones are limited in their usefulness. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. They are often included as a marketing feature rather than a genuinely capable camera. Expect soft, grainy images unless lighting conditions are ideal. The Realme 5s, if equipped with a more robust camera system overall, might extract slightly better results, but don't expect professional-grade macro photography from either device.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A50s handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high frame rates?
The Galaxy A50s can run PUBG Mobile, but achieving consistently high frame rates (60fps or higher) will likely require lowering the graphics settings. The Exynos 9611 has enough power for medium settings, but pushing for ultra graphics and high frame rates may lead to stuttering and overheating. The Realme 5s will likely require even lower settings to maintain a playable frame rate.
