The Realme Narzo 50 and Samsung Galaxy A53 5G represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Narzo 50 aggressively targets gamers and value-seekers, while the A53 5G aims for a more balanced experience with a focus on display quality and Samsung’s established ecosystem. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a vibrant display and reliable software support, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is the better choice. However, the Realme Narzo 50 delivers a compelling performance-per-dollar ratio, making it ideal for mobile gamers on a tight budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66 - SM-A536U |
| 5G bands | - | 2, 5, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536U |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 2, 5, 48, 66, 77, 78, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536V |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 24 | 2022, March 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 03 | Available. Released 2022, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.1 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.33 in) | 159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.94 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) | Exynos 1280 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G68 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED 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 |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30/120fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (market/region dependent) |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Speed Blue, Speed Black | Black, White, Blue, Peach |
| Models | RMX3286 | SM-A536B, SM-A536B/DS, SM-A536U, SM-A536U1, SM-A5360, SM-A536E, SM-A536E/DS, SM-A536V, SM-A536W, SM-A536N, SM-S536DL |
| Price | About 610 EUR | $ 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 113h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.5 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 329802 (v8), 379313 (v9)
GeekBench: 1891 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme Narzo 50
- Faster 33W charging for quicker top-ups
- Potentially better gaming performance due to Helio G96
- More affordable price point
- Less efficient 12nm chipset
- Likely inferior display quality
- Less established brand reputation
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
- Brighter and more vibrant display (830 nits)
- More efficient 5nm Exynos 1280 chipset
- Samsung’s software ecosystem and long-term support
- Slower 25W charging
- Higher price compared to the Narzo 50
- Potentially less gaming-focused optimization
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 830 nits, compared to an assumed lower peak brightness on the Narzo 50 (data unavailable, but typically lower in this price bracket). This brightness advantage translates to better outdoor visibility. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, Samsung’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio suggests superior black levels. The A53’s display is likely to offer a more immersive viewing experience, particularly for media consumption. The Narzo 50’s display specs are not provided, so a direct comparison of resolution and refresh rate is impossible, but it’s likely to be a standard 60Hz panel.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specs are absent. However, given Samsung’s history, the A53 5G likely features a more sophisticated camera system with a larger main sensor and improved image processing algorithms. The A53 likely benefits from Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), a feature often absent in this price range, leading to sharper images and smoother videos. The Narzo 50 may rely heavily on software enhancements to compensate for potentially less capable hardware. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the Narzo 50 (common in this segment) is unlikely to provide significant photographic value.
Performance
The Exynos 1280 (5nm) in the Galaxy A53 5G holds a clear architectural advantage over the Helio G96 (12nm) in the Narzo 50. The 5nm process allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, resulting in sustained performance and reduced thermal throttling. The A53’s CPU features Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.4GHz, offering a performance boost over the Narzo 50’s Cortex-A76 cores at 2.05GHz. While both phones have 6x Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, the A53’s overall chipset architecture provides a smoother experience for demanding tasks and multitasking. The Narzo 50 will likely excel in gaming due to the G96’s focus, but the A53 will maintain more consistent performance across a wider range of applications.
Battery Life
Both the Realme Narzo 50 and Samsung Galaxy A53 5G achieve an endurance rating of 113 hours, suggesting comparable overall battery life. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The Narzo 50 supports 33W wired charging, enabling faster top-ups compared to the A53 5G’s 25W charging. This means the Narzo 50 can potentially recover a substantial amount of battery life in a shorter timeframe, a crucial advantage for users who frequently need to recharge quickly. While the A53’s battery optimization may contribute to similar endurance, the Narzo 50 offers a quicker path to 100%.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Narzo 50 if you prioritize gaming performance and maximizing value for your money, and are comfortable with Realme UI. You'll benefit from the Helio G96's focus on gaming and the faster 33W charging. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G if you value a brighter, more color-accurate display, a more polished software experience, and the long-term support and brand recognition that Samsung provides.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the Galaxy A53 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1280’s 5nm process and Samsung’s thermal management solutions generally prevent significant overheating. While some warmth is expected during extended gaming, it shouldn’t lead to substantial performance throttling, unlike the Narzo 50’s Helio G96 which may throttle more aggressively under sustained load.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Realme Narzo 50 actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Typically, 2MP macro cameras on phones in this price range offer limited detail and image quality. The small sensor size and lack of autofocus result in soft, often blurry images. It’s best to rely on the main camera for close-up shots, utilizing digital zoom instead.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G reliably maintain 60fps in demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high graphics settings?
The Exynos 1280 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at high graphics settings, but maintaining a consistent 60fps may require adjusting settings depending on the specific game mode and background processes. Expect some frame rate fluctuations during intense combat scenarios.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Realme Narzo 50 from 0% to 100% with the 33W charger?
With the 33W charger, the Realme Narzo 50 should fully charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 65-75 minutes, depending on usage during charging. This is significantly faster than the A53 5G’s 25W charging.
