The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme Narzo 50A and Samsung Galaxy A13 are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at affordable prices, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A13 edges out the Narzo 50A thanks to its brighter display, more efficient chipset, and generally more polished software experience. While the Narzo 50A offers reverse charging, the A13's overall package provides better value for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 24 | 2022, March 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 07 | Available. Released 2022, March 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 75.9 x 9.6 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.38 in) | 165.1 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.5 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 207 g (7.30 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 570 nits (HBM) | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@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, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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 Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
5W reverse wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Oxygen Blue, Oxygen Green | Black, White, Peach, Blue |
| Models | RMX3430 | SM-A135F, SM-A135F/DS, SM-A135M, SM-A135U, SM-A135U1, SM-A135N |
| Price | About 130 EUR | € 94.99 / $ 129.99 / £ 89.00 |
| SAR | - | 0.49 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.37 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 114h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1324:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.7 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 122822 (v8), 136286 (v9)
GeekBench: 588 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme Narzo 50A
- Reverse wired charging
- Slightly better gaming performance (Helio G85)
- Aggressive pricing
- Dimmer display
- Less efficient chipset
- Software updates may be slower
Samsung Galaxy A13
- Brighter display
- Longer battery life
- Samsung's One UI software
- More efficient chipset
- Less powerful gaming performance compared to Narzo 50A
- Slower charging speed
- Design can be considered bland
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A13 boasts a significantly brighter display (587 nits vs. Narzo 50A's estimated 400-450 nits) and a high contrast ratio (1324:1). While both have similar resolutions, the A13's superior brightness makes it easier to view in sunlight. The Narzo 50A's display is adequate but lacks the vibrancy of the A13.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is comparable, with both phones offering decent image quality in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is a weakness for both. The A13 likely has slightly better image processing due to Samsung's expertise, but the difference isn't substantial. Both offer standard camera features.
Performance
The Realme Narzo 50A's Helio G85 chipset is generally considered slightly better for gaming than the A13's Exynos 850. However, the Exynos 850 is more power-efficient, contributing to the A13's longer battery life. Day-to-day performance on both phones is smooth for basic tasks.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A13 shines in battery life, achieving an impressive endurance rating of 114 hours. The Narzo 50A's battery life is respectable, but falls short of the A13's longevity. The A13's more efficient chipset plays a key role in this advantage.
Buying Guide
The Realme Narzo 50A is a good choice for users prioritizing reverse charging and a slightly more gaming-focused chipset. The Samsung Galaxy A13 is ideal for those seeking a brighter display, longer battery life, and the reliability of the Samsung brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Realme Narzo 50A's Helio G85 chipset offers slightly better gaming performance than the Samsung Galaxy A13's Exynos 850, but the difference isn't massive.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Samsung Galaxy A13 has significantly better battery life, achieving an endurance rating of 114 hours compared to the Narzo 50A's lower rating.
