The Realme Narzo 50A and Samsung Galaxy A22 occupy a fiercely competitive space: the sub-$200 Android market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality without breaking the bank, but they take slightly different approaches. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device offers the best value for your money, focusing on performance, display, and battery life.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and slightly faster charging, the Realme Narzo 50A emerges as the winner. While the Samsung Galaxy A22 boasts a brighter display and comparable battery endurance, the Narzo 50A’s Helio G85 chipset provides a marginal, but noticeable, performance advantage in demanding tasks.
| 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 | 2021, June 03 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 07 | Available. Released 2021, July 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 75.9 x 9.6 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.38 in) | 159.3 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm (6.27 x 2.90 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 207 g (7.30 oz) | 186 g (6.56 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~274 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 570 nits (HBM) | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 600 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 |
| 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 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| 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 | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| 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 | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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, gyro, 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, Mint, Violet |
| Models | RMX3430 | SM-A225F, SM-A225F/DS, SM-A225M, SM-A225M/DS |
| Price | About 130 EUR | € 193.97 / £ 160.00 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.52 W/kg (head) 1.59 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 121h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.6 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 185358 (v8), 165959 (v9)
GeekBench: 5464 (v4.4), 1372 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme Narzo 50A
- Slightly faster processor (Helio G85)
- Faster 18W charging
- 5W reverse wired charging
- Likely lower display brightness
- Less established brand reputation
Samsung Galaxy A22
- Brighter display (597 nits)
- Established Samsung brand
- Comparable battery endurance
- Slower processor (Helio G80)
- Slower 15W charging
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A22 holds a clear advantage in display quality, achieving a measured peak brightness of 597 nits. This translates to better visibility under direct sunlight, a crucial factor for outdoor users. While the Narzo 50A’s display specifications are not provided, it’s reasonable to assume it falls short of this brightness level given its price point. The A22’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a typical IPS panel, offering decent color reproduction, but lacking the dynamic range of OLED displays. The lack of refresh rate information for both devices suggests standard 60Hz panels, which is typical for this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera setup, but detailed specifications are lacking. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. It’s safe to assume both rely on primary sensors in the 13-48MP range, with the Narzo 50A potentially offering a higher resolution main sensor given its focus on value. The inclusion of 2MP macro cameras on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to their low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS). Image processing will likely differ, with Samsung typically favoring more saturated colors and the Narzo 50A potentially offering a more natural look.
Performance
Both the Realme Narzo 50A and Samsung Galaxy A22 are powered by Mediatek Helio G-series chipsets, but the Narzo 50A’s Helio G85 offers a slight performance uplift over the A22’s Helio G80. Both utilize an octa-core configuration with the same 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 arrangement, but the G85 benefits from a slightly higher clock speed and optimized GPU. This translates to marginally faster app loading times and smoother performance in graphically intensive games. Neither device specifies RAM speed (LPDDR4X is likely), but the chipset difference is the primary performance differentiator. Thermal management is a potential concern for both, as sustained loads could lead to throttling, but the G85’s slight efficiency advantage may mitigate this.
Battery Life
Both the Realme Narzo 50A and Samsung Galaxy A22 achieve an endurance rating of 121 hours, indicating comparable battery life under typical usage scenarios. However, the Narzo 50A supports 18W wired charging, while the A22 is limited to 15W. This translates to faster charging times for the Narzo 50A, potentially shaving off 30-60 minutes for a full charge. The Narzo 50A also includes 5W reverse wired charging, allowing it to act as a power bank for other devices – a feature absent on the A22.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Narzo 50A if you need a phone for casual gaming, multitasking, and generally demand a snappier user experience. Its Helio G85 chipset offers a slight edge in processing power. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A22 if you prioritize a brighter, more visible display in outdoor conditions and prefer the Samsung brand ecosystem, accepting a minor performance trade-off.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Helio G80 in the Samsung Galaxy A22 struggle with demanding games like PUBG?
While the Helio G80 can run PUBG Mobile, you'll likely need to lower graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. The chipset isn't designed for ultra-high settings, and prolonged gaming sessions may result in some thermal throttling. The Narzo 50A's G85 will offer a slightly better experience.
❓ Is the 5W reverse charging on the Realme Narzo 50A actually useful for topping up accessories?
Yes, the 5W reverse charging is a convenient feature for topping up accessories like wireless earbuds or a smartwatch in a pinch. It won't rapidly charge larger devices, but it's a useful emergency power source. It's a feature the Samsung A22 lacks.
❓ How significant is the difference in charging speed between 15W and 18W?
The difference isn't massive, but the Narzo 50A's 18W charging will typically shave off around 30-60 minutes from a full 0-100% charge compared to the A22's 15W charging. This can be noticeable for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
