Realme P1 vs Samsung Galaxy A55: Which Mid-Range Phone Reigns Supreme?

The Realme P1 and Samsung Galaxy A55 represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. The P1 aims to deliver strong performance at an aggressive price point, while the A55 focuses on a refined experience with Samsung’s established software and a brighter display. This comparison dives deep into the key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-around usability and a brighter, more visible display, the Samsung Galaxy A55 is the better choice. Its superior battery life and refined software experience outweigh the Realme P1’s faster charging and slightly more aggressive CPU clock speeds.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme P1 Samsung Galaxy A55
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, April 152024, March 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, April 15Available. Released 2024, March 15
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame
Dimensions163 x 75.5 x 8 mm (6.42 x 2.97 x 0.31 in)161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2 mm (6.34 x 3.05 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight188 g (6.63 oz)213 g (7.51 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, 600 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm)Exynos 1480 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G68 MC4Xclipse 530
OSAndroid 14, Realme UI 5.0Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED 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)
Video1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Single16 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
Battery
Charging45W wired, 50% in 27 min25W wired
TypeLi-Ion 5000 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsPhoenix Red, Peacock GreenIceblue, Lilac, Navy, Lemon
ModelsRMX3870SM-A556V, SM-A556B, SM-A556B/DS, SM-A556E, SM-A556E/DS, SM-A5560
Price₹ 13,999$ 324.99 / £ 251.50 / € 319.99 / ₹ 23,998
SAR EU-0.68 W/kg (head)     1.04 W/kg (body)

Realme P1

  • Faster 45W wired charging
  • Potentially more aggressive CPU clock speeds
  • Likely more affordable price point

  • Less efficient 6nm chipset
  • Unknown battery life performance
  • Limited camera information

Samsung Galaxy A55

  • Brighter 1010 nit display
  • More efficient 4nm Exynos 1480 chipset
  • Longer battery life (13:27h active use)

  • Slower 25W wired charging
  • Potentially higher price
  • Software bloat (typical of Samsung)

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A55 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1010 nits, making it far more usable outdoors in direct sunlight compared to the Realme P1 (brightness data unavailable). While the P1’s panel technology isn’t specified, Samsung’s Super AMOLED panels are known for their vibrant colors and excellent contrast. The A55’s brightness advantage is crucial for users who spend a lot of time outdoors or in brightly lit environments. The lack of LTPO on either device suggests both will rely on adaptive refresh rate switching to conserve battery, but the A55’s superior brightness will be the defining factor for many.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for the Realme P1, a direct comparison is limited. However, Samsung typically focuses on image processing and software optimization. The A55 likely benefits from Samsung’s established camera algorithms, offering consistent image quality across various lighting conditions. The absence of information regarding sensor size and OIS on the P1 makes it difficult to assess its low-light performance. Users prioritizing camera quality should lean towards the A55, assuming Samsung maintains its usual standards in this segment.

Performance

Both phones utilize octa-core CPUs with a similar core configuration – four Cortex-A78 performance cores and four Cortex-A55 efficiency cores. However, the Galaxy A55’s Exynos 1480 has a higher peak clock speed (2.75 GHz vs 2.6 GHz on the P1’s Dimensity 7050) and is fabricated on a more efficient 4nm process compared to the P1’s 6nm process. This 4nm node should translate to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads like gaming. While the P1’s Dimensity 7050 is a capable chip, the Exynos 1480’s process node advantage gives the A55 an edge in sustained performance.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy A55 demonstrates a clear advantage in battery life, achieving 13 hours and 27 minutes of active use. While the Realme P1’s battery capacity is unknown, its 45W wired charging is significantly faster than the A55’s 25W charging, allowing for a 50% charge in just 27 minutes. This faster charging is beneficial for users who need a quick power boost, but the A55’s longer overall battery life reduces the frequency of needing to charge. The trade-off is convenience (P1) versus longevity (A55).

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme P1 if you need maximum performance for the price and prioritize fast 45W charging. This phone is ideal for gamers and power users who frequently push their devices. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A55 if you prefer a more polished software experience, a brighter and more color-accurate display, and longer battery life, even if it means sacrificing some raw processing power and charging speed.

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 compared to the Realme P1’s 6nm Dimensity 7050. While some throttling is inevitable during extended gaming, the A55 is less likely to experience significant performance drops due to heat buildup, offering a more consistent gaming experience.
❓ Is the 45W charging on the Realme P1 significantly faster in real-world use than the 25W charging on the Galaxy A55?
Yes, the Realme P1’s 45W charging is demonstrably faster, achieving a 50% charge in just 27 minutes. While the A55’s 25W charging is adequate, the P1 provides a much quicker top-up when time is limited. However, consider that the A55’s longer battery life may reduce the need for frequent charging.
❓ How does the software experience differ between Realme UI and Samsung's One UI?
Samsung’s One UI is generally considered more polished and feature-rich, with a longer commitment to software updates. Realme UI, while improving, often includes more pre-installed bloatware and may have a shorter update lifespan. Users prioritizing a clean and consistently updated software experience will likely prefer the Galaxy A55.