Realme Q5 vs Samsung Galaxy A53 5G: A Detailed Comparison

The Realme Q5 and Samsung Galaxy A53 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. The Q5 prioritizes rapid charging and a streamlined experience, while the A53 5G aims for a more well-rounded package with a brighter display and Samsung’s established software ecosystem. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device delivers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing fast charging and efficient performance for everyday tasks, the Realme Q5 emerges as the winner. Its 65W charging significantly outperforms the A53 5G’s 25W, and the Snapdragon 695 offers a solid experience. However, the Galaxy A53 5G’s brighter display and potentially more refined camera processing make it a strong contender for multimedia enthusiasts.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme Q5 Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66 - SM-A536U
5G bands1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA2, 5, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536U
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -2, 5, 48, 66, 77, 78, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536V
Launch
Announced2022, April 202022, March 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 28Available. Released 2022, March 24
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.94 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight195 g (6.88 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 600 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)Exynos 1280 (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G68
OSAndroid 12, Realme UI 3.0Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED 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
Single16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (market/region dependent)
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging65W wired, 100% in 48 min25W wired
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silver, YellowBlack, White, Blue, Peach
ModelsRMX3478SM-A536B, SM-A536B/DS, SM-A536U, SM-A536U1, SM-A5360, SM-A536E, SM-A536E/DS, SM-A536V, SM-A536W, SM-A536N, SM-S536DL
PriceAbout 200 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 Q5

  • Significantly faster 65W charging
  • Efficient Snapdragon 695 5G chipset
  • Potentially more affordable price point

  • Display brightness likely lower than A53 5G
  • Camera specs less defined

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

  • Brighter 830 nit display for outdoor visibility
  • Potentially better camera image processing
  • Established Samsung brand and software ecosystem

  • Slower 25W charging
  • Exynos 1280 may be prone to thermal throttling under sustained load

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 830 nits. This is crucial for outdoor visibility, a clear advantage over the Realme Q5 (brightness data unavailable, but typically lower in this price bracket). While the A53 5G’s contrast ratio is listed as ‘Infinite’ (nominal), this is typical marketing speak; the real-world benefit is a punchy image. The Q5’s display specs are less defined, suggesting a focus on cost reduction in this area. The A53 5G’s larger screen size also contributes to a more immersive viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for the Realme Q5. The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing expertise. While both will likely include a standard suite of lenses, the A53 5G’s larger sensor (assuming a typical Samsung implementation) will capture more light, resulting in better low-light performance. The presence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the A53 5G is a significant advantage for video recording and sharper photos in challenging conditions. Avoid placing too much weight on the inclusion of 2MP macro lenses on either device; their image quality is typically subpar.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Realme Q5 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm), while the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G features the Exynos 1280 (5nm). The Exynos 1280, built on a smaller 5nm process, *should* offer better power efficiency and potentially higher sustained performance. However, the Snapdragon 695 is a capable performer for everyday tasks and light gaming. The Q5’s CPU configuration (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) is paired against the A53’s (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55). The A53’s Cortex-A78 cores provide a performance edge in CPU-intensive tasks. RAM configurations are not specified, but LPDDR5 or LPDDR4X will impact responsiveness.

Battery Life

Both phones share an endurance rating of 113 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite differing battery capacities (not specified for the Q5). However, the Realme Q5’s 65W wired charging is a game-changer, achieving a full charge in just 48 minutes. The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G’s 25W charging is considerably slower, requiring significantly more time to reach 100%. This difference in charging speed is a major convenience factor for users who frequently need to top up their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme Q5 if you need blazing-fast 65W charging, a responsive processor for daily use, and value efficiency over absolute peak performance. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G if you prefer a brighter, more vibrant display for media consumption, a more established brand reputation, and a potentially more polished software experience, even if it means slower charging and a slightly less powerful chipset.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the Galaxy A53 5G tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1280 has been reported to exhibit some thermal throttling under sustained heavy load, such as extended gaming. While not a deal-breaker, users engaging in long gaming sessions may experience reduced performance over time. The Snapdragon 695 in the Realme Q5 is generally more efficient and less prone to overheating, though it offers lower peak performance.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using for detailed close-up shots?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget and mid-range phones deliver limited image quality. The small sensor size and lack of autofocus result in soft, noisy images. While they can be fun to experiment with, don't expect professional-level results. Focus on the main camera for the best overall image quality.
❓ Can the Realme Q5 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high frame rates (90fps)?
The Snapdragon 695 5G is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but achieving consistently high frame rates (90fps) may require lowering graphics settings. The Q5 is better suited for medium settings to maintain a smooth and stable gaming experience. The Exynos 1280 in the A53 5G has a slight edge in gaming performance, potentially allowing for higher settings.
❓ How does the software experience differ between Realme UI and Samsung's One UI?
Samsung's One UI is known for its feature-rich interface and long-term software support. Realme UI is generally lighter and more streamlined, offering a faster and more responsive experience. One UI includes more pre-installed apps, while Realme UI tends to be closer to stock Android. Preference is subjective, but Samsung offers a more polished and mature software ecosystem.