The Realme Q5i and Samsung Galaxy A53 5G represent distinct approaches to the mid-range 5G market. The Q5i focuses on delivering solid performance at an aggressive price point, while the A53 5G aims for a more well-rounded experience with a brighter display and Samsung’s established software ecosystem. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right phone.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a vibrant display and long-term software support, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is the better choice. However, gamers and those on a tighter budget will find the Realme Q5i’s Dimensity 810 chipset offers compelling performance for the price.
| 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 | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66 - SM-A536U |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 2, 5, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536U |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 2, 5, 48, 66, 77, 78, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536V |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, April 18 | 2022, March 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 18 | Available. Released 2022, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 8.1 mm thickness | 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 | - | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.0 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 600 nits | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | Exynos 1280 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G68 |
| OS | Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Dual-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 | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 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 |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Unspecified | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), unspecified sensors | 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 | Blue, Black | Black, White, Blue, Peach |
| Models | RMX3574 | 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 180 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 Q5i
- Faster 33W charging
- Potentially better raw gaming performance for the price
- More aggressive price point
- Likely less refined software experience
- Potentially lower display quality (brightness, color accuracy)
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- More efficient Exynos 1280 chipset
- Samsung’s software ecosystem and update commitment
- Slower 25W charging
- Higher price
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 Realme Q5i (typical of its price bracket). While the Q5i’s panel specs are unavailable, the A53’s high brightness ensures excellent visibility outdoors. The A53’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a Super AMOLED panel, offering deeper blacks and more vibrant colors than the likely LCD panel on the Q5i. This makes the A53 superior for media consumption and gaming, despite lacking details like refresh rate in the provided data.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specs are missing. Given Samsung’s history, the A53 5G likely features a more sophisticated camera system with a larger main sensor and more advanced image processing algorithms. The A53 likely benefits from Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), a feature often absent in this price segment. While the Q5i may offer acceptable image quality in good lighting, the A53 is expected to deliver superior low-light performance and more consistent results across various shooting scenarios. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality.
Performance
Both phones utilize octa-core CPUs with a similar core configuration (2x high-performance Cortex-A cores and 6x efficiency cores). However, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G’s Exynos 1280, built on a 5nm process, has a clear architectural advantage over the Realme Q5i’s Dimensity 810 (6nm). The Cortex-A78 cores in the Exynos 1280 offer better single-core performance than the Cortex-A76 cores in the Dimensity 810. While both chipsets are capable, the 5nm process of the Exynos 1280 translates to improved thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads like gaming. The Q5i will likely excel in raw graphical power for the price, but the A53 offers a more balanced and efficient experience.
Battery Life
Both the Realme Q5i and Samsung Galaxy A53 5G achieve an endurance rating of 113 hours, suggesting comparable overall battery life. However, their charging speeds differ significantly. The Realme Q5i supports 33W wired charging, allowing for a faster 0-100% charge compared to the A53 5G’s 25W charging. This faster charging is a significant advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups. While the A53’s battery optimization and efficient chipset may contribute to similar real-world usage, the Q5i offers a quicker path to a full charge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Q5i if you need a capable 5G phone primarily for gaming and everyday tasks, and are comfortable with a less polished software experience. You’ll benefit from the faster charging and potentially better raw performance for the money. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G if you prefer a brighter, more color-accurate display, a more refined user interface, and the assurance of Samsung’s longer software update commitment, even if it means paying a premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the Galaxy A53 5G tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1280’s 5nm process helps mitigate thermal throttling, but it can still get warm during extended gaming. However, it’s generally more efficient than the Dimensity 810, meaning it’s less likely to experience significant performance drops due to heat. Samsung’s software also includes thermal management features to help regulate temperatures.
❓ 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 offer limited detail and image quality. They are often included for marketing purposes but rarely deliver impressive results. You’re better off using the main camera and cropping in for close-up shots.
❓ Can the Realme Q5i handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at 60fps with high graphics settings?
The Dimensity 810 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at 60fps, but achieving consistently high frame rates with high graphics settings may require some optimization. You might need to lower the graphics settings slightly to maintain a smooth gaming experience. The Q5i’s thermal management will also play a role in sustained performance.
❓ How long will Samsung provide software updates for the Galaxy A53 5G?
Samsung typically provides four years of major Android OS updates and five years of security updates for its A-series devices. This is a significant advantage over Realme, which generally offers a shorter software support lifecycle.
