The Realme X9 and Samsung Galaxy A53 5G represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The X9 aims to deliver flagship-level charging speeds at a more accessible price, while the A53 5G prioritizes a well-rounded experience with a focus on battery endurance and Samsung’s established software ecosystem. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing rapid replenishment, the Realme X9’s 65W charging is a clear winner. However, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G edges ahead for the average user due to its proven 113-hour endurance rating and more comprehensive feature set, making it a more balanced daily driver.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 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 / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | 2, 5, 48, 66, 77, 78, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536V |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2022, March 17 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2022, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | - | 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 (~411 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, HDR10 | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Exynos 1280 (5 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G68 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | 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 | - | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 64 MP, (wide), PDAF
13 MP, (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | HDR |
| Single | Unspecified | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | - | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Unspecified | No |
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Unspecified | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (market/region dependent) |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 65W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black; other colors | Black, White, Blue, Peach |
| Models | - | 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 | - | $ 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 X9
- Significantly faster 65W charging
- Potentially lower price point
- Likely a more streamlined software experience
- Battery endurance is unknown and potentially lower
- Camera specifications are unclear
- Chipset performance may be less consistent
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
- Excellent 113-hour battery endurance
- Bright and vibrant Super AMOLED display
- Reliable Exynos 1280 processor
- Slower 25W charging
- Samsung’s One UI can be resource-intensive
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G boasts a display capable of reaching 830 nits of peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Realme X9’s display specifications are not provided, Samsung’s measured brightness provides a clear advantage in outdoor usability. The A53’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a Super AMOLED panel, known for vibrant colors and deep blacks, a contrast to what is expected in the Realme X9’s price bracket. The absence of refresh rate data for the X9 means the A53 likely offers a smoother visual experience if it supports a higher refresh rate.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is limited for the Realme X9. The Galaxy A53 5G’s camera system likely benefits from Samsung’s established image processing algorithms. Without knowing the main sensor size or aperture of the X9, it’s difficult to assess its low-light performance relative to the A53. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the A53 would provide a significant advantage in video recording and low-light photography, stabilizing footage and reducing blur. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is likely a marketing feature with limited real-world utility.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is powered by the Exynos 1280 (5nm), an octa-core processor featuring two 2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and six 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This 5nm fabrication process contributes to improved power efficiency compared to older nodes. The Realme X9’s chipset is not specified, but given its price point, it likely utilizes a less advanced process or a different architecture, potentially impacting sustained performance and thermal management. The Exynos 1280’s core configuration suggests a focus on balancing performance and efficiency for everyday tasks and moderate gaming.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G achieves an impressive endurance rating of 113 hours, indicating excellent battery life under typical usage scenarios. This is a significant advantage over a device solely focused on fast charging. While the Realme X9 offers a blazing-fast 65W wired charging solution, the A53 5G’s 25W charging is considerably slower. However, the A53’s superior battery endurance means users may not need to charge as frequently, mitigating the slower charging speed. The X9’s faster charging is best suited for users who need a quick power boost, while the A53 prioritizes longevity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme X9 if you frequently find yourself needing to top up your battery quickly and value fast charging above all else. It’s ideal for power users who don’t want to be tethered to a charger for hours. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G if you prioritize all-day battery life, a reliable camera system, and the broader Samsung ecosystem, even if it means sacrificing the fastest possible charging speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the Galaxy A53 5G tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1280 (5nm) is generally efficient, but sustained gaming can lead to thermal throttling. Samsung’s software includes thermal management features to mitigate this, but performance may dip slightly after extended play. It’s not a severe overheating issue, but users should expect some performance reduction during long gaming sessions.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on phones in this price range offer limited detail and image quality. They are often included as a marketing feature but struggle with sharpness and dynamic range. While they can capture close-up shots, the results are typically underwhelming compared to using the main camera in a close-up mode.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G from 0% to 100% with the 25W charger?
With the included 25W charger, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G typically takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours to fully charge from 0% to 100%. While slower than the Realme X9, it’s still a reasonable charging time for overnight or during downtime charging.
❓ What kind of gaming performance can I expect from the Exynos 1280 in the Galaxy A53 5G?
The Exynos 1280 can handle most popular mobile games at medium to high settings. Expect smooth performance in titles like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, and Genshin Impact, though you may need to lower graphics settings for the most demanding games to maintain a consistent frame rate.
