The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Samsung Galaxy A05s offers a reliable, long-lasting experience, while the Realme 11x aims to disrupt with a more powerful chipset and faster charging. This comparison dives deep into the key differences to determine which device provides the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 11x emerges as the stronger contender. Its Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the Snapdragon 680 in the A05s, making it better suited for multitasking and gaming. While the A05s boasts excellent battery life, the 11x’s faster 33W charging mitigates any significant endurance concerns.
| 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, September 25 | 2023, August 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, October 18 | Available. Released 2023, August 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 168 x 77.8 x 8.8 mm (6.61 x 3.06 x 0.35 in) | 165.7 x 76 x 7.9 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.X", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 25W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 29 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver, Light Green, Violet | Midnight Black, Purple Dawn |
| Models | SM-A057F, SM-A057F/DS, SM-A057M, SM-A057M/DS, SM-A057G/DSN, SM-A057G | RMX3785 |
| Price | $ 134.00 / C$ 146.99 / £ 83.94 / € 100.99 | About 170 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.58 W/kg (head) 1.31 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy A05s
- Exceptional battery life (11:32h active use)
- Reliable and dependable performance for basic tasks
- Samsung’s established brand reputation
- Slower processor compared to the Realme 11x
- Slower charging speeds (25W)
Realme 11x
- Faster and more efficient Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ chipset
- Significantly faster 33W charging (50% in 29 min)
- Potentially better image processing capabilities
- Battery life may be slightly shorter than the A05s
- Realme’s software experience can be divisive
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A05s features a display capable of reaching 468 nits of peak brightness, providing adequate visibility outdoors. Its 1418:1 contrast ratio delivers decent image quality, but lacks the vibrancy found in more premium panels. The Realme 11x’s display specifications are not provided, but given its market positioning, it likely offers a similar experience. However, Realme often prioritizes higher refresh rates in this segment, which could be a differentiating factor if present. The A05s’ brightness is sufficient for everyday use, but users who frequently consume content outdoors might find it lacking compared to brighter alternatives.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are likely to feature similar camera setups geared towards casual photography. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Realme 11x, benefiting from its more powerful chipset, likely has an edge in image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction. The A05s will likely focus on simplicity and ease of use, while the 11x might offer more advanced features and shooting modes. It's important to note that the inclusion of low-resolution macro or depth sensors on either device adds little practical value.
Performance
The Realme 11x’s Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm) chipset represents a significant upgrade over the Samsung Galaxy A05s’ Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm). The Dimensity 6100+ utilizes a more modern CPU architecture – 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores – compared to the Snapdragon 680’s 4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold and 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver. This translates to faster application loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. While both chips are built on a 6nm process, the architectural improvements in the Dimensity 6100+ provide a clear advantage. The Snapdragon 680 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A05s achieves an impressive 11:32h of active use, indicating excellent battery endurance. However, the Realme 11x compensates for any potential battery capacity difference with its significantly faster 33W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 29 minutes. While the A05s supports 25W charging, it will take considerably longer to fully replenish the battery. For users who prioritize convenience and quick top-ups, the Realme 11x is the clear winner. The A05s is ideal for those who want a phone that can easily last a full day on a single charge, even with moderate usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A05s if you prioritize maximizing battery life above all else and need a dependable device for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media. Buy the Realme 11x if you value smoother performance for gaming and streaming, and appreciate the convenience of significantly faster charging speeds, even if it means slightly less overall battery endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 680 in the Samsung A05s struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Snapdragon 680 is a budget-oriented chipset and will likely struggle to deliver a smooth gaming experience in graphically intensive titles like PUBG or Call of Duty. You'll likely need to lower graphics settings significantly, and even then, expect occasional frame drops and stuttering. The Realme 11x’s Dimensity 6100+ is much better equipped for gaming.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the Realme 11x compared to the 25W charging on the Samsung A05s in real-world use?
The Realme 11x’s 33W charging is significantly faster. It can reach 50% charge in just 29 minutes. The Samsung A05s’ 25W charging will take considerably longer – likely over an hour to reach 50%, and over two hours for a full charge. This difference is particularly noticeable for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
❓ Is the camera on either phone capable of taking good photos in low-light conditions?
Both phones will likely struggle in very low-light conditions. While the Realme 11x’s more powerful chipset may offer slightly better noise reduction and image processing, don’t expect flagship-level low-light performance. Using a night mode, if available, will help improve image quality, but results will still be limited by the sensor size and lens aperture.
