The Samsung Galaxy A13 series offers affordable smartphones with a focus on value. But with two versions – the standard A13 and the A13 5G – deciding which one is right for you can be tricky. This comprehensive comparison breaks down the key differences to help you make an informed choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy A13 5G offers a significant performance boost thanks to its 5G connectivity and more modern chipset. However, the standard A13 boasts a superior display and potentially better battery life. Ultimately, the A13 5G is better for future-proofing and speed, while the A13 prioritizes display quality and endurance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 2, 5, 66, 77 Sub6/mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 2, 5, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77 Sub6/mmWave - SM-A136U |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 04 | 2021, December 02 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 23 | Available. Released 2021, December 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.5 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 164.5 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm (6.48 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Peach, Blue | Black |
| Models | SM-A135F, SM-A135F/DS, SM-A135M, SM-A135U, SM-A135U1, SM-A135N | SM-A136U, SM-A136U1, SM-A136W, SM-A136B, SM-S136DL |
| Price | € 94.99 / $ 129.99 / £ 89.00 | € 178.00 / $ 64.00 / £ 72.54 |
| SAR | 0.49 W/kg (head) | 1.27 W/kg (head) 0.58 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.37 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 114h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1324:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-29.7 LUFS (Average)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 122822 (v8), 136286 (v9)
GeekBench: 588 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Samsung Galaxy A13
- Excellent Battery Life
- Vibrant Display
- Slightly More Refined Experience
- Potentially Better Value
- Older Chipset
- No 5G Connectivity
- Lower Performance
Samsung Galaxy A13 5G
- 5G Connectivity
- Faster Performance
- Modern Chipset
- Future-Proofing
- Less Bright Display
- Potentially Shorter Battery Life
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
The standard A13 has a clear advantage here. It boasts a measured peak brightness of 587 nits and a contrast ratio of 1324:1, offering a noticeably brighter and more vibrant viewing experience compared to the A13 5G, which typically has a lower brightness and contrast ratio. Both use similar LCD panels, but the A13's implementation is superior.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are not fully detailed in the provided data. However, generally, both phones offer a similar camera setup with a main sensor, ultrawide, and macro lens. Image quality will likely be comparable in good lighting conditions, but the A13 5G's more powerful processor might offer slightly better image processing. Further testing would be needed for a definitive conclusion.
Performance
The A13 5G's Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset is a clear winner in terms of performance. Its Cortex-A76 cores provide a significant boost over the Exynos 850's Cortex-A55 setup, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance. The 7nm process also contributes to improved efficiency.
Battery Life
The standard A13's endurance rating of 114 hours is exceptional, suggesting significantly longer battery life than the A13 5G. While both support 15W charging, the A13's larger battery capacity (typically 5000mAh) contributes to its superior endurance.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy A13 is ideal for users prioritizing a vibrant display, long battery life, and a slightly more refined experience within a budget. The Galaxy A13 5G is a better choice for those who want 5G connectivity, faster performance for gaming and multitasking, and are willing to trade off some display brightness.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy A13 5G worth the extra cost?
If 5G connectivity and faster performance are important to you, then yes. Otherwise, the standard A13 offers a better display and battery life for a potentially lower price.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Galaxy A13 5G is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful chipset and improved processing capabilities.
