The Samsung Galaxy A17 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive sub-$250 smartphone market. The A17 leverages Samsung’s established brand and a 5nm Exynos chipset, while the Redmi Note 13R counters with Qualcomm’s efficient Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and display brightness, the Samsung Galaxy A17 emerges as the stronger choice. Its Exynos 1330, built on a 5nm process, offers a slight edge in CPU performance and a significantly brighter display. However, the Redmi Note 13R’s faster charging is a notable advantage for those frequently on the go.
| 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 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, August 06 | 2024, May 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, August 14 | Available. Released 2024, May 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic frame, fiber-reinforced plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, glass back |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.5 mm (6.47 x 3.07 x 0.30 in) | 168.6 x 76.3 x 8.2 mm (6.64 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, Mohs level 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.79 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Exynos 1330 (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MP2 | Adreno 613 |
| OS | Android 15, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 | Android 14, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro) |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF, OIS
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 25W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5030 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gray, Blue | Black, Blue, Silver |
| Models | SM-A176B, SM-A176B/DS | 2406ERN9CC |
| Price | $ 189.99 / C$ 270.14 / £ 178.00 / € 171.10 / ₹ 18,999 | About 180 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.67 W/kg (head) 0.97 W/kg (body) | - |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 43:52h endurance, 1200 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class B | - |
| Free fall | Class B (180 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class C | - |
Samsung Galaxy A17
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Slightly more powerful chipset for sustained performance
- Longer battery life and higher charge cycle count
- Slower charging speed compared to the Redmi Note 13R
- Samsung’s One UI can be resource intensive
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R
- Faster 33W wired charging
- Potentially more power-efficient chipset for light tasks
- Xiaomi’s MIUI offers extensive customization options
- Likely lower peak display brightness
- Chipset may throttle more under sustained load
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A17 boasts a measured peak brightness of 738 nits, a substantial advantage over what is typical in this price bracket. This translates to excellent readability in direct sunlight. While the Redmi Note 13R’s display specifications aren’t provided, it’s likely to offer lower peak brightness. Both devices likely utilize LCD panels given their price point, but the A17’s higher brightness is a key differentiator. Bezels are expected to be similar on both, and color accuracy will likely be standard for the segment.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the price point, both devices will likely feature a primary sensor paired with depth and macro lenses. The quality will heavily depend on the main sensor’s size and image processing algorithms. We can assume the Redmi Note 13R will lean towards Xiaomi’s typically vibrant image processing, while Samsung often aims for more natural colors. The presence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) would be a significant advantage for either device, but is unlikely at this price.
Performance
The core of the performance difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A17’s Exynos 1330 (5nm) features a 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 configuration. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R utilizes the Qualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 (4nm) with a similar 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A78 and 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55 setup. While the clock speeds are close, the 5nm process of the Exynos 1330 *should* provide better thermal headroom, potentially leading to less throttling during extended gaming or demanding tasks. The 4nm Snapdragon is still efficient, but the A17 has a slight architectural advantage. RAM speeds are not specified, but both will likely use LPDDR4X to keep costs down.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A17 delivers impressive endurance with a measured 43:52h battery life and 11:48h of active use. This is supported by its 25W wired charging. The Redmi Note 13R, however, boasts 33W wired charging, which will result in faster 0-100% charge times. While the A17’s battery life is longer overall, the Redmi Note 13R’s faster charging is a practical benefit for users who need to quickly top up their device. The A17’s 1200 charge cycles suggest a focus on long-term battery health.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A17 if you need a brighter display for outdoor visibility, value sustained CPU performance for multitasking, and prefer the Samsung ecosystem. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R if you prioritize faster charging speeds, are heavily invested in the Xiaomi software experience, and seek a slightly more power-efficient chipset for basic tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1330 in the Galaxy A17 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1330, built on a 5nm process, is generally efficient. While some heat generation is inevitable during gaming, the 5nm node should provide better thermal headroom compared to older or larger-node chipsets, minimizing throttling and maintaining consistent performance for longer periods. However, sustained peak performance will still generate heat.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the Redmi Note 13R significantly faster in real-world use?
Yes, the 33W charging on the Redmi Note 13R will noticeably reduce charging times compared to the Galaxy A17’s 25W charging. Expect a faster top-up, especially from 0-50%, making it ideal for users who frequently need a quick power boost. While the A17 has better overall endurance, the Redmi Note 13R excels in charging convenience.
❓ How does the software experience differ between Samsung's One UI and Xiaomi's MIUI?
Samsung's One UI is known for its feature-richness and polished interface, but can be more resource-intensive. Xiaomi's MIUI offers extensive customization options and a more lightweight feel, but can sometimes include pre-installed bloatware. The choice depends on personal preference – One UI for a refined experience, MIUI for customization.
