Samsung Galaxy C55 vs OnePlus 12R: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Power

The Samsung Galaxy C55 and OnePlus 12R represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. The C55 aims to deliver a balanced experience, while the 12R aggressively targets flagship-level performance at a more accessible price point. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus 12R emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset provides a significant performance advantage, coupled with incredibly fast 100W charging and excellent battery life. While the C55 offers a respectable experience, it can't match the 12R's raw power.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy C55 OnePlus 12R
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 28, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub61, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, April 222024, January 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, April 22Available. Released 2024, February 06
Body
BuildGlass front, silicone polymer (eco leather) back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame, glass back
Dimensions163.9 x 76.5 x 7.8 mm (6.45 x 3.01 x 0.31 in)163.3 x 75.3 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 2.96 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight180 g (6.35 oz)207 g (7.30 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~86.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED+, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM)LTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1600 nits (HBM), 4500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7450-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 644Adreno 740
OSAndroid 14, One UI 6.1Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, OIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single50 MP, f/2.4, (wide)16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging45W wired100W wired, 100% in 26 min
Type5000 mAhLi-Ion 5500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, OrangeIron Gray, Cool Blue, Electric Violet, Sunset Dune
ModelsSM-C5560CPH2609, CPH2585, CPH2611
Price-€ 410.84 / $ 399.95 / £ 649.00
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.82 W/kg (body)

Samsung Galaxy C55

  • Potentially more refined software experience (Samsung One UI)
  • Established brand reputation
  • Likely more affordable price point

  • Significantly less powerful chipset
  • Slower charging speed
  • Potentially lower display brightness

OnePlus 12R

  • Flagship-level Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
  • Ultra-fast 100W charging
  • Excellent battery life (14:32h active use)

  • OxygenOS may not appeal to all users
  • Potentially less polished software experience compared to Samsung
  • May be slightly more expensive

Display Comparison

The OnePlus 12R boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1181 nits, which translates to superior visibility outdoors compared to the C55 (brightness data unavailable). While both utilize 4nm chipsets, the display's impact on overall power consumption should be considered. The 12R's higher brightness will likely draw more power, but the benefit of readability in direct sunlight is substantial. We lack panel technology details for the C55, but the 12R's brightness suggests a high-quality AMOLED panel.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for the C55, a direct comparison is limited. However, given its market positioning, it's unlikely to feature the same level of image processing or sensor quality as a device built around the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The 12R likely benefits from Qualcomm’s Spectra ISP, offering improved noise reduction and dynamic range. While megapixel counts aren't everything, the 12R’s likely larger sensor size (based on its flagship-adjacent positioning) will capture more light, resulting in better low-light performance. We'll assume the C55 has a standard camera setup for its price range, while the 12R is likely to offer a more versatile and capable camera system.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Samsung Galaxy C55 features the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1, while the OnePlus 12R is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. This is a generational leap, with the 8 Gen 2’s Cortex-X3 prime core (3.2 GHz) offering significantly higher peak performance than the C55’s Cortex-A710 (2.4 GHz). The 8 Gen 2’s architecture, including the A715 cores, also provides improved efficiency. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive gaming experience on the 12R. The C55’s CPU configuration, with a mix of A710 and A510 cores, is adequate for everyday tasks but will struggle with sustained, intensive workloads.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 12R excels in battery and charging. Its 100W wired charging capability replenishes the battery to 100% in just 26 minutes, a massive advantage over the C55’s 45W charging. Furthermore, the 12R achieves an impressive 14:32 hours of active use, demonstrating excellent battery life. While the C55’s battery capacity is unknown, the slower charging speed and less efficient chipset suggest it will require more frequent top-ups, even with a comparable battery size.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy C55 if you prioritize a more established brand ecosystem and a potentially more refined software experience, and are comfortable with a noticeable performance step down. Buy the OnePlus 12R if you demand top-tier performance for gaming and demanding applications, value incredibly fast charging, and prioritize maximizing battery life throughout a full day of heavy use.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 in the Galaxy C55 struggle with graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 is a mid-range chipset and will likely require significant graphics settings reductions to achieve playable frame rates in demanding titles like Genshin Impact. Expect noticeable frame drops and potential thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. The OnePlus 12R’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 will provide a far smoother and more consistent gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is the 100W charging on the OnePlus 12R compared to the 45W charging on the Samsung Galaxy C55 in a real-world scenario?
The 100W charging on the OnePlus 12R is significantly faster. It can fully charge the device in approximately 26 minutes. The C55’s 45W charging will likely take well over an hour to reach 100%, making the 12R a much more convenient option for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Does the OnePlus 12R's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset generate excessive heat during prolonged use?
While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a powerful chip, OnePlus has implemented effective thermal management solutions in the 12R. While some heat generation is inevitable during intensive tasks, it's generally well-controlled and doesn't lead to significant performance throttling. The larger thermal surface area and optimized cooling system help maintain stable performance even during extended gaming sessions.