Samsung's F and M series consistently deliver compelling value in the budget smartphone space. The Galaxy F13 and M13 5G represent two distinct approaches: the F13 focuses on a familiar Samsung experience with the Exynos 850, while the M13 5G prioritizes future-proofing with a Mediatek Dimensity 700 and 5G connectivity. This comparison dissects the core differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy M13 5G emerges as the better choice. The Dimensity 700’s more efficient 7nm process and superior CPU architecture provide a noticeable performance edge, coupled with the benefit of 5G connectivity, all at a comparable price point. While both share 15W charging, the M13 5G’s chipset offers a more future-proof experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 22 | 2022, July 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June 29 | Available. Released 2022, July 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.4 x 76.9 x 9.3 mm (6.51 x 3.03 x 0.37 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 | 207 g (7.30 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| 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 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | PLS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| 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 13, One UI Core 5 | Android 12, One UI Core 4 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 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 | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Waterfall Blue, Sunrise Copper, Nightsky Green | Midnight Blue, Aqua Green, Stardust Brown |
| Models | SM-E135F, SM-E135F/DS | SM-M136B, SM-M136B/DS |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR | 0.55 W/kg (head) | 0.73 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | 0.45 W/kg (head) 1.36 W/kg (body) | 0.84 W/kg (head) 1.33 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy F13
- Familiar Samsung Exynos chipset
- Potentially lower price (depending on region)
- Established Samsung software experience
- Less powerful CPU compared to Dimensity 700
- 8nm process less efficient than 7nm
- Lacks 5G connectivity
Samsung Galaxy M13 5G
- More powerful Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset
- 7nm process for better efficiency
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- Mediatek chipset may receive fewer software updates
- Potentially slightly higher price
- Samsung's One UI can be resource intensive
Display Comparison
Both devices likely feature similar LCD panels, given their price points. However, detailed display specs (resolution, brightness) are missing. The focus here is on the internal hardware. The chipset’s graphics processing unit (GPU) will influence the smoothness of scrolling and video playback, and the Dimensity 700’s Mali-G52 MC2 GPU is generally considered more capable than the Exynos 850’s Mali-G52 MP1, offering a slight advantage in graphical tasks.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera sensor information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature a primary camera and multiple secondary sensors (depth, macro). The image signal processor (ISP) within the Dimensity 700 may offer slightly better image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in improved dynamic range and noise reduction. The real-world difference will likely be minimal for casual users, but the M13 5G has a slight edge due to the more advanced chipset.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Mediatek Dimensity 700, built on a 7nm process, boasts a more modern CPU configuration with 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts with the Exynos 850’s octa-core setup of 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 and 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55. The Cortex-A76 cores in the Dimensity 700 offer significantly higher single-core performance, translating to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. The 7nm fabrication process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. This benefits gamers and users who frequently engage in resource-intensive tasks.
Battery Life
Both devices are equipped with 15W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds (approximately 2-3 hours for a full charge). While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Dimensity 700’s superior power efficiency could translate to slightly longer battery life in real-world usage. The 7nm process consumes less power than the Exynos 850’s 8nm process, meaning the M13 5G can potentially deliver more screen-on time for the same battery capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy F13 if you prioritize a proven Samsung chipset and are less concerned with 5G connectivity. It’s a solid option for everyday tasks and media consumption. Buy the Samsung Galaxy M13 5G if you want a more responsive experience, the potential for faster download speeds with 5G, and a chipset built on a more modern fabrication process, offering better efficiency and potentially longer-term software support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the Galaxy F13 tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 850 is a relatively efficient chip, but its 8nm process and less powerful GPU can lead to thermal throttling during extended gaming. While it won't shut down, you may experience frame rate drops after 30-45 minutes of intensive gameplay. The M13 5G’s Dimensity 700, with its 7nm process, is better equipped to handle sustained workloads.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Galaxy M13 5G actually useful, or is it just a marketing gimmick?
The usefulness of 5G depends on your location and carrier coverage. If you live in an area with robust 5G infrastructure, you'll experience significantly faster download and upload speeds compared to 4G LTE. Even if 5G isn't widely available now, the M13 5G future-proofs your investment for when 5G networks become more prevalent.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the F13 and M13 5G?
Both devices run Samsung's One UI, so the core user experience is very similar. However, Mediatek chipsets sometimes receive fewer software updates compared to Samsung's Exynos chips. While Samsung typically provides a reasonable level of support, the F13 might have a slight edge in terms of long-term software updates.
