The Samsung Galaxy M13 (India) and Realme 9 Pro represent compelling options in the competitive sub-₹15,000 (approximately $180 USD) smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a solid experience, they take different approaches – Samsung focusing on brand recognition and a balanced feature set, while Realme prioritizes performance and faster charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 9 Pro emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage and better thermal management compared to the Samsung Galaxy M13’s Exynos 850. The 33W charging is a significant benefit, offsetting the identical battery endurance ratings.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, July 14 | 2022, February 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 23 | Available. Released 2022, February 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 165.4 x 76.9 x 9.3 mm (6.51 x 3.03 x 0.37 in) | 164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 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 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, One UI Core 4 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Blue, Aqua Green, Stardust Brown | Midnight Black, Aurora Green, Sunrise Blue |
| Models | SM-M135FU, SM-M135FU/DS | RMX3471, RMX3472 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | € 248.86 |
| SAR | 0.56 W/kg (head) | 1.19 W/kg (head) 0.71 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 134h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1601:1 |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.3 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 401894 (v9)
GeekBench: 2020 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy M13 (India)
- Familiar Samsung brand and UI
- Reliable performance for basic tasks
- Consistent software updates (potentially)
- Less powerful chipset compared to Snapdragon 695
- Slow 15W charging
- Potentially lower peak brightness
Realme 9 Pro
- More efficient Snapdragon 695 5G chipset
- Faster 33W charging
- Higher peak brightness for better outdoor visibility
- Realme UI may not appeal to all users
- Brand perception may be lower than Samsung
- Potential for more bloatware
Display Comparison
Both devices share a 1601:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Realme 9 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 567 nits, which will translate to better outdoor visibility compared to the Galaxy M13, whose brightness is not specified. While both likely utilize LCD panels given the price point, the Realme’s higher brightness is a tangible advantage for users frequently exposed to sunlight. Bezels are expected to be comparable, typical of this segment.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specifics are lacking. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, given the market positioning, it’s likely the Realme 9 Pro will offer a more refined camera experience due to Qualcomm’s superior image signal processing (ISP) capabilities within the Snapdragon 695. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the Realme 9 Pro, if equipped, would further enhance low-light photography and video stabilization. The ubiquitous 2MP macro cameras on both devices are largely marketing fluff and offer limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 9 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) is architecturally superior to the Samsung Galaxy M13’s Exynos 850 (8nm). The 6nm process inherently offers better power efficiency, meaning the Realme 9 Pro will likely run cooler and sustain performance for longer periods, particularly during gaming. The Snapdragon 695’s CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver – provides a performance edge over the Exynos 850’s homogenous octa-core setup of 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking on the Realme.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 134 hours, indicating similar overall battery life under typical usage. However, the Realme 9 Pro’s 33W wired charging is a game-changer. This allows for significantly faster top-ups compared to the Samsung Galaxy M13’s sluggish 15W charging. A full charge on the Realme 9 Pro will take considerably less time, minimizing downtime and offering greater convenience. While battery capacity isn't specified, the efficiency of the Snapdragon 695 will contribute to comparable real-world usage despite potentially having a smaller battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M13 (India) if you prioritize a familiar brand experience and a consistently reliable, if not groundbreaking, performance for everyday tasks. Buy the Realme 9 Pro if you value faster charging, a more efficient processor for gaming and multitasking, and are comfortable with a brand known for aggressive value.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the Samsung Galaxy M13 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 850, built on an 8nm process, is prone to thermal throttling under sustained load. While it can handle casual gaming, demanding titles will likely experience frame drops and reduced performance as the chip heats up. The Realme 9 Pro’s Snapdragon 695 (6nm) is significantly more efficient and will maintain higher performance for longer.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the Realme 9 Pro significantly faster than the 15W charging on the Samsung Galaxy M13 in real-world use?
Yes, the difference is substantial. 33W charging can typically take a phone from 0-100% in around 70-90 minutes, while 15W charging can easily take over 2 hours. This means you can quickly top up the Realme 9 Pro during short breaks, offering much greater convenience.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 695's 5G capability benefit the average user?
While 5G infrastructure is still developing, the Snapdragon 695 provides future-proofing and faster data speeds where 5G is available. Even on 4G networks, the Snapdragon 695's modem generally offers improved connectivity and signal strength compared to the Exynos 850's modem.
