The Samsung Galaxy M17 and Realme C55 represent compelling options in the competitive budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, they diverge significantly in their core hardware. The M17 leverages Samsung’s Exynos 1330, prioritizing processing power, while the C55 focuses on efficient battery management and faster charging with the MediaTek Helio G88.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing sustained performance and future-proofing, the Samsung Galaxy M17 is the better choice, thanks to its more modern and powerful Exynos 1330 chipset. However, the Realme C55 offers a compelling package for those who value faster charging and a comparable battery endurance rating.
| 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, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, October 10 | 2023, March 07 |
| Status | Available. Released Exp. release 2025, October 13 | Available. Released 2023, March 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.5 mm (6.47 x 3.07 x 0.30 in) | 165.6 x 75.9 x 7.9 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 189.5 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 1100 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 680 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Exynos 1330 (5 nm) | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MP2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 15, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, (wide) |
| 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@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes, 360˚ (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 25W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 29 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Moonlight Silver, Sapphire Black | Sun Shower, Rainy Night, Rainforest |
| Models | - | RMX3710 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | ₹ 8,399 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 123h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1264:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-31.8 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 257263 (v9)
GeekBench: 1452 (v5.1), 1413 (v6)
GFXBench: 9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy M17
- More powerful Exynos 1330 chipset for better performance
- 5nm process for improved thermal efficiency
- Potentially better long-term software support (Samsung)
- Slower 25W charging
- Lack of detailed camera specifications
Realme C55
- Faster 33W charging with quick top-up times
- Comparable battery endurance rating (123h)
- Brighter display (659 nits)
- Less powerful Helio G88 chipset
- 12nm process less efficient than 5nm
Display Comparison
Both devices offer a contrast ratio of 1264:1, suggesting similar visual depth. However, the Realme C55 boasts a measured peak brightness of 659 nits, providing a brighter viewing experience, particularly outdoors. While the M17’s display specifications are not provided, it’s likely to be comparable, but without measured data, the C55 holds an advantage in brightness. The lack of information regarding panel technology (e.g., IPS, AMOLED) for either device makes a definitive quality assessment difficult, but both likely target the same budget-conscious segment.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or optical image stabilization (OIS). This makes a direct comparison challenging. The absence of details suggests both devices likely employ standard camera setups for their price range, with the Realme C55 potentially leaning on software enhancements to improve image quality. Without further information, it’s safe to assume neither phone will excel in low-light photography or offer advanced camera features.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy M17’s Exynos 1330, fabricated on a 5nm process, represents a significant architectural leap over the Realme C55’s MediaTek Helio G88 (12nm). The Exynos 1330’s octa-core configuration, featuring 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, delivers superior CPU performance compared to the Helio G88’s 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 setup. The 5nm node also translates to improved thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during extended use. This means the M17 will likely maintain higher sustained performance in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing.
Battery Life
Both the Samsung Galaxy M17 and Realme C55 achieve an endurance rating of 123 hours, indicating similar battery life under typical usage. However, the Realme C55 distinguishes itself with 33W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 29 minutes. The M17’s 25W charging is slower, meaning longer downtime for full recharges. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed of the C55 provides a tangible benefit for users who frequently need to top up their device.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M17 if you need a phone capable of handling demanding applications, multitasking, and occasional gaming without significant slowdowns. Its Exynos 1330 provides a noticeable performance edge. Buy the Realme C55 if you prioritize all-day battery life and quick top-ups; the 33W charging and 123-hour endurance rating make it ideal for users constantly on the move and less concerned with peak performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1330 in the Galaxy M17 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1330’s 5nm fabrication process is designed for improved thermal efficiency compared to the Helio G88’s 12nm process. While some heat generation is inevitable during gaming, the M17 is less likely to experience significant throttling, allowing for more sustained performance over longer periods.
❓ Is the 29-minute 50% charge time on the Realme C55 accurate in real-world usage?
The 29-minute 50% charge time is based on Realme’s testing conditions. Actual charging times may vary depending on factors like ambient temperature, battery health, and the charger used. However, 33W charging is significantly faster than the M17’s 25W, providing a noticeable convenience benefit.
❓ How does the Helio G88 in the Realme C55 perform with popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G88 can handle PUBG Mobile at medium settings with acceptable frame rates. However, users may experience occasional frame drops during intense action sequences. The Exynos 1330 in the M17 will provide a smoother and more consistent gaming experience at higher settings.
❓ What type of storage does each phone use (eMMC or UFS)?
The context data does not specify the storage type. However, given the price point, both devices likely utilize eMMC storage. UFS storage would be a significant advantage for faster app loading and overall system responsiveness, but is less common in this segment.
