Samsung Galaxy M55 vs Realme 12 Pro+: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Power

The Samsung Galaxy M55 and Realme 12 Pro+ represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both devices leverage Qualcomm's Snapdragon 7-series chipsets, they diverge in key areas like charging speed, display brightness, and overall user experience. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone delivers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Realme 12 Pro+ is the stronger choice. Its significantly faster 67W charging, coupled with a respectable 13:24h active use battery life, provides a more convenient experience. While the M55 offers a comparable processor, the Realme’s charging advantage and brighter display are decisive.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy M55 Realme 12 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, March 282024, January 29
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, March 28Available. Released 2024, January 29
Body
Dimensions163.9 x 76.5 x 7.8 mm (6.45 x 3.01 x 0.31 in)161.5 x 74 x 8.8 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight180 g (6.35 oz)196 g (6.91 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~86.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED+, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM)AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM), 950 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7450-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 644Adreno 710
OSAndroid 14, upgradable to Android 16, One UI 8.0Android 14, Realme UI 5.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED 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 64 MP, f/2.8, 71mm, (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, OIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Single50 MP, f/2.4, (wide)32 MP, f/2.4, 22mm (wide)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, 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, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging45W wired67W wired, 50% in 19 min
Type5000 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsDark Blue, Light GreenSubmarine Blue, Navigator Beige, Explorer Red
ModelsSM-M556B, SM-M556B/DSRMX3840, RMX3841
Price€ 272.94 / $ 265.00 / £ 251.97 / ₹ 20,999$ 465.00 / £ 299.00 / € 344.26 / ₹ 28,400
SAR0.93 W/kg (head)-
SAR EU0.96 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)-

Samsung Galaxy M55

  • Potentially longer software support from Samsung
  • Comparable Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor
  • Likely a well-optimized One UI experience

  • Slower 45W charging
  • Unspecified display brightness – likely lower than Realme
  • Limited information on camera specifications

Realme 12 Pro+

  • Significantly faster 67W charging
  • Brighter 802 nit display
  • Strong active use battery life (13:24h)

  • Realme UI may not appeal to all users
  • Potentially shorter software support lifespan
  • Camera performance relies heavily on software processing

Display Comparison

The Realme 12 Pro+ boasts a measured peak brightness of 802 nits, a significant advantage over the unlisted brightness of the Galaxy M55, making it more usable under direct sunlight. While both utilize AMOLED panels, the Realme’s higher peak brightness translates to a more vibrant and readable experience outdoors. We expect the M55 to have a standard AMOLED panel, while the Realme may incorporate features like HDR10+ support, though this is unconfirmed. Bezels appear comparable based on available imagery, but the brightness difference is a clear win for the Realme.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs beyond the main sensors, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the Realme 12 Pro+’s marketing emphasizes its camera capabilities, suggesting a more refined image processing pipeline. The absence of information regarding sensor size and aperture for the M55 makes it difficult to assess its low-light performance. We can assume both phones will include standard wide, ultrawide, and macro lenses, but the Realme’s focus on camera features suggests a potential edge in image quality and versatility. Ignoring the typical 2MP macro sensors, the primary sensor quality will be the deciding factor.

Performance

Both phones employ 4nm Snapdragon 7-series chipsets, but the architectures differ. The Galaxy M55 features the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1, utilizing Cortex-A710 cores, while the Realme 12 Pro+ uses the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 with Cortex-A78 cores. While clock speeds are similar (2.4 GHz vs 2.40 GHz), the A78 cores in the 7s Gen 2 generally offer better sustained performance and efficiency compared to the A710. This translates to potentially smoother multitasking and slightly improved gaming performance on the Realme. Both devices likely pair their chipsets with 8GB of RAM, but the RAM type (LPDDR5x) isn't specified for either, impacting overall system responsiveness.

Battery Life

The Realme 12 Pro+ shines with its 67W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 19 minutes. This is a substantial improvement over the Galaxy M55’s 45W charging. While the M55’s battery capacity is unlisted, the Realme 12 Pro+ delivers an impressive 13:24h of active use, indicating excellent battery optimization. The faster charging speed of the Realme mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery capacity, offering a more convenient and less anxiety-inducing charging experience.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy M55 if you prioritize a potentially wider software support lifespan and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. Buy the Realme 12 Pro+ if you value rapid charging, a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and a more streamlined user experience focused on speed and convenience. The Realme is ideal for users constantly on the go.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 in the Realme 12 Pro+ offer a noticeable gaming advantage over the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 in the Galaxy M55?
While both chips are capable, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2’s Cortex-A78 cores generally provide better sustained performance and thermal efficiency, leading to slightly smoother frame rates and less throttling during extended gaming sessions. Expect a modest, but noticeable, improvement in demanding titles on the Realme 12 Pro+.
❓ How significant is the difference in charging speed between 45W and 67W, and will I notice it in daily use?
The difference is substantial. 67W charging on the Realme 12 Pro+ can add a significant amount of charge in a short period – 50% in 19 minutes. 45W charging on the M55 will take considerably longer. This translates to less downtime and more convenience, especially for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
❓ Is the Realme 12 Pro+’s Realme UI a significant departure from Samsung’s One UI, and should that influence my decision?
Realme UI and One UI offer distinct user experiences. One UI is known for its feature richness and customization options, while Realme UI prioritizes speed and simplicity. If you prefer a cleaner, more streamlined interface, the Realme 12 Pro+ might be a better fit. If you’re heavily invested in the Samsung ecosystem, One UI’s integration could be advantageous.