vivo iQOO U5 vs Samsung Galaxy A53 5G: A Detailed Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a vibrant display and brand trust, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is the better choice. However, those seeking a more power-efficient processor and potentially better long-term performance, especially in sustained tasks, will find the iQOO U5 a compelling alternative.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | vivo iQOO U5 | Samsung Galaxy A53 5G |
| 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, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66 - SM-A536U |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 2, 5, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536U |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1x | 2, 5, 48, 66, 77, 78, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536V | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, December 24 | 2022, March 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 01 | Available. Released 2022, March 24 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.3 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.94 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10 | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Exynos 1280 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 |
| OS | Android 12, OriginOS Ocean | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS 2.2 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7X", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD/Adaptive | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (market/region dependent) |
| - | Virtual proximity sensing | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | White, Gray, Aurora | Black, White, Blue, Peach |
| Models | V2165A | SM-A536B, SM-A536B/DS, SM-A536U, SM-A536U1, SM-A5360, SM-A536E, SM-A536E/DS, SM-A536V, SM-A536W, SM-A536N, SM-S536DL |
| Price | About 180 EUR | $ 151.42 / £ 185.00 / € 169.14 |
| SAR | - | 0.75 W/kg (head) 1.58 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.89 W/kg (head) 1.60 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 113h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -26.5 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 329802 (v8), 379313 (v9) GeekBench: 1891 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo iQOO U5
- More efficient Snapdragon 695 5G chipset
- Potentially better sustained performance
- Likely more affordable price point
- Less established brand reputation
- Likely lower display brightness and quality
- Slower charging speed (18W)
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
- Brighter and more vibrant display (830 nits)
- Faster 25W wired charging
- Strong brand recognition and software support
- Exynos 1280 may be prone to throttling
- Potentially lower power efficiency
- Generally higher price
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G boasts a significant advantage in display quality, achieving a measured peak brightness of 830 nits. This translates to superior visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While the iQOO U5’s display specs are not provided, it’s likely to be lower in peak brightness. The A53’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a Super AMOLED panel, offering deeper blacks and more vibrant colors compared to the likely LCD panel on the iQOO U5. This makes the A53 a better choice for media consumption and gaming where visual fidelity is paramount.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for the iQOO U5. The Galaxy A53 5G likely features a more sophisticated camera system, benefiting from Samsung’s image processing expertise. While both phones likely include a standard and ultrawide lens, the A53’s potential for Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) – a common feature in Samsung’s A-series – would provide sharper images and smoother video, especially in low-light conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely inconsequential, offering limited practical benefit due to its low resolution.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G utilizes the Exynos 1280 (5nm), while the iQOO U5 features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm). The 5nm process node of the Exynos 1280 *should* offer better power efficiency, but the Snapdragon 695’s architecture, with its Kryo 660 Gold cores clocked at 2.2 GHz, provides a strong performance base. The Exynos 1280’s Cortex-A78 cores, clocked at 2.4 GHz, offer a theoretical single-core performance advantage, but the 6nm process of the Snapdragon 695 may lead to better sustained performance and less thermal throttling under heavy load. The iQOO U5’s efficiency is a key benefit for users who frequently engage in demanding tasks.
Battery Life
Both the iQOO U5 and Galaxy A53 5G share an endurance rating of 113 hours, suggesting comparable battery life in typical usage scenarios. However, the Galaxy A53 5G supports 25W wired charging, significantly faster than the iQOO U5’s 18W charging. This means the A53 can replenish its battery more quickly, reducing downtime. While the mAh capacity isn’t specified for either device, the faster charging speed of the A53 provides a tangible advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO U5 if you need a phone that prioritizes sustained performance and efficiency for tasks like prolonged gaming or video recording, and are comfortable with a less-established brand. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G if you prefer a brighter, more color-accurate display, a well-known brand with a strong software ecosystem, and are willing to trade some raw processing power for a more polished overall experience.