iQOO U5e vs Samsung Galaxy A53 5G: A Detailed Comparison

The iQOO U5e and Samsung Galaxy A53 5G represent distinct approaches to the mid-range 5G smartphone market. The iQOO U5e aims for aggressive value, while the Galaxy A53 5G prioritizes a more polished experience and brand recognition. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best bang for your buck.

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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is the better choice. While the iQOO U5e offers a competitive price, the A53 5G’s brighter display, more refined software experience, and potentially better camera processing outweigh the U5e’s slight performance edge in raw CPU benchmarks.

PHONES
Phone Names	vivo iQOO U5e	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, 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	2022, June 23	2022, March 17
Status	Cancelled	Available. Released 2022, March 24

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back	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	193 g (6.81 oz)	189 g (6.67 oz)
	-	IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)

Display
Protection	-	Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution	720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size	6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio)	6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD	Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)	Exynos 1280 (5 nm)
GPU	Mali-G57 MC2	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 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
	UFS 2.1	-

Main Camera
Dual	13 MP, f/2.2, 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/2.0, (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
Single	8 MP, f/2.0, (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	5.1, A2DP, LE
NFC	No	Yes (market/region dependent)
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	Unspecified	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	Blue, Silver	Black, White, Blue, Peach
Models	V2197A	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 200 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 U5e

Potentially lower price point
Decent performance for everyday tasks
5G connectivity

Less powerful chipset compared to the A53 5G
Slower charging speed (18W)
Display likely lacks the brightness and vibrancy of the A53 5G

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

Brighter and more vibrant display (830 nits)
More powerful and efficient Exynos 1280 chipset
Faster 25W charging

Generally higher price
Samsung’s One UI can be resource-intensive
Potential for software bloat

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 830 nits, compared to an unstated value for the iQOO U5e. This brightness advantage translates to superior visibility outdoors. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, the A53’s higher peak brightness and 'Infinite' contrast ratio suggest a more visually immersive experience. The iQOO U5e’s display specs are less detailed, suggesting a more basic panel aimed at cost savings. The A53’s larger screen size (assumed, based on market positioning) also contributes to a more expansive viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature photo and video capabilities, but details are sparse. The Galaxy A53 5G likely benefits from Samsung’s sophisticated image processing algorithms and potentially a larger main sensor (based on typical Samsung A-series offerings). While the iQOO U5e may offer acceptable image quality in good lighting conditions, the A53 5G is expected to deliver superior dynamic range, low-light performance, and overall image clarity. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the A53 5G (likely, based on Samsung’s typical implementation) would further enhance image and video quality, particularly in challenging conditions. The usefulness of a 2MP macro camera on either device is questionable, as image quality is typically limited.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G’s Exynos 1280 (5nm) chipset offers a clear architectural advantage over the iQOO U5e’s MediaTek Dimensity 700 (7nm). The Exynos 1280 utilizes Cortex-A78 cores, which are more efficient and powerful than the Cortex-A76 cores found in the Dimensity 700. While both CPUs feature a 2x high-performance core and 6x efficiency core configuration, the 5nm fabrication process of the Exynos 1280 allows for greater transistor density and improved thermal efficiency. This means the A53 5G is likely to sustain peak performance for longer periods without throttling. However, the iQOO U5e may feel snappier for everyday tasks due to its lighter software skin.

Battery Life

Both the iQOO U5e and Samsung Galaxy A53 5G achieve an endurance rating of 113 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the A53 5G supports 25W wired charging, significantly faster than the iQOO U5e’s 18W charging. This faster charging speed translates to quicker top-ups, reducing downtime. While the A53 5G’s battery capacity is not specified, the faster charging suggests a focus on minimizing charging times, even if the battery capacity is similar to the iQOO U5e.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO U5e if you prioritize raw processing power for basic tasks and are on a very tight budget. It’s ideal for users who primarily stream video, browse the web, and use social media. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G if you value a brighter, more vibrant display, a more comprehensive camera system, and Samsung’s established software ecosystem, even if it means spending a bit more.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the Galaxy A53 5G tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?

While the Exynos 1280 can get warm under sustained load, its 5nm fabrication process and Samsung’s thermal management solutions generally prevent significant throttling. However, demanding games at maximum settings may still result in some performance reduction after extended playtimes. The iQOO U5e, while less powerful, may also experience throttling due to its less efficient chipset.

❓ Is the 18W charging on the iQOO U5e slow compared to other phones in this price range?

Yes, 18W charging is relatively slow compared to the 25W or even 33W charging offered by some competitors. Expect a full charge to take significantly longer on the iQOO U5e, potentially exceeding 2 hours. This is a trade-off to keep the price down.

❓ How does Samsung’s One UI affect the performance of the Galaxy A53 5G?

Samsung’s One UI is feature-rich but can be resource-intensive. While the Exynos 1280 is capable, One UI can contribute to occasional stutters or slowdowns, especially with numerous apps running in the background. Optimizing the software and disabling unused features can help mitigate this.

❓ Is the camera on the iQOO U5e sufficient for casual social media use?

The iQOO U5e’s camera is likely adequate for casual social media photography in good lighting conditions. However, expect limited performance in low light and a lack of advanced features found on the Galaxy A53 5G. The image processing will likely be less sophisticated, resulting in less dynamic range and detail.