The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo Y55 and Samsung Galaxy A53 5G represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. While both aim to deliver a well-rounded experience, they take different approaches to achieving it. The Y55 prioritizes charging speed and efficiency with its Snapdragon 680, while the A53 5G leans on Samsung’s established brand and a brighter display powered by the Exynos 1280.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a vibrant viewing experience and established brand reliability, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is the better choice. However, the vivo Y55 offers significantly faster 44W charging and a more efficient processor, making it ideal for users who value battery convenience and longer runtimes between charges.
| 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, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66 - SM-A536U |
| 5G bands | - | 2, 5, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536U |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 2, 5, 48, 66, 77, 78, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536V |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, July 02 | 2022, March 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 02 | Available. Released 2022, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 160.8 x 73.8 x 8.4 mm (6.33 x 2.91 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 | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Schott Xensation glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Exynos 1280 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G68 |
| OS | Android 12, Funtouch 12 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| 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 | - | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 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 | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (market/region dependent) |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired, 50% in 27 min | 25W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Galaxy, Ice Dawn | Black, White, Blue, Peach |
| Models | - | 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 250 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 Y55
- 44W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Snapdragon 680 offers good efficiency for everyday tasks.
- Potentially more affordable price point.
- Lacks 5G connectivity.
- Likely a less vibrant display compared to the A53.
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
- Brighter 830 nit display for excellent outdoor visibility.
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds.
- Samsung’s established brand and software support.
- Slower 25W charging.
- Exynos 1280 may run warmer under sustained load.
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 vivo Y55’s display specifications aren’t provided, it’s likely to be dimmer. 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 Y55. This difference is crucial for media consumption and gaming.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is limited. The A53 likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing expertise and potentially a larger main sensor. While both phones likely include a standard suite of camera modes, the Y55’s camera system is likely more basic. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on many phones in this segment is often a marketing tactic, offering limited real-world benefit due to the small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).
Performance
Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G utilizes the Exynos 1280 (5nm), while the vivo Y55 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6nm). The 5nm process node of the Exynos 1280 generally allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency compared to the 6nm Snapdragon 680. However, the Snapdragon 680’s CPU configuration – with 4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold cores – provides a strong burst of performance for single-threaded tasks. The A53’s Cortex-A78 cores offer a more substantial performance uplift in multi-threaded workloads. The A53 also benefits from 5G connectivity, a feature absent in the Y55.
Battery Life
Both the vivo Y55 and Samsung Galaxy A53 5G achieve an endurance rating of 113 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the charging speeds differ dramatically. The vivo Y55 supports 44W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 27 minutes. The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is limited to 25W charging, resulting in a significantly longer charging time. This difference is a major advantage for the Y55, especially for users who prioritize quick top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y55 if you need a phone that charges incredibly quickly and offers solid, efficient performance for everyday tasks. It’s perfect for users who frequently find themselves needing to top up their battery throughout the day. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G if you prefer a brighter, more visually appealing display, a more polished software experience, and the peace of mind that comes with Samsung’s extensive support network and 5G connectivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the Galaxy A53 5G tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1280 can experience some thermal throttling during extended gaming, particularly with graphically demanding titles. While not severe, users may notice a slight drop in frame rates after 30-45 minutes of continuous play. The Snapdragon 680 in the Y55, being less powerful, is less prone to overheating but also delivers lower peak performance.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras found on phones in this price range offer limited utility. The small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization result in images that often lack detail and sharpness. They are best used for casual snapshots rather than serious macro photography.
❓ Can the vivo Y55 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile at high frame rates (90fps)?
While the Snapdragon 680 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, achieving a consistent 90fps experience is unlikely. The phone will likely perform best at medium graphics settings and a frame rate of 60fps to maintain stable performance and prevent overheating. The Exynos 1280 in the A53 has a better chance of sustaining higher frame rates.
❓ How does the lack of 5G on the vivo Y55 impact its usability in areas with 5G coverage?
The absence of 5G on the Y55 means you'll be limited to 4G LTE speeds. While 4G is still widely available and sufficient for most tasks, you'll miss out on the significantly faster download and upload speeds offered by 5G networks. This is a key consideration if you live in an area with strong 5G coverage and frequently stream high-resolution video or download large files.
