The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the vivo Y55s (2023) and the Samsung Galaxy A13. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A13 edges out the vivo Y55s (2023) thanks to its brighter display and longer-lasting battery. While the Y55s offers a slightly more modern chipset, the A13's overall package provides a more polished and reliable user experience, especially for those prioritizing battery life.
| 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, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, January 21 | 2022, March 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January 21 | Available. Released 2022, March 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.9 x 8.3 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) | 165.1 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.5 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 187 g (6.60 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 12, Funtouch 12 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Black, White, Peach, Blue |
| Models | - | SM-A135F, SM-A135F/DS, SM-A135M, SM-A135U, SM-A135U1, SM-A135N |
| Price | About 250 EUR | € 94.99 / $ 129.99 / £ 89.00 |
| SAR | - | 0.49 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.37 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 114h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1324:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.7 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 122822 (v8), 136286 (v9)
GeekBench: 588 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo Y55s (2023)
- Slightly newer chipset (Dimensity 700)
- Potentially better gaming performance
- Modern design
- Lower display brightness
- Shorter battery life
- Less established brand reputation
Samsung Galaxy A13
- Excellent battery life (114h endurance)
- Brighter display (587 nits)
- Reliable Samsung brand
- Good camera performance
- Older chipset (Exynos 850)
- Slightly less powerful than Y55s in some scenarios
- 15W charging is slow
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A13 boasts a measured peak brightness of 587 nits, significantly brighter than the Y55s, offering better visibility in sunlight. Both phones have a high contrast ratio (1324:1), ensuring deep blacks and vibrant colors. However, the A13's brightness advantage makes it the clear winner for outdoor use.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is subjective and depends on individual preferences. Both phones offer decent camera setups for their price range. The Galaxy A13 likely has more refined image processing due to Samsung's experience. The Y55s might offer slightly better low-light performance due to the Dimensity 700's ISP, but this needs further testing.
Performance
The vivo Y55s (2023) features a Mediatek Dimensity 700, built on a 7nm process, which is generally more efficient than the Exynos 850 (8nm) in the Galaxy A13. This *could* translate to slightly better performance in demanding tasks and games. However, real-world performance differences are likely to be minimal for everyday use.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A13 shines in this category. Its endurance rating of 114 hours is exceptional, significantly outperforming the Y55s. While the Y55s has a decent battery, the A13's longevity is a major selling point.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the vivo Y55s (2023)? Users prioritizing a slightly newer chipset and potentially smoother gaming experience on a tighter budget. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A13? Those seeking exceptional battery life, a brighter display, and the reliability of the Samsung brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The vivo Y55s (2023) has a slightly more modern chipset, which *could* offer a marginal advantage in gaming. However, the difference is unlikely to be significant for most casual gamers.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A13 worth buying in 2024?
Yes, the Galaxy A13 remains a compelling option in 2024, especially if battery life is a priority. Its excellent endurance and reliable performance make it a solid choice for budget-conscious buyers.