The Xiaomi Redmi 13 and Samsung Galaxy A15 represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive sub-$200 smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price, they diverge significantly in their approach to battery life, performance, and display quality. This comparison dissects these differences to help you choose the right device for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life, the Samsung Galaxy A15 is the clear winner. Its 15:28h active use score significantly outpaces the Redmi 13’s 10:28h, making it ideal for heavy users. However, the Redmi 13 offers a slightly brighter display and a faster charging speed.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, June 03 | 2023, December 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, June 03 | Available. Released 2023, December 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, glass back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 168.6 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm (6.64 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) | 160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 205 g (7.23 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.79 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 550 nits (HBM) | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G91 Ultra (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 14, HyperOS | Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 5030 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Sandy Gold, Ocean Blue, Pink | Brave Black, Optimistic Blue, Magical Blue, Personality Yellow |
| Models | 2404ARN45A, 24040RN64Y | SM-A155F, SM-A155F/DSN, SM-A155M, SM-A155M/DS, SM-A155P, SM-A155R |
| Price | $ 119.79 / £ 126.47 / € 114.99 | € 168.99 / $ 125.00 / £ 113.00 |
| SAR EU | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.98 W/kg (body) | 0.42 W/kg (head) 1.29 W/kg (body) |
Xiaomi Redmi 13
- Brighter display for outdoor use
- Faster 33W wired charging
- Potentially more vibrant color profile
- Significantly shorter battery life
- Less efficient chipset (Helio G91 Ultra)
Samsung Galaxy A15
- Exceptional battery life (15:28h active use)
- More efficient chipset (Helio G99, 6nm)
- Brighter display for better visibility
- Slower 25W wired charging
- Potentially less vibrant color profile
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A15 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 808 nits compared to the Redmi 13’s 448 nits. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While the Redmi 13 offers a respectable 1300:1 contrast ratio, the A15’s brightness advantage is more impactful for everyday use. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket, and detailed color accuracy data is unavailable, but the A15’s higher peak brightness is a clear advantage.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the main sensors, a direct comparison is limited. However, the market positioning suggests the Galaxy A15 likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, potentially delivering more refined photos in various lighting conditions. The Redmi 13 may lean towards more saturated colors, typical of Xiaomi’s tuning. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely inconsequential; image quality from these sensors is typically poor. Focus should be on the primary sensor performance, where Samsung’s software optimization could provide an edge.
Performance
The Galaxy A15’s Mediatek Helio G99, fabricated on a 6nm process, offers a notable efficiency advantage over the Redmi 13’s 12nm Helio G91 Ultra. This translates to better thermal management and sustained performance under load. The A15’s CPU, featuring 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 cores, also edges out the Redmi 13’s 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. While both phones are adequate for everyday tasks, the A15 will handle multitasking and moderately demanding games with greater ease. The 6nm process is key here, reducing heat and allowing for higher sustained clock speeds.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A15’s 15:28h active use score is a standout feature, dwarfing the Redmi 13’s 10:28h. This difference is substantial and will be immediately noticeable to users who frequently stream video, play games, or rely heavily on their smartphones throughout the day. While the Redmi 13 compensates with 33W wired charging, compared to the A15’s 25W, the larger battery capacity and chipset efficiency of the A15 ultimately provide a superior overall battery experience. The A15’s efficiency gains mean it’s using less power to achieve similar tasks.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 13 if you prioritize a brighter display for outdoor visibility and faster 33W charging, and are willing to compromise on battery endurance. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A15 if you value exceptional battery life above all else, and appreciate the efficiency gains of the newer Mediatek Helio G99 chipset, even if it means slower charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Helio G99 in the Galaxy A15 get noticeably warmer during extended gaming sessions compared to the Redmi 13’s Helio G91 Ultra?
The Helio G99’s 6nm process is inherently more thermally efficient than the Helio G91 Ultra’s 12nm process. This means the Galaxy A15 is likely to run cooler and experience less performance throttling during prolonged gaming, offering a more consistent experience.
❓ How much faster is the charging speed difference between the Redmi 13’s 33W and the Galaxy A15’s 25W in real-world scenarios?
While 33W is faster on paper, the Galaxy A15’s larger battery and more efficient power management mean the difference in 0-100% charge time won’t be as dramatic as the wattage suggests. Expect the Redmi 13 to charge slightly faster, but the A15’s longer battery life mitigates the need for frequent top-ups.
❓ Is the difference in display brightness between the two phones noticeable for indoor use?
While the difference is most pronounced outdoors, the Galaxy A15’s brighter display (808 nits) also provides a more vibrant and comfortable viewing experience indoors, especially in well-lit rooms. The Redmi 13’s 448 nits is adequate, but the A15 offers a noticeable improvement.
