The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Xiaomi Redmi 14R and Samsung Galaxy A55 represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. The Redmi 14R aims to undercut the competition with a newer Snapdragon chipset, while the Galaxy A55 leverages Samsung’s display expertise and software optimization. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing battery life and a brighter, more vibrant display, the Samsung Galaxy A55 is the superior choice. Its 13:27h active use score and 1010 nits peak brightness are significant advantages. However, the Redmi 14R offers a strong value proposition for those seeking solid performance at a lower price point.
| 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, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, September 14 | 2024, March 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, September | Available. Released 2024, March 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, glass back or silicone polymer (eco leather) back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 171.9 x 77.8 x 8.2 mm (6.77 x 3.06 x 0.32 in) | 161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2 mm (6.34 x 3.05 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) |
| Weight | 205.4 / 208.5 / 212.4 g (7.23 oz) | 213 g (7.51 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~260 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.88 inches, 112.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Exynos 1480 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 613 | Xclipse 530 |
| OS | Android 14, HyperOS | Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, PD | 25W wired |
| Type | 5160 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Sage Green, Starry Blue, Purple | Iceblue, Lilac, Navy, Lemon |
| Models | - | SM-A556V, SM-A556B, SM-A556B/DS, SM-A556E, SM-A556E/DS, SM-A5560 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | $ 324.99 / £ 251.50 / € 319.99 / ₹ 23,998 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.68 W/kg (head) 1.04 W/kg (body) |
Xiaomi Redmi 14R
- More affordable price point
- Modern Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset
- Potentially lighter and more compact design
- Likely lower peak display brightness
- Inferior battery life compared to A55
Samsung Galaxy A55
- Exceptional battery life (13:27h active use)
- Brighter and more vibrant display (1010 nits)
- Faster 25W charging
- Higher price tag
- Exynos 1480 may exhibit some throttling under heavy load
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A55 immediately distinguishes itself with a measured peak brightness of 1010 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Redmi 14R’s display specifications are not provided, Samsung’s Super AMOLED technology typically offers superior color accuracy and contrast. The A55’s higher brightness is particularly beneficial for outdoor use and HDR content viewing. The absence of LTPO technology in either device suggests both will rely on adaptive refresh rates to conserve battery, but the A55’s brighter panel will likely consume more power at peak brightness.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Redmi 14R, a direct comparison is limited. However, Samsung typically prioritizes camera performance in its A-series devices. The A55 likely features a more sophisticated image processing pipeline and potentially larger sensor sizes than the Redmi 14R. While the Redmi 14R may offer competitive image quality in good lighting conditions, the A55 is expected to excel in low-light scenarios and provide more consistent results across various shooting conditions. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) in the A55 (assumed based on Samsung’s A-series tradition) would further enhance image quality and video stabilization.
Performance
Both phones utilize 4nm chipsets, but the Exynos 1480 in the Galaxy A55 boasts a more powerful CPU configuration – 4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 cores versus the Redmi 14R’s 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 cores. This translates to faster processing speeds for demanding tasks and a smoother overall user experience. While the Redmi 14R’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 is efficient, the A55’s Exynos 1480 has a clear advantage in raw processing power. The A55’s CPU configuration suggests better multi-core performance, benefiting applications that can leverage multiple threads. The 4nm process node on both chips contributes to improved thermal efficiency, but the A55’s more powerful cores may generate more heat under sustained load.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A55’s 13:27h active use score is a significant advantage, demonstrating exceptional battery endurance. While the Redmi 14R’s battery capacity is unknown, the A55’s score suggests optimized power management and efficient components. The A55 supports 25W wired charging, while the Redmi 14R is limited to 18W. This means the A55 will recharge faster, minimizing downtime. The combination of a larger battery (implied by the active use score) and faster charging makes the A55 the clear winner in the battery department.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 14R if you need a capable daily driver with a modern chipset and prioritize value for money above all else. It’s ideal for users who frequently multitask and appreciate a responsive experience without breaking the bank. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A55 if you prefer a phone with exceptional battery life, a stunning display for media consumption, and the polished software experience Samsung is known for. This is the better choice for power users and those who rely heavily on their phone throughout the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1480 in the Galaxy A55 tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 1480 is a capable chip, it's known to generate more heat than some Snapdragon counterparts under sustained load. Samsung likely employs thermal management solutions to mitigate throttling, but users engaging in extended gaming sessions may experience some performance dips. The 4nm process helps, but it's not a complete solution.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Redmi 14R sufficient for quick top-ups throughout the day?
18W charging is relatively slow compared to the 25W on the Galaxy A55. While it will charge the device overnight, topping up quickly during the day will take considerably longer. Users who frequently need to recharge on the go may find the slower charging speed inconvenient.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 handle graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to adjust graphics settings to achieve a smooth 60fps experience. Expect to play at medium settings for optimal balance between visual fidelity and performance. The A55's Exynos 1480 will offer a more consistent high-framerate experience.
❓ What kind of display technology does the Redmi 14R use, and how does it compare to the Galaxy A55's Super AMOLED?
The Redmi 14R's display technology is not specified. However, it's likely an LCD panel. Super AMOLED, used in the Galaxy A55, offers superior contrast, color accuracy, and viewing angles compared to LCDs. The A55's display will provide a more immersive and visually appealing experience.
