The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Xiaomi Redmi A1 and Samsung Galaxy A15 represent two popular choices, but cater to slightly different priorities. The Redmi A1 focuses on extreme affordability, while the Galaxy A15 aims to deliver a more polished experience with a stronger emphasis on performance and display quality. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A15 is the superior choice. Its Mediatek Helio G99 chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the Redmi A1’s Helio A22, and the brighter 808 nit display significantly enhances usability. While the Redmi A1 is cheaper, the A15’s improvements justify the price difference.
| 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 - International | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - India | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 06 | 2023, December 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 09 | Available. Released 2023, December 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 76.8 x 9.1 mm (6.49 x 3.02 x 0.36 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 | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition), MIUI 12 | Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
0.08 MP (depth) | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| 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 |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | FM radio | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Light Green, Light Blue, Black | Brave Black, Optimistic Blue, Magical Blue, Personality Yellow |
| Models | 220733SI, 220733SG, 220733SL, 220743FI, 220733SH | SM-A155F, SM-A155F/DSN, SM-A155M, SM-A155M/DS, SM-A155P, SM-A155R |
| Price | About 170 EUR | € 168.99 / $ 125.00 / £ 113.00 |
| SAR | 1.10 W/kg (head) 1.03 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.85 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) | 0.42 W/kg (head) 1.29 W/kg (body) |
Xiaomi Redmi A1
- Lowest possible price point
- Acceptable for basic communication tasks
- Lightweight and compact
- Very slow performance
- Low display brightness
- Slow charging
Samsung Galaxy A15
- Significantly faster performance
- Bright and vibrant display
- Fast charging support
- Slightly higher price
- May still struggle with demanding games
- Build quality is plastic
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A15 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 808 nits, compared to the Redmi A1’s unspecified brightness (likely considerably lower based on its market positioning). This difference translates to far better outdoor visibility for the A15. While both likely utilize LCD panels, the A15’s higher peak brightness and potentially improved color calibration offer a more vibrant and enjoyable viewing experience. The Redmi A1’s display is adequate for indoor use, but will struggle in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs for either device, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the market segment, it’s safe to assume both phones feature basic camera setups. The Galaxy A15 likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, potentially delivering more pleasing results even with similar hardware. The Redmi A1 will likely struggle in low-light conditions due to its less powerful processor and potentially smaller sensor. It's reasonable to expect the A15 to offer a more consistent and reliable camera experience.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Samsung Galaxy A15’s Mediatek Helio G99, built on a 6nm process, features an octa-core CPU (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) offering a significant advantage over the Redmi A1’s Mediatek Helio A22 (12nm) and its quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU. The G99’s more modern architecture and higher clock speeds result in faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The 6nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A15 shines in battery life, achieving an active use score of 15 hours and 28 minutes. While the Redmi A1’s battery capacity is unknown, its less efficient chipset and lower screen brightness likely result in shorter runtimes. Furthermore, the A15 supports 25W wired charging, allowing for significantly faster top-ups compared to the Redmi A1’s 10W charging. This means less time tethered to a charger and more time using the device.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi A1 if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and your usage is limited to basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A15 if you prioritize a smoother user experience, better display visibility, and the ability to handle more demanding apps and occasional gaming. The A15 is the better all-rounder for the vast majority of users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Helio G99 in the Galaxy A15 capable of playing modern mobile games?
The Helio G99 is a capable chipset for casual gaming. While it won't max out graphics settings on the most demanding titles like Genshin Impact, it can comfortably handle popular games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile at medium settings. Expect playable frame rates with some occasional dips during intense scenes.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy A15 with the 25W charger?
While Samsung doesn't officially state the 0-100% charging time, based on testing with similar devices and the 25W charging support, you can expect a full charge to take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours. This is significantly faster than the Redmi A1's 10W charging.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A15 have a dedicated microSD card slot for expandable storage?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy A15 does include a dedicated microSD card slot, allowing you to expand the internal storage up to 1TB. This is a valuable feature for users who plan to store a large number of photos, videos, or apps.
