Xiaomi Redmi K50i vs Samsung Galaxy A53 5G: A Deep Dive Comparison

The Xiaomi Redmi K50i and Samsung Galaxy A53 5G represent compelling options in the competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. The K50i aggressively targets performance with its Dimensity 8100, while the A53 5G focuses on a more holistic experience with Samsung’s software and established brand reputation. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device delivers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw performance and fast charging, the Xiaomi Redmi K50i is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 8100 chipset offers a significant advantage in gaming and demanding tasks. However, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G provides a more polished software experience and a brighter display, making it a strong contender for those valuing refinement over sheer power.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Redmi K50i Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66 - SM-A536U
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA2, 5, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536U
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -2, 5, 48, 66, 77, 78, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536V
Launch
Announced2022, July 202022, March 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, July 23Available. Released 2022, March 24
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions163.6 x 74.3 x 8.9 mm (6.44 x 2.93 x 0.35 in)159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.94 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight200 g (7.05 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2460 pixels (~407 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFFS LCD, 144Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 500 nits (typ), 650 nits (HBM)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.85 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 8100 (5 nm)Exynos 1280 (5 nm)
GPUMali-G610 MC6Mali-G68
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED 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
Triple64 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS (L1), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1)GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (market/region dependent)
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging67W wired, 50% in 15 min, 100% in 46 min25W wired
TypeLi-Po 5080 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsPhantom Blue, Stealth Black, Quick SilverBlack, White, Blue, Peach
Models22041216ISM-A536B, SM-A536B/DS, SM-A536U, SM-A536U1, SM-A5360, SM-A536E, SM-A536E/DS, SM-A536V, SM-A536W, SM-A536N, SM-S536DL
PriceAbout 320 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)

Xiaomi Redmi K50i

  • Significantly faster charging (67W)
  • More powerful processor (Dimensity 8100)
  • Potentially better gaming performance

  • Display brightness likely lower than A53
  • Camera details are unknown, potential for inconsistent results

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility
  • Refined Samsung software experience
  • Established brand reputation and support

  • Slower processor (Exynos 1280)
  • Significantly slower charging (25W)

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G boasts a notably brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 830 nits, crucial for comfortable outdoor viewing. While the K50i’s display specs aren’t provided, Samsung’s Super AMOLED panel offers vibrant colors and an 'Infinite' contrast ratio. The A53’s brightness advantage is significant, especially considering the K50i likely utilizes an LCD panel. Both devices likely feature a 120Hz refresh rate, common in this segment, but the A53’s superior brightness gives it an edge for everyday usability.

Camera Comparison

Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for the K50i. The A53 5G likely features a primary sensor around 64MP, common for Samsung’s A-series. The K50i’s camera performance will heavily depend on its sensor size and image processing algorithms. Without specifics, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. However, Samsung’s established camera software and image processing pipeline often deliver consistent results, while the K50i may prioritize different aesthetic choices. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the A53 is largely a marketing feature with limited practical utility.

Performance

The Xiaomi Redmi K50i’s Mediatek Dimensity 8100 (5nm) is the performance champion here. Its octa-core CPU, featuring four Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.85 GHz, significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G’s Exynos 1280 (5nm). The Exynos 1280’s CPU configuration of 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores is less aggressive. The Dimensity 8100’s superior architecture translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience. While both are 5nm chips, the Dimensity 8100’s design is more focused on peak performance, potentially at the cost of some thermal efficiency, though the 5nm process helps mitigate this.

Battery Life

Both the Redmi K50i and Galaxy A53 5G achieve an endurance rating of 113 hours, suggesting comparable overall battery life. However, the charging speeds differ dramatically. The K50i’s 67W wired charging is a game-changer, achieving 50% charge in just 15 minutes and a full charge in 46 minutes. The A53 5G’s 25W charging is significantly slower, requiring considerably more time to reach 100%. This difference in charging speed is a major advantage for the K50i, especially for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K50i if you need uncompromising performance for gaming, video editing, or multitasking, and value incredibly fast 67W charging. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G if you prefer a more refined software experience, a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and the peace of mind that comes with Samsung’s established ecosystem and longer software support commitment.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the Galaxy A53 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1280 is a capable chip, but it's known to exhibit some throttling under sustained load. While it won't shut down, you may experience frame rate drops after 30-45 minutes of demanding games. The K50i's Dimensity 8100, while potentially generating more heat initially, is generally better at maintaining performance over longer periods due to its more efficient architecture.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G actually useful?
Unfortunately, the 2MP macro camera on the A53 5G is largely a marketing gimmick. The low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization result in images that are often soft and lack detail. It's best to rely on the main camera for close-up shots.
❓ Can the Xiaomi Redmi K50i handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at 90fps?
Yes, the Dimensity 8100 in the K50i is more than capable of running PUBG Mobile at 90fps with high graphics settings. The chipset's powerful GPU and efficient architecture provide ample headroom for smooth gameplay. However, sustained performance will depend on the phone's thermal management.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the K50i and A53 5G?
The A53 5G runs Samsung's One UI, known for its feature-rich interface and long-term software support. The K50i runs Xiaomi's MIUI, which is more customizable but can sometimes be perceived as bloated with pre-installed apps. Samsung generally provides faster and more consistent software updates.