Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 vs. Samsung Galaxy A55: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Champions

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 and Samsung Galaxy A55 represent compelling options for users seeking a balance of features and affordability. This comparison dissects their key specifications, focusing on real-world performance implications to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and a consistently smooth experience, the Samsung Galaxy A55 emerges as the stronger contender. Its Exynos 1480 chipset and superior battery optimization deliver a significant advantage in endurance, despite the Redmi Note 13’s competitive price.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Samsung Galaxy A55
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - InternationalHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, January 042024, March 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, January 10Available. Released 2024, March 15
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame
Dimensions161.1 x 75 x 7.6 mm (6.34 x 2.95 x 0.30 in)161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2 mm (6.34 x 3.05 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight174.5 g (6.14 oz)213 g (7.51 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors*, 120Hz, 1920Hz PWM, 1000 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 6080 (6 nm)Exynos 1480 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Xclipse 530
OSAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades, HyperOSAndroid 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Triple108 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens50 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)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panorama-
Single16 MP, f/2.4, (wide)32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired25W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsGraphite black (Stealth Black), Arctic White, Ocean Teal, Prism GoldIceblue, Lilac, Navy, Lemon
Models2312DRAABG, 2312DRAABISM-A556V, SM-A556B, SM-A556B/DS, SM-A556E, SM-A556E/DS, SM-A5560
Price$ 118.38 / £ 206.65 / € 150.99 / ₹ 15,950$ 324.99 / £ 251.50 / € 319.99 / ₹ 23,998
SAR1.07 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU0.94 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)0.68 W/kg (head)     1.04 W/kg (body)

Xiaomi Redmi Note 13

  • More affordable price point
  • Faster wired charging (33W)
  • Bright display with 991 nits peak brightness

  • Significantly shorter battery life
  • Less powerful processor for demanding tasks
  • Potentially less refined camera image processing

Samsung Galaxy A55

  • Superior battery life (13:27h active use)
  • More efficient Exynos 1480 chipset
  • Likely better camera image quality and OIS
  • Samsung’s software ecosystem and update promise

  • Slower wired charging (25W)
  • Higher price tag
  • May lack expandable storage (typical for Samsung)

Display Comparison

Both the Redmi Note 13 and Galaxy A55 boast vibrant displays, with the A55 edging out the Note 13 in peak brightness at 1010 nits versus 991 nits. While the difference isn't massive, it translates to slightly better visibility under direct sunlight. Both likely utilize AMOLED panels, though the A55’s panel is expected to have better color accuracy and viewing angles, typical of Samsung’s display technology. The absence of LTPO technology on either device suggests a standard 60/120Hz refresh rate, impacting power consumption during dynamic content.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is limited. However, Samsung generally excels in image processing, and the A55 is likely to deliver more consistent and refined photos, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Redmi Note 13 may rely more heavily on software enhancements, which can sometimes result in over-sharpened or artificial-looking images. The presence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the A55 (likely) would be a significant advantage for video recording and low-light photography, reducing blur and improving stability.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Redmi Note 13 utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 6080 (6nm), while the Galaxy A55 features the Samsung Exynos 1480 (4nm). The 4nm process node of the Exynos 1480 provides a significant advantage in power efficiency, contributing to the A55’s superior battery life. The A55’s CPU configuration – 4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – also represents a step up in performance compared to the Note 13’s 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55. This translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the A55.

Battery Life

The Galaxy A55’s active use score of 13:27h significantly surpasses the Redmi Note 13’s 9:49h. This difference is attributable to the more efficient Exynos 1480 chipset and Samsung’s software optimizations. While the Redmi Note 13 supports faster 33W wired charging compared to the A55’s 25W, the A55’s larger battery capacity and lower power draw mean it still offers a more practical and reliable all-day battery experience. The slower charging speed on the A55 is a trade-off for the extended runtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 if you need a highly affordable device with a bright display and don't mind slightly less refined performance. It's ideal for casual users and those on a strict budget. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A55 if you prioritize long-lasting battery life, a more powerful processor for demanding tasks, and Samsung’s established software ecosystem. It’s the better choice for power users and those who value longevity.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 1480 in the Galaxy A55 tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1480, built on a 4nm process, is generally efficient and well-managed. While some heat generation is inevitable during intensive gaming, it’s unlikely to experience significant throttling like older Exynos chips. Samsung’s thermal management system is typically effective at dissipating heat, ensuring sustained performance.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the Redmi Note 13 a substantial advantage over the 25W charging on the Galaxy A55?
While 33W is faster on paper, the Galaxy A55’s larger battery and more efficient power consumption mean the difference in 0-100% charge times won’t be as dramatic as the wattage suggests. The A55’s longer battery life offsets the slower charging speed for most users.
❓ How does the Dimensity 6080 handle graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Dimensity 6080 is capable of running these games, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. The Exynos 1480 in the A55 offers a more comfortable gaming experience with higher graphical fidelity and fewer frame drops.