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MagyarSamsung Galaxy A13 4G Smartphone review – Generous upgrades for Samsung's budget phone
In recent years, we often found that Samsung's budget A-series smartphones were not quite able to compete with the excellent value propositions that competitors, particularly from China, offered. The features would often be slightly inferior while at the same time, the price was higher compared to Xiaomi and co..
All of this may change with the Galaxy A13 4G, which is now available starting from an MSRP of 189,99 USD: Samsung has improved many aspects of the smartphone such as the display, which now has a higher resolution. Since competitors have of course not been sitting by idly, either, it will be interesting to see, how the Galaxy smartphone stacks up against the competiton.
Potential Competitors in Comparison
Rating | Date | Model | Weight | Drive | Size | Resolution | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76.5 % | 05/2022 | Samsung Galaxy A13 4G Exynos 850, Mali-G52 MP1 | 195 g | 64 GB eMMC Flash | 6.60" | 2408x1080 | |
| 74.9 % | 12/2021 | Samsung Galaxy A12 Exynos SM-A127F Exynos 850, Mali-G52 MP1 | 205 g | 64 GB eMMC Flash | 6.50" | 1600x720 | |
| 77.6 % | 05/2022 | Realme C35 T616, Mali-G57 MP1 | 189 g | 64 GB UFS 2.2 Flash | 6.60" | 2408x1080 | |
| 79 % | 11/2021 | Xiaomi Redmi 10 Helio G88, Mali-G52 MP2 | 181 g | 64 GB eMMC Flash | 6.50" | 2400x1080 | |
| 78.5 % | 03/2022 | Nokia G21 T606, Mali-G57 MP1 | 190 g | 64 GB eMMC Flash | 6.50" | 1600x720 |
Case – Simple Plastic Build
The case of the Galaxy A13 bears no resemblence to that of its predecessor, the Galaxy A12: Instead of a matte, texturized plastic, there is now a glossy back cover with a completely redesigned camera module. With the white, black, and the new, light blue color, a total of three color variants is now available.
The glossy finish attracts finger prints and makes the Galaxy A13 look rather plain.
There is a small waterdrop notch on the front, which offers a screen-to-body ratio of 82 %. This is fairly standard in this price category. We are pleased with the very robust build of the chassis, which reliably protects the liquid crystal layer of the screen when pressure is applied.
Connectivity – Galaxy Smartphone with NFC Support
There are two storage configurations for the Samsung smartphone (international version):
- 4 GB RAM / 64 GB storage: 189 Euros
- 4 GB RAM / 128 GB Massenspeicher: 209 Eurosrealme C35 smartphone review - Great features for under 200 euros
The US version features 32 GB of storage and 3 GB of RAM. The read and write speeds of the storage are slow due to the use of eMMC memory, whereas some competitors such as the realme C35 already offer faster UFS storage.
Thankfully, the Samsung Galaxy A13 4G supports NFC for mobile payment services.
SD Card Reader
Thanks to the dedicated microSD card slot, two SIM cards and a storage expansion card can be used simultaneously. In our copy benchmark, both the predecessor Galaxy A12 and our test device fare relatively well, while the results of the CPDT benchmark with our reference microSD Angelbird V60 card are on the weaker side. For a budget phone, the read and write speeds are good overall.
| SD Card Reader - average JPG Copy Test (av. of 3 runs) | |
| Samsung Galaxy A12 Exynos SM-A127F (Angelbird V60) | |
| Xiaomi Redmi 10 (Angelbird AV Pro V60) | |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 4G (Angelbird V60) | |
| Nokia G21 (Angelbird V60) | |
| Realme C35 (Angelbird V60) | |
Cross Platform Disk Test (CPDT)
Software – Galaxy A13 with Android 13
The Galaxy A13 comes with Android 12 and Samsung's OneUI 4, which significantly changes and expands the functionality of the operating system, preinstalled. The security patches date back to March 2022, making them relatively recent.
The Galaxy A13 is supposed to get at least one more major update to Android 13, although it is unkown whether later versions will be supported.
Samsung phones traditionally feature the manufacturer's own apps including a web browser and a file explorer, which are made somewhat redundant by Android's own versions of the apps. The Samsung apps can only be hidden, but not completely removed. Additionally, most of the third-party apps that come preinstalled for advertising purposes can be removed.
Communication and GNSS – Faster Wi-Fi
In terms of the Wi-Fi module, the Galaxy A13 4G has taken a step forward and now supports Wi-Fi 5. Although this is not the latest standard, it is still not a given for budget phones in the sub-200-USD category. We recorded consistent transfer speeds in excess of 300 Mb/s in conjunction with our reference router Asus GT-AXE11000, representing both a significant improvement compared to the predecessor and a good result relative to its competitors.
A glance at the supported mobile communications standards reveals the lack of 5G. However, a 5G version of the Galaxy A13 is already available in the US and will potentially become available soon in Europe. In the case of the 4G phone, only the most common frequencies are available. Thus, it may be worth looking at whether the Galaxy smartphone is compatible with the domestic cellular networks of countries you plan on visiting.
During our testing, we assessed the signal strength by measuring it in numerous places. Our findings show that the Galaxy A13 tends to take its time until it comes even close to the signal strength of more expensive smartphones and even then, the signal strength occasionally dips.
| Networking | |
| iperf3 receive AXE11000 | |
| Average of class Smartphone (34.8 - 1875, n=176, last 2 years) | |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 4G | |
| Nokia G21 | |
| Realme C35 | |
| iperf3 transmit AXE11000 | |
| Average of class Smartphone (40.5 - 1810, n=178, last 2 years) | |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 4G | |
| Realme C35 | |
| Nokia G21 | |
| iperf3 transmit AX12 | |
| Xiaomi Redmi 10 | |
| Samsung Galaxy A12 Exynos SM-A127F | |
| iperf3 receive AX12 | |
| Xiaomi Redmi 10 | |
| Samsung Galaxy A12 Exynos SM-A127F | |
During our testing, the satellite geolocation system communicates via GPS, Galileo, GLONASS and BeiDou. While the satellite uplink is quickly established, the accuracy of within 5 meters is only average. Although not a lot of satellites are detected, the Galaxy A13 is able to locate us reliably. The integrated compass, which shows the viewing direction in map apps, is helpful.
Due to bad weather, we had to perform our real-world test from within a car. The Galaxy A13 does not always precisely place us on the road, but the accuracy is still decent and more than suitable for day-to-day navigation use.
Telephony and Call Quality – Good Speech Quality
The telephony app comes from Samsung and as such differs from the stock Android telephony app from Google. While it is very similar in terms of the features, it focuses more on the dial pad, which is hidden behind an additional button on Google's app.
The call quality is decent: Our conversational partner sounds distinct via the earpiece and our voices are transmitted clearly as well. The ambient noise cancelling also works fairly reliably. The voice of our conversational partner is still distinct via the speakerphone, although it does sound somewhat thin in this case. We also cannot speak too quietly, since our voice otherwise does not reach the other caller.
Cameras – Simple Wide-Angle Lens
The main camera on the back offers a few more megapixels and a slightly larger aperture compared to the predecessor. With 12.5-megapixel in pixel-binning mode, the resolution of the resulting pictures is also slightly higher, although this is unlikely to make much of a difference in practice.
The sharpness of pictures taken with the main camera is mediocre and the same holds true for the level of detail. In low-light conditions and with high dynamic ranges, the camera strikes a relatively good balance, while the sharpness of images drops significantly at greater zoom levels.
The main camera records videos at up to 1080p and 30 FPS, which is standard for this price category. The automatic brightness adjustment works quite well, whereas the autofocus could respond slightly quicker. Video recordings feature decent colors and an image quality that is on par with its competitors.
The 5-megapixel wide-angle lens on the back takes pictures with muddy details. However, it is still suitable for snapshots that are intended to be viewed on the smartphone's display only.
There is also an 8-megapixel selfie camera on the front. While the selfies are suited to smartphone displays and social media, zooming in reveals a severe lack of details.
Image Comparison
Choose a scene and navigate within the first image. One click changes the position on touchscreens. One click on the zoomed-in image opens the original in a new window. The first image shows the scaled photograph of the test device.
Hauptkamera PflanzeHauptkamera UmgebungHauptkamera Low LightWeitwinkelkamera
In our lab under controlled lighting conditions, the front camera's sharpness is lackluster. Additionally, the image suffers from a poor contrast. In low-light situations, barely any details can be made out.
Accessories and Warranty – No More Charger
Samsung has joined the trend of no longer including a charger with cheaper smartphones. This is supposed to be environment friendly, since most people are assumed to have one or more USB chargers at home already and the smaller box reduces CO2 emissions during transport. At the same time, it of course reduces the cost for Samsung.
As a result, the package only includes a USB cable and a SIM tool. On Samsung's web page, there are currently no accessories specifically for this smartphone available.
The manufacturer offers a standard 12-month warranty. Thanks to fixed prices, repairing the phone after this period should not be a financial disaster, either.
Input Devices & Handling – Fingerprint Sensor with Dropouts
The touchscreen feels smooth and responsive all the way into the corners.
The fingerprint sensor is located on the side within the power button. While it does not always reliably responds, it at least allows for unlocking the smartphone from standby. Getting to the actual homescreen takes a fairly short amount of time.
Facial recognition is also available and can, if desired, be used in conjunction with the other biometric authentication method. Although facial recognition via the front camera works reliably, the lack of an infrared scan makes it less secure compared to Apple's Face ID.
Display – Many Bright Pixels
The IPS screen of the Galaxy A13 offers an extended Full HD resolution. While this is not technically an exception within this price category, it is an significant improvement compared to the predecessor. With an average brightness of 506 nits, it is significantly brighter as well. The refresh rate is limited to 60 Hz.
Since the contrast and black value of the screen are only average, a gray tint can be observed in dark areas.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brightness Distribution: 87 %
Center on Battery: 553 cd/m²
Contrast: 1257:1 (Black: 0.44 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 4.64 | 0.5-29.43 Ø4.94
ΔE Greyscale 5.6 | 0.5-98 Ø5.2
99.9% sRGB (Calman 2D)
Gamma: 2.18
| Samsung Galaxy A13 4G PLS, 2408x1080, 6.6" | Samsung Galaxy A12 Exynos SM-A127F IPS LCD, 1600x720, 6.5" | Realme C35 IPS, 2408x1080, 6.6" | Xiaomi Redmi 10 IPS, 2400x1080, 6.5" | Nokia G21 IPS, 1600x720, 6.5" | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen | 2% | -7% | 35% | -14% | |
| Brightness middle | 553 | 446 -19% | 585 6% | 542 -2% | 492 -11% |
| Brightness | 506 | 423 -16% | 558 10% | 518 2% | 484 -4% |
| Brightness Distribution | 87 | 88 1% | 89 2% | 93 7% | 86 -1% |
| Black Level * | 0.44 | 0.29 34% | 0.6 -36% | 0.22 50% | 0.46 -5% |
| Contrast | 1257 | 1538 22% | 975 -22% | 2464 96% | 1070 -15% |
| Colorchecker dE 2000 * | 4.64 | 4.94 -6% | 4.4 5% | 3 35% | 6.02 -30% |
| Colorchecker dE 2000 max. * | 7.86 | 8.81 -12% | 8.77 -12% | 6.7 15% | 9.13 -16% |
| Greyscale dE 2000 * | 5.6 | 5.1 9% | 5.9 -5% | 1.4 75% | 7.1 -27% |
| Gamma | 2.18 101% | 2.145 103% | 2.228 99% | 2.27 97% | 2.345 94% |
| CCT | 8002 81% | 7890 82% | 8001 81% | 6450 101% | 8918 73% |
* ... smaller is better
Screen Flickering / PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation)
| Screen flickering / PWM not detected |  | ||
In comparison: 53 % of all tested devices do not use PWM to dim the display. If PWM was detected, an average of 17204 (minimum: 5 - maximum: 3846000) Hz was measured. | |||
Although we did not detect PWM, the grayscale of our CalMAN software reveals a significant blue tint. The color accuracy is good relative to competitors and a difference between the screen at optimal settings and printed colors should not be visible to the naked eye. More expensive options tend to offer major upgrades in terms of the color accuracy, however.
Display Response Times
| ↔ Response Time Black to White | ||
|---|---|---|
| 20 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined | ↗ 9 ms rise |  |
| ↘ 11 ms fall | ||
| The screen shows good response rates in our tests, but may be too slow for competitive gamers. In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.1 (minimum) to 240 (maximum) ms. » 39 % of all devices are better. This means that the measured response time is similar to the average of all tested devices (21.1 ms). | ||
| ↔ Response Time 50% Grey to 80% Grey | ||
| 47 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined | ↗ 27 ms rise |  |
| ↘ 20 ms fall | ||
| The screen shows slow response rates in our tests and will be unsatisfactory for gamers. In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.165 (minimum) to 636 (maximum) ms. » 79 % of all devices are better. This means that the measured response time is worse than the average of all tested devices (33.1 ms). | ||
While the smartphone is still usable outdoors, users should stick to the shade, since reflections and glare obstruct the view under direct sunlight.
Although the viewing angles are excellent thanks to the IPS technology, a faint, red veil can be observed in dark areas when viewing the screen from extreme angles.
Performance – Galaxy Phone with Weak Performance
A version of the predecessor, Galaxy A12, already used the Samsung Exynos 850. The latter is an SoC with 8 cores from 2019 and produced in the 8-nm process. A performance comparison with similarly priced phones shows: The Galaxy A13 4G falls behind in terms of processing power. The Xiaomi Redmi 10 is at the top of the list, but even the Nokia G21 and the realme C35 offer significantly faster performance.
During daily use, some of the more demanding apps take a few attempts to lauch or do not launch at all and users should refrain from excessive multitasking, to prevent the performance from grinding to a halt.
| Antutu v9 - Total Score | |
| Average of class Smartphone (99654 - 1650926, n=110, last 2 years) | |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 4G | |
| Average Samsung Exynos 850 (121238 - 146815, n=4) | |
| CrossMark - Overall | |
| Average of class Smartphone (187 - 1474, n=153, last 2 years) | |
| Average Samsung Exynos 850 (254 - 274, n=2) | |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 4G | |
By contrast, the graphics performance is on par. However, the additional graphics core of the Xiaomi Redmi 10 shows its prowess in a few scenarios.
| GFXBench (DX / GLBenchmark) 2.7 | |
| T-Rex Onscreen | |
| Xiaomi Redmi 10 | |
| Samsung Galaxy A12 Exynos SM-A127F | |
| Realme C35 | |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 4G | |
| 1920x1080 T-Rex Offscreen | |
| Xiaomi Redmi 10 | |
| Realme C35 | |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 4G | |
| Samsung Galaxy A12 Exynos SM-A127F | |
| GFXBench 3.0 | |
| on screen Manhattan Onscreen OGL | |
| Samsung Galaxy A12 Exynos SM-A127F | |
| Xiaomi Redmi 10 | |
| Realme C35 | |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 4G | |
| 1920x1080 1080p Manhattan Offscreen | |
| Xiaomi Redmi 10 | |
| Samsung Galaxy A12 Exynos SM-A127F | |
| Realme C35 | |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 4G | |
| GFXBench 3.1 | |
| on screen Manhattan ES 3.1 Onscreen | |
| Samsung Galaxy A12 Exynos SM-A127F | |
| Xiaomi Redmi 10 | |
| Realme C35 | |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 4G | |
| 1920x1080 Manhattan ES 3.1 Offscreen | |
| Xiaomi Redmi 10 | |
| Realme C35 | |
| Samsung Galaxy A12 Exynos SM-A127F | |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 4G | |
| GFXBench | |
| on screen Car Chase Onscreen | |
| Samsung Galaxy A12 Exynos SM-A127F | |
| Xiaomi Redmi 10 | |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 4G | |
| Realme C35 | |
| 1920x1080 Car Chase Offscreen | |
| Xiaomi Redmi 10 | |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 4G | |
| Samsung Galaxy A12 Exynos SM-A127F | |
| Realme C35 | |
| on screen Aztec Ruins High Tier Onscreen | |
| Samsung Galaxy A12 Exynos SM-A127F | |
| Nokia G21 | |
| Xiaomi Redmi 10 | |
| Realme C35 | |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 4G | |
| 2560x1440 Aztec Ruins High Tier Offscreen | |
| Xiaomi Redmi 10 | |
| Samsung Galaxy A12 Exynos SM-A127F | |
| Realme C35 | |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 4G | |
| Nokia G21 | |
| on screen Aztec Ruins Normal Tier Onscreen | |
| Samsung Galaxy A12 Exynos SM-A127F | |
| Nokia G21 | |
| Xiaomi Redmi 10 | |
| Realme C35 | |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 4G | |
| 1920x1080 Aztec Ruins Normal Tier Offscreen | |
| Xiaomi Redmi 10 | |
| Samsung Galaxy A12 Exynos SM-A127F | |
| Realme C35 | |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 4G | |
| Nokia G21 | |
Browsing the web also uncovers the fairly low system performance: Images take a very long time to load and the user experience is occasionally laggy.
| Jetstream 2 - Total Score | |
| Average of class Smartphone (13.8 - 387, n=159, last 2 years) | |
| Realme C35 (Chrome 101) | |
| Xiaomi Redmi 10 (Chrome 94.0.4606.85) | |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 4G (Chrome 101) | |
| Samsung Galaxy A12 Exynos SM-A127F (Chrome96) | |
| Average Samsung Exynos 850 (18.4 - 23, n=6) | |
| Speedometer 2.0 - Result | |
| Average of class Smartphone (15.2 - 569, n=146, last 2 years) | |
| Realme C35 | |
| Xiaomi Redmi 10 (Chrome 94.0.4606.85) | |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 4G (Chome 101) | |
| Samsung Galaxy A12 Exynos SM-A127F (Chrome96) | |
| Average Samsung Exynos 850 (15 - 16.7, n=6) | |
| WebXPRT 3 - Overall | |
| Average of class Smartphone (38 - 347, n=84, last 2 years) | |
| Xiaomi Redmi 10 (Chrome 94.0.4606.85) | |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 4G (Chrome 101) | |
| Samsung Galaxy A12 Exynos SM-A127F (Chrome96) | |
| Average Samsung Exynos 850 (35 - 39, n=6) | |
| Octane V2 - Total Score | |
| Average of class Smartphone (2228 - 98997, n=195, last 2 years) | |
| Xiaomi Redmi 10 (Chrome 94.0.4606.85) | |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 4G (Chrome 101) | |
| Samsung Galaxy A12 Exynos SM-A127F (Chrome96) | |
| Average Samsung Exynos 850 (4875 - 5904, n=6) | |
| Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Total | |
| Average Samsung Exynos 850 (8327 - 9397, n=6) | |
| Samsung Galaxy A12 Exynos SM-A127F (Chrome96) | |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 4G (Chrome 101) | |
| Xiaomi Redmi 10 (Chrome 94.0.4606.85) | |
| Average of class Smartphone (277 - 28190, n=158, last 2 years) | |
* ... smaller is better
When it comes to the storage, Samsung uses fairly slow eMMC flash memory. This leads to slightly longer loading times and does not exactly improve the responsiveness. The realme C35's UFS storage is a faster option.
| Samsung Galaxy A13 4G | Samsung Galaxy A12 Exynos SM-A127F | Realme C35 | Xiaomi Redmi 10 | Nokia G21 | Average 64 GB eMMC Flash | Average of class Smartphone | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AndroBench 3-5 | -32% | 112% | 4% | -20% | -33% | 372% | |
| Sequential Read 256KB | 308.5 | 302.3 -2% | 907.1 194% | 321.3 4% | 257.6 -16% | 274 ? -11% | 1815 ? 488% |
| Sequential Write 256KB | 236.8 | 74.5 -69% | 271.1 14% | 178 -25% | 180.6 -24% | 176.2 ? -26% | 1405 ? 493% |
| Random Read 4KB | 104.4 | 77.8 -25% | 137.8 32% | 100.7 -4% | 74 -29% | 59.4 ? -43% | 272 ? 161% |
| Random Write 4KB | 67.3 | 47.21 -30% | 206.4 207% | 95.8 42% | 60.2 -11% | 32 ? -52% | 301 ? 347% |
Games – Entry-Level Gaming
While the Galaxy A13 is, of course, not a smartphone for hardcore gamers, casual, less demanding gamers should be more than happy: In the fast-paced shooter Armajet, we reached a respectable 30 to 35 FPS.
The more demanding 3D game PUBG Mobile is a different story: There is very noticeable stuttering at around 20 FPS. This makes fast gunfights difficult, even with dampened expectations. We use the GameBench software to record the frame rates in games.
The gyroscope and touchscreen controls worked flawlessly and without any dropouts during our testing.
Emissions – No Heat Development Woes
Temperature
The maximum heat development of the smartphone under load is a pleasant surprise: At room temperature, we measure a peak of 37.6 °C (99.68 °F).
But does that also mean that the SoC does not throttle? According to the 3DMark Wild Life stress test, yes. After running the same test in a loop 20 times, there is a small performance deficit at worst.
(+) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 34.8 °C / 95 F, compared to the average of 35.1 °C / 95 F, ranging from 21.9 to 63.2 °C for the class Smartphone.
(+) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 37.8 °C / 100 F, compared to the average of 33.8 °C / 93 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 25.7 °C / 78 F, compared to the device average of 32.8 °C / 91 F.
3DMark Wild Life Stress Test
| 3DMark | |
| Wild Life Stress Test Stability | |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 4G | |
| Samsung Galaxy A12 Exynos SM-A127F | |
| Xiaomi Redmi 10 | |
| Wild Life Extreme Stress Test | |
| Xiaomi Redmi 10 | |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 4G | |
| Samsung Galaxy A12 Exynos SM-A127F | |
Speaker
The speaker on the bottom edge of the smartphone offers a decent maximum volume level and good sound overall. At maximum volume, it at least does not overemphasize the treble, making it well suited for occasional music playback.
That being said, we recommend external speakers or headphones for a truly pleasant audio experience. They can be connected via the 3.5-mm jack or Bluetooth 5.0. However, only the base version of the aptX codec is supported. Users will have to make do with SBC, AAC, LDAC, and Samsung's own Scalable Codec.
Samsung Galaxy A13 4G audio analysis
(+) | speakers can play relatively loud (83.3 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(-) | nearly no bass - on average 25.9% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (8.3% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(±) | higher mids - on average 5.7% higher than median
(+) | mids are linear (5.9% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 3.2% away from median
(+) | highs are linear (6.1% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (20.7% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 31% of all tested devices in this class were better, 8% similar, 60% worse
» The best had a delta of 12%, average was 37%, worst was 134%
Compared to all devices tested
» 52% of all tested devices were better, 8% similar, 41% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%
Nokia G21 audio analysis
(+) | speakers can play relatively loud (85.6 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(-) | nearly no bass - on average 28.2% lower than median
(+) | bass is linear (6.7% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(±) | higher mids - on average 6.9% higher than median
(±) | linearity of mids is average (11.8% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 3% away from median
(+) | highs are linear (3.6% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (23.7% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 49% of all tested devices in this class were better, 9% similar, 42% worse
» The best had a delta of 12%, average was 37%, worst was 134%
Compared to all devices tested
» 67% of all tested devices were better, 7% similar, 26% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%
Energy Management – 15-Watt Charging
Energy Consumption
The Galaxy A13 is relatively economical while idling and does not consume excessive amounts of power under load, either.
The charging rate is limited to 15 watts, resulting in charge times of more than two hours, depending on the battery level. Since a charger is not included with the Galaxy A13, users will have to use an existing USB adapter or purchase one separately. Wireless charging is not supported.
| Off / Standby |   0.1 / 0.2 Watt |
| Idle |  0.9 / 1.6 / 2.1 Watt |
| Load |
3.6 / 5.3 Watt |
    
| |
| Samsung Galaxy A13 4G 5000 mAh | Samsung Galaxy A12 Exynos SM-A127F 5000 mAh | Xiaomi Redmi 10 5000 mAh | Average Samsung Exynos 850 | Average of class Smartphone | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Consumption | -17% | -1% | -13% | -24% | |
| Idle Minimum * | 0.9 | 1.4 -56% | 0.53 41% | 1.2 ? -33% | 0.906 ? -1% |
| Idle Average * | 1.6 | 1.9 -19% | 2.01 -26% | 1.733 ? -8% | 1.441 ? 10% |
| Idle Maximum * | 2.1 | 2.1 -0% | 2.02 4% | 2.28 ? -9% | 1.605 ? 24% |
| Load Average * | 3.6 | 3.8 -6% | 4.11 -14% | 3.83 ? -6% | 6.34 ? -76% |
| Load Maximum * | 5.3 | 5.6 -6% | 5.76 -9% | 5.73 ? -8% | 9.35 ? -76% |
* ... smaller is better
Consumption: Geekbench (150 nits)
Consumption: GFXBench (150 nits)
Battery Life
In terms of the battery and the charging technology, nothing has changed compared to the Galaxy A13's predecessor. The runtimescan be slightly shorter simply due to the higher resolution of the display, although there should be little to no difference in day-to-day use: In our Wi-Fi test, the difference amounts to just 15 minutes and with 14:24 hours in total, the Samsung Galaxy A13 still offers good runtimes.
While one battery charge lasts for an entire day without any issues during normal use, there are smartphones with significantly more stamina.
| Samsung Galaxy A13 4G 5000 mAh | Samsung Galaxy A12 Exynos SM-A127F 5000 mAh | Realme C35 5000 mAh | Xiaomi Redmi 10 5000 mAh | Nokia G21 5050 mAh | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Runtime | 1% | 11% | -5% | 26% | |
| Reader / Idle | 2164 | 2094 -3% | 2356 9% | ||
| H.264 | 1054 | 1078 2% | 1002 -5% | ||
| WiFi v1.3 | 864 | 879 2% | 958 11% | 858 -1% | 1087 26% |
| Load | 437 | 455 4% | 341 -22% |
Pros
Cons
Verdict – Good Upgrades but Lackluster Performance
Samsung's entry-level proposition, the Galaxy A12, has been in dire need of an upgrade to prevent the competition from pushing Samsung out of this price segment. With significantly faster Wi-Fi, a brighter, higher-resolution screen, and NFC support, which does not come standard on all competing devices, the Galaxy A13 offers various improvements.
While you should not expect peak camera performance from a sub-200-USD phone, the Galaxy A13 fares well relative to its price class and pictures captured with the camera can look fairly good.
When it comes to the look and feel of the case, many budget devices from other manufacturers tend to offer more and the Galaxy A13, which uses the same SoC as its predecessor, is not exactly a top performer, either.
Good upgrade for Samsung's entry-level smartphone. The Galaxy A13 is on par with its competitors, although the performance is on the weaker side.
Overall, the Galaxy A13 is worth considering if you are budget constrained or in need of a basic smartphone. If you can slightly stretch your budget (and wait a little longer for prospective buyers in the EU), the 5G version of the Galaxy A13 with faster performance might be worth a closer look. Alternatively, the Xiaomi Redmi 10 is another strong competitor that offers a 90-Hz refresh rate on top of a high-resolution display for around the same price.
Price and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy A13 4G 32GB can be purchased directly from Samsung for 189.99 USD. Alternatively, the smartphone is available on Amazon for around 165 USD.
Samsung Galaxy A13 4G
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05/10/2022 v7 (old)
Florian Schmitt
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