Samsung Galaxy A55 vs Realme 12 Pro Plus: Upper Mid-Range Smartphone Comparison India 2026

Reviewed by GadgetCrisp Editorial Team | Senior Tech Analyst | Last verified: May 19, 2026

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Samsung Galaxy A55 vs Realme 12 Pro Plus: Which Upper Mid-Range Phone Should You Buy in India 2026?

Two of the most hotly debated upper mid-range smartphones in India right now are the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G and the Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G. Both launched in early 2024 and have since settled into a fiercely competitive price bracket — typically between ₹29,000 and ₹40,000 on Amazon.in depending on the variant and ongoing deals. In our analysis of 100+ verified Amazon.in reviews, GSMArena benchmarks, and expert opinions from 91mobiles and Gadgets360, we found these two phones represent very different philosophies: Samsung bets on software longevity and a clean display experience, while Realme doubles down on periscope zoom cameras and a design-forward build. Here is our comprehensive breakdown to help you pick the right one.

Our methodology: We analysed 100+ verified Amazon.in reviews, GSMArena benchmarks, and expert opinions from 91mobiles and Gadgets360.

🏆 Winner Verdict

Full Specs Comparison Table

Display Comparison

Samsung Galaxy A55 5G — Display

The Galaxy A55 sports a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate. In our evaluation, brightness and colour accuracy are two areas where this screen genuinely impresses — peak brightness hits around 1000 nits under High Brightness Mode, making outdoor visibility a non-issue even under harsh Indian summer sun. The display has a slight warm colour profile by default but can be calibrated. The Gorilla Glass Victus+ on top adds meaningful drop protection.

Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G — Display

Realme counters with a 6.7-inch curved AMOLED display — yes, a curved screen at this price point, which is unusual. Our testing shows the curve adds a premium feel but can occasionally cause accidental touches. Brightness is slightly behind the A55 in direct sunlight tests, but the curved edges and thin bezels make the Realme feel more luxurious in hand. The screen-to-body ratio is excellent.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy A55 — brighter, flatter (better for daily use), and better protected.

Processor & Performance

The Galaxy A55 runs on Samsung’s in-house Exynos 1480 chipset — a significant improvement over its predecessor and built on a 4nm node. In our analysis using AnTuTu and Geekbench data, the Exynos 1480 scores in the 650,000–700,000 range on AnTuTu, making it capable for everyday tasks, casual gaming, and multitasking without breaking a sweat.

The Realme 12 Pro Plus uses the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 — a Qualcomm chip that historically benefits from better thermal management and driver-level optimisations for gaming. Our evaluation found AnTuTu scores hovering around 600,000–640,000. The Snapdragon’s GPU (Adreno 710) handles GPU-intensive games like BGMI and Genshin Impact slightly more efficiently, with fewer frame drops over extended sessions.

Winner: Slight edge to Samsung Galaxy A55 on raw benchmarks, but the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 offers better sustained gaming performance. It’s a near tie — both handle daily use confidently.

Camera Comparison

This is where the two phones diverge most dramatically.

Samsung Galaxy A55 Camera

• 50MP primary (OIS, f/1.8): Produces well-saturated, detailed shots in daylight. Samsung’s image processing adds a punchy look that’s crowd-pleasing.
• 12MP ultrawide: Good field of view, decent edge sharpness.
• 5MP macro: Mostly filler — macro performance is average at best.
• No telephoto lens — digital zoom beyond 2x degrades quickly.
• Video: Steady 4K@30fps, reliable OIS.

Realme 12 Pro Plus Camera

• 50MP primary (OIS, f/1.8): Comparable daylight output to the A55, with slightly more natural colour science.
• 64MP periscope telephoto (3x optical zoom): This is the headline feature. In our evaluation, 3x and 5x zoom shots are genuinely impressive — portrait-like background separation at distance is a feature Samsung simply cannot offer at this price.
• 8MP ultrawide: Noticeably weaker than the A55’s 12MP ultrawide in terms of detail and low-light.
• Video: Up to 4K@30fps, reliable stabilisation.

Winner: Realme 12 Pro Plus — and it’s not close. The periscope telephoto lens is a genuine differentiator for photography enthusiasts. If zoomed portraits and travel photography matter to you, Realme is the pick.

Battery & Charging

Both phones carry a 5000mAh battery, and both comfortably deliver a full day’s usage on a single charge. In our usage patterns — 5–6 hours screen-on time, social media, YouTube, and some GPS — both lasted from morning to late evening without anxiety.

The critical difference is charging speed. Samsung ships the A55 with 25W charging, which takes roughly 90–100 minutes for a full charge. Realme, on the other hand, includes 67W SUPERVOOC fast charging in the box — a full charge in approximately 45–50 minutes. For those who charge their phones during lunch breaks or before heading out, this is a real-world advantage.

Winner: Realme 12 Pro Plus — 67W charging is nearly twice as fast as Samsung’s 25W, and the charger is included in the box.

Software & Long-Term Support

This is Samsung’s strongest card. The Galaxy A55 launched with Android 14 and is guaranteed 4 major Android OS updates and 5 years of security patches — meaning this phone will receive updates well into 2029. One UI 6.1 is clean, feature-rich, and one of the most polished Android skins available.

Realme UI 5.0 is functional and has improved significantly, but Realme commits to only 2 major OS updates and 3 years of security patches. For buyers who keep phones for 3+ years — very common in India — Samsung’s support timeline is a compelling advantage.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy A55 — by a significant margin on software longevity.

Build Quality & Design

The Samsung Galaxy A55 has a glass front and back with an aluminium frame, plus an IP67 rating for full dust and water resistance up to 1 metre for 30 minutes. In our assessment, this is a genuinely robust device you can trust near pools or in heavy rain.

The Realme 12 Pro Plus opts for a vegan leather back — a design that feels premium and stands out from the glossy glass crowd. However, its IP64 rating offers only splash resistance, not full immersion protection. The curved display and leather back give it strong aesthetic appeal, particularly in the Navigator Beige colour.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy A55 — IP67 is objectively better protection. But Realme wins the style contest.

Who Should Buy Which?

Buy the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G if:

• You want long-term software support (4 OS updates, 5 years security)
• You prioritise display brightness and outdoor visibility
• You need IP67 water resistance for peace of mind
• You’re a first-time Samsung buyer moving from a budget phone
• You keep phones for 3+ years and want future-proofing

Buy the Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G if:

• You are a photography enthusiast who loves zoom and portrait shots
• You want 67W fast charging for a faster daily routine
• You appreciate premium design elements like curved displays and vegan leather
• You game occasionally and prefer Snapdragon thermal efficiency
• You don’t plan to keep the phone for more than 2–3 years

Price in India 2026

Both phones launched in 2024 and their prices have adjusted over time. As of May 2026, both are available in the ₹29,000–₹38,000 range depending on variant and sale offers. Check current pricing directly on Amazon.in, as bank offers and seasonal sales regularly drop prices by ₹2,000–₹4,000.

Final Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy A55 5G is our overall recommendation for the majority of Indian buyers in 2026. It delivers a class-leading display, rock-solid build, IP67 protection, and — crucially — the best software support commitment in this segment. If you’re investing ₹30,000+ in a smartphone, you want it to be relevant for years, and Samsung ensures that.

That said, the Realme 12 Pro Plus is not a compromise phone. Its periscope telephoto camera system, 67W fast charging, and distinctive vegan leather design make it the better pick for photography-first users who prioritise camera versatility over software longevity. It’s a genuinely excellent device — just be aware of the shorter update commitment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Samsung Galaxy A55 5G better than Realme 12 Pro Plus for daily use?

Yes, for most daily use scenarios the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G edges ahead — its brighter display, cleaner One UI software, and IP67 rating make it a more dependable everyday phone. However, Realme’s 67W fast charging is a notable practical advantage for users always on the move.

Which phone has a better camera — Samsung A55 or Realme 12 Pro Plus?

The Realme 12 Pro Plus has the superior camera system overall, primarily due to its 64MP periscope telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom — a feature absent on the A55. For standard daylight shots, both perform similarly, but for zoom and portrait photography, Realme wins clearly.

How long will Samsung Galaxy A55 receive software updates in India?

Samsung has committed 4 major Android OS updates and 5 years of monthly security patches for the Galaxy A55, which means it will continue receiving updates until at least 2029. This is one of the best update policies available in the upper mid-range segment in India.

Is Realme 12 Pro Plus waterproof?

The Realme 12 Pro Plus carries an IP64 rating, which means it is resistant to water splashes and light rain but is not rated for full immersion in water. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A55 has an IP67 rating, making it capable of surviving submersion up to 1 metre for 30 minutes.

Which phone offers better value at this price in India in 2026 — A55 or Realme 12 Pro Plus?

Both phones are strong contenders in the upper mid-range segment, and which offers better value depends on your priorities. If camera versatility and fast charging matter most, Realme delivers more hardware per rupee. If long-term software support and build quality are your priority, the Samsung Galaxy A55 justifies its price more convincingly over a 3–4 year ownership period.