Samsung Galaxy A55 5G Review: Faster Chip, Brighter Display, Better Camera?
Samsung launched the Galaxy A55 5G smartphone earlier this month, the successor to the Galaxy A54 5G. The A55 5G boasts a slightly better screen, a faster Exynos 1480 4nm SoC, and retains the same battery and charging as the A54. Let's dive into the review to see if it's a worthy upgrade.
Samsung Galaxy A55 5G Specifications and Features
| Feature | Galaxy A55 5G |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.6-inch AMOLED |
| Processor | Exynos 1480 |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB |
| Rear Camera | 50MP, 12MP Ultrawide, 5MP depth |
| Front Camera | 32MP |
| Battery | 5000mAh |
| Charging | 25W |
| Operating System | Android 14 with One UI 6.1 |
| Connectivity | 5G |
| Durability | IP67 |
| Price | Rs. 42,999 |
| Availability | Amazon |
Display, Hardware and Design:
 |
| Samsung Galaxy A55 5G Design and Display (image: shiftdelete.net) |
The A55 5G features a 6.6-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate for a smooth user experience. It's protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ for scratch resistance. The phone also has an in-display fingerprint sensor and an aluminum frame for a premium feel. While the display is bright and colorful, it has bigger bezels compared to some competitors.
Camera:
 |
| Samsung Galaxy A55 5G Camera |
The Galaxy A55 5G sports a triple-camera system on the back: a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide sensor, and a 5MP depth sensor. The front-facing camera is 32MP. Image quality is good in daylight, and low-light performance is improved over the A54. It can record videos at up to 4K resolution at 30 fps.
Software, UI and Apps:
 |
| Samsung Galaxy A55 5G Software, UI and Apps |
The phone runs on Android 14 with Samsung's One UI 6.1 on top. Samsung promises 4 major OS updates and 5 years of security updates. There is some bloatware pre-installed, but you can uninstall most of it.
Performance and Benchmarks:
 |
| Samsung Galaxy A55 5G Performance and Benchmarks |
The Galaxy A55 5G is powered by the new Exynos 1480 4nm SoC, which offers improved performance over the Exynos 1380 in the A54. However, gaming performance is not optimized, and you'll only get low or medium graphics settings in most games.
Battery Life:
The A55 5G retains the 5000mAh battery from its predecessor. I got over 6 hours of screen on time with mixed use, and the phone supports 25W fast charging. While the battery life is decent, the standby drain is a bit higher compared to the A54.
Verdict:
 |
| Samsung Galaxy A55 5G |
The Galaxy A55 5G is a good upgrade to the A54 in terms of display, performance, and build quality. It also boasts a longer software support window. However, the camera setup remains mostly unchanged, and there's still some pre-loaded bloatware.
Alternatives:
The OnePlus 12R and iQOO Neo 9 Pro are strong competitors at a similar price point and offer a more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. If you can spend more, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE offers a telephoto camera but has shorter battery life.
Is the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G Right for You?
The Samsung Galaxy A55 5G is a solid mid-range option with a good display, capable cameras, and long software support. However, if you prioritize gaming performance or dislike bloatware, you might want to consider the competition.
Here's a quick recap of the pros and cons to help you decide:
Pros:
- Brighter 120Hz AMOLED display
- Improved low-light camera performance
- Faster Exynos 1480 processor
- Premium aluminum frame design
- IP67 dust and water resistance
- Excellent battery life
Cons:
- Higher price tag than the A54 5G
- No significant improvement in battery life or charging speed
- A lot of pre-loaded apps
- No telephoto camera
- Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to upgrade to the Galaxy A55 5G depends on your individual needs and budget.