In this Samsung Galaxy A55 review, we take a dive deep into the features of this mid-range smartphone that’s making waves in 2024. While not available in the US market, the Samsung Galaxy A55 is a compelling device that offers a balance of design, performance and value, making it an attractive option for those seeking a value-for-money and feature-packed smartphone without breaking the bank and from a reliable company.
Throughout this comprehensive review, we’ll explore the various aspects of the Galaxy A55, including its sleek design and build quality, the immersive display, and the device’s performance powered by seamless updates. We’ll also take a closer look at the camera capabilities, battery life, and 5G connectivity, all of which contribute to the phone’s overall appeal. By the end of this Samsung Galaxy A55 review, you’ll have a clear understanding of whether this smartphone is the right choice for you and if it truly lives up to its promise of being a top contender in the mid-range market.
Design and Build Quality
The Samsung Galaxy A55 boasts a premium design that sets it apart from its predecessors. The device features a sleek aluminium frame and a glass back, giving it a high-end look and feel. The flat 6.6-inch screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+, ensuring durability and resistance against scratches and cracks. The back of the phone is also made of Gorilla Glass, although the specific type is not mentioned.
One of the most notable upgrades in the Galaxy A55 is the use of an aluminium frame instead of plastic, which was common in previous models. This change, along with the larger camera lenses and flat side frame, gives the device a resemblance to Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S24 series. The phone is available in four attractive colours: Iceblue, Lilac, Navy, and Lemon.
The Galaxy A55 is IP67-certified, It is dust and water-resistant, capable of withstanding up to 1 meter of freshwater submersion for 30 minutes. The button placement and fingerprint reader position are well thought out, although some users have reported issues with the reliability of the fingerprint reader. Despite this minor drawback, the overall design and materials used in the Samsung Galaxy A55 are among the best in its class, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a premium look and feel in a mid-range smartphone.
Display and Visual Experience
The Samsung Galaxy A55 boasts a stunning 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, delivering crisp and vibrant visuals. The display supports HDR10+, ensuring a wide range of colours and excellent contrast for an immersive viewing experience. With a pixel density of approximately 390 ppi, the screen offers sharp and detailed images, making it perfect for streaming videos, browsing photos, and playing games.
One of the standout features of the Galaxy A55’s display is its 120Hz refresh rate, which provides a smooth and responsive experience when scrolling through menus, browsing the web, or gaming. The adaptive refresh rate technology adjusts the refresh rate based on the displayed content to optimize battery life without affecting performance..
The display’s brightness is impressive, with the manual slider reaching nearly 450 nits and the auto mode hitting over 1,000 nits when exposed to bright light. This ensures that the screen remains easily readable even under direct sunlight. Additionally, the Galaxy A55 features an always-on display, allowing users to quickly glance at important information without having to unlock the device. With its vibrant colours, high refresh rate, and excellent brightness, the Samsung Galaxy A55’s display is a true delight for users seeking a top-notch visual experience in a mid-range smartphone.
Camera Capabilities
The Samsung Galaxy A55 boasts an impressive camera setup that delivers excellent performance in various shooting scenarios. The Galaxy A55 features a triple-lens rear camera system, including:
- 50MP main camera (f/1.8 aperture, 1/1.56″ sensor size, 1.0µm pixel size, PDAF, OIS)
- 12MP ultra-wide camera (f/2.2 aperture, 123° field of view, 1/3.06″ sensor size, 1.12µm pixel size)
- 5MP macro camera (f/2.4 aperture)
The main camera captures sharp, detailed images with sound colour reproduction and dynamic range. Optical image stabilization (OIS) helps to minimize blur and maintain clarity in low-light conditions. The ultra-wide camera provides a wider view that enables capturing more of the scene in one shot. Although the ultra-wide camera may have slightly less detail and dynamic range when compared to the main camera, it still produces high-quality images with vivid colors.
The Galaxy A55 also features a 32MP front-facing camera (f/2.2 aperture, 26mm wide, 1/2.74″ sensor size, 0.8µm pixel size) for selfies and video calls. The front camera applies a beauty filter by default, which some users may find unnecessary, but it generally captures detailed and natural-looking selfies.
In terms of video capabilities, the Galaxy A55 can record 4K videos at 30fps from all lenses and 1080p videos at 30/60fps. The device also features gyro-EIS for improved video stabilization. The camera UI offers various shooting modes, including Pro, Night, Portrait, and Food, providing users with creative flexibility. While the Galaxy A55 may lack a dedicated telephoto lens, its overall camera performance remains commendable for a mid-range smartphone, delivering sound colour output, excellent dynamic range, and shadow control in most shooting scenarios.
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Performance and Software
The Samsung Galaxy A55 is powered by the Exynos 1480 SoC, a 4nm chipset that offers a significant performance boost over its predecessor. This chipset is paired with either 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR5 memory and 128GB or 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage, ensuring smooth multitasking and ample space for apps and media. The Exynos 1480 delivers a 22% higher CPU performance and a 31% increase in GPU performance compared to the previous generation, as evidenced by its scores of 1,161 points in Geekbench 6 single-core and 3,398 points in Geekbench 6 multi-core tests. The device’s GPU, Xclipse 530, also impresses with scores of 3,994 in the Geekbench 6 GPU test and 1,068 in 3DMark Wild Life Extreme.
The Galaxy A55 operates on One UI 6.1, which is based on Android 14. Samsung has pledged to deliver up to four years of significant operating system updates and five years of security patches, ensuring that the device remains current and secure for an extended period. The user interface is loaded with features and can be customized, resulting in a smooth and user-friendly experience. The device also features Samsung Knox, a dedicated hardware chip that stores sensitive data separately for added security.
The Galaxy A55 supports Wi-Fi 6 and 5G connectivity, with a hybrid SIM tray that can accommodate two physical SIMs or one SIM and one microSD card. Other connectivity options include Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and GPS. The Galaxy A55 features an in-display fingerprint scanner and stereo speakers, enhancing both security and multimedia experiences. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A55’s powerful hardware and software combination, along with its extensive update support, make it a good choice for users seeking a reliable and future-proof mid-range smartphone.
Battery Life and Charging
The Samsung Galaxy A55 is equipped with a robust 5,000 mAh battery, offering users an extended battery life that can easily last a full day with regular use. This battery capacity is a significant improvement over its predecessor, with the Galaxy A54, users can rely on their devices all day without searching for a power outlet..
When it comes to charging, the Galaxy A55 supports 25W super fast charging, allowing users to replenish their device’s battery quickly. However, it’s worth noting that the device’s charging speed may be slower than advertised, with the device taking approximately 1 hour and 18 minutes to charge fully. While this charging time is not the fastest on the market, it is still a reasonable duration for a mid-range smartphone.
Despite the lack of wireless charging capabilities, the Galaxy A55’s battery performance remains impressive. The device achieves an Active Use Score of 13:27h, which is considered very good, and offers approximately 15 hours of FHD video playback and 11 hours of social media use. These figures demonstrate that the Galaxy A55 is well-suited for users who rely on their smartphones for entertainment and communication throughout the day.
Price and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy A55 is available in Australia, Europe and select markets, with a starting price of $699 for the 128GB model and $950 for the 256GB variant. The device comes in three memory configurations:
- 128GB storage with 8GB RAM
- 256GB storage with 8GB RAM
- 256GB storage with 12GB RAM
It also features a microSDXC card slot for storage expansion. However, the Galaxy A55 will not be sold in the United States, where Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S24 series is available at a higher price point, starting at $800 USD (~$1230 AUD).
While the Galaxy S24 boasts a superior screen, camera system, wireless charging support, better chip, and a more comprehensive range of colours, the Galaxy A55 offers competitive specs at a lower price. It has a variant with 12GB of RAM, surpassing the base Galaxy S24’s 8GB, and impressive camera hardware, including a 12-megapixel ultra-wide F2.2 camera and a 32-megapixel F2.2 selfie cam. The main selling points for the Galaxy A55 are its camera capabilities and the introduction of Samsung Knox security, a hardware-based and tamper-resistant solution that protects sensitive data, to the A series for the first time.
FAQs
How does the Samsung Galaxy A55 stand as a smartphone option?
The Samsung Galaxy A55 is considered a competent mid-range smartphone when evaluated in isolation. However, when compared to the broader market, there are alternatives that may offer better specifications at a similar or lower cost.
What are the specifications of the Samsung Galaxy A55’s processor?
The Samsung Galaxy A55 5G is powered by an Exynos 1480 processor and supports up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Please note that the phone does not come with an adapter.
Is the Samsung Galaxy A50 still a good choice for a phone?
The Samsung Galaxy A50 remains a strong contender in the mid-range category, boasting an attractive design, a vibrant OLED screen, and impressive battery life. It’s an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable midrange device from Samsung.
Can you provide details about the Samsung A50’s processor?
The Samsung Galaxy A50 is outfitted with a robust 2.3GHz Samsung Exynos 9610 octa-core processor, coupled with 6GB of RAM, ensuring a smooth and efficient performance for users.
Summing Up The Samsung Galaxy A55 Review
The Samsung Galaxy A55 is a fantastic mid-range smartphone that boasts an impressive range of features. With a sleek and modern design, this phone offers a high-quality display and a powerful camera system, making it an excellent option for anyone looking for a reliable and stylish mobile device. Additionally, its long-lasting battery life and dependable performance make it a top choice for those who need a phone that can keep up with their busy lifestyle.