Looking for a quality mid-range smartphone? Be sure to check out the ambitious Samsung Galaxy A55 5G. It’s worth considering.
In recent months, the smartphone market has become even more complex for buyers—not in a negative way. It turns out that the choices in each segment are now very broad, and the sheer number of models available can be overwhelming. Sometimes, even devices from the same manufacturer compete against each other. This is the case with Samsung, which already offers several attractive models in the mid-range and higher price brackets. Last year’s flagship Galaxy S23 models are dropping in price, the somewhat controversial S23 FE has also become more affordable, and meanwhile, the South Korean giant has just introduced a new range of mid-range smartphones. This includes the Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy A35.
The situation described above is not unique to our market. Samsung’s offerings in the higher price range are also incredibly diverse, for instance, in the United States, where the price difference between the mentioned models is even smaller. It’s no surprise that Samsung has simply postponed the launch of the Galaxy A55 5G there.
However, this hasn’t happened in Ukraine, but that’s not surprising. Devices from this series have always sold well in our country, and a new model that starts at a lower price than its predecessor naturally generates interest. The question is whether the Galaxy A55 5G will become a sales hit. How will the Galaxy A55 5G perform in the market? Is this model relevant compared to last year’s models and the slightly more expensive Galaxy S23 FE, which has much more flagship-level features? These are the questions I had before testing the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G, and now I want to share my thoughts with you.
Read alsо: Samsung Galaxy A54 5G Review: New king of the mid-range?
Why is Samsung Galaxy A55 5G interesting?
The Samsung Galaxy A55 5G bears a strong resemblance to last year’s Galaxy A54 5G. The manufacturer hasn’t made significant changes to the design—the differences from its predecessor are mostly cosmetic, such as a slightly larger screen and more pronounced bumps around the physical buttons.
In short, the Korean company is betting on the safety and recognition of the Galaxy series. Given that previous models in this series have been some of the most successful on the market, this isn’t surprising. I was curious to see if the Galaxy A55 5G could maintain the series’ reputation and whether it would become the new king of the mid-range segment.
Let’s focus on the components used. The new Samsung device runs on the company’s new Exynos 1480 chip with Xclipse 530 graphics. Both configurations now come with 8 GB of LPDDR5 RAM. The only difference between them is the storage capacity: 128 GB of fast UFS 3.1 storage in the first variant and 256 GB in the second. I tested the 8/256 GB version. So, while the capacity in the first configuration leaves something to be desired, fortunately, we’re talking about fast, modern standards that ensure effective file handling. The rest of the specifications are very similar.
Like its predecessor, the device also features an aluminum frame. There are four color options to choose from: dark blue, lavender, lemon, and icy blue, which is the one I reviewed.
Now, about the prices. If 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage is enough for you, it will cost $415. For the higher variant with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage, you’ll need to pay $480.
Samsung Galaxy A55 5G specifications
- Display: 6.6″, Super AMOLED, 2340×1080 pixels, 19.5:9 aspect ratio, 390 ppi, 1000 nits, 120 Hz, Vision Booster
- Chipset: Samsung Exynos 1480, octa-core, 4×2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 and 4×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55, 4 nm
- Graphics accelerator: Xclipse 530
- RAM: 8 GB, LPDDR5 3200 MHz
- Permanent memory: 128/256 GB, UFS 3.1
- Support for microSD memory cards: up to 1 TB
- Wireless networks: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 5.3 (A2DP, LE), GPS (A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO), NFC
- Main camera:
– 50 megapixels, f/1.8, (wide-angle), 1/1.56”, 1.0 μm, PDAF, OIS
– 12 megapixels, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultra-wide), 1/3.06”, 1.12 μm
– 5 megapixels, f/2.4, (macro)
- Front camera: 32 megapixels, f/2.2, 26 mm (wide-angle), 1/2.74”, 0.8 μm
- Battery: 5000 mAh
- Charging: wired up to 25 W
- OS: Android 14 with One UI 6.1 shell
- Dimensions: 161.1 × 77.4 × 8.2 mm
- Weight: 213 g
As we can see, there are no significant changes in the technical specifications compared to the predecessor—aside from the new processor and the larger display. But that’s not surprising. Why change what already works well?
Read alsо: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra smartphone review: An unprecedented flagship
Interesting but somewhat outdated design
The design gives the impression that Samsung is somewhat stuck in the past and is avoiding new smartphone design trends. At first glance, it’s hard to spot any differences compared to last year’s models. In other words, it all looks like the previous Galaxy A54 5G or Galaxy S23 FE.
Thick bezels around the screen (with a noticeable chin) have unfortunately become a characteristic feature of Samsung’s non-flagship models recently. The dimensions are 161.1×77.4×8.2 mm, which, with a 6.6-inch panel, results in a screen-to-body ratio of only about 85.8%. And it’s 2024! However, it’s worth noting that the glass used to protect the display is now Gorilla Glass Victus+.
On the other hand, Samsung has made an effort this time, as the construction is not plastic. The matte aluminum frame and the glass back (which unfortunately collects dirt and fingerprints easily) still make a good impression.
Також слід зазначити, що корпус має сертифікат захисту IP67. Єдина проблема в тому, що це, мабуть, найменш зручний смартфон на ринку.
The angular frame, while undoubtedly elegant, tends to dig into the hand due to its shape, making the smartphone less comfortable and convenient to hold. Additionally, it weighs a hefty 213 g, which is significantly more than, for example, the 6.7-inch Samsung Galaxy S24+ (197 g).
The placement of the smartphone’s elements is not surprising. At the bottom, we have the USB Type-C port, a dual microphone, and the speaker.
On the right side, there are the rigid volume buttons and the power button, positioned on a small bump on the frame.
The latter does not create any practical benefit, but is simply a design detail.
The left side is completely unused, which has become a common feature for the Galaxy A series.
On the top edge, there is a SIM/micro SD card slot (a so-called hybrid Dual SIM), another microphone, and—slightly above the screen—a secondary speaker. This setup provides a stereo audio system that sounds quite loud and with a decent level of bass, as expected from Samsung.
As I said, I received a smartphone for review in a rather interesting color: ice blue.
The rear panel is now also glass and looks quite attractive.
The three camera lenses on the back of the device are arranged vertically in a row, similar to the flagship models. Next to them is an LED flash.
The camera lenses themselves protrude quite noticeably from the body, so the smartphone will not lie flat on a smooth surface without a case. The case itself is also an interesting color, so the Galaxy A55 5G doesn’t lose its appeal even with it on.
While the design may seem familiar, I find it better than previous models. The glossy back does attract fingerprints and dust. Did scratches appear on the glass surface? During my testing period, none appeared, as I always used the smartphone with a case. However, there might be a chance of scratches over time, since it’s just glass, even though it’s tempered.
To sum up my thoughts on the design of the new Samsung Galaxy A55 5G, it’s a smartphone for those who appreciate the flat, flagship-style look of Samsung or recent Apple models. It’s also for those who enjoy a range of fantastic colors and don’t mind a device that weighs over 200 g.
Read alsо: Samsung Galaxy S23 FE smartphone review: Almost a flagship
Excellent AMOLED display
I like that high-quality AMOLED displays have made their way into the mid-range smartphone segment. This applies not only to Samsung, although the company was undoubtedly a pioneer in this area. Previously, to get a quality AMOLED display, you had to buy a flagship device, but now the situation has improved.
The Samsung Galaxy A55 5G is no exception. It features a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED panel with a Full HD+ resolution of 1080×2340 pixels and a 120 Hz refresh rate. The aspect ratio is 19.5:9, and the pixel density is 390 ppi. The panel is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+, so users don’t need to worry much about scratches. The presence of HDR10+ technology and a claimed HBM brightness of up to 1000 nits adds to its appeal. However, it’s worth noting that after manually adjusting the brightness slider to its maximum, the brightness is around 440 nits. In the price range of the Galaxy A55 5G and its competitors, it’s hard to expect anything higher, though it’s also unlikely to encounter significantly lower values.
In everyday use, all of this is almost imperceptible. The brightness is sufficient for comfortable use during the day in sunlight and isn’t too straining on the eyes at night. AMOLED panels are always known for their beautiful and vivid colors, and the display on the Galaxy A55 5G is no exception. Colors are rich and vibrant, perfectly matching Samsung’s graphical overlay. Thanks to the modern technology, black is also truly deep here, as the panel can control individual pixels and turn them off when needed.
Of course, there are various display settings available. In the settings, you can choose between vibrant and natural color modes, and also adjust the white balance.
As mentioned earlier, the smartphone’s panel supports a 120 Hz refresh rate. Samsung has provided two options for using this feature. You can leave it in automatic mode, where the device detects what’s happening on the display and switches between 60 and 120 Hz accordingly. The second option is to manually set the refresh rate to 60 Hz.
You can also enable the very useful “Eye Comfort” mode on the smartphone. This feature filters out blue light and operates automatically based on the time of day or your chosen settings. Additionally, don’t forget about the dark mode, which applies darker shades to system colors. However, you can also opt for a bright display if preferred.
However, I can’t help but criticize Samsung a bit here. The Galaxy A55, like its cheaper sibling, the Galaxy A35, features quite thick bezels around the display. The side bezels of around 3 mm are still acceptable, but the nearly 4 mm thick bottom bezel can be obstructive during use. This is a noticeable oversight by Samsung, as most competing manufacturers have nearly eliminated this issue.
Read alsо: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G review: Addictive foldable smartphone
Fingerprint scanner and other unlocking methods
Regarding the display, it’s also worth mentioning the built-in fingerprint scanner. The unlocking process is very efficient—the scanner responds in mere fractions of a second. Unfortunately, the manufacturer placed it a bit too low. Users might need some time to get used to this low placement, especially given the size of the smartphone, which makes it less convenient.
You definitely won’t have any issues with the fingerprint scanner itself. It works reliably and accurately every time. I even managed to unlock the smartphone with wet fingers on some occasions, and it still performed without any problems. The optical reader will definitely impress you with its quality performance.
There are also other unlocking methods available. If you don’t trust the fingerprint scanner, you can set up a password or PIN code to unlock the smartphone. However, lately, I’ve been increasingly fond of facial recognition. This uses the front-facing selfie camera. Some might argue that it’s not as secure, but it’s definitely convenient. The choice is yours.
Read alsо: Samsung Galaxy Flip5 vs Motorola Razr 40 Ultra: Battle of two yokozunas
What about the sound?
I avoid using built-in speakers on smartphones. The sound quality is so below my minimum standards that I often prefer to carry a Bluetooth speaker or use headphones instead. It doesn’t matter whether we’re talking about an old flagship with a mono system or a modern mid-range device with Dolby Atmos. It’s just not the sound quality I expect from a smartphone.
The Samsung Galaxy A55 5G is different. Of course, that doesn’t mean the sound technology here is miles ahead of its competitors. It just meets my minimum standards. The smartphone has decent bass that doesn’t overpower the rest of the soundstage. You can actually feel that the mids and highs are well separated, and when you turn the volume up to the max, the Galaxy A55 5G doesn’t lose its clarity or start producing unpleasant distortions.
It’s quite good sound quality for a mid-range smartphone. Phone calls are also clear: the person on the other end hears you well, and they don’t miss any words.
Performance: the new Exynos 1480
The Samsung Galaxy A55 5G is powered by the new Samsung Exynos 1480, manufactured using a 4nm process. The chip features eight cores (4x Cortex-A78 at 2.75 GHz and 4x Cortex-A55 at 2.0 GHz) and a graphics system, the Xclipse 530, developed in collaboration with AMD (based on RDNA 2 architecture). Additionally, 8 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256 GB of UFS 3.1 internal storage significantly contribute to its overall performance.
Typically, you know what to expect from Qualcomm or MediaTek chips. With Exynos, Samsung’s own systems, it’s always a bit of a gamble. History has shown that these processors can sometimes be far from perfect, but as the results below demonstrate, the Exynos 1480 performs very well in terms of pure computing power. This new SoC is clearly more efficient than its predecessor. Moreover, it competes well with popular systems like the Dimensity 7200 or Snapdragon 7s Gen 2. However, it’s worth noting that in this price range, you can often find smartphones with more efficient, sometimes even former flagship processors.
Although Exynos is a name often whispered due to the prejudice many have against Samsung’s in-house devices, it… performs its job exceptionally well.
In terms of performance, the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G performs very well. It remains responsive most of the time, apps launch at a very good speed, and there are generally no noticeable performance drops.
However, that doesn’t mean there are none at all. Occasionally, you might notice slowdowns when opening apps and some stuttery animations, but these issues are not frequent or severe enough to hinder the use of the smartphone. The Galaxy A55 5G also handles games well.
In summary, the Galaxy A55 5G is not a performance powerhouse, but that’s not what we expect here. What we get is a device that provides comfortable usage, which is exactly what we’re looking for.
Does the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G overheat? Here, we still encounter the working culture that, in reality, is the most pressing issue with Exynos processors. Nevertheless, I find it hard to criticize the operating temperatures of this model. During light, everyday usage scenarios, the smartphone remains quite cool or barely warm, making it comfortable to hold in your hand.
When we start switching between more apps, browsing the internet for longer periods, making video calls, or playing games, it begins to heat up.
I wouldn’t say it burns your hands; it’s not that bad, but it can get noticeably warm. However, this doesn’t happen immediately but rather after a few minutes of intense use. Once the load decreases, the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G cools down fairly quickly, which I consider a plus.
The rest of the equipment includes Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, all relevant geolocation systems including GPS, NFC, 5G, USB-C, and an optical in-display fingerprint scanner. It also features enhanced protection with an IP67 rating and a hybrid dual SIM option (1x nanoSIM and 1x eSIM), which is a nice bonus.
Read alsо: Samsung Galaxy Flip5 review: There’s simply no better foldable smartphone
Software
The manufacturer has been using the OneUI overlay for several years, and the Galaxy A55 5G runs version 6.1, which is based on Android 14. OneUI 6.1 offers several interesting features, and the environment initially looks quite minimalist. I’ll also note that Samsung has done a good job with optimization. The OneUI system is sleek and, most importantly, fast; there are no issues with lag, loading, or quickly switching between apps.
Before we dive into the standout features of OneUI, it’s worth discussing how the controls work and how the system handles basic tasks. Navigation through the software is facilitated by three virtual buttons below the display or your preferred gestures. You can access the app menu with a single gesture—just swipe up from anywhere on the display. Conversely, swiping down will pull down the notification center and control panel.
At the top, you’ll find all the essential switches, and a second swipe expands to reveal an extended menu that you can customize as you like. Below the switches is a preview of incoming notifications. When, for example, you’re listening to music, media controls are placed between these two components.
OneUI 6.1 offers several features that users will appreciate. For example, I frequently used the Edge Panel. A panel slightly protrudes from the edge of the display; pulling it out reveals your most frequently used apps. Tapping an app icon launches it quickly. Additionally, Samsung provides customization options here. The first three suggestions are managed by machine learning, while you can delete, add, or sort the remaining apps as you wish.
Among other great features are the modes and routines. You can customize the smartphone based on the situation you’re in. For example, in Night Mode, you can mute incoming notifications, turn off Always-On Display, or switch to Dark Mode. Some of these modes are pre-set, while others can be added according to your preferences. On the other hand, routines are used to make the device behave in specific ways in certain situations. For instance, after waking up and launching the app, Wi-Fi might automatically turn on, and music could start playing. Again, the customization options are quite extensive.
Artificial intelligence also plays a role here, although it’s not as prominent as in the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. However, even this more affordable model from the manufacturer performs well with photos, such as removing unwanted objects from images. It’s worth noting that the smartphone handles this very effectively, as well as dealing with shadows.
Samsung smartphones are distinguished not only by their sophisticated interface with a plethora of features but also by their long-term support. Even though we’re talking about another mid-range device in this manufacturer’s lineup, users can expect up to 4 major system updates and 5 years of security patches. Even owners of many top-tier smartphones from other brands can’t count on that level of support! Additionally, the Galaxy A55 5G comes with the Knox Vault security suite, known from the Galaxy S and Galaxy Z flagship series. Therefore, you can rely on enhanced protection, such as hardware encryption and specialized mechanisms for detecting and preventing breaches.
Read alsо: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G review: Addictive foldable smartphone
Battery life
Under the hood, the Galaxy A55 5G features a 5000 mAh battery, which is somewhat of a standard for modern smartphones today. While many people focus on what the manufacturer can actually achieve with that power rather than just the numbers, you shouldn’t expect any record-breaking battery life here. However, there are no obvious drawbacks either. The current battery is simply average and provides the smartphone with exactly what you’d expect from it.
Thanks to this, you can easily expect a full day of usage. With conservative use, you can even stretch up to 2 working days on a single charge. Of course, this always depends on how you use your smartphone.
With more demanding use—such as frequent photography, internet browsing, or gaming—the battery might drain to around 20% by about 8 PM.
Unfortunately, the Korean company still offers relatively slow charging at 25W. On one hand, this doesn’t put much strain on the battery, but competitors have long equipped their smartphones with more powerful chargers. Charging the Galaxy A55 5G takes about 1.5 hours.
Read alsо: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: Strengths of AI and a Flawed Zoom
Cameras do their job
The glass back panel of the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G houses three cameras, each with a distinct function.
The primary sensor boasts a resolution of 50 MP with an aperture of f/1.8. A great feature is the support for optical image stabilization (OIS). The second ultra-wide lens, with a 123° field of view and a resolution of 12 MP, is excellent for capturing wide-angle shots. The third camera is designed for macro photography, with a 5 MP sensor and an aperture of f/2.4. For high-quality selfies, there’s a 32 MP front camera.
Flagship smartphones almost always come with the best cameras. However, Samsung also provides high-quality sensors for lower-tier models, and the Galaxy A55 5G is a great example of this. The 50 MP main sensor captures detailed shots with high sharpness. Colors are slightly more saturated but look stunning on the AMOLED display. Additionally, the scene optimizer works well, adjusting colors based on what you’re photographing. However, if you prefer more natural colors, I recommend turning off the optimizer.
The main sensor also performs well with fast refocusing and transitioning between lighting conditions. At night, the quality remains high, with the sensor effectively reducing noise and keeping images detailed. The only issue is with artificial lighting, which can cause a yellowish tint on photos that looks somewhat unnatural. Focusing can also be a bit challenging under strong artificial light.
Thanks to its high 50 MP resolution, the smartphone supports 2x optical zoom. The quality is excellent, with sharp images and accurate colors in standard mode. At night, the quality does decrease slightly.
The Galaxy A55 5G can also take photos with its ultra-wide sensor. In natural light, the sensor delivers beautiful images with vibrant colors and rich details. However, Samsung’s performance is slightly weaker around the edges of the photos, which can appear distorted and somewhat unnatural. At night, the sensor performs moderately, often struggling to capture sharp, detailed photos. Noise becomes noticeable, and distortion is even more apparent.
The macro module, on the other hand, performs quite well. With sufficient light, the sensor captures even the finest details with high sharpness. However, like with the ultra-wide sensor, the quality diminishes at night. In summary, the macro sensor is best suited for use in good lighting conditions.
The night mode activates automatically, although I sometimes feel it happens with a delay. In many scenarios, it could have been enabled earlier, but for some reason, the system doesn’t always do so.
Regarding effects, the night mode is generally effective, and photos look significantly better than in the standard photo mode. However, this isn’t always the case; in some instances, I felt that a photo without night mode was closer to the actual appearance of the scene. Overall, though, I rate the final result positively.
ORIGINAL PHOTOS AND VIDEOS CAN BE VIEWED HERE
The selfie camera also offers quite decent capabilities. Although it does not reject bokeh, it mainly shoots in 8 MP, which is quite disappointing given that the sensor has a resolution of 32 MP. You need to manually switch to the higher resolution mode. Additionally, fans will be pleased with the variety of color filters available.
Samsung Galaxy A55 5G supports video recording up to 4K 2160p at 30 frames per second or Full HD 1080p at 30 or 60 frames per second. The video from the main camera benefits from optical image stabilization combined with electronic stabilization for improved footage.
The video quality on the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G is generally good. Stabilization works well, though you might notice slight jitters during very dynamic shots. Autofocus is usually accurate and quick, but it can struggle with close-up focus at times. Colors are pleasing—neither too pale nor overly saturated. The microphones also perform well, capturing high-quality audio.
Read alsо: A Little About Samsung Galaxy AI: The Problem of Really Useful AI
Conclusions
Samsung Galaxy A55 5G initially gave me mixed feelings due to its somewhat generic design and the camera setup that seemed to be a direct copy of its predecessor. I also had concerns about the Exynos 1480, as Galaxy devices with Samsung’s proprietary chips often underperformed compared to those with Snapdragon processors. However, after testing the new model, I must admit I’m pleasantly surprised by its real-world performance.
However, the new Samsung Galaxy A55 5G will have a tough time competing with its rivals. This was also the case with the previous generation, which eventually became a global bestseller. The newly tested smartphone also has the potential to achieve similar success.
The Samsung Galaxy A55 is indeed a solid mobile device with many features, a quality display, and decent cameras. It also boasts a robust build, now enhanced with a glass back panel and aluminum sides, and its battery life is above average. While the smartphone may not be considered a high-performance powerhouse, it handles nearly any task effectively. The OneUI interface offers extensive capabilities, and the manufacturer provides long-term support. The cameras are also very good, delivering quality images, especially from the main sensor.
But we’ve been saying the same thing for last year, the year before, and so on… As you can see, Samsung isn’t making any major changes and isn’t addressing the issues that have been criticized for years. Therefore, we still have unattractive large bezels around the screen, slow charging, lack of Galaxy AI features, and an unchanged design. All of this comes with an ambitious price tag that might seem unjustifiable if the manufacturer is trying to be innovative.
Despite all the mentioned shortcomings, the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G remains the king of the mid-range segment. It’s a modern smartphone that, I have no doubt, will become another best-selling mid-range device.
Advantages
- Beautiful design from top models
- High-quality AMOLED display with high brightness and 120 Hz refresh rate
- High-quality stereo speakers
- Hybrid slot + eSIM support
- New Android 14 with One UI 6.1 out of the box
- Very long software support
- Solid main camera, high quality photos and videos in good light
- Resistant to water and dust according to IP67 standard
- Good battery life
Disadvantages
- Large asymmetric bezels around the display, especially the chin
- No fast wired or wireless charging options
- Again, minimal changes compared to the previous generation
Read alsо:
- CUBOT King Kong Ace 3 Review: Rugged Smartphone with Dual Displays
- ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 2024 (GU605MI-QR064W) Gaming Laptop Review
- Acer Swift Go 14 (2024) Review: Laptop with an OLED Display
- Škoda Karoq Review: Compact City SUV Focused on Comfort and Safety