Samsung Galaxy A55 5G overview: Do you have to purchase it?

The Galaxy A55 5G takes numerous design cues from the Galaxy S24 sequence, nevertheless it additionally resembles latest iPhones in some methods. It now has an aluminum body with flat edges and rounded corners, and I’m glad to see the corporate ditch the cheap-feeling plastic body of its predecessor, the Galaxy A54 5G — mixed with certainly one of Samsung’s ever-stunning AMOLED shows, it goes an extended solution to making the cellphone really feel like a premium piece of equipment. Samsung’s mid-ranger retains a glass again, too, and the Superior Navy mannequin I examined brings a shiny end that isn’t a complete fingerprint magnet. The cellphone additionally options the so-called Key Island, a raised space on the body that homes the amount and energy buttons. However this design component is extra delicate in individual than renders would have you ever imagine.

Samsung has unsurprisingly retained an IP67 score this time for mud and water resistance. What’s extra stunning is the change to Gorilla Glass Victus Plus safety on the entrance, which is a welcome improve from Gorilla Glass 5 and a formidable dedication to sturdiness for a cellphone at this value tier. Samsung confirmed that there wasn’t Victus Plus safety on the again, however didn’t reveal any extra particulars.

The Galaxy A55 5G is powered by the Exynos 1480, which is the primary mid-range smartphone chipset with an AMD GPU. Then again, the processor additionally makes use of the identical previous CPU as final yr’s mannequin, albeit with a major clock velocity enhance. What does this imply for efficiency?

Geekbench 6 scores present a small single-core CPU bump however a major ~21% multi-core CPU enhance over the Galaxy A54 5G. Nevertheless, the CPU nonetheless lags behind its closest rivals — the Pixel 8a and OnePlus 12R. The PCMark Work 3.0 check yields top-notch outcomes, although, suggesting loads of system optimizations to beat rivals. Shifting to the GPU check, the Wild Life Stress Take a look at reveals a notable enchancment over the A54 5G, nevertheless it additionally reveals that the cellphone once more lags far behind the Pixel 8a and OnePlus 12R. On the upside, the stress check reveals a formidable 99% stability, suggesting that throttling shouldn’t be a difficulty in any respect.

I had no issues with real-world efficiency. The cellphone was easy when switching between residence screens, hopping into the recents menu, and launching apps. I used to be additionally in a position to play Genshin Affect at a easy tempo with the default low settings, however there was some room to crank issues as much as a comparatively fluid 60fps. I used to be, nevertheless, just a little stunned to see that I may play demanding video games on PS2 and GameCube emulators at a principally easy tempo. It seems to be just like the AMD GPU and 4 efficiency cores come in useful right here.

Samsung can be touting a 5,000mAh battery on the Galaxy A55 5G, and the combo of this battery plus a comparatively environment friendly chipset makes for some good endurance. I used to be in a position to get nicely over 9 hours of screen-on time with typical utilization (shopping Reddit, listening to podcasts, taking part in some video games). You possibly can anticipate a few day and a half of utilization, which is broadly according to the Galaxy A54 5G.

You’ll want to attend a good period of time to totally cost the cellphone when you’ve exhausted the battery. The cellphone tops out at 25W wired speeds with a Energy Supply charger and takes over 80 minutes to succeed in 100% capability. That’s higher than the Pixel 8a’s atrocious charging time (100 minutes), however I’ve been spoiled by mid-rangers from Chinese language manufacturers that get a full cost in an hour or much less.

The Galaxy A55 5G ships with One UI 6.1 atop Android 14. The cellphone doesn’t provide any generative Galaxy AI options, as we’ve seen on high-end Galaxy units. Nonetheless, it’s slated to obtain 4 main OS updates and 5 years of safety patches. That’s not fairly nearly as good because the Pixel 8a’s seven-year replace coverage, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a nice replace pledge for a mid-range cellphone.

I’m just a little disenchanted however not stunned by Samsung’s dedication to bloatware. Along with the anticipated Samsung apps that duplicate Google performance, we’ve additionally acquired 4 Microsoft apps (e.g., OneDrive and LinkedIn), in addition to additions like Fb, Netflix, and Spotify. A few of these Samsung apps are worthwhile (I benefit from the full-featured gallery app), however I may go with out many of those apps.

What’s even worse is that the corporate shows an unskippable “really helpful apps” display shortly after establishing the machine. You’ll should untick a number of apps, however the cellphone will nonetheless set up a number of video games (like Sweet Crush) whether or not you prefer it or not. It’s actually excessive time that Samsung will get taken to process for this bloatware, because it seems like the corporate has been given a cross on this for some time now.

The Galaxy A55 5G additionally retains the identical elementary inexpensive digital camera cellphone system because the Galaxy A54 5G. Which means a 50MP principal digital camera, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro digital camera. Pictures shot through the day are usually detailed, as you’d anticipate from a fairly sized 1/1.56-inch sensor, although colours can typically be oversaturated to a ridiculous diploma. It’s virtually like we’re again within the dangerous previous days of Samsung cellphone cameras at occasions. Try the third picture beneath, with the pink blanket trying neon and halos across the palm tree fronds. It’s just like the HDR and saturation sliders have been cranked to 11. Portrait mode photographs aren’t nice both, with frequent depth estimation errors. These aren’t minor errors, because the final picture within the gallery reveals (verify the world simply above my head).

On the upside, I’m glad to see that the horrible low-light shutter lag is diminished in comparison with my expertise with the Galaxy A34 5G. It’s not gone altogether, and I wish to see the digital camera UI higher talk the necessity to look ahead to a daily shot. However that is nonetheless higher than tapping the shutter button, ready a second or two, after which going to place the cellphone down, solely to see that the cellphone lastly determined to take the damned picture. You’ll usually wish to depart evening mode enabled when the solar goes down (even when noise discount could be a bit aggressive), as the principle digital camera produces darkish, noisy photographs in any other case.

The Galaxy A55 5G additionally brings a 12MP ultrawide lens, though it’s a transparent step down when it comes to element and noise in comparison with the principle sensor, significantly in combined lighting. A 5MP macro digital camera rounds out the rear digital camera system, bringing good image high quality for a devoted macro digital camera however nonetheless displaying that watercolor impact and a scarcity of resolvable element when zooming in. Talking of zoom, the cellphone gives a cropped 2x possibility, nevertheless it’s not value capturing past 2x as outcomes are grainy and fully missing intimately. You possibly can view a gallery of full-resolution pattern photographs by way of the Google Drive hyperlink right here.

Samsung’s cellphone continues to supply options like the nice Single Take mode, a Enjoyable mode for Snapchat filters, twin recording (albeit by way of the principle and selfie cameras solely), a nifty Professional Video mode, and a gallery with options like shadow erasing and picture clipping. The cellphone additionally tops out at 4K/30fps video recording, which is extremely disappointing when Google and OnePlus’s telephones provide 4K/60fps assist. At the very least 4K/30fps selfie movies have returned.

The Galaxy A55 5G is a principally iterative improve over the already good Galaxy A54 relatively than a extra bold refresh. We’re actually glad to see a full-blown premium design this time, the Exynos 1480 chipset is a small however welcome improve for gaming, and newer Gorilla Glass ought to provide you with extra peace of thoughts. These upgrades be part of present A54 5G strengths like an extended replace coverage, good battery life, and a slick show.

Exterior of the premium design and smaller upgrades, although, Samsung nonetheless has some room for enchancment in areas that change into more and more extra blatant because the competitors continues to lift its sport. Samsung continues to crank up the principle digital camera’s saturation ranges, the Exynos chip positively wants a CPU and AI improve, and the dearth of 4K/60fps video is unacceptable at this value.

Samsung’s rivals, just like the OnePlus 12R and Google Pixel 8a, are shifting a lot sooner to shut the hole between the mid-range and bonafide flagships. The Pixel 8a, particularly, brings significantly better efficiency, wi-fi charging assist, superior picture high quality, and AI options. Don’t get me improper — a great deal of individuals will purchase the Galaxy A55 5G (although lower than regular because of the baffling lack of an official US launch). However they’ll accomplish that as a result of it’s a protected, wise, and acquainted improve, not as a result of it’s probably the most thrilling buy nor the perfect you can purchase at its price ticket.

There’s no scarcity of nice Galaxy A55 5G options, so take a look at our picks beneath:

• Samsung Galaxy A35 5G ($400 at Samsung): The Galaxy A55 5G isn’t accessible within the US, however the A35 5G is an honest various. You’ve nonetheless acquired an IP67 score, a long-term replace coverage, and Samsung’s feature-packed software program. However you additional lose out on efficiency, digital camera {hardware}, and construct high quality. The hole between the A sequence and the S sequence is fairly large in 2024.
• Google Pixel 8a ($499 at Amazon): Google’s newest mid-range Pixel is the closest Galaxy A55 5G rival, and it’s notably superior in some ways. The Pixel 8a stands out from the Samsung cellphone due to wi-fi charging, a high-end chipset, AI options, and flagship-tier digital camera high quality. However the A55 5G brings sooner charging and an even bigger battery.
• OnePlus 12R ($599.99 at Amazon): Worth efficiency, charging velocity, and/or display high quality? Then the OnePlus 12R is unquestionably value contemplating over the Galaxy A55 5G, bringing a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, 100W charging (80W within the US), and a super-bright, sharp display. Sadly, it lacks water resistance whereas the cameras are mediocre at greatest.
• Nothing Cellphone 2a (£319.99 at Amazon): The Nothing Cellphone 2a is simply accessible within the US by way of a developer program, nevertheless it’s a fantastic decide in different markets. That’s because of the distinctive design, nice display, and good cameras. Sadly, community assist is hit-and-miss within the US, whereas the restricted IP score pales compared to Samsung’s IP67 score.