Samsung Galaxy A55 5G review: Should you buy it?

The Galaxy A55 5G takes a dozen of design cues from the Galaxy S24 line, nevertheless it additionally resembles contemporary iPhones in many ways. It now has an aluminum body with flat edges and rounded corners, and I’m satisfied to peer the corporate ditch the cheap-feeling plastic body of its predecessor, the Galaxy A54 5G — blended with considered one of Samsung’s ever-stunning AMOLED shows, it is going a protracted technique to making the telephone really feel like a top rate piece of apparatus. Samsung’s mid-ranger keeps a tumbler again, too, and the Superior Army type I examined brings a shiny end that isn’t a complete fingerprint magnet. The telephone additionally options the so-called Key Island, a raised segment at the body that homes the amount and tool buttons. However this design component is extra ingenious in individual than renders would have you ever consider.

Samsung has unsurprisingly retained an IP67 ranking this pace for mud and aqua resistance. What’s extra unexpected is the transfer to Gorilla Glass Victus Plus coverage at the entrance, which is a welcome improve from Gorilla Glass 5 and an notable loyalty to sturdiness for a telephone at this worth tier. Samsung showed that there wasn’t Victus Plus coverage at the again, however didn’t disclose any further main points.

The Galaxy A55 5G is powered by way of the Exynos 1480, which is the primary mid-range smartphone chipset with an AMD GPU. At the alternative hand, the processor additionally makes use of the similar worn CPU as endmost 12 months’s type, albeit with an important clock velocity spice up. What does this ruthless for efficiency?

Geekbench 6 rankings display a little single-core CPU bump however an important ~21% multi-core CPU spice up over the Galaxy A54 5G. On the other hand, the CPU nonetheless lags in the back of its closest opponents — the Pixel 8a and OnePlus 12R. The PCMark Paintings 3.0 take a look at yieldings top-notch effects, regardless that, suggesting enough of device optimizations to overcome opponents. Transferring to the GPU take a look at, the Wild Moment Tension Take a look at presentations a impressive development over the A54 5G, nevertheless it additionally unearths that the telephone once more lags a long way in the back of the Pixel 8a and OnePlus 12R. At the upside, the strain take a look at unearths an notable 99% steadiness, suggesting that throttling shouldn’t be a subject matter in any respect.

I had incorrect issues of real-world efficiency. The telephone was once easy when switching between house displays, hopping into the recents menu, and launching apps. I used to be additionally ready to play games Genshin Affect at a easy occasion with the default low settings, however there was once some room to crank issues as much as a reasonably fluid 60fps. I used to be, on the other hand, a modest shocked to peer that I may play games tough video games on PS2 and GameCube emulators at a most commonly easy occasion. It looks as if the AMD GPU and 4 efficiency cores come in useful right here.

Samsung may be touting a 5,000mAh battery at the Galaxy A55 5G, and the combination of this battery plus a reasonably environment friendly chipset makes for some just right perpetuity. I used to be ready to get better over 9 hours of screen-on pace with standard utilization (surfing Reddit, paying attention to podcasts, taking part in some video games). You’ll be able to be expecting a few moment and a part of utilization, which is extensively in series with the Galaxy A54 5G.

You’ll wish to wait an even quantity of pace to totally price the telephone when you’ve exhausted the battery. The telephone tops out at 25W stressed out speeds with a Energy Supply charger and takes over 80 mins to succeed in 100% capability. That’s higher than the Pixel 8a’s atrocious charging pace (100 mins), however I’ve been spoiled by way of mid-rangers from Chinese language manufacturers that get a complete price in an day or much less.

The Galaxy A55 5G ships with One UI 6.1 atop Android 14. The telephone doesn’t do business in any generative Galaxy AI options, as we’ve clear on high-end Galaxy gadgets. Nonetheless, it’s slated to obtain 4 primary OS updates and 5 years of safety patches. That’s no longer relatively as just right because the Pixel 8a’s seven-year replace coverage, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a superior replace contract for a mid-range telephone.

I’m a modest disenchanted however no longer shocked by way of Samsung’s loyalty to bloatware. Along with the predicted Samsung apps that replicate Google capability, we’ve additionally were given 4 Microsoft apps (e.g., OneDrive and LinkedIn), in addition to additions like Fb, Netflix, and Spotify. A few of these Samsung apps are profitable (I benefit from the full-featured gallery app), however I may walk with out many of those apps.

What’s even worse is that the corporate shows an unskippable “recommended apps” shelter in a while later putting in place the software. You’ll need to untick a number of apps, however the telephone will nonetheless set up a number of video games (like Sweet Weigh down) whether or not you love it or no longer. It’s in point of fact elevated pace that Samsung will get taken to activity for this bloatware, because it seems like the corporate has been given a move in this for a occasion now.

The Galaxy A55 5G additionally keeps the similar basic reasonably priced digital camera telephone device because the Galaxy A54 5G. That implies a 50MP major digital camera, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro digital camera. Photographs shot all over the moment are in most cases graphic, as you’d be expecting from a quite sized 1/1.56-inch sensor, regardless that colours can on occasion be oversaturated to a daft diploma. It’s virtually like we’re again within the wicked worn days of Samsung telephone cameras every now and then. Take a look at the 3rd symbol underneath, with the crimson blanket having a look neon and halos across the palm tree fronds. It’s just like the HDR and saturation sliders had been cranked to 11. Portrait method photographs aren’t superior both, with common intensity estimation mistakes. Those aren’t minor mistakes, because the endmost symbol within the gallery presentations (take a look at the segment simply above my head).

At the upside, I’m satisfied to peer that the unpleasant low-light shutter lag is diminished in comparison to my enjoy with the Galaxy A34 5G. It’s no longer long past altogether, and I want to see the digital camera UI higher keep up a correspondence the wish to look ahead to a habitual shot. However that is nonetheless higher than tapping the shutter button, ready a 2d or two, and later going to place the telephone ill, handiest to peer that the telephone in any case determined to hurry the damned picture. You’ll in most cases wish to release evening method enabled when the solar is going ill (despite the fact that noise aid is usually a bit competitive), as the principle digital camera produces dull, deafening photographs differently.

The Galaxy A55 5G additionally brings a 12MP ultrawide lens, even if it’s a sunny step ill on the subject of trait and noise in comparison to the principle sensor, specifically in blended lights. A 5MP macro digital camera rounds out the rear digital camera device, bringing just right image high quality for a devoted macro digital camera however nonetheless exhibiting that watercolor impact and a insufficiency of resolvable trait when zooming in. Talking of zoom, the telephone offer a cropped 2x possibility, nevertheless it’s no longer utility taking pictures past 2x as effects are grainy and completely missing in trait. You’ll be able to view a gallery of full-resolution pattern pictures by way of the Google Pressure hyperlink right here.

Samsung’s telephone continues to do business in options just like the superior Unmarried Whip method, a A laugh method for Snapchat filters, twin recording (albeit by way of the principle and selfie cameras handiest), a nifty Professional Video method, and a gallery with options like shade erasing and symbol clipping. The telephone additionally tops out at 4K/30fps video recording, which is extremely disappointing when Google and OnePlus’s telephones do business in 4K/60fps help. No less than 4K/30fps selfie movies have returned.

The Galaxy A55 5G is a most commonly iterative improve over the already just right Galaxy A54 instead than a extra progressive refresh. We’re in point of fact satisfied to peer a full-blown top rate design this pace, the Exynos 1480 chipset is a little however welcome improve for gaming, and more moderen Gorilla Glass will have to come up with extra sleep of thoughts. Those upgrades fix present A54 5G strengths like a protracted replace coverage, just right battery lifestyles, and a slick flourish.

Out of doors of the top rate design and smaller upgrades, regardless that, Samsung nonetheless has some room for development in gardens that transform an increasing number of blatant as the contest continues to lift its recreation. Samsung continues to crank up the principle digital camera’s saturation ranges, the Exynos chip without a doubt wishes a CPU and AI improve, and the insufficiency of 4K/60fps video is unwelcome at this worth.

Samsung’s opponents, just like the OnePlus 12R and Google Pixel 8a, are shifting a lot quicker to near the distance between the mid-range and legit flagships. The Pixel 8a, particularly, brings a lot better efficiency, wi-fi charging help, admirable picture high quality, and AI options. Don’t get me improper — a number of crowd will purchase the Galaxy A55 5G (regardless that lower than standard because of the baffling insufficiency of an professional US leave). However they’ll achieve this as it’s a shield, good, and regular improve, no longer as it’s probably the most thrilling acquire nor the most efficient that you’ll be able to purchase at its price ticket.

There’s incorrect rarity of superior Galaxy A55 5G choices, so take a look at our selections underneath:

Samsung Galaxy A35 5G ($400 at Samsung): The Galaxy A55 5G isn’t to be had in the USA, however the A35 5G is a reliable backup. You’ve nonetheless were given an IP67 ranking, a long-term replace coverage, and Samsung’s feature-packed instrument. However you additional lose out on efficiency, digital camera {hardware}, and create high quality. The distance between the A line and the S line is good-looking abundance in 2024.
Google Pixel 8a ($499 at Amazon): Google’s actual mid-range Pixel is the nearest Galaxy A55 5G rival, and it’s particularly admirable in some ways. The Pixel 8a sticks out from the Samsung telephone because of wi-fi charging, a high-end chipset, AI options, and flagship-tier digital camera high quality. However the A55 5G brings quicker charging and a larger battery.
OnePlus 12R ($599.99 at Amazon): Price efficiency, charging velocity, and/or shelter high quality? Upcoming the OnePlus 12R is without a doubt utility taking into consideration over the Galaxy A55 5G, bringing a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, 100W charging (80W in the USA), and a super-bright, smart shelter. Sadly, it lacks aqua resistance occasion the cameras are mediocre at highest.
Not anything Telephone 2a (£319.99 at Amazon): The Not anything Telephone 2a is handiest to be had in the USA by way of a developer program, nevertheless it’s a superior pick out in alternative markets. That’s because of the original design, superior shelter, and just right cameras. Sadly, community help is hit-and-miss in the USA, occasion the restricted IP ranking pales compared to Samsung’s IP67 ranking.