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

The Galaxy A55 5G takes quite a lot of design cues from the Galaxy S24 sequence, but it surely additionally resembles current 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 one in every of Samsung’s ever-stunning AMOLED shows, it goes an extended solution to making the telephone really feel like a premium piece of package. 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 telephone 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 refined in individual than renders would have you ever imagine.

Samsung has unsurprisingly retained an IP67 ranking this time for mud and water resistance. What’s extra stunning is the swap to Gorilla Glass Victus Plus safety on the entrance, which is a welcome improve from Gorilla Glass 5 and a powerful dedication to sturdiness for a telephone 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. However, the processor additionally makes use of the identical previous CPU as final yr’s mannequin, albeit with a big clock velocity enhance. What does this imply for efficiency?

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

I had no issues with real-world efficiency. The telephone was easy when switching between dwelling screens, hopping into the recents menu, and launching apps. I used to be additionally capable of play Genshin Impression 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, nonetheless, a little bit shocked 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 turn out to be 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 capable of get effectively over 9 hours of screen-on time with typical utilization (looking Reddit, listening to podcasts, taking part in some video games). You may anticipate a few day and a half of utilization, which is broadly in keeping with the Galaxy A54 5G.

You’ll want to attend a good period of time to completely cost the telephone when you’ve exhausted the battery. The telephone tops out at 25W wired speeds with a Energy Supply charger and takes over 80 minutes to achieve 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 telephone doesn’t supply any generative Galaxy AI options, as we’ve seen on high-end Galaxy gadgets. 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, but it surely’s nonetheless an incredible replace pledge for a mid-range telephone.

I’m a little bit dissatisfied however not shocked by Samsung’s dedication to bloatware. Along with the anticipated Samsung apps that duplicate Google performance, we’ve additionally received 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 useful apps” display screen shortly after organising the machine. You’ll must untick a number of apps, however the telephone 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 job for this bloatware, because it appears like the corporate has been given a move on this for some time now.

The Galaxy A55 5G additionally retains the identical elementary inexpensive digicam telephone system because the Galaxy A54 5G. Meaning a 50MP major digicam, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro digicam. Photos shot in the course of 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 telephone cameras at instances. Try the third picture beneath, with the crimson blanket wanting neon and halos across the palm tree fronds. It’s just like the HDR and saturation sliders have been cranked to 11. Portrait mode pictures aren’t nice both, with frequent depth estimation errors. These aren’t minor errors, because the final picture within the gallery exhibits (examine the world simply above my head).

On the upside, I’m glad to see that the horrible low-light shutter lag is lowered in comparison with my expertise with the Galaxy A34 5G. It’s not gone altogether, and I want to see the digicam UI higher talk the necessity to watch for an everyday shot. However that is nonetheless higher than tapping the shutter button, ready a second or two, after which going to place the telephone down, solely to see that the telephone lastly determined to take the damned picture. You’ll usually need to depart night time mode enabled when the solar goes down (even when noise discount could be a bit aggressive), as the primary digicam produces darkish, noisy pictures 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 primary sensor, notably in combined lighting. A 5MP macro digicam rounds out the rear digicam system, bringing good image high quality for a devoted macro digicam however nonetheless displaying that watercolor impact and a scarcity of resolvable element when zooming in. Talking of zoom, the telephone presents a cropped 2x possibility, but it surely’s not value capturing past 2x as outcomes are grainy and fully missing intimately. You may view a gallery of full-resolution pattern pictures by way of the Google Drive hyperlink right here.

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

The Galaxy A55 5G is a principally iterative improve over the already good Galaxy A54 slightly than a extra formidable 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 develop into more and more extra blatant because the competitors continues to boost its recreation. Samsung continues to crank up the primary digicam’s saturation ranges, the Exynos chip undoubtedly 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 quicker to shut the hole between the mid-range and bonafide flagships. The Pixel 8a, specifically, brings a lot better efficiency, wi-fi charging help, superior picture high quality, and AI options. Don’t get me unsuitable — a great deal of folks will purchase the Galaxy A55 5G (although lower than regular as a result of baffling lack of an official US launch). However they’ll accomplish that as a result of it’s a secure, wise, and acquainted improve, not as a result of it’s essentially the most thrilling buy nor the most effective which you can purchase at its price ticket.

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

• Samsung Galaxy A35 5G ($359.99 at Amazon): The Galaxy A55 5G isn’t out there within the US, however the A35 5G is a good different. You’ve nonetheless received an IP67 ranking, a long-term replace coverage, and Samsung’s feature-packed software program. However you additional lose out on efficiency, digicam {hardware}, and construct high quality. The hole between the A sequence and the S sequence is fairly enormous 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 telephone due to wi-fi charging, a high-end chipset, AI options, and flagship-tier digicam high quality. However the A55 5G brings quicker charging and an even bigger battery.
• OnePlus 12R ($599.99 at Amazon): Worth efficiency, charging velocity, and/or display screen high quality? Then the OnePlus 12R is certainly 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 screen. Sadly, it lacks water resistance whereas the cameras are mediocre at greatest.
• Nothing Telephone 2a (£319.99 at Amazon): The Nothing Telephone 2a is simply out there within the US by way of a developer program, but it surely’s an incredible decide in different markets. That’s as a result of distinctive design, nice display screen, and good cameras. Sadly, community help is hit-and-miss within the US, whereas the restricted IP ranking pales compared to Samsung’s IP67 ranking.