The Galaxy A55 is the following mid-range entry from Samsung, right here to switch the Galaxy A54 as a prime worth for cash smartphone alternative.
Nevertheless, the Korean model has determined to method it in an alternate manner, with its construct and cheaper price clearly indicating a brand new course for mid-range telephones within the Galaxy A collection.
Is it actually price changing the older mannequin or choosing a brand new one if you’re selecting between the 2?
We evaluate the important thing features of each telephones that can assist you resolve which one would be the higher purchase.
Variations between the Galaxy A54 and the Galaxy A55
Design & Construct
The Galaxy A54 boasts a modern design harking back to the flagship Galaxy S23 from the identical yr, characterised by rounded corners and a particular port-hole digicam association.
It’s a stable telephone, fabricated from two panes of glass separated by a plastic body. The construct high quality stays commendable, with Gorilla Glass 5 safeguarding the show and IP67 mud and water resistance.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
Alternatively, the Galaxy A55 shares a number of similarities with the A54, whereas additionally incorporating important adjustments.
Notably, the ability and quantity controls at the moment are positioned on the ‘Key Island,’ an elevated part on the aspect of the telephone, and the body is crafted from aluminium for the primary time, enhancing sturdiness and including a extra premium really feel.
The design maintains rounded corners and a flat back and front, with a protruding rear digicam module housing three lenses and an LED flash as nicely. Whereas that includes extra sturdy Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the entrance and Gorilla Glass on the again, the A55 additionally maintains IP67 ranking for mud and water resistance.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
What’s extra, one other design change is the substitute of the silver bezels across the cameras on the again with black ones. This therapy makes the Galaxy A55 much like the flagship Galaxy S24.
So, in case you worth a extra sturdy and premium design, the Galaxy A55 comes out on prime.
Screens & Audio system
The Galaxy A54 affords a 6.4-inch AMOLED show with Full HD+ decision and a easy 120Hz refresh charge, guaranteeing vibrant colors and wonderful out of doors brightness typical of AMOLED expertise.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
The telephone’s Adaptive mode gives easy efficiency, with the choice to modify to 60Hz for improved battery life. Moreover, it options an efficient embedded fingerprint scanner and facial recognition for gadget unlocking. There may be additionally At all times-on Show.
Though it lacks a headphone jack, the built-in stereo audio system ship passable sound high quality, albeit probably missing in bass.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Alternatively, the Galaxy A55 sports activities a barely bigger 6.6-inch show in comparison with the A54. However in addition to that, this can be a nigh-on equivalent display specification, with a 1080 x 2340 (Full HD+) decision and a 120Hz refresh charge. It even will get to the identical 1000 nit brightness, when uncovered to shiny ambient lighting and with autobrightness left on.
Nevertheless, the bigger display on the Galaxy A55 shall be extra appropriate for media consumption.
You additionally don’t get a 3.5mm headphone jack right here, however you do get first rate readability from its stereo audio system.
Specs & Efficiency
The Galaxy A54 has already seen a major enchancment in efficiency with the improve from the Exynos 1280 to the Exynos 1380 processor. This enhancement leads to a smoother and extra dependable expertise, particularly in day-to-day operations and gaming.
Though complicated duties like processing night time pictures or loading giant video games should take a while, general efficiency is commendable for a mid-range telephone.
Nevertheless, US prospects are restricted to 128GB of storage and 6GB of RAM, whereas different markets, together with the UK, supply choices as much as 256GB of storage and 8GB of reminiscence, probably impacting efficiency.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
Alternatively, the Galaxy A55, powered by the Exynos 1480 chip, affords a major efficiency enhance over the Galaxy A54.
This interprets to easy on a regular basis efficiency, although it’s not one of the best telephone for gaming at excessive settings, as complicated 3D video games might not run flawlessly.
Within the UK, the A55 is obtainable in 8/128GB and eight/256GB configurations, with some nations providing a 12/256GB variant.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
In our Geekbench 6 multi-core take a look at, the Galaxy A55 scored 3447 factors, forward of final yr’s Galaxy A54, which scored 2888 factors in Geekbench 5. So, if you’re on the lookout for a extra highly effective and extra environment friendly telephone, the A55 is a more sensible choice.
Moreover, each telephones embody 5G connectivity together with customary options like NFC, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.3. Additionally they help dual-SIM performance and features a microSD card slot for expandable storage, although utilizing the slot sacrifices one SIM slot.
Cameras
The Galaxy A54 includes a typical trio of rear cameras, together with a 50Mp foremost digicam with f/1.8 aperture and OIS, a 12Mp ultra-wide digicam, a 5Mp macro digicam, and a 32Mp selfie digicam.
The principle digicam captures wonderful high quality photographs in numerous circumstances, benefiting from an f/1.8 aperture and optical picture stabilisation (OIS) for regular pictures. Whereas low-light efficiency surpasses many mid-range rivals.
The ultrawide lens sacrifices some high quality for wider framing, whereas the macro lens gives gratifying close-up pictures regardless of being hidden within the ‘extra’ menu.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
Samsung’s color tuning inconsistency, notably evident within the oversaturated Meals mode, is a downside. Nevertheless, the selfie digicam impresses with high quality and options like portrait mode and wider-angle choices.
Video recording, supported by OIS, affords high-quality footage as much as 4K decision with vibrant colors and easy movement, even in dynamic eventualities.
The Galaxy A55 exhibits little development in its digicam system in comparison with the Galaxy A54 5G, retaining the identical setup: a 50Mp foremost digicam with f/1.8 aperture and OIS, 12Mp ultrawide digicam and 5Mp macro digicam, alongside 32Mp entrance digicam.
Picture high quality is much like its predecessor, with the principle digicam delivering detailed, colour-rich pictures in good lighting however combating grain and softness in low gentle. The ultrawide digicam affords versatility however suffers from high quality drop-off and tonal inconsistency.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
The 5Mp macro digicam, although succesful, feels pointless and there’s no devoted telephoto lens. The principle sensor’s cropping system permits for stable 2x zoom pictures, however high quality diminishes at increased zoom ranges.
The 32Mp selfie digicam excels with pure pores and skin tones, good topic definition and efficient background blur. It additionally affords a barely wider subject of view for group pictures, with good element retention even when cropped.
Video recording helps 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps, with OIS offering steady footage.
Battery & Charging
The Galaxy A54 boasts a 5000mAh battery with help for 25W charging pace. Testing with a 67W quick charger from one other model, it charged as much as 16% in quarter-hour and 31% in half an hour, which isn’t the quickest.
Nevertheless, the telephone compensates with spectacular battery life, able to lasting a full day of blended utilization with 4-5 hours of display time, and even as much as two days for lighter customers.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
Equally, the Galaxy A55 maintains a constant method with a 5000mAh battery and 25W quick charging, mirroring its predecessor. Whereas the Galaxy A54 already supplied first rate battery life, this alternative is probably not a major concern.
Samsung appears to proceed this technique throughout its mid-range telephones, as even the bottom Galaxy S24 sticks with 25W quick charging. Nevertheless, the A55 will solely get to only over half a tankful from empty in half-hour of charging.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Throughout average use, it could actually final 15 hours with 4.5 hours of screen-on time, depleting to only 63%. Even on heavy utilization days, it manages almost 8 hours of screen-on time and ends the day with 22% battery remaining, suggesting it could actually last as long as two days underneath regular use.
Moreover, each telephones don’t supply wi-fi charging or a charging brick within the field.
Software program & Apps
By way of software program, each telephones run on Android 14 with One UI 6.1. Samsung’s OS pores and skin stays user-friendly and visually interesting, that includes handy options like a sidebar for favorite apps.
Nevertheless, the inclusion of quite a few pre-installed apps, together with undesirable video games, might frustrate customers regardless of the flexibility to take away them. Nonetheless, different pre-loaded apps similar to Disney+, TikTok and OneDrive supply utility.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
Chris Martin / Foundry
With each telephones, Samsung guarantees 4 main OS updates and 5 years of safety patches, which is among the many finest at this worth.
Nevertheless, the A55 got here out later, so will probably be supported for a yr longer, as much as Android 18.
Worth & Availability
You should purchase the Galaxy A54 instantly from Samsung for $449/£449, which incorporates 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.
Within the UK, there’s additionally the choice of choosing the 8GB/256GB variant for £499. Regrettably, consumers within the US are restricted to the bottom mannequin.
The Galaxy A54 can be accessible from numerous retailers, together with Amazon, John Lewis, Very, and Currys.
For additional info on the place to purchase the Galaxy A54, please confer with our devoted information.
The Galaxy A55 can be accessible instantly from Samsung, providing 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage for £439. Apparently, Samsung has determined to cut back the beginning worth of the Galaxy A55 within the UK by £10.
Moreover, Amazon, John Lewis, Very, Argos, and Currys are all promoting the Galaxy A55 at the same worth.
Whereas some areas may also obtain a 12GB/256GB variant, UK prospects must do with out it. Nevertheless, the A55 shouldn’t be at present accessible within the US. Clients there’ll be capable of go for the Galaxy A35, which affords a lot of the Galaxy A54 and extra, however its worth is but to be introduced.
Verdict
It’s instantly obvious that the Galaxy A55 wins on almost each entrance in opposition to its predecessor. All over the place else, it’s a draw, so in the long run, the A55 comes out on prime anyway.
It affords a extra trendy and sturdy construct, higher efficiency, probably sooner charging and longer battery life, in addition to the nice cameras accustomed to the Galaxy A54.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
What’s extra, it’s all for £10 lower than the value of the A54 in case you reside within the UK. Alternatively, in case you reside within the US the place the A55 isn’t accessible, your best choice is to purchase the Galaxy A35, because it’s quite a bit cheaper.
Take a look at our chart of one of the best mid-range telephones to see all the highest options.
Specs
Samsung Galaxy A55:
- Android 14 with One UI 6.1
- 6.6-inch AMOLED, 2340 x 1080, 120Hz, 19.5:9 ratio
- Exynos 1480 chipset
- 8/12GB RAM
- 128/256GB of storage (expandable by way of microSD)
- Cameras:
- 50Mp f/1.8 OIS foremost digicam
- 12Mp f/2.2 ultrawide
- 5Mp f/2.4 macro
- 32Mp f/2.2 selfie digicam
- Twin-SIM/microSD
- Stereo audio system
- NFC
- GPS
- Bluetooth 5.3
- Wi-Fi 6
- Beneath-display fingerprint sensor
- 5000mAh battery
- 25W wired charging
- USB-C charging port
- 161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2mm
- 213g
Samsung Galaxy A54:
- Android 14 with One UI 6.1
- 6.4-inch AMOLED, 2340 x 1080, 120Hz, 19.5:9 ratio
- Exynos 1380 chipset
- 6/8GB RAM
- 128/256GB of storage (expandable by way of microSD)
- Cameras:
- 50Mp f/1.8 OIS foremost digicam
- 12Mp f/2.2 ultrawide
- 5Mp f/2.4 macro
- 32Mp f/2.2 selfie digicam
- Twin-SIM/microSD
- Stereo audio system
- NFC
- GPS
- Bluetooth 5.3
- Wi-Fi 6
- Beneath-display fingerprint sensor
- 5000mAh battery
- 25W wired charging
- USB-C charging port
- 158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2mm
- 202g
