Smartphone reviewSamsung Galaxy A55: Good, but not outstanding
Smartphone review
Samsung Galaxy A55: Good, but not outstanding
Samsung is updating its A series, which looks similar to the flagship devices but offers slightly weaker performance. The new A55 will suffice most of the needs of many users, but does not stand out against the crowded competition in the category
Top Line:
The Samsung Galaxy A55 stands as one of the premier models in the A series lineup, representing a leading mid-range option. While it may not boast the most powerful and advanced features, it offers performance and capabilities that are adequate for the majority of users' needs.
Details:
My daughters eagerly participate in testing new devices that come my way, sometimes even beating me to it. Before I could snap a single photo with the new Samsung Galaxy A55, its gallery was already brimming with images sporting various effects and filters. This clearly delineates the device's target audience - the younger generation. Notably, the camera menu features a category labeled "fun" rather than the typical "more" found in other Samsung models or "AR zone." Here, users can access various Snapchat filters, albeit only when connected to the network.
Now, returning to the device itself, Samsung's A series serves as a more accessible alternative to its flagship S series, offering devices with slightly weaker specifications. Within the A series, there exists a hierarchy of models spanning from lower-priced options to higher-end offerings.
In the premium and flagship market segments, Samsung has long maintained a dominant position with its excellent products. The recent success of the S24 series attests to this fact. However, in the realm of mid-range devices, competition has intensified in recent years, and the A55 emerges as one of the standout options within the A series lineup.
Design and structure: continues in the familiar style of Samsung
Welcome to the Samsung doppelganger contest, where most devices bear a striking resemblance to one another. The A55 follows suit with its flat screen, rounded corners, and a trio of rear lenses. Notably absent is a dedicated headphone jack, a common omission in modern smartphones. Despite its relatively large size, weighing in at 213 grams, the device feels manageable in hand. It boasts sturdy construction, featuring Gorilla Glass Victus Plus protection on the front and Gorilla Glass on the back. Additionally, it carries an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance.
Hardware: Not the strongest, but good enough
Under the hood, the A55 packs Samsung's Exynos 1480 processor and 8 GB of RAM, with storage options of 128 GB or 256 GB. Expandable storage via microSD card is also supported, along with eSIM functionality. While the device handles general tasks smoothly, it may struggle with graphics-intensive games initially. However, once running, it maintains stability without overheating. The 6.6-inch display offers vibrant visuals, although brightness could be higher compared to some competitors.
The device is equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery, supporting 25W fast charging. While lacking wireless charging, it delivers respectable charging times, replenishing to 50% in just 20 minutes.
Software: Samsung also pushes some unnecessary apps
Running Android 14 with Samsung's ONE UI 6.1, the A55 offers a familiar user experience. Pre-installed apps include a mix of Google, Microsoft, and Facebook offerings, with some unwanted recommendations for additional apps. The camera app provides easy access to various shooting modes, though the overall camera performance is decent but not outstanding.
Camera: does the job but it’s not outstanding
The A55 features a 50-megapixel wide-angle camera, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera with 2x zoom, a 5-megapixel macro camera, and a 32-megapixel selfie camera. While capable of capturing decent shots, both day and night, it falls short of delivering exceptional image quality.
