With the launch of the Samsung Galaxy A55 on March 11, 2024, Samsung is now expanding its range of mid-range smartphones, which are known to offer excellent value for money. At a starting price of €479, the A55 promises to continue the qualities of the Galaxy A series - solid performance and reliability at an affordable price. In this article, we take a closer look at the A55 to assess whether it meets expectations and whether it is worth buying for potential buyers.
Design: Less is more
With the Galaxy A55, Samsung continues its design philosophy true to the motto “Less is more”. A similar look with a minimalist appearance already exists in the Galaxy S series and its predecessor, the A54. A single, finely placed Samsung lettering on the back underlines the simple elegance. The camera unit with its discreetly protruding silver rings around the lens is color coordinated with the frame of the device.
In terms of color, the A55 offers a selection with creative marketing names: Awesome Navy, Awesome Iceblue, Awesome Lemon and Awesome Lilac, so that almost everyone can find a color that suits their personal style.
A display that impresses
The Samsung Galaxy A55's display marks a gentle but notable advance over its predecessor. Having grown from 6.4 inches to 6.6 inches, it now offers even more space for the contents. With a weight of 213 grams, the A55 has slightly increased by nine grams.
Technically speaking, the Galaxy A55 ensures a clear and detailed display with an FHD+ resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels. The Super AMOLED display ensures deep blacks and vibrant colors. The display's brightness of up to 1000 nits ensures that content remains clear and clearly visible even in direct sunlight.
In the package: only the essentials
When you unpack the Samsung Galaxy A55, you will find, in addition to the cell phone, a charging cable and the SIM card tool for the SIM slot. What is noticeable is the lack of a power supply in the scope of delivery. For almost three years now, Samsung has not included any power adapters in its scope of delivery. They justify this step with the aim of improving environmental friendliness, especially in production and transport. This probably also saves Samsung production and shipping costs. As a cell phone user, you have to use the power adapter of your old cell phone or get a new one if necessary.
Energy for the day
The Samsung Galaxy A55 gets its power from the powerful 5000 mAh battery. This offers enough energy to use the smartphone all day long. If it does need to be plugged in, it is recharged with up to 25 watts via cable.
Flexible storage for every need
The Samsung smartphone offers two storage variants to meet different user needs: a version with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage and a more powerful version with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage space. These options ensure that both the average cell phone user and the power user have enough capacity for apps, photos, videos and other data.
A special feature of the A55 is the expandability of the memory using a microSD card. Memory expansion has become rare on the smartphone market, especially these days.This option offers users the ability to expand storage by up to one terabyte. We're really celebrating!
Samsung's own Exynos processor
Inside the Samsung Galaxy A55, Samsung uses its own Exynos 1480 processor. This is now manufactured using the 4nm process, while the predecessor's Exynos 1380 still relied on 5nm production. Compared to its predecessor, the processor ensures higher clock speeds and a noticeable increase in performance.
Proven setup with new features
On paper, the camera setup of the Samsung Galaxy A55 does not show any major innovations compared to its predecessor. The main camera has a resolution of 50 megapixels, while the 12 megapixel camera is responsible for ultra-wide-angle images. A 5-megapixel macro camera complements the trio for close-up detailed shots. The front camera also remains at 32 megapixels for selfies.
The camera software, however, was further developed by Samsung. The A55 relies on improved night photography and Super HDR video to deliver brilliant results in every situation. Also new is the integration of AI, which is intended to ensure improved post-processing of the photos. It analyzes the recordings and optimizes colors, contrasts and details.
Current and secured: Android 14.0 on the A55
The Samsung Galaxy A55 runs on the current Android version 14.0. The whole thing is combined with Samsung's own user interface One UI 6.1. Together, Samsung ensures an intuitive and user-friendly experience that leverages the latest features and improvements in Android.
Particularly noteworthy is Samsung's promise regarding software updates: Android updates will be provided for four years and security patches for five years. This means that A55 users not only have immediate access to the latest Android version, but are also provided with the latest functions and security updates over a long period of time. This means you will be up to date with your cell phone in the coming years.
Review opinion on the Samsung Galaxy A55
The Samsung Galaxy A55 has already been thoroughly tested by some YouTubers such as SwagTab and SmartphoneBlogger. In this section we will give you a brief overview of the essential aspects of the cell phone.
This says SwagTab:
Praise for the Samsung Galaxy A55:
- The design and feel were positive, especially the aluminum frame and the glass back.
- The cell phone is IP67 certified and therefore protected against water and dust.
Review of the Samsung Galaxy A55:
- The display edges are quite thick compared to other mid-range models. Samsung doesn't seem to be keeping up with the competition here.
- There is skepticism about the processor, the Exynos 1480, due to previous experiences that have not always been satisfactory.
This is what the SmartphoneBlogger says:
Praise for the Samsung Galaxy A55:
- The camera delivers good results for both photos and videos, especially in daylight.
- The AMOLED display impresses with its quality and supports HDR10 Plus for vivid images.
- The 5000 mAh battery ensures an impressive battery life.
Review of the Samsung Galaxy A55:
- The charging speed is rather slow in comparison at 25 watts.
- The macro camera proves to be less useful and could possibly have been left out.
- Although the Exynos 1480 processor does its job, he would prefer a Snapdragon model
Samsung Galaxy A55: A comprehensive verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A55 has positioned itself as an interesting addition to the mid-range smartphones. With its elegant design reflecting the "less is more" philosophy and choice of eye-catching colors, it offers an appealing aesthetic. The larger, bright Super AMOLED display enhances the smartphone experience, while the robust 5000 mAh battery ensures reliable daily performance.
The storage options are flexible and expandable, which is a rarity in today's smartphone world. Samsung's move to forego a power adapter may be a change for some, but it also reflects a trend toward greater environmental awareness. The Exynos 1480 processor shows progress, even if it causes skepticism among some users.
The camera retains a proven setup, but offers new possibilities through software improvements and AI support, especially for night shots and HDR videos. The integration of Android 14.0 and Samsung's promise of updates for the coming years ensure that you can use the smartphone in the long term.
Personal opinion and purchase advice
The A55 appears to be a solid choice for users looking for a balance between price and performance. It's ideal for everyday use, with enough power for most tasks and a camera that performs well in good lighting conditions.
Who the A55 is suitable for:
- Price-conscious buyers looking for a reliable smartphone with good performance.
- Users who prefer a smartphone with a long battery life and a high-quality display.
- Photography enthusiasts who primarily shoot in daylight.
The A55 is less suitable for:
- Everyone who expects absolute top performance in terms of processor and camera.
- Users who need a smartphone with very fast loading times.
