Home » Samsung Phone Reviews » Samsung Galaxy A55 Review: A Worthy Successor or Just an Incremental Upgrade?

Samsung Galaxy A55 Review: A Worthy Successor or Just an Incremental Upgrade?

March 11, 2025 Samsung Midrange Phones, Samsung Phone Reviews

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1️⃣ Is It the Best Midrange Phone of 2024?

Welcome to our Samsung Galaxy A55 Review, where we take a deep dive into Samsung’s latest midrange contender. As the successor to the best-selling Galaxy A54, the Galaxy A55 refines the A-series formula with a premium aluminum frame, an upgraded chipset, and better battery life.

🔥 Dominating the Midrange Market:
The Samsung Galaxy A55 was the No.1 trending phone in Week 10, proving its massive appeal among smartphone buyers. 📈 See why it topped the charts in our Weekly Trending Phones 2025 report.

But with fierce competition in the sub-€500 and INR 40,000 price range, is it truly the best midrange smartphone of 2024? Let’s find out.

Samsung continues to expand its smartphone lineup, offering devices for every price segment—from budget models to flagship powerhouses. If you’re searching for the best Samsung phone that fits your budget, check out our Best Samsung Phones for Every Budget guide.

For a broader look at Samsung’s latest models, price comparisons, and expert buying guides, visit our Samsung Smartphone Hub to explore the entire lineup.

✅ What’s New? Samsung has refined the A5x formula while keeping the core elements that made the Galaxy A54 a bestseller:

• Upgraded design: First-ever aluminum frame in an A-series phone
• Faster chipset: Exynos 1480 (4nm) with AMD Xclipse GPU for better gaming
• More RAM in base models: 8GB now standard, with a 12GB variant available
• Improved display brightness & durability: Gorilla Glass Victus+ and HDR10+ support

❌ However, some things remain unchanged:

• No charger in the box
• 25W charging remains slower than competitors
• MicroSD slot uses a shared SIM slot

With fierce competition in the sub-€500 and INR 40,000 price brackets, does the Galaxy A55 offer enough to stay ahead? Let’s take a deep dive into its specs, features, and real-world performance.

2️⃣ Design & Build – A Premium Upgrade?

2.1 Build Quality & Durability

At first glance, the Samsung Galaxy A55 closely resembles its predecessor, the Galaxy A54. However, subtle yet significant refinements make it feel like a completely different phone in hand—and for the most part, that’s a good thing.

Samsung has ditched the plastic frame in favor of a flat aluminum side frame, bringing the Galaxy A55 closer to a flagship-like experience. Combined with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front panel, it’s one of the most premium midrange phones Samsung has ever made.

2.2 Color Variants & Aesthetics

Color Options:

• 🔵 Ice Blue
• 💜 Lilac
• 🌑 Navy (Appears almost black in official renders)
• 🍋 Lemon (Yellowish Tint)

While the Navy variant appears black in Samsung’s renders, in real life, it has a deep blue hue, making it more visually distinct.

2.3 Handling & Comfort – Premium Feel, But Ergonomics?

With its flat aluminum edges and larger camera lenses, the Galaxy A55 now feels more like a Galaxy S24 than a midrange A-series device.

• ✅ Sleek, Modern Look: The aluminum frame and glass panels scream premium.
• ✅ Tactile Buttons & Smart Layout: The power button and volume rocker are well-placed and easy to reach.
• ❌ Sharp Edges Can Be Uncomfortable: The flat frame meets the front and back at a sharp angle, making the phone less comfortable for long holding sessions.

The slightly raised power button area is a signature Galaxy A-series trait, helping users differentiate it from the more curved designs of Samsung’s flagship S-series.

2.4 Fingerprint Scanner – A Step Back?

Unfortunately, not all aspects of the Galaxy A55’s design are positive. The under-display fingerprint scanner has proven to be one of the weakest points of the phone.

• ❌ Inconsistent Performance: Even after registering the same fingerprint twice, recognition remains unreliable.
• ❌ Slower Unlocking Speed: Compared to other midrange phones, the scanner feels sluggish.
• ✅ Positioning is Comfortable: Despite its issues, the scanner’s placement is intuitive and easy to reach.

For those who find the fingerprint sensor frustrating, face unlock provides a more reliable alternative—though it’s less secure than a fingerprint.

3️⃣ Display – Slightly Larger, Still Stunning, But Are the Bezels Too Thick?

The Samsung Galaxy A55 Review reveals a slightly larger 6.6-inch AMOLED display, offering HDR10+ support and peak brightness of 1010 nits. However, some users might be disappointed by the thicker bezels compared to competitors like the Xiaomi 13T.

3.1 Key Display Specs & Features

• Size & Type: 6.6-inch Super AMOLED
• Refresh Rate: 120Hz (Smooth scrolling & gaming performance)
• HDR Support: HDR10+ certified for high-quality streaming
• Resolution: 1080 x 2340 pixels (Full HD+), 19.5:9 aspect ratio
• Widevine L1 Certified: Enables full HD streaming on Netflix & Amazon Prime

3.2 Display Brightness & Outdoor Visibility

Samsung continues to deliver solid brightness performance, ensuring great visibility in bright outdoor conditions. However, while the A55 reaches above 1,000 nits, some cheaper competitors now offer 1,400+ nits—a notable drawback for users looking for the brightest display in this segment.

3.3 Brightness Comparison Table (Auto Mode Peak Brightness, nits) (H3)

Verdict on Brightness:

• ✔ 1000+ nits is still solid for this price range
• ❌ Competitors (like Xiaomi 13T) offer significantly brighter screens

3.4 The Bezels Debate – Does It Look Dated?

Despite its modern display features, the Galaxy A55’s bezels remain noticeably thick by 2024 standards. Many competitors—including budget options like the Redmi Note 13 series—offer slimmer bezels, giving a more modern aesthetic.

✅ Pros of the A55’s Display Design:

• Flat panel offers excellent usability
• Minimal punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera

❌ Cons of the A55’s Bezels:

• Chunkier than most competitors in its price range
• Not the edge-to-edge experience found on rivals like Xiaomi & Nothing Phone 2a

While bezel thickness won’t be a deal-breaker for most users, those who prioritize a sleek, modern design may find Samsung lagging behind in aesthetics.

4️⃣ Battery Life – A Major Improvement Thanks to Exynos 1480

The Samsung Galaxy A55 retains its 5,000mAh battery, just like its predecessors, but its new Exynos 1480 chipset promises better efficiency. Despite a slightly larger display (6.6″ vs. 6.4″), the A55 delivers notable improvements in battery life over the A54, especially in web browsing and video streaming.

4.1 Samsung Galaxy A55 Battery Performance:

• ✅ 5,000mAh battery with better power efficiency
• ✅ Excellent endurance in web browsing & video playback
• ⚠️ Gaming battery life remains average

5️⃣ Charging Speed – 25W Feels Slow in 2024

While the Samsung Galaxy A55 brings noticeable battery life improvements, its charging speed remains unchanged. The A55 still relies on 25W fast charging, which is no longer competitive in its price range. Many rivals now offer 45W, 67W, or even 80W fast charging, significantly reducing downtime.

How Fast Does the Galaxy A55 Charge?

• 0 to 55% in 30 minutes
• Full charge in 1 hour and 3 minutes

📌 The problem? Many competing phones charge to 70%+ in just 30 minutes—a significant difference for users who frequently need quick top-ups.

5.1 Charging Speed Comparison

5.2 No Charger in the Box – What You Need to Buy

Just like its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy A55 does not include a charger in the box. To maximize its fast-charging capability, you’ll need to purchase a compatible charger separately.

5.3 Recommended Chargers for the Galaxy A55

• ✅ Samsung 25W PD + PPS Charger – The official option, optimized for Samsung devices to ensure safe and efficient charging.
• ✅ Third-Party 25W PD 3.0 Charger – A more affordable alternative, widely available with similar charging speeds.

⚡ Want faster-charging phones? Check out the Best Fast Charging Phones 2025!

6️⃣ Software & Performance – One UI 6.1 and Exynos 1480 Bring Solid Upgrades

In this Samsung Galaxy A55 Review, we tested the Exynos 1480 chipset, which outperforms the A54’s Exynos 1380 but still falls short of the Xiaomi 13T’s Dimensity 8200 Ultra.

6.1 One UI 6.1 – Android 14 & Long-Term Updates

Samsung continues its industry-leading software support with the Galaxy A55, promising 4 years of major OS updates and 5 years of security patches—one of the best commitments in the midrange segment.

📅 Android Version Roadmap for the Galaxy A55

• 2025: Android 15
• 2026: Android 16
• 2027: Android 17
• 2028: Android 18 (Final major update)

✅ What’s New in One UI 6.1?

• ✅Refined UI Design – Cleaner quick settings & smoother animations
• ✅ Enhanced Lock Screen Customization – More widgets, fonts, & placement options
• ✅ Improved Samsung Knox Security – Stronger privacy protection & encryption
• ❌ No Samsung DeX Support – Limited to flagship models

❌ What’s Missing?

• 🚫 No Galaxy AI Features – Exclusive to the S24 series

📌 Want to see what’s coming next? Check out One UI 7.1 & Galaxy AI: Smarter Photography Features for the latest leaks and upcoming features!

🏆 Verdict: One UI 6.1 remains one of the best Android skins, and Samsung’s long-term update policy gives the A55 a major edge over competitors.

6.2 Performance – How Good is Exynos 1480?

The Samsung Galaxy A55 is powered by the Exynos 1480—a new 4nm processor that offers higher clock speeds and better efficiency compared to the Exynos 1380 used in the A54.

Key Upgrades Over Exynos 1380:

• ✅ Higher CPU clock speeds – Cortex-A78 cores now run at 2.75GHz (vs. 2.4GHz on A54).
• ✅ New AMD Xclipse 530 GPU – Co-developed with AMD, based on RDNA 2 architecture.
• ✅ Better efficiency – Runs cooler & longer battery life despite the larger display.

RAM & Storage Variants:

• 8GB RAM + 128GB Storage
• 8GB RAM + 256GB Storage
• 12GB RAM + 256GB Storage
• Expandable via microSD (shared SIM slot)

📌 Storage Type? Likely UFS 2.1 based on AnTuTu storage test.

6.3 Benchmark Comparison – Exynos 1480 vs. Competitors

How does the Galaxy A55 perform against Snapdragon & MediaTek rivals?

Geekbench 6 Scores (Higher is Better)

Geekbench Verdict:

• ✅ 35% Faster multi-core performance than A54
• ✅ Beats Nothing Phone (2a) & A35 by a solid margin
• ❌ Still behind Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 & Dimensity 8200 Ultra (Xiaomi 13T)

6.4 AnTuTu 10 Scores – How Does It Stack Up?

AnTuTu Verdict:

• ✔ Significantly outperforms A54 & A35
• ✔ Solid midrange performance, but still behind flagship-tier chips
• ❌ Xiaomi 13T’s Dimensity 8200 Ultra offers ~50% more power

🏆 Verdict: The Exynos 1480 brings notable performance gains over the A54, making the Galaxy A55 a powerful midrange option with great long-term software support.

7️⃣ Camera – Solid Triple-Camera Setup with Slightly Improved Processing

The Samsung Galaxy A55 features a triple-camera system with a new Sony IMX906 sensor for the 50MP main camera, delivering sharper and more natural images compared to its predecessor. While the ultrawide camera remains one of the best in its class, the macro lens sees no major improvements.

📸 Looking for the best camera phones from Samsung this year? Check out our Samsung Phones with Good Cameras in 2025: Top Photography Picks for expert recommendations on the best photography-focused devices.

7.1 Camera Specs & Features

• ✅ 50MP Main Camera (Sony IMX906, OIS) – Delivers better detail and improved HDR
• ✅ 12MP Ultrawide (Sony IMX258) – Excellent dynamic range for the price
• ✅ 5MP Macro Camera – No major changes, decent close-ups
• ✅ 32MP Selfie Camera – Sharp, detailed, and great HDR performance

7.2 Camera Performance – Daylight, Night Mode, and Video

• ✔ Sharper, more natural images than the A54
• ✔ Ultrawide camera is best-in-class for its price
• ✔ 4K video recording with industry-leading EIS stabilization
• ⚠️ 2x zoom processing is worse than last year
• ⚠️ Low-light shots show slight noise

🏆 Verdict: A strong all-around camera system, but 2x zoom processing is a step back from the A54.

8️⃣ Competition – Can the Galaxy A55 Hold Its Ground?

The Galaxy A55 improves in battery life, performance, and efficiency, but its competition is stronger than ever.

8.1 Samsung’s Internal Competition – A54, A35 & S23 FE

• 📱 Galaxy A54 – Offers a similar experience at a €100 lower price
• 📱 Galaxy A35 – Almost identical to the A55, but slightly less premium (~€100 cheaper)
• 📱 Galaxy S23 FE – A near-flagship alternative with a better processor (~€100 more expensive)

8.2 Better Alternatives – Xiaomi, Nothing & More

• 📱 Xiaomi 13T – Faster chipset, better camera, 67W fast charging, same price
• 📱 Nothing Phone (2a) – Cheaper (~€140 less), better battery life, and faster charging

🏆 Verdict: The Galaxy A55 offers solid improvements, but faces tough competition from both Samsung and rival brands, making price positioning crucial.

9️⃣ Pricing & Availability – Is It Worth the Price?

9.1 Samsung Galaxy A55 Price at Launch

9.2 Market Comparison & Release Details

• Expected Price: $450 – $500 at launch
• Comparison to A54: Higher launch price despite moderate upgrades
• Official Launch Date & Pre-Order: Details to be announced
• Availability: US, Europe, Asia, India, and more
• Best Deals & Trade-In Offers: Check for carrier discounts & Samsung promotions

9.3 Where to Buy the Samsung Galaxy A55

Looking for the best deals? Here’s where you can buy the Galaxy A55 at launch:

• Amazon – View Deals
• Lazada – View Deals

📌 Want the latest Samsung phone prices? See Samsung Smartphone Price List 2025 for a full breakdown!

🔟 Final Verdict – Is the Galaxy A55 Worth It?

After an in-depth Samsung Galaxy A55 Review, our conclusion is clear: while the phone excels in battery life, software updates, and display quality, it struggles against rivals offering faster charging and better value for money.

The Samsung Galaxy A55 introduces notable upgrades in design, battery life, and performance, but its high launch price places it in a tough position against stronger alternatives. While its premium aluminum build, long-term software support, and vibrant AMOLED display stand out, slow charging speeds and an unreliable fingerprint sensor could be dealbreakers for some buyers.

📌 Looking for the best midrange Samsung phone for your budget? Check out our Best Samsung Midrange Phones 2025 – A-Series Buying Guide to compare the top A-series models and find the best value option.

✅ Pros – Why You Should Buy It:

• Premium design with Gorilla Glass Victus+ & aluminum frame
• Excellent battery life & efficient thermal management
• Dependable cameras with great video recording & EIS stabilization
• 4 years of Android updates – Best in class for software support
• MicroSD slot & stereo speakers – features rarely found in midrange phones

❌ Cons – Potential Dealbreakers:

• Expensive at launch – Better-value alternatives exist
• Unreliable fingerprint sensor – Can be inconsistent
• 25W charging is slow compared to rivals offering 67W+ charging
• Thick display bezels – Looks outdated compared to competitors

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• Smartphone Buying Guide Philippines 2025 – Choose the best smartphone in 2025 with this detailed buying guide.
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