A Mid-Range Maestro
The Samsung Galaxy A55 5G has arrived, and it’s making a strong case for itself as the go-to smartphone for everyday Aussies. Packed with features like a long-lasting battery, a vibrant AMOLED display, and 5G connectivity, the A55 5G aims to deliver a well-rounded experience without breaking the bank. After putting it through its paces, I’m ready to share my thoughts on whether this mid-range marvel lives up to the hype.
First Impressions
The Galaxy A55 5G is a solid and dependable smartphone that ticks all the right boxes for the average user. It’s not trying to be the flashiest or most innovative device on the market, but it excels at the fundamentals, offering a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyday tasks. If you’re looking for a practical and reliable phone that won’t let you down, the A55 5G is definitely worth considering.
Design and Build
Samsung has opted for a clean and minimalist design with the A55 5G. The phone features a smooth plastic back that feels comfortable in hand and comes in a variety of attractive colours. The build quality is solid, with no noticeable flex or creaks.
- Ergonomics: The A55 5G is comfortable to hold and use, even for extended periods. The buttons are well-placed, and the phone feels balanced in hand.
- Size and Weight: It’s a reasonably sized phone, measuring 6.47 inches tall and weighing 185g. It’s not the most compact phone, but it’s still manageable for one-handed use.
- Durability: The A55 5G boasts an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, meaning it can handle accidental spills and splashes without any issues.
Display
The 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display is a standout feature of the A55 5G. It offers vibrant colours, deep blacks, and excellent viewing angles. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and animations, making everyday interactions feel fluid and responsive.
- Everyday Use: The display is perfect for browsing the web, watching videos, and scrolling through social media. The colours pop, and the text is sharp and easy to read.
- Outdoor Visibility: Brightness is decent, allowing for comfortable viewing even under direct sunlight.
Performance
The A55 5G is powered by the Exynos 1380 processor, a capable mid-range chip that handles everyday tasks with ease. Paired with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, the phone delivers a smooth and lag-free experience for most users.
- Everyday Performance: Apps launch quickly, web pages load without any hiccups, and multitasking between apps is generally smooth.
- Gaming: The A55 5G can handle casual games without any issues. However, demanding games might experience occasional frame drops or reduced graphics settings.
Camera
The A55 5G boasts a versatile quad-camera setup on the back:
- Main Camera: 64MP, f/1.8 aperture, optical image stabilisation (OIS)
- Ultrawide Camera: 12MP, f/2.2 aperture
- Macro Camera: 5MP, f/2.4 aperture
- Depth Camera: 5MP, f/2.4 aperture
The main camera captures detailed and vibrant photos in good lighting conditions. The ultrawide camera is handy for capturing wider landscapes or group shots. The macro camera allows you to get up close and personal with small subjects.
- Camera Features: The camera app offers various features, including Portrait mode for adding background blur to your photos, Night mode for improved low-light shots, and Pro mode for manual controls. Video recording is decent, with support for up to 4K resolution at 30fps.
Software and User Experience
The A55 5G runs on Android 13 with Samsung’s One UI 5.1 on top. One UI is a feature-rich and customizable Android skin that offers a variety of options for personalizing your phone.
- One UI Features: One UI includes features like Edge Panels for quick access to apps and contacts, Game Launcher for optimizing gaming performance, and Samsung’s suite of apps like Samsung Health and Samsung Pay.
- User Experience: The overall user experience is smooth and intuitive, making the A55 5G easy to use for both tech-savvy and casual users.
Battery Life
The 5,000mAh battery is a highlight of the A55 5G. It easily lasts a full day with moderate to heavy use, and you can even stretch it to two days with lighter usage.
- Charging: The phone supports 25W wired charging, which is decent for a mid-range phone. Unfortunately, wireless charging is not supported.
Other Features
- 5G Connectivity: Enjoy fast download and upload speeds on compatible Australian 5G networks.
- Wi-Fi 6: Supports the latest Wi-Fi standard for fast and stable wireless connections.
- Expandable Storage: You can expand the internal storage with a microSD card, which is a handy feature for those who need more space for their photos, videos, and music.
- Security: The A55 5G features an in-display fingerprint sensor and face recognition for secure unlocking.
Price and Value
The Samsung Galaxy A55 5G is priced at AU$599, making it a competitive option in the mid-range market. It offers excellent value for the price, considering its long battery life, vibrant display, and capable camera system.
How does it compare ?
Competitor 1:
- Name and Brand: Google Pixel 7a
- Key Features: Pure Android experience, excellent camera, compact size, wireless charging.
- Display: 6.1-inch OLED, 90Hz refresh rate, 1080 x 2400 resolution
- Processor: Google Tensor G2
- RAM and Storage: 8GB RAM, 128GB storage
- Camera Setup: Dual rear cameras (50MP main, 12MP ultrawide)
- Battery: 4385 mAh, fast charging, wireless charging
- Price (in Australia): AU$749
- Unique Selling Proposition: Cleanest Android experience with timely updates and a fantastic camera at a competitive price.
Competitor 2:
- Name and Brand: Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
- Key Features: Powerful A15 Bionic chip, compact size, excellent single-lens camera, iOS ecosystem.
- Display: 4.7-inch Retina HD, 60Hz refresh rate, 750 x 1334 resolution
- Processor: Apple A15 Bionic
- RAM and Storage: 4GB RAM, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB storage
- Camera Setup: Single 12MP rear camera
- Battery: [Battery capacity not officially disclosed], fast charging, wireless charging
- Price (in Australia): From AU$719
- Unique Selling Proposition: Most affordable iPhone with flagship-level performance and a compact design.
Competitor 3:
- Name and Brand: Nothing Phone (2a)
- Key Features: Unique transparent design with Glyph Interface, clean Android experience, good camera system.
- Display: 6.7-inch OLED, 120Hz refresh rate, 1080 x 2412 resolution
- Processor: Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2
- RAM and Storage: 8GB RAM, 128GB, 256GB storage
- Camera Setup: Dual rear cameras (50MP main, 50MP ultrawide)
- Battery: 4700 mAh, fast charging, wireless charging
- Price (in Australia): AU$849
- Unique Selling Proposition: Eye-catching design with Glyph Interface and a clean software experience at a competitive price.
Competitor 4:
- Name and Brand: OnePlus Nord N30 5G
- Key Features: Smooth 120Hz display, fast charging, clean OxygenOS software, affordable price.
- Display: 6.49-inch AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate, 1080 x 2400 resolution
- Processor: Snapdragon 695 5G
- RAM and Storage: 8GB RAM, 128GB storage
- Camera Setup: Triple rear cameras (108MP main, 2MP macro, 2MP depth)
- Battery: 5000 mAh, 50W fast charging
- Price (in Australia): AU$499
- Unique Selling Proposition: Offers a smooth display and fast charging at a very competitive price.
- Link to a Reputable Review: OnePlus Nord N30 5G review: A decent budget phone – Android Central
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy A55 5G is a solid and dependable smartphone that excels at the fundamentals. It’s a practical and reliable device that’s perfect for everyday users who want a smooth and enjoyable experience without breaking the bank.
Strengths:
- Long battery life
- Vibrant AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
- Capable camera system
- Smooth performance for everyday tasks
- 5G connectivity
- IP67 water and dust resistance
- Competitive price
Weaknesses:
- No wireless charging
- Gaming performance could be better
What do others say?:
The Samsung Galaxy A55 5G has been met with positive reviews, with tech experts praising its well-rounded features, long battery life, and vibrant display. It’s considered a strong contender in the mid-range market, offering a compelling option for everyday users.
Strengths:
- Display Quality: Reviewers consistently praise the vibrant and smooth 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. TechRadar states, “A truly beautiful – and functional – new metal and glass design, combined with a large 6.6-inch display…” (Samsung Galaxy A55 review: mid tier has never looked so high end – TechRadar). Digital Trends adds, “It’s bright and easily seen outdoors, the 120Hz refresh rate keeps it smooth and easy on the eyes…” (Samsung Galaxy A55 review: not what I expected | Digital Trends).
- Battery Life: The long-lasting 5,000mAh battery is a recurring highlight. Canstar Blue says, “The A55 5G easily handled my day-to-day usage, whether it was streaming videos, playing games or scrolling through socials.” (Samsung Galaxy A55 5G Review: More Premium, Lower Price | Canstar Blue). 91Mobiles notes, “The statement ‘Don’t fix it if it isn’t broken’ resonates strongly with the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G… The handset bears similarities with last year’s Samsung Galaxy A54 5G (review), which impressed us in nearly every aspect.”.
- Value for Money: Many reviewers consider the A55 5G a good value proposition. Trusted Reviews says, “If you want a Samsung Galaxy phone that feels and looks expensive without costing an absolute fortune, you’ve found it.” Expert Reviews adds, “The design is a little outdated, but strong performance and a keen price make Samsung’s mid-range handset more appealing than ever.”.
Weaknesses:
- Performance Limitations: Some reviewers note the Exynos 1380 processor can struggle with demanding tasks. The Indian Express says, “the Galaxy A55 does fall off in the performance department when compared to the OnePlus 12R and the Vivo V30 Pro, which more or less cost the same.” (Samsung Galaxy A55 review: A good phone, but not at this price – The Indian Express [invalid URL removed]).
- Lack of Wireless Charging: The absence of wireless charging is a common criticism. Digital Trends mentions this in their review (Samsung Galaxy A55 review: not what I expected | Digital Trends).
Target Audience:
- Reviewers recommend the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G for budget-conscious users who prioritize a long-lasting battery, a vibrant display, and a reliable overall experience. Tom’s Guide suggests it for “any buyer wanting to save money on their next phone” , while TechGuide recommends it for those who want a “sleek feature-packed phone” at an affordable price.
Recommendation:
The Samsung Galaxy A55 5G is a great choice for budget-conscious users, those who prioritize battery life, and casual photographers. It’s a well-rounded phone that offers excellent value for the price.