Samsung Galaxy A55 Review: A Strong Mid-Range Contender with Great Display and Reliable Performance

Samsung's A-series has become synonymous with solid mid-range smartphones that offer a balance between affordability and performance, and the Samsung Galaxy A55 continues to uphold this reputation. Positioned as a successor to the popular Galaxy A54, the Galaxy A55 brings refinements in design, a better display, improved performance, and an upgraded camera system. However, competition in the mid-range smartphone market is fierce, and Samsung has packed enough features into the Galaxy A55 to ensure it remains a top contender.

In this review, we will explore the Samsung Galaxy A55’s design, display, performance, camera system, battery life, software experience, and overall value.

Design and Build Quality

At first glance, the Samsung Galaxy A55 doesn’t stray too far from the typical design language of Samsung's A-series. It has a minimalist and modern look, with smooth lines and a glossy finish that feels comfortable in hand. The phone is available in several attractive colors, including Awesome Black, Awesome White, and Awesome Blue, continuing Samsung’s trend of eye-catching color names. The plastic back has a glass-like sheen, which adds a touch of premium aesthetics, though it’s more prone to fingerprints than matte finishes. Thankfully, the device’s back doesn’t feel cheap, even if it’s not as premium as flagship models with glass backs.

At 7.9mm thick and weighing 190 grams, the Galaxy A55 is both slim and lightweight, making it comfortable to use for long periods without causing hand fatigue. The phone's build quality feels sturdy, and with Gorilla Glass 5 protection on the front, there is a level of durability that gives users confidence in everyday use. However, it’s worth noting that, like many mid-range devices, the A55 lacks official IP68 water and dust resistance, which could be a dealbreaker for users who require enhanced durability.

The side-mounted fingerprint sensor, embedded in the power button, is fast and responsive. This placement is both convenient and practical, and it works reliably in everyday use.

Display

Samsung is known for its exceptional displays, and the 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display on the Galaxy A55 is no exception. With a Full HD+ resolution (2400 x 1080 pixels) and a 120Hz refresh rate, the screen delivers excellent clarity, vibrant colors, and smooth visuals. The AMOLED technology ensures deep blacks and rich contrast, which makes everything from streaming videos to gaming a delight on this phone.

The 120Hz refresh rate is a standout feature in this price range, offering fluid scrolling and a more responsive experience when navigating through apps or gaming. This is particularly important for those who use their phone for fast-paced tasks or heavy social media browsing, where the smooth transitions provided by the high refresh rate enhance the overall experience.

Brightness levels peak at around 800 nits, which is adequate for most environments, although it may struggle slightly in direct sunlight. Nonetheless, the display remains easy to use outdoors, and the auto-brightness feature adjusts appropriately in most lighting conditions.

Performance

Powering the Galaxy A55 is the Exynos 1380 chipset, paired with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, depending on the model. The Exynos 1380 is Samsung’s own mid-range SoC, and while it doesn’t quite compete with flagship processors, it delivers smooth and reliable performance for everyday tasks. Apps open quickly, multitasking is generally seamless, and the phone can handle moderate gaming without too many issues.

In terms of gaming, titles like Call of Duty Mobile, PUBG Mobile, and Asphalt 9 run fairly well at medium settings, though you may notice some frame drops or stutters when pushing the device with graphically demanding games. However, for casual gaming and general use, the Exynos 1380 holds its own quite well. The Mali-G68 MP4 GPU offers decent performance, though users who demand the highest gaming capabilities might find it somewhat lacking compared to Snapdragon-powered alternatives in the same price range.

The Galaxy A55 also benefits from 128GB of internal storage, which should be more than sufficient for most users. For those who need more storage, there is support for expandable storage via a microSD card, allowing up to 1TB of additional space. This is a welcome feature, especially in a time when many manufacturers are moving away from expandable storage.

Camera System

The quad-camera setup on the Galaxy A55 includes a 50MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, a 5MP macro camera, and a 5MP depth sensor. The camera system has been refined to provide better overall image quality, particularly in daylight photography, where the primary sensor shines.

• Main Camera (50MP): The 50MP sensor delivers impressive results in well-lit environments, producing sharp, vibrant images with good dynamic range. Colors are generally accurate, though Samsung tends to add a touch of saturation, which many users enjoy. The camera handles challenging lighting situations quite well, with HDR mode kicking in to balance out exposure in high-contrast scenes.

  Low-light performance has improved compared to previous generations, thanks to better software optimization and Samsung’s Night Mode. While it still can’t match the performance of higher-end flagship devices in extremely dark conditions, the Night Mode helps reduce noise and brighten scenes, making nighttime shots more usable.

• Ultra-Wide Camera (12MP): The 12MP ultra-wide camera offers a wide field of view, making it ideal for capturing landscapes or group shots. However, image quality takes a slight dip in terms of sharpness, and there’s a bit of distortion around the edges. In low light, the ultra-wide camera struggles, producing softer images with more noise.

• Macro and Depth Cameras (5MP each): The 5MP macro camera is decent for close-up shots, but like many macro lenses in mid-range phones, it’s more of a novelty. It requires good lighting to produce sharp images, and the results can be hit-or-miss. The 5MP depth sensor aids in portrait mode, helping to create a more natural bokeh effect around the subject. Edge detection in portrait shots is generally accurate, though it can occasionally struggle with complex backgrounds.

The 32MP front-facing camera produces high-quality selfies, with Samsung’s usual beautification options available for those who prefer smoother skin tones or enhanced features. The front camera also supports portrait mode, and edge detection is fairly accurate, though not perfect.

Battery Life

One of the highlights of the Galaxy A55 is its 5,000mAh battery, which offers excellent endurance. With moderate to heavy usage, including streaming, gaming, and social media browsing, the phone can easily last a full day on a single charge. Lighter users may even stretch battery life into a second day, making it a reliable choice for those who don’t want to be tethered to a charger constantly.

Samsung has included 25W fast charging support, which allows the phone to charge from 0 to 50% in about 30 minutes. However, unlike some of its competitors, Samsung does not include the fast charger in the box, so users will need to purchase it separately. There is no support for wireless charging, which is expected at this price point but worth noting for those who have grown accustomed to the convenience of wireless charging pads.

Software and Features

The Galaxy A55 runs One UI 6.0 based on Android 14, providing an intuitive and feature-rich software experience. Samsung’s One UI has evolved into one of the best Android skins available, offering a clean design, smooth animations, and a wealth of customization options. Users can take advantage of features like Edge Panels for quick access to favorite apps, Bixby Routines for automating tasks, and the Samsung Knox security platform for added protection.

One UI 6.0 feels fast and responsive, and Samsung has also improved its software update policy for its mid-range devices. The Galaxy A55 is expected to receive three years of major Android updates and four years of security patches, ensuring that it remains relevant for the foreseeable future.

However, one downside of One UI is the presence of bloatware. While not as intrusive as in previous years, users may still find a number of pre-installed apps they don’t need. Fortunately, many of these can be uninstalled or disabled, freeing up storage and decluttering the app drawer.

Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy A55 is a solid all-around mid-range smartphone that offers a great display, reliable performance, and excellent battery life. While it may not have the cutting-edge features of Samsung’s flagship models, it strikes a fine balance between price and performance, making it a compelling option for users who want a well-rounded device without the premium price tag.

Strengths like the 120Hz AMOLED display, 50MP main camera, and long-lasting battery make the Galaxy A55 stand out in its price range. However, the lack of an included fast charger and the middling performance of the ultra-wide and macro cameras may leave some users wanting more.

Overall, if you're looking for a mid-range phone that delivers great value, a premium screen experience, and reliable day-to-day performance, the Samsung Galaxy A55 is a strong contender worth considering.