Samsung’s A-Series has consistently dominated the smartphone market, with models like the Galaxy A54 5G making waves despite criticisms of its chipset. Priced attractively at PHP 25K, it excelled in battery life, design, and camera capabilities. Now, its successor, the Galaxy A55 5G, enters the fray with a similar price tag but upgraded internals. The question looms: can it outshine its predecessor?
Design & Build The Galaxy A55 bears a striking resemblance to the A54 but with subtle tweaks upon closer inspection. The rear camera layout remains unchanged, but new color options like Awesome Lemon and Awesome Lilac introduce an iridescent charm. The frame now boasts stainless steel with a refined finish, lending the device a premium feel. Notably, it retains its IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, a commendable feature for a mid-range device.
Moving to its I/O, the volume rocker and power button sit on the right side, while the bottom houses a speaker grill, USB-C port, and microphones. At the top, you’ll find the hybrid SIM tray and a second microphone. However, the absence of a second loudspeaker is noticeable.
Display & Audio Surprisingly, the earpiece doubles as a second loudspeaker, delivering robust stereo audio. Sound quality impresses with strong bass and clear mids, enhanced further by Dolby Atmos support. The 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display boasts a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and HDR10+ support, offering vibrant visuals even under direct sunlight. While Gorilla Glass Victus+ ensures durability, slightly uneven bezels detract from the seamless design.
Camera The Galaxy A55 retains its predecessor’s triple camera setup, comprising a 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and 5MP macro lens. Outdoor shots showcase sharp details and accurate colors, albeit with noticeable noise upon closer inspection. Night photography sees improvements in dynamic range and noise reduction, although clarity remains a concern. Video capabilities, while decent, exhibit noticeable noise even at 4K resolution.
Conclusion The Galaxy A55 5G presents a compelling proposition, albeit with minor shortcomings. While the upgraded Exynos 1480 chipset promises improved performance, the camera system sees little enhancement. Nevertheless, it excels in display quality, battery life, design refinement, and software consistency, making it a worthy successor to its best-selling predecessor.