This video reviews the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G, positioning it as a mid-range phone ($449 starting price) with a premium aesthetic upgrade. The build quality shifts from plastic to a metal frame and Gorilla Glass Victus, resulting in increased weight and an uncomfortable, flat-edged design. Performance relies on the Exynos 1480 chipset, which, as far as I can tell, is adequate for basic use but struggles significantly under high gaming load, requiring low graphics settings and limited session times due to heating. Although the 50MP camera system is dependable, the device is severely bottlenecked by a paltry 25W maximum wired charging speed and ships without a necessary adapter. The A55 does offer robust long-term software support and crucial Micro SD expansion, features notably absent on Samsung's more expensive S-series devices.
Samsung Galaxy A55 5G: Review and Critical Assessment
0:02 Pricing and Value: Starts at £449 (128GB) or £499 (256GB). The 256GB storage option is highly recommended, necessary if you intend to run demanding applications like Genshin Impact (30GB).
1:09 Unboxing: The box contents are minimal: USB C-C cable and SIM pin. No power adapter or protective case is included.
2:02 Design and Ergonomics: The phone is larger (6.6") and heavier (213g) than the previous A54. While the metal frame is premium, the new flat, iPhone-style edges make the device less comfortable to hold. Features Gorilla Glass Victus, which is noted to scratch easily; a screen protector is highly recommended.
3:41 Durability and Security: IP67 water and dust resistance rating. Uses a swift and generally reliable in-display optical fingerprint sensor.
4:13 Software Critique: Runs Android 14 with One UI 6.1. The software is criticized for having redundant Samsung apps (doubling Google’s offerings) and pre-installed bloatware (e.g., Facebook, LinkedIn). Bixby is noted to be essentially useless.
5:35 Missing AI Features: Lacks the more sophisticated Galaxy AI features found in the flagship S24 series (like Circle to Search and advanced smart reply).
6:05 Software Longevity: Commits to 4 major OS updates and 5 years of security updates—a commendable commitment.
6:39 Storage Flexibility: Supports Micro SD card expansion (using the second SIM slot) and eSIM functionality, providing practical benefits the S series lacks.
6:56 Display: Features a 6.6" Super AMOLED FHD+ display with HDR10 support and a 120Hz refresh rate. Outdoor visibility is good, topping out at around 1,000 nits.
8:47 Performance Bottleneck (Exynos 1480): Performance is based on the Exynos 1480 (8GB RAM). While a slight improvement over the A54, it significantly struggles with demanding games (Genshin Impact), resulting in heating after 40-45 minutes and unstable frame rates on high settings. Limiting gameplay to low/medium settings and short sessions is necessary.
10:10 Battery and Slow Charging: Uses a 5,000 mAh battery (no capacity increase despite the larger size). Charging speed is "pitiful," maxing out at 25W, which is extremely slow compared to competitors. Wireless charging is not supported.
11:09 Camera Specs: Features a triple rear camera setup: 50MP primary (defaults to 12MP binned), 12MP ultrawide, and a "pointless 5MP macro." Shutter speed is improved over the previous generation.
12:53 Video Limitations: Video maximum resolution is 4K at 30fps (60fps requires dropping to 1080p). Stabilization is good, but the transition between the main and ultrawide lenses is noticeably jarring.
14:02 Conclusion: The A55 5G is a reasonable alternative to higher-end Samsung flagships, offering a premium build and dependable camera. However, the slow 25W charging speed and the performance limitations of the Exynos chip are major compromises.