Samsung A55 5G Review: A Solid Mid-range Option And Gateway To The Ecosystem

Samsung's Galaxy A series has carved out a niche for itself as a reliable option for those seeking a balance between features and affordability. Sitting within this lineup, the A55 5G promises essential features wrapped in a familiar package.

Here's a rundown of the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G's specs and features:

• Display: 6.6-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display, 120Hz refresh rate
• Processor: Exynos 1480 processor
• RAM: 12GB
• Storage: 256GB
• Rear Camera: 50MP wide-angle camera with OIS, 12MP ultrawide camera, 5MP macro camera
• Front Camera: 32MP
• Battery: 5,000mAh battery, 25W fast charging

Samsung equips the A55 5G with a combination of glass and metal. The front is made of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+, enhancing the phone's sleek look, and the aluminium frame offers a sturdy and lightweight foundation for the device.

While its IP67 dust and water resistance rating provide the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G with a good level of protection against dust and accidental encounters with water, it's important to note that it's not a guarantee against water damage.

In terms of aesthetics, the phone comes in three delightful colors: Awesome Blue, Awesome Navy, and Awesome Lilac. In the case of our review unit, the Awesome Blue variant, the metal frame does have a noticeable blue tinge. However in certain lighting conditions, the back can appear white or slightly off-white.

Despite being marketed as a mid-range model, the quality of the display came as a surprise. It is a large, bright, and clear Super AMOLED panel with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. It also supports HDR10+ content.

While the S24 still has the better display, the A55 5G's is not to be scoffed at. The one aspect that the A55 5G does have the upper hand is its larger screen size at 6.6 inches. This makes it a great all-rounder for watching videos, gaming, and browsing the web.

The Samsung Galaxy A55 5G carries a familiar triple camera system with the third lens being a macro lens instead of the more practical telephoto lens. The other two lenses would most likely be your go-tos for day-to-day use.

The 50MP main sensor is the workhorse of the camera system, allowing you to capture detailed photos in good lighting conditions. That's not to say that the camera is terrible in low light. In fact, the night mode on the main camera delivers considerable detail and dynamics.

As for the 12MP ultra-wide camera, it performs similarly well in good lighting conditions. However, the same can't be said for its night mode, where the photos come out a little muddy. If you do take low-light photos, we recommend just sticking to the main camera.

Finally, the 5MP macro camera still comes off as a bit of an oddity. The photo quality leaves much to be desired, and we don't imagine many who buy this phone will be taking a lot of macro photos. At the same time, we understand the feasibility of implementing a telephoto lens while keeping a mid-range price, and having to include a third camera to be deemed more "marketable".

If you do find yourself in need of more range, you are relegated to the 2X digital zoom on the main camera, up to a grainy 10X zoom. We do hope that Samsung will replace the macro lens with a telephoto in the future at some point. 

The one truly middling component of the Samsung A55 5G is its processor. While you likely won't be encountering any issues with performance when it comes to everyday tasks like browsing and consuming content, you won't be playing high fidelity video games like Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail at high settings or frame rates.

That being said, for less demanding games like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and PUBG Mobile, the Samsung A55 5G performs smoothly and runs cool even for long sessions. However, the phone won't last too long if you play games excessively.

The battery life is excellent for its class. The 5,000mAh battery can easily last a full day on a single charge, albeit with moderate use. The phone also supports 25W fast charging, which can quickly top up the battery when you're running low on juice. It takes slightly over an hour to fully recharge from zero percent. 

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G is a good mid-range smartphone that offers a lot of value for the money. At RM1,999, it has a great display, a long-lasting battery, and decent performance for both its processor and camera system. If you're looking for a phone that can handle all your everyday tasks without breaking the bank, the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G is a good option to consider.