Samsung’s mid-range A series just got its latest addition, which should provide a natural upgrade to last year’s model. So, let’s take a peek at what generational differences separate the Galaxy A55 from its predecessor, the A54: here’s everything you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy A55 vs the Galaxy A54.
Now that we’ve got the official details of what the Galaxy A55 has in store, it’s possible to start pulling together a full comparison between the next-gen and last-gen devices in the Galaxy A lineup. Visually speaking, the two are almost identical, but internally there are a few upgrades that define the A55 as a worthy successor. Let’s get into it.
Samsung Galaxy A55 vs Galaxy A54 specs
| Specifications | Samsung Galaxy A55 | Samsung Galaxy A54 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2 mm | 76.7 x 158.2 x 8.2 mm |
| Display | 6.6-inch FHD+, Super AMOLED Display, 120Hz refresh rate | 6.4 inches, Super AMOLED (120 Hz) |
| Weight | 213g | 202g |
| RAM/storage | 12 GB + 256 GB | 6GB / 8GB, 128GB / 256GB |
| Chipset | Exynos 1480 | Exynos 1380 |
| Camera | 50MP Main Camera, 12MP Ultra-Wide, 5MP Macro | 50MP Main Camera, 12MP Ultra-Wide, 5MP Macro |
| Selfie camera | 32 MP Front Camera | 32 MP Front Camera |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| OS | Android 14, One UI 6.1 | Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Security | Samsung Knox | Samsung Knox |
| Colors | Awesome Ice Blue, Awesome Navy, Awesome Lilac, Awesome Lemon | Awesome Graphite, Awesome White, Awesome Violet, Awesome Lime |
Samsung Galaxy A55 vs Galaxy A54: Features
Design and durability
Visually speaking, the two phones’ candybar frame and overall design aesthetic are strikingly similar, but a closer inspection reveals some subtle differences that define the A55 as the upgraded model. Firstly, the Galaxy A55 is the bigger smartphone at 161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2mm compared to the 158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2mm measurements of its predecessor. It’s also become a few grams heavier, now weighing 213 grams rather than 202. This is down to the use of an aluminum side panel instead of plastic, and the newer Gorilla Glass Victus, which is more durable than the A54 5G’s Gorilla Glass 5.
Another noticeable difference is the appearance of the Key Island feature on the Galaxy A55, which is a raised bezel on the side panel that houses the power button and volume rocker. Samsung has also varied the available color options once again, bringing a new colorful lineup including Awesome Ice Blue, Awesome Navy, Awesome Lilac, and Awesome Lemon.
Display
Both phones sport Super AMOLED displays, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The A54 boasts a slightly smaller 6.4-inch display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. This higher refresh rate delivers noticeably smoother visuals during scrolling, gaming, and navigating menus, creating a more immersive experience.
On the other hand, the A55 offers a larger 6.6-inch display, providing more screen real estate for multitasking or watching videos – it also gets the handy benefit of slightly thinner bezels. Aside from that, the Full HD resolution and 120Hz refresh rate are identical to the A54. However, another new feature comes in the form of ‘Vision Booster’, which allegedly makes the screen brighter and clearer in low light and bright light conditions.
Camera
When it comes to camera capabilities, once again the two phones are on equal footing, with both getting the same camera specs on the rear and selfie lenses. Both the A55 and A54 are equipped with a 50MP main camera, a 12MP Ultra-Wide, 5MP Macro, and a 32MP front camera. This means that both models offer decent photography capabilities for everyday use, and if there’s any performance difference it will come from the A55’s improvements in image processing or additional features from its upgraded chipset.
Processor
The A55 certainly has an upgrade in the processing department, getting the new and improved Exynos 1480, the next-gen step up from the A54’s Exynos 1380. As an upgrade, the Exynos 1480 will get you even smoother performance for demanding tasks like multitasking, video editing, and graphically intensive games, as well as improved causal usage. According to its Geekbench scorecard, the Exynos 1480 powering the Galaxy A55 claims to have up to 32% better GPU performance and up to 15% better CPU performance than its predecessor.
In terms of software support, the Galaxy A55 got the same four years of security patches as the Galaxy A54, which will lead you nicely up to Android 18.
Battery and charging
Similarly to the Galaxy A54, the Galaxy A55 comes set with a 5,000mAh battery, promising excellent battery life for everyday use. This translates to potentially lasting a full day or even longer on a single charge, depending on usage patterns and software optimization. Both the A54 and A55 support 25W fast charging, allowing you to quickly top up your battery when needed, reducing downtime significantly.
Samsung Galaxy A55 vs Galaxy A54 price
Even though it offers improvements over the Galaxy A54, the Galaxy A55 actually has a slightly cheaper MRSP, costing £439 (~$562) for the 8GB Memory + 128GB Storage variant and coming up to £479 (~$614) for 256GB storage. At its launch, the Galaxy A54 was priced at £449 ($450) or £499 ($500) for the same storage options. As the older model, you can probably find it at a slightly lower price range, but overall Samsung has clearly reacted to the increasingly competitive mid-range market prices.
Unfortunately, while the Galaxy A55 is now enjoying a full release in other regions, Samsung has confirmed that the A55 will not be joining the Galaxy A35 for a launch in the US, which was clarified in a statement to Android Authority. The statement reads “While we will not be carrying Galaxy A55 5G at this time, consumers can still take advantage of our Galaxy innovation at great value with Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23 FE”. Essentially, Samsung would rather buyer’s attention turned to the Galaxy S23 and the Galaxy S23 FE rather than the A55, as pricing for the models would have been too similar.
Is the Samsung Galaxy A55 better than the Galaxy A54?
In terms of a definitive verdict, it’s hard to say: the Galaxy A55 offers a slight generational upgrade with its bigger screen and newer processor, but has the same camera specs and battery as its predecessor. It’s also definitely worth bearing in mind that having been released for a year, the Galaxy A54 will have fallen below its MRSP, meaning you can now enjoy its features for a lot cheaper than its original price. However, the most notable thing here is that the Galaxy A55 is yet to launch in America, so in terms of availability, it might be easier to get your hands on an A54 rather than playing the waiting game for the newer model.
