Samsung’s range of smartphones is a lot more diverse than just the Galaxy S24, so if you haven’t heard of its mid-range A series rival, we’re comparing the Galaxy A55 vs the Galaxy S24 right here. Each of these phones represents two distinct segments of the Samsung lineup; one’s the flagship, and one’s the midrange. Essentially, there’s quite a big price jump between them.
With the new Galaxy A series phones looking like the strongest models for their price points yet, has it outdone the base S24 when it comes to overall value? In this article, we’re discussing the main differences between these two Galaxy to see which one represents a better price-to-performance ratio.
Samsung Galaxy A55 vs Galaxy S24 – specs
Now that we’ve got the official specifications for the Galaxy A55 5G, we can paint a full picture of how it compares to the flagship Galaxy S24. The 2024 A series arguably got a much quieter launch than the S24 did, but that doesn’t at all mean that its specs pale in comparison to the S24 itself: if anything, its key specs shown in the table below shake things up a bit for the S24, and offers you some of its best features in a more affordable package.
| Specifications | Samsung Galaxy A55 | Samsung Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2 mm | 147.0 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm |
| Display | 6.6-inch FHD+, Super AMOLED Display, 120Hz refresh rate | 6.2 inch AMOLED 1Hz to 120Hz |
| Weight | 213g | 167g |
| RAM/storage | 12GB + 256GB | 8GB LPDDR5X + 256GB |
| Processor | Exynos 1480 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (US), US – Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy / 8GB RAM RoW – Samsung Exynos 2400 for Galaxy 8GB RAM |
| Camera | 50MP Main Camera, 12MP Ultra-Wide, 5MP Macro | 50 MP main, 12 MP ultra-wide, 3X optical zoom 10 MP telephoto camera |
| Selfie camera | 32MP Front Camera | 12MP |
| Battery | 5,000mAh | 4000 mAh |
| OS | Android 14, One UI 6.1 | Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Security | Samsung Knox | Samsung Knox Matrix |
| Colors | Awesome Ice Blue, Awesome Navy, Awesome Lilac, Awesome Lemon | Onyx Black, Marble Gray, Cobalt Violet, Amber Yellow (Samsung.com exclusive: Sandstone Orange, Sapphire Blue, Jade Green) |
Samsung Galaxy A55 vs Galaxy S24 features
Now, let’s explore the features of both devices.
Design
In terms of design, both these phones are iconic Samsung and are definitely related models. The Galaxy A55 and Galaxy S24 share a similar candybar form, aluminum frames, glossy back panels, and stacked triple camera setup. However, a closer inspection reveals a few differences that separate the premium from the average.
One way in which Samsung differentiates the two models is by giving the A55 a ‘Key Island’, which is a raised bezel element on the side rail of the device that houses the volume rocker and power button. Surprisingly, the A55 also gets the addition of a Gorilla Glass Victus Plus, which isn’t as premium as the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the S24 but still adds a premium feel to the A55 handset. Compared to the A55, the S24 has a matte finish and an overall smaller body, at just 147.0 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm rather than the A55’s 161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2 mm.
Display
Just like the Galaxy S24, the Galaxy A55 sports an impressive AMOLED panel. The A55 also offers a larger display than its counterpart, measuring 6.6 inches, while the S24 features a slightly smaller but more manageable 6.24-inch display. Both offer Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2400 pixels), ensuring sharp visuals. In terms of refresh rate, the phones find themselves on equal footing again, with each boasting an adaptable 120Hz, delivering significantly smoother scrolling, animations, and gameplay experiences.
Camera capabilities
Camera capabilities in which the two models find themselves remarkably similar. The A55 features a triple-camera system on the rear, similar to its predecessor, the A54. This system includes a 50MP primary camera, accompanied by a 12MP ultrawide, 5MP macro, and depth sensors. However, while capable of capturing decent everyday photos, it might not compete with the S24 in terms of overall image quality and versatility.
The S24, on the other hand, delivers a triple-lens setup with a similarly high-resolution 50-megapixel primary camera. This translates to capturing sharper images with finer details. Additionally, the S24 boasts improved telephoto capabilities from its 10MP telephoto lens, allowing you to capture distant objects with greater clarity.
Processor
As evidenced by its Geekbench scorecard, the Galaxy A55 will come with the new Exynos 1480 chipset, and the A35 will instead run the Exynos 1380 that was used in the Galaxy A54. While it’s not quite the powerhouse that’s the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 that powers the Galaxy S24 series, the Exynos processor still gets you valiant performance for streaming, browsing, and everyday phone usage. With its 4nm octa-core architecture, 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.
Battery capacity
Battery life is a crucial factor when comparing smartphones, especially when other specs are as similarly matched as the Galaxy A55 and S24. The A55 carries over the same 5,000mAh battery as its predecessor, offering excellent battery life for a phone at its price point. Surprisingly, the S24 features the slightly smaller 4,500mAh battery in this comparison; however, it compensates for this with its faster 45W fast-charging capabilities, significantly reducing charging time compared to the A55’s expected standard charging speeds.
Samsung Galaxy A55 vs Galaxy S24 price
As with any smartphone comparison, the biggest differentiator between the two models might be their prices. The A55, positioned as a mid-range contender, currently starts at £439 (~$562) for the 8GB Memory + 128GB Storage variant and comes up to £479 (~$614) for 256GB storage. It’s worth noting that as the Galaxy A55 won’t be natively launched in the US for the foreseeable future, we’re unable to make a full comparison without getting an official USD price.
However, from the conversion rates, what is clear is that the A55 is still going to be cheaper than the flagship Galaxy S24. Launched just under two months ago in January 2024, the Galaxy S24 has an MRSP of $799 for the base model.
While it might disappoint you that the Galaxy A55 won’t be getting a US launch, the silver lining is that its alternative and cheaper sibling, the Galaxy A35, is.
Is the Samsung Galaxy A55 better than the Galaxy S24?
Naturally, the answer to this question is a bit on the subjective side; however, it’s worth bearing in mind that the Galaxy A5 does offer some flagship-grade hardware at a price that’s sincerely sub-flagship starting at less than £500. While we’ll have to wait to get hands-on to complete our first impression, so far it looks like the Galaxy A55 could be a real Galaxy S rival, perhaps coming in as one of the best midrange phones currently available. Of course, the extra investment for the flagship S24 won’t leave you disappointed, especially not with its upgraded camera setup and processor. But, if you’re browsing on a budget, the Galaxy A55 should be one to add to your basket.
