Samsung’s latest addition to the Galaxy A series is a strong mid-ranger that can take on Google’s last-gen flagship: here’s how the Galaxy A55 vs the Pixel 7 comparison goes down. With the mid-range market getting ever more competitive, top brands such as Google and Samsung are having to go the extra mile to make affordable smartphones that stand out.
With the battle no longer being to make the cheapest device but rather one that showcases better value than its rivals, Samsung has put a little extra care into curating the specs of the new Galaxy A contender. So, let’s dive into how the Galaxy A55 holds up against the more established Google Pixel 7.
Samsung Galaxy A55 vs Pixel 7 specs
| Specifications | Samsung Galaxy A55 | Google Pixel 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2 mm | 155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7 mm |
| Display | 6.6-inch FHD+, Super AMOLED Display, 120Hz refresh rate | 6.3-inch, AMOLED, 90 Hz |
| Weight | 213g | 197 g |
| RAM/storage | 12 GB + 256 GB | 8 GB / 128 GB, 8 GB / 256 GB |
| Chipset | Exynos 1480 | Google Tensor G2 |
| Camera | 50MP Main Camera, 12MP Ultra-Wide, 5MP Macro | 50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide |
| Selfie camera | 32 MP Front Camera | 10.8 MP |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh battery | 4,355 mAh |
| OS | Android 14, One UI 6.1 | Android 13 (upgradable to Android 14) |
| Security | Samsung Knox Vault | |
| Colors | Awesome Ice Blue, Awesome Navy, Awesome Lilac, Awesome Lemon | Obsidian, Lemongrass, Snow |
Samsung Galaxy A55 vs Pixel 7 features
Design and durability
When it comes to design, both phones have the iconic look of phones that are distinctly Samsung and Google. The Galaxy A55 is the slightly bigger and heavier of the two at 161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2 mm and 213 grams, being a candy bar made up of an aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus Plus on its back panel. On the reverse, you’ll see the trio of floating cameras and flash, and a Key Island raised bezel on the side panel that houses the volume rocker and power button.
The Pixel 7 is more rectangular in shape but a bit smaller at 155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7 mm, and features a raised silver camera bar on the back that houses its pill-shaped camera. The in-hand feel is premium due to its matte-finished Gorilla Glass Vistus back panel, which offers an IP rating of IP68. In terms of colorways, you have three choices for the Pixel 7, consisting of Obsidian, Lemongrass, and Snow.
Display
The two phones boast vibrant displays ideal for multimedia consumption. The A55 features a slightly larger 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, translating to noticeably smoother scrolling and potentially better gaming performance. However, the Pixel 7 utilizes a smaller 6.4-inch AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, offering a good viewing experience but potentially feeling less fluid compared to the A55. Despite lacking in refresh rate, the Pixel 7 does actually come up as the brighter of the two, with a peak brightness of 1400 nits compared to the 1000 nits of the A55.
Camera system
Both phones have more than suitable camera setups for their price points, but being slightly newer and sporting an extra lens does give the Galaxy A55 a slight advantage. Its triple camera setup consists of a 50MP main rear camera accompanied by a 12MP Ultra-Wide lens, 5MP Macro, and a 32MP front camera. This setup offers versatility for capturing various types of shots, and is more than capable of capturing great everyday photography. Of course, there’s also the benefit of AI-powered post-processing in the form of Galaxy AI.
The Pixel 7, on the other hand, takes a minimalist approach with a dual-camera system featuring a 50MP main sensor and a 12MP ultra-wide angle. However, Google’s Pixel phones are renowned for their exceptional camera software, often surpassing phones with higher megapixel counts in image quality, especially in low-light conditions.
Processing power
The A55 packs the Exynos 1480 processor, a capable octa-core chipset for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and streaming. However, the Pixel 7 boasts Google’s custom-designed Tensor G2 chip. This chip might have a slight edge in terms of AI-powered features and machine learning tasks due to Google’s tighter integration between hardware and software. This could translate to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and potentially enhanced performance in AI-powered camera features on the Pixel 7.
Battery life and charging
The A55 boasts a larger 5,000 mAh battery, potentially translating to longer battery life compared to the Pixel 7’s 4,355 mAh battery. However, Pixel phones are known for their software optimization, which can significantly improve battery efficiency. This could lead to comparable battery life between the two phones despite the difference in capacity.
Once again, Samsung omits wireless charging capabilities from its mid-range. While the Galaxy A55 does get fast charging, it doesn’t have the versatility of the Qi wireless charging, Reverse wireless charging, and Reverse charging offered by the Pixel 7.
Samsung Galaxy A55 vs Pixel 7 price
As the more mid-range focused phone, the Galaxy A55 has a slightly cheaper MRSP, costing £439 (~$562) for the 8GB Memory + 128GB Storage variant and coming up to £479 (~$614) for 256GB storage. It’s worth keeping in mind that there’s no USD price, as Samsung has confirmed that the model won’t be getting a debut in America alongside its Galaxy A35 counterpart. As per a statement made to Android Authority, it seems the US pricing for the Galaxy A55 would have been too similar to that of the Galaxy S23 for a launch to be worth it.
On the other hand, the Pixel 7 had a higher starting price of $599 at its launch, but having come out in October of 2022, can now regularly be found for a good chunk below that.
Is the Samsung Galaxy A55 better than the Pixel 7?
Choosing your next smartphone can be a daunting task, especially with an abundance of options across various brands and price ranges. So, should go you for the Galaxy A55 or the Google Pixel 7 if you’re looking for a good value phone at a mid-range price? In terms of which one is better, the specs and price point of these two models are fairly equally matched. If you prefer a larger display with a smoother 120Hz refresh rate, a versatile triple-camera system, and a budget-friendly device, then the A55 would be a good pick. On the other hand, if you prefer superior camera quality, a custom-designed processor for AI features, and a solid build, you should go for the Pixel 7.
