Anticipated launch date, function wishlist

Replace, February 9, 2024 (05:25 AM ET): We’ve up to date this Samsung Galaxy A55 5G rumor hub with newly leaked renders.

Authentic article: Samsung’s flagship smartphones would possibly seize the headlines, but it surely’s arduous to go fallacious with the model’s extra inexpensive Galaxy A54 5G. Sporting a high-end design, sturdy on a regular basis efficiency, an exquisite digicam, and an improve pledge that may’t be overwhelmed, it’s not only a great inexpensive Android telephone however a stable all-around choose.

We’re nonetheless weeks away from the telephone’s successor, however that hasn’t stopped us from questioning what’s in retailer for the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G.

Will there be a Samsung Galaxy A55 5G?

At this level, it’s virtually assured. Not solely do we have now loads of leaks, however we even have a TENAA itemizing, which basically assures a telephone is imminent. Though Samsung has but to verify the existence of the Galaxy A55 5G, a successor to the Galaxy A54 5G is nearly assured to type the core of the model’s 2024 mid-tier line-up.

Whether or not or not the telephone known as the Galaxy A55 5G is up within the air, but it surely appears uncertain Samsung will mess with the branding of its profitable mid-range formulation. As such, we absolutely count on the Galaxy A55 5G to be Samsung’s follow-up to 2023’s Galaxy A54 5G.

Mid-March 2024 is the most certainly Samsung Galaxy A55 5G launch date if you happen to comply with the collection’ most up-to-date launch schedule. The handset sometimes arrives shortly after the Samsung Galaxy S flagship launch, which happens early within the yr.

This hasn’t at all times been the case, although. The Galaxy A51 5G arrived in April 2020, whereas the A50 launched in February 2019. Samsung has been way more constant in recent times, and the collection has turn into an more and more essential a part of Samsung’s launch schedule, so we doubt we’ll see a return to the much less predictable launch home windows. We count on a Galaxy A55 5G launch in early 2024.

What specs and options may the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G have?

For starters, one stand-out takeaway from our Galaxy A54 5G evaluation is simply how a lot the telephone seems like Samsung’s most up-to-date flagship smartphone. The brand new design is probably going a part of Samsung’s model technique to any extent further, so we’d be very stunned if the A55 adjustments issues once more so quickly.

MySmartPrice posted obvious Galaxy A55 5G renders in December 2023, certainly displaying an analogous look to the Galaxy A54 however with a few key adjustments. You possibly can try these CAD-based renders under.

Essentially the most distinguished change here’s what seems to be a steel body (full with antenna traces) with flat edges. Hopefully, this doesn’t consequence within the telephone digging into your palm. We additionally see an attention-grabbing bump for the buttons we’re calling “Key Island.” The buttons are on a barely raised platform on the facet, one thing we didn’t see on the Galaxy S24 collection.

On the {hardware} entrance, collection staples will undoubtedly stay in place. The IP67 ranking, 120Hz Tremendous AMOLED show, and Wi-Fi 6 capabilities from its predecessor will nearly definitely carry over. The third picture above appears to corroborate the IP ranking. Not forgetting, Samsung’s best-in-class replace coverage provides 4 years of Android model assist with 5 years of safety protection to final the telephone into 2029.

Maybe the most important unknown can be what processor the telephone will use. One rumor factors to an Exynos 1480 chipset, and it’s believed that this chip brings AMD graphics to the mid-tier for the primary time. We’ll have to attend to see whether or not these claims bear out.

Samsung has been in line with pricing for its cheaper telephones in recent times, a minimum of within the US. Nevertheless, European and UK costs have crept up steadily over the previous couple of generations, pushing the telephone proper to the highest finish of the mid-range market.

We’d be stunned if the Galaxy A55 5G price ticket jumps terribly subsequent yr, as worth for cash is a large a part of the telephone’s attraction. However, the US does seem overdue for a rise, and Samsung may not be keen or capable of protect its prospects from a hike within the present local weather. Nonetheless, we count on the telephone to reach with a base mannequin beginning under $500.

With none substantial rumors to work on, we are able to’t say for certain that there gained’t be a killer function price holding out for. Nevertheless, primarily based on the traditionally gradual cadence of Samsung‘s upgrades, these in want of a telephone immediately shouldn’t delay. The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G ($449.99 at Samsung) will probably provide the overwhelming majority of the A55 5G’s options and is constructed to final a few years.

After all, Samsung isn’t alone within the price range phase. Summer time 2023’s Google Pixel 7a ($477 at Amazon) prices somewhat extra however nets you Google’s digicam prowess, a beefier processor, and wi-fi charging capabilities. These seeking to bridge the hole with just a few further flagship options would possibly discover that the Pixel 7a fits their wants higher than the Galaxy A54 5G.

The Apple iPhone SE (2022) ($429 at Amazon) can also be usually talked about in price range circles, but it surely’s an older mannequin that’s displaying its age. In the event you’re not in a rush to improve, it’s in all probability price ready to see what Samsung’s subsequent mannequin has in retailer. The Galaxy A55 may leap additional forward, particularly if Apple’s price range possibility doesn’t obtain an improve this yr.

Samsung Galaxy A55 5G: What we need to see

As nice because the Galaxy A54 5G is, there may be nonetheless room for enchancment within the formulation. Right here’s what we actually need to see from Samsung’s subsequent mid-ranger, however there’s definitely no assure any of the under will make an appearence.

The Galaxy A55 5G does loads proper and is best than its opponents in lots of regards, however the lack of wi-fi charging is one space that makes the telephone really feel dated.

Granted, this definitely isn’t vital function, but it surely’s a comfort we’re more and more accustomed to at this worth. Apple’s inexpensive iPhone SE and Google’s Pixel 7a (pictured above) boast the function and fall squarely in the identical worth bracket as Samsung’s mannequin.

There’s probably not a superb cause for Samsung to scrimp on this function any longer. Particularly when rivals have provided wi-fi charging for years, and the telephone will probably ship with a plastic physique.

Flagship-like construct high quality

Samsung’s newest mid-range is a grasp of disguise. Whereas it definitely seems the a part of a flagship telephone, it doesn’t really feel fairly as premium as soon as it’s in your hand. The reason being that the physique remains to be plastic; there’s no fancy steel trim working across the telephone’s edge.

Whereas we shouldn’t count on all of the bells and whistles at a fraction of the associated fee, a nicer construct would cement the Galaxy A55 5G as a agency bridge between Samsung’s flagship and inexpensive portfolios. The excellent news is that leaked renders certainly level to a steel body. We additionally wouldn’t thoughts seeing the present Gorilla Glass 5 safety upgraded to one thing like Gorilla Glass Victus.

However clearly, design upgrades like this is able to have to be balanced towards the telephone’s price ticket, which positively wants to stay underneath $500.

Samsung’s Galaxy A54 5G is already a stable contender if you happen to’re after a dependable price range digicam telephone. Nevertheless, it nonetheless falls into that almost all widespread of mid-range traps — the pointless low-res macro lens.

Primarily based on our time with the telephone, the principle and ultrawide cameras are already extremely aggressive, and whereas additional upgrades could be welcome, they aren’t crying out for higher {hardware}. Nevertheless, the 5MP macro digicam is extra hit-and-miss. Sure, it’s higher than the ultra-cheap 2MP macro cameras you’ll discover elsewhere, but it surely’s nowhere close to as helpful as a telephoto lens for added zoom. In the end, it’s simply there to make up the numbers; many customers will rapidly tire of it.

Once more, this wouldn’t be the most cost effective improve, however an older 2x or 3x zoom digicam would actually increase the telephone’s pictures utility and elevate the Galaxy A55 5G above the competitors. Samsung has already sensibly minimize the collection down from 4 cameras to 3. Now, it simply must refine what these three lenses can do.