Samsung Galaxy A55 vs Galaxy S23 FE: Make your choice
In this comparison, we’re diving into the battleground of mid-range smartphones with Samsung’s latest offerings: the Galaxy A55 and the Galaxy S23 FE. Setting the stage, the A55 stands as the apex device in Samsung’s A series lineup this year, targeting the budget-conscious consumer. On the other hand, the S23 FE occupies a space just shy of being a full-fledged flagship in the esteemed S series. With overlapping specs and features, Samsung seems to favor the S23 FE, even expressing such sentiments. However, despite Samsung’s preferences, the A series has consistently dominated the market, while the S23 FE’s release has been marred by setbacks.
Now, putting politics aside, let’s delve into a point-by-point comparison to discern the strengths of each device.
Samsung Galaxy A55 vs. Galaxy S23 FE: Video Review
| Specs | Samsung Galaxy A55 | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE |
| Chipset | Exynos 1480 | Exynos 2200, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 - USA |
| GPU | Xclipse 530 | Xclipse 920, Adreno 730 - USA |
| RAM | 6GB, 8GB, 12GB | 8GB |
| ROM | 128GB, 256GB | 128GB, 256GB |
| Display | 6.6 inch, Super AMOLED, 1080 x 2340 pixels, 120Hz | 6.4 inch, Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1080 x 2340 pixels, 120Hz |
| Display Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Software | Android 14, One UI 6.1 | Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| SIM support | Single SIM or Hybrid Dual SIM | Single SIM or Dual SIM or Dual SIM |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Rear cameras | 50 MP, f/1.8, 12 MP, f/2.2, 5 MP, f/2.4 | 50 MP, f/1.8, 8 MP, f/2.4, 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Front camera | 32 MP, f/2.2 | 10 MP, f/2.4 |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired | 25W wired, 15W wireless |
| Dust/water resistance | IP67 | IP68 |
| Size | 161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2 mm | 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm |
| Weight | 213 g | 209 g |
| Colors | Iceblue, Lilac, Navy, Lemon | Mint, Cream, Graphite, Purple, Indigo, Tangerine |
Samsung Galaxy A55 vs. Galaxy S23 FE: Design
Samsung has made significant strides in improving the build quality of its A series phones, and the A55 exemplifies this trend. Covered in Corning Gorilla Glass on both the front and back, the A55 exudes sturdiness and premium craftsmanship. While the S23 FE sports the tougher Gorilla Glass 5 on its back, both phones feature an all-aluminum frame, albeit with slightly different aesthetics. The A55 leans towards an industrial look with its bare metal finish, while the S23 FE maintains a sleeker appearance.
The A55 takes the lead with its larger 6.6-inch screen, towering over the S23 FE’s 6.4-inch display. Not only is it bigger, but the A55 also boasts a superior screen-to-body ratio, making for a more immersive viewing experience. However, it’s worth noting that the black borders framing both displays are more pronounced on the S23 FE due to its smaller size.
Interestingly, the A55 gains an unexpected edge with its front display glass being the newer Gorilla Glass Victus Plus, offering enhanced durability and reduced glare compared to the Gorilla Glass 5 covering the S23 FE’s front. This minor distinction could sway those concerned about screen resilience.
Moving on to connectivity, the A55 stands out with its dual SIM and SD card support, allowing users to expand storage or utilize multiple SIM cards simultaneously. In contrast, the S23 FE lacks expandable storage, limiting users to the built-in storage options, with 256GB being the highest available. This difference could be a crucial factor for users requiring additional storage flexibility.
Both phones share similarities in their bottom-firing speakers, USB-C ports, and selfie cameras. Additionally, they sport similar triple-lens camera setups on the rear, promising comparable photographic capabilities.
Display
In the realm of smartphone displays, both the Samsung Galaxy A55 and the Galaxy S23 FE blur the lines between mid-range and flagship devices.
Both phones boast impressive Super AMOLED panels, ensuring vibrant colors and deep blacks that pop off the screen. The A55 flaunts a larger 6.6-inch display, while the S23 FE opts for a slightly smaller yet equally immersive 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel. Despite the difference in size, both devices feature the same resolution of 2340 by 1080, guaranteeing sharpness and clarity that won’t disappoint.
The inclusion of a 120Hz refresh rate on both screens ensures smooth and responsive interactions, whether you’re tapping, swiping, or scrolling through content. Spec-wise, there isn’t much disparity between the two displays, making it challenging for most users to discern any substantial differences at first glance.
However, delve deeper, and you’ll find nuances that set the S23 FE apart. With up to 1450 nits of peak brightness, the S23 FE edges out the A55, offering a brighter display that shines, even in harsh lighting conditions. This brightness advantage not only enhances visibility but also contributes to a more vibrant and colorful viewing experience.
While the A55 boasts newer Gorilla Glass on its display, the difference in brightness may slightly impact visibility in bright environments. Nevertheless, the discrepancy is subtle and may not be immediately noticeable to the average user.
Despite the technical advantages of the S23 FE’s display, it’s essential to note that both devices offer a viewing experience akin to flagship smartphones.
Additional Features
Both devices sport in-display fingerprint sensors of the optical variety, eschewing the ultrasonic sensors found in flagship models. While some might expect differences in unlocking speeds or accuracy, both sensors perform comparably in real-world usage. Occasionally, they may falter, but for the most part, they unlock the device swiftly and reliably. Additionally, face unlock is available as an alternative authentication method on both phones, providing users with flexibility in how they secure their devices.
Moving on to audio features, both the A55 and the S23 FE come equipped with dual speaker setups. This configuration includes a bottom-firing speaker, as well as a secondary speaker integrated into the earpiece above the selfie camera. While there may not be any discernible hardware differences between the two setups, the audio output from both phones is more than satisfactory. Whether you’re listening to music, watching videos, or engaging in video calls, the speakers deliver clear and balanced sound.
Software
Both phones run on the same version of Android and One UI, providing a consistent user experience across the board.
The Galaxy S23 FE smartphone takes the lead with an impressive five-year promise of major software updates. However, it’s worth noting that the initial update for the S23 FE was somewhat underwhelming, leading to a slight squandering of this extended support period. On the other hand, the Galaxy A55 still receives a commendable four years of major software updates, ensuring users stay up-to-date with the latest Android features and security patches.
While the A55 may miss out on certain flagship-exclusive features like the new Galaxy AI features initially, Samsung has demonstrated a commitment to bridging the gap. For instance, these features eventually made their way to the S23 FE via a software update, highlighting a minor distinction in the Samsung feature set between the two devices.
Samsung Galaxy A55 vs. Galaxy S23 FE: Performance
The Galaxy S23 FE takes the lead with its powerhouse Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, a flagship component known for its superior performance capabilities. Paired with 8GB of RAM, this combination ensures smooth multitasking and lightning-fast responsiveness. On the international version, users are treated to the Exynos 2200, further enhancing performance and efficiency.
In contrast, the Galaxy A55 smartphone is equipped with the mid-range Exynos 1480 chip from Samsung, along with 8GB of RAM. While it provides adequate performance for everyday tasks, it falls short when compared to the sheer power of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 found in the S23 FE.
Geekbench performance scores clearly reflect the difference between the two devices, showing the superiority of the S23 FE in terms of raw processing power. Whether it’s launching apps, loading games, or multitasking, the S23 FE’s flagship processor delivers noticeable speed and efficiency gains.
For gaming enthusiasts or users who frequently engage in graphics-intensive tasks, the S23 FE’s Snapdragon processor offers a significant advantage. Its prowess in heat management and smooth gameplay at high FPS and graphic settings make it a preferred choice for demanding users.
However, for most users whose smartphone activity involves basic tasks such as video streaming, social media browsing, and productivity apps, the Galaxy A55 is more than capable. Its performance is sufficient for everyday use, and the difference in speed may not be noticeable.
Camera
Both phones feature a main lens with a whopping 50 megapixels, alongside a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens with a 123° field of view. However, the S23 FE gains an advantage with its third lens—a useful 8-megapixel telephoto lens for enhanced zoom and portraits—compared to the A55’s less versatile 5-megapixel macro lens. Additionally, in the realm of selfie cameras, the S23 FE sports a 10-megapixel lens, while the A55 boasts a higher-resolution 32-megapixel lens.
Inside the camera app, the differences more become apparent. The S23 FE offers flagship-caliber features such as 8K video recording and 4K 60fps capabilities, alongside advanced shooting modes and controls. While the A55 can also shoot 4K video and offers some pro-level controls, it lacks the sheer breadth of features available on the S23 FE.
In real-world usage, the S23 FE shines, delivering professional-looking photos and videos with excellent detail, color balance, and accuracy. Its superior zoom capabilities and polished image processing set it apart, making it the go-to choice for photography enthusiasts and content creators. In contrast, the A55’s images may sometimes feel overprocessed, with occasional struggles in capturing scenes with extreme lighting conditions.
However, it’s essential to consider the context: the A55 is an A series phone with less powerful hardware and a lower price point. For most users, especially those who prioritize everyday photography and casual shooting, the A55’s camera performance will suffice.
Battery
Despite the A55 boasting a slightly larger 5,000 milliamp-hour battery compared to the 4,500 milliamp-hour battery in the S23 FE, the latter compensates with superior power efficiency. Thanks to its smaller screen and newer AMOLED technology, the S23 FE likely draws less power, coupled with its high-end Snapdragon processor that enhances power management throughout the day. As a result, the S23 FE effectively neutralizes any potential advantage the A55 might have based solely on its larger battery size.
Moreover, while both phones feature identical wired charging speeds, the S23 FE gains an upper hand with its additional features. Surprisingly, the S23 FE supports wireless charging up to 15 watts, a convenience absent in the A55. Additionally, the S23 FE offers reverse charging via Power Share, allowing users to share their device’s battery power with other compatible devices—a feature that further elevates its versatility and utility.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE emerges as the winner in the battery and charging departments, despite its slightly smaller battery size.
Price
The Galaxy S23 FE was initially priced at $599, a figure that might seem reasonable until you realize that buying it unlocked through a carrier sets you back $629. Quite frankly, this pricing strategy isn’t the most enticing, especially when you juxtapose it with the Galaxy A55’s approximate price of $400 in international markets.
Samsung Galaxy A55 vs. Galaxy S23 FE: Conclusion
Let’s recap the key points to help you make an informed decision:
- Price: The A55 typically comes at a lower price point compared to the S23 FE, making it a more budget-friendly option for users who are conscious of their spending.
- Display: Both phones offer impressive display technologies, with subtle differences in size and brightness. While the S23 FE may have a slight advantage in brightness and color vibrancy, the A55 provides a comparable viewing experience at a lower cost.
- Performance: The S23 FE shines in the performance department, thanks to its flagship Snapdragon processor, offering smoother multitasking and better gaming performance compared to the A55’s mid-range chipset. However, for casual users, the A55 provides adequate performance for everyday tasks.
- Battery: The S23 FE offers additional features such as wireless charging and reverse charging, enhancing its versatility in the battery department. Despite its slightly smaller battery size, its superior power efficiency ensures reliable battery life throughout the day.
- Camera: While both phones boast similar top-level camera specifications, the S23 FE pulls ahead with its flagship-caliber features and superior real-world performance. However, for most users, the A55’s camera capabilities will suffice for everyday photography needs.
Ultimately, the choice between the Samsung Galaxy A55 and the Galaxy S23 FE boils down to your priorities and budget. If you’re looking for a more affordable option without compromising on essential features, the A55 is a solid choice. On the other hand, if you prioritize performance, camera quality, and additional features, the S23 FE offers a compelling package, albeit at a higher price point.
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