Galaxy A55 Vs Galaxy S22+ 5G

Galaxy A55
Galaxy A55
Starting at

Refurbished price:£193.21

Versus £479.00 new

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Galaxy S22+ 5G
Galaxy S22+ 5G
Starting at

Refurbished price:£167.00

Versus £1,174.01 new

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Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A55 5G (2024) and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus 5G (2022) are both Android smartphones from Samsung, offering distinct experiences tailored to different user expectations. While the Galaxy A55 5G represents a more recent iteration in Samsung's mid-range A-series, focusing on a balanced feature set and extended software support, the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G was a flagship device at its release, prioritizing high-end performance and advanced camera capabilities. Both devices operate on the Android platform with Samsung's One UI, providing a consistent user interface.

Scores

Durability

When considering the longevity of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timelines, software support, and physical durability.

  • Release Timeline: The Galaxy A55 5G was released in March 2024, making it a newer device compared to the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G, which launched in February 2022. This difference in release date directly impacts their expected software support lifespan.
  • Software Support: The Galaxy A55 5G is promised four major Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates from its release. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G also received four major OS upgrades and five years of security updates from its launch. Due to its later release, the Galaxy A55 5G will continue to receive software updates for a longer period than the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G.
  • Durability Features: The Galaxy A55 5G features a metal frame and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front, along with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, meaning it can withstand immersion in up to 1 meter of fresh water for 30 minutes. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G offers Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back, an aluminum frame, and an IP68 rating, providing protection against immersion in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water for 30 minutes.

Year of Release

2024

2022

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, multitasking, and demanding applications. Both devices offer capable performance, though they cater to different tiers of usage intensity.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy A55 5G is equipped with a processor that handles everyday tasks, multitasking, and casual gaming smoothly, showing improved performance over its predecessor. Users report a responsive experience with fast app opening and closing times. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G, on the other hand, features a processor designed for top-tier performance, capable of running demanding applications and graphics-intensive games with ease.
  • Battery Performance: The Galaxy A55 5G houses a 5000 mAh battery, which generally provides a full day of use for many users, with some reports indicating up to two days under lighter usage. However, some drain tests have shown less impressive results, suggesting that heavy usage, especially with the 120Hz refresh rate, can impact battery life. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G comes with a 4500 mAh battery, typically offering a full day of use. Some tests indicate it can last around 10 hours with continuous web browsing over 5G.
  • Storage and Multitasking: Both devices offer 8GB of RAM, with the Galaxy A55 5G also having a 12GB RAM option, which can benefit users who frequently switch between many applications. Both phones are available with 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, but the Galaxy A55 5G uniquely offers expandable storage via a microSD card, providing flexibility for users who need more space for photos, videos, and apps. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G also had a 512GB storage option at launch.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both the Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy S22 Plus 5G offer vibrant viewing experiences with some key distinctions.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: Both smartphones feature Super AMOLED displays, known for their deep blacks and vibrant colors. The Galaxy A55 5G has a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels). The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G also sports a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a similar Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels), providing sharp and clear visuals.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy A55 5G offers a peak brightness of 1000 nits, ensuring good visibility in various lighting conditions. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G excels in brightness with a peak of 1750 nits, which can be particularly beneficial for outdoor use under direct sunlight. Both devices feature a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, contributing to smooth scrolling and a fluid user experience.
  • Viewing Experience: Users of the Galaxy A55 5G praise its display as super nice, smooth, bright, and sharp, making it suitable for media consumption and social media. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G's display is also highly regarded for its vivid colors and clarity, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1080 x 2340

Screen type

Super AMOLED

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Audiovisual

Both the Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy S22 Plus 5G are equipped with versatile camera systems, designed to capture a range of moments, though with different strengths.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy A55 5G features a triple rear camera setup consisting of a 50MP main wide-angle camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 5MP macro camera. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G also has a triple rear camera system, including a 50MP main wide-angle camera with OIS, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The inclusion of a dedicated telephoto lens on the S22 Plus 5G provides more versatile zooming capabilities.
  • Photography Performance: In good lighting, the Galaxy A55 5G delivers sharp and detailed photos with natural colors. Its low-light performance is considered decent for its category, with Night Mode helping to capture brighter images with reduced noise. However, some users have noted occasional overexposure in bright sunlight and slower focus times. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G offers solid camera performance in most conditions, with good detail and color reproduction, and is noted for its overall camera upgrades.
  • Video Recording and Front Camera: The Galaxy A55 5G supports 4K video recording at 30 frames per second with good stabilization, and features a 32MP front-facing camera for clear selfies and video calls. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G offers more advanced video capabilities, including 8K recording at 24 frames per second and 4K at 30/60 frames per second, along with HDR10+ support and gyro-EIS for stable footage. Its front camera is a 10MP sensor. Both phones include stereo speakers for media consumption.

Main camera

50 megapixels

50 megapixels

Front camera

32 megapixels

10 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance and display, several other features contribute to the overall user experience and practical utility of these smartphones.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G connectivity, ensuring fast mobile data speeds. The Galaxy A55 5G supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G offers Wi-Fi 6E, providing access to a less congested band for potentially faster wireless speeds, and Bluetooth 5.2. Both phones utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, but neither includes a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack. The Galaxy A55 5G's USB-C port operates at USB 2.0 speeds, while the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G features faster USB 3.2 speeds.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy A55 5G features a metal frame and glass back, giving it a premium feel for its segment. It weighs 213 grams and measures 161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2 mm. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G has a glass front and back with an aluminum frame, weighing 195 grams and measuring 157.4 x 75.8 x 7.6 mm, making it slightly lighter and thinner. Both devices incorporate in-display fingerprint sensors for secure unlocking.
  • Additional Features: The Galaxy A55 5G includes Samsung Knox Vault for enhanced hardware and software security. It also features multiple microphones for improved noise cancellation during calls. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G offers wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities, which are not present on the Galaxy A55 5G.

Weight

213 g

195 g

Screen size (in)

6.6

6.6

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

The Samsung Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy S22 Plus 5G each present a compelling package, catering to different user priorities. User feedback for the Galaxy A55 5G often highlights its excellent display, solid battery life for daily use, and smooth performance for general tasks and casual gaming. Many appreciate its premium build quality, which gives it a more high-end feel than its category might suggest. Common criticisms include occasional camera focus issues, some instances of overexposed photos in bright conditions, and its limited availability in certain markets.

For the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G, users frequently praise its strong overall performance, vibrant and exceptionally bright display, and capable camera system. It was considered a well-rounded flagship at its release. However, some users noted that its battery life, while generally good, was not always exceptional, particularly under heavy 5G usage, and that its charging speeds could be inconsistent due to throttling.

Users prioritizing a newer device with longer software support, expandable storage, and a premium design without needing the absolute highest performance for intensive tasks may find the Galaxy A55 5G well-suited to their needs. It's a strong option for those who value a balanced experience for everyday use, media consumption, and casual photography. Conversely, users who demand top-tier processing power for demanding applications, advanced video recording features, a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and the convenience of wireless charging might lean towards the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G, understanding that it is an older flagship with a shorter remaining software support window. Both devices, whether new or as quality-assured refurbished options, offer a pathway to a capable Samsung smartphone experience.

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