Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) vs Samsung Galaxy A55
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone SE 3rd Gen targets budget-conscious users seeking iOS performance, while Samsung's Galaxy A55 offers significantly more hardware for modest premium pricing. Display quality heavily favors Samsung,its 6.6-inch Super AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate and 1000 nits brightness vastly outpaces iPhone SE's 4.7-inch 60Hz LCD at 625 nits. Performance remains competitive; the A15 Bionic edges out Exynos 1480 in efficiency, but Galaxy A55's 8GB RAM and larger screen provide better multitasking. Camera systems tell different stories: iPhone SE's 12MP setup performs well in favorable conditions, yet Galaxy A55's 50MP main sensor with OIS, 32MP selfie, and ultra-wide options deliver superior versatility. Battery capacity decisively favors Samsung,5000mAh versus 2018mAh means substantially longer daily use without the compact iPhone's frequent charging needs. Software ecosystems divide users permanently: iOS 15 versus Android 14 depend on preference. At $449.99 versus $429, Galaxy A55 justifies its modest cost premium through superior hardware across nearly every dimension. Recommend Galaxy A55 for multimedia consumption and real-world usability; choose iPhone SE only if iOS ecosystem lock-in is essential.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) if…
- →Most affordable iPhone with 5G
- →Powerful A15 Bionic chip
- →Compact and lightweight design
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A55 if…
- →Premium aluminum and Gorilla Glass build
- →Vibrant 120Hz Super AMOLED display
- →Large 5000 mAh battery with great endurance
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation)
Pros
- Most affordable iPhone with 5G
- Powerful A15 Bionic chip
- Compact and lightweight design
- Touch ID home button
- Long iOS software support
Cons
- Dated design with thick bezels
- Single rear camera
- Small 4.7-inch LCD display
- Lightning port instead of USB-C
- Modest battery life
Samsung Galaxy A55
Pros
- Premium aluminum and Gorilla Glass build
- Vibrant 120Hz Super AMOLED display
- Large 5000 mAh battery with great endurance
- Four years of OS upgrades and five years of security
- IP67 water and dust resistance
Cons
- Exynos 1480 lags behind Snapdragon rivals
- Heavy at 213 g
- No dedicated telephoto camera
- Only 25W charging with no charger included
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) | Samsung Galaxy A55 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 15 | Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 144 g | 213 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
| IP rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm | 161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 7 MP | 32 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@30fps |
| Telephoto | — | 5 MP macro |
| Ultrawide | — | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2018 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | — |
| Display | ||
| Size | 4.7 inches | 6.6 inches |
| Type | Retina IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Resolution | 1334 x 750 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 625 | 1000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (4x2.75 GHz + 4x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Xclipse 530 |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic | Exynos 1480 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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