Samsung Galaxy A55 vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
The Verdict
Samsung Galaxy A55 delivers outstanding value at $449.99 with a larger 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display, bigger 5000 mAh battery, and newer Android 14 software. Its 120Hz refresh rate and 1000 nits brightness provide excellent everyday viewing. Galaxy S23 FE costs $150 more but offers superior brightness at 1450 nits, faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processing, wireless charging, and a proper 3x telephoto lens versus the A55's 5MP macro. S23 FE also includes USB 3.2 and Wi-Fi 6E for faster connectivity. However, the A55's larger battery, newer OS, and compelling price-to-performance ratio make it the smarter choice for most users. Budget shoppers seeking the best value should choose the Galaxy A55, while those prioritizing flagship features and wireless charging justify the S23 FE investment.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A55 if…
- →Premium aluminum and Gorilla Glass build
- →Vibrant 120Hz Super AMOLED display
- →Large 5000 mAh battery with great endurance
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE if…
- →Flagship features like 120Hz AMOLED and IP68 at a lower price
- →Bright 1450-nit display for good outdoor visibility
- →3x optical zoom telephoto is rare in this price range
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
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
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Pros
- Flagship features like 120Hz AMOLED and IP68 at a lower price
- Bright 1450-nit display for good outdoor visibility
- 3x optical zoom telephoto is rare in this price range
- Four years of OS updates guaranteed
- Wireless charging with reverse wireless PowerShare
Cons
- Exynos 2200 variant has weaker performance and efficiency
- Only 25W wired charging is slow for 2023
- Gorilla Glass 5 is older protection than Victus 2
- 8 MP telephoto resolution is low
- Heavier at 209 g due to older processor thermals
Full Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy A55 | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 14, One UI 6.1 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 213 g | 209 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus+ | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 5 |
| IP rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2 mm | 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 32 MP, f/2.2 | 10 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 5 MP macro | 8 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | — | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.6 inches | 6.4 inches |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1000 | 1450 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.75 GHz + 4x2.0 GHz) | Octa-core |
| GPU | Xclipse 530 | Xclipse 920 / Adreno 730 |
| Chipset | Exynos 1480 | Samsung Exynos 2200 / Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 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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