Samsung Galaxy F55 5G Review: A Sleek Midrange Contender

 

Samsung Galaxy F55 5G Review: A Stylish Midrange Contender

Samsung has embraced the trend of vegan leather finishes with its latest offering, the Galaxy F55 5G. The apricot-colored vegan leather back panel, adorned with red stitching along the edges, stands out in this segment. This unique design, complemented by gold-colored rings around the camera lenses, particularly shines in the Apricot Crush color option. The soft-touch finish provides a comfortable grip, although it requires regular maintenance to retain its luster, unlike glass or polycarbonate backs found on other Samsung devices. However, the protruding camera modules cause the phone to wobble on flat surfaces.

The matte gold polycarbonate frame and 7.8mm slim profile add to the phone's aesthetic appeal. Moreover, it boasts an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, making it durable against accidental spills. Visually, it bears resemblance to the Galaxy M55 5G, presenting an enhanced version of that model.

Specifications and Software

The Galaxy F55 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor and offers configurations of up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage (expandable to 1TB). It runs on One UI 6.1 based on Android 14, ensuring a smooth and customizable user experience. The software enhancements include refined animations, improved scrolling, and features like 'Modes and Routines' for adjusting settings based on usage scenarios.

Performance

Despite using an older chipset, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1, the Galaxy F55 5G performs adequately for daily tasks. Benchmark scores are decent, although there may be occasional lags when switching between applications. The Gaming Hub feature consolidates all games into one interface, optimizing the gaming experience. Games like Asphalt 9: Legends and Call of Duty: Mobile run smoothly, though performance may vary with different settings.

Display and Battery Life

The phone features a vibrant Super AMOLED display with adaptive screen refresh rates up to 120Hz, ensuring smooth visuals. It supports Full HD streaming and offers adequate brightness for outdoor use. However, the stereo speakers lack detail in higher frequencies.

The 5,000mAh battery supports 45W fast charging, providing a full day's usage with heavy tasks and nearly two days with casual use. Charging speed is decent but requires a separate 45W charger, as one isn't included in the box.

Camera

The Galaxy F55 5G sports a triple-camera setup with a 50-megapixel primary sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 2-megapixel macro shooter. Daylight photography captures natural colors with good sharpness, while low-light performance is average even with Night Mode. The front camera delivers decent selfies and supports 4K video recording with OIS for stable footage.

Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy F55 5G impresses with its stylish design, robust performance for daily tasks, and vibrant display. Its IP67 rating adds durability, making it suitable for varied environments. However, in a competitive midrange market, alternatives like the Nothing Phone 2a and Realme 12 Pro+ offer better performance and camera capabilities at similar or lower prices.