Samsung Galaxy F55

The Samsung Galaxy F55 hits the market with a bold promise—combining premium design with solid mid-range performance. Having tested this phone for a few weeks, I’ve got to say that it stands out, especially in style and functionality. 

From the vegan leather finish to the snappy Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chip, it’s designed for users who want the best balance between value and performance. 

But does it live up to its hype when stacked against competitors like the Google Pixel 7a or the OnePlus Nord 3? Let’s break it down.

Samsung Galaxy F55 Specs

Here's a detailed breakdown of the Samsung Galaxy F55's specifications:

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Beautiful vegan leather design
• Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 offers strong performance
• A 50MP camera is excellent for its price range
• 120Hz refresh rate delivers smooth visuals
• Long battery life with fast charging support

Cons

• No IP rating for water resistance
• No 3.5mm headphone jack
• Macro camera performance is underwhelming

Key Features of the Samsung Galaxy F55

1. Design

One thing that struck me when I first held the Galaxy F55 was how premium it felt in hand. Samsung’s decision to go with a vegan leather finish pays off here. 

It’s lightweight at just 180 grams, but the feel is more luxurious than competitors like the OnePlus Nord 3, which leans towards a glass back. The texture makes it grippy and comfortable, and I’ve had zero issues with fingerprints smudging the back.

2. Display

The 6.7-inch Super AMOLED+ display delivers an immersive experience whether you’re gaming or watching Netflix. 

I compared it side by side with the Google Pixel 7a, and while both offer vibrant colors, the F55’s 120Hz refresh rate makes all the difference in terms of smooth scrolling. Brightness peaks at 1000 nits, making it easy to read under direct sunlight.

3. Performance

Under the hood, the Galaxy F55 runs on the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset, which I found more than capable of handling my daily tasks and some intense gaming sessions. 

Compared to the Google Pixel 7a's Tensor chip, the F55 holds its own and even edges ahead in terms of power efficiency. Multitasking with apps, streaming videos, and playing high-end games like PUBG Mobile was smooth, and the device didn’t overheat.

The 8GB RAM model I tested performed flawlessly, but for those who crave even more power, there’s a 12GB option available. 

And if you store tons of photos and videos, the expandable storage (up to 1TB via microSD) is a lifesaver.

4. Camera Setup

Photography buffs will appreciate the F55’s 50MP main camera. I took it out for both day and night photography, and it consistently produced crisp, well-detailed shots. 

When I compared it with the OnePlus Nord 3, I found that the F55’s camera handles low-light situations slightly better due to its f/1.8 aperture and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). The ultrawide lens at 8MP is decent, although it doesn’t perform quite as well as some high-end devices. The 2MP macro lens is more of a filler feature; I didn’t find it particularly useful in my testing.

The front 50MP selfie camera, however, was a pleasant surprise. Selfies were sharp and accurate, and they even performed well in low-light scenarios.

5. Battery Life and Fast Charging

With a 5000 mAh battery, I easily got through a full day of heavy use, including gaming, video streaming, and constant social media browsing. When the battery did get low, the 45W fast charging got me back up to 50% in around 30 minutes. 

Compared to the Pixel 7a, which has a slower charging speed, the F55 has a clear advantage for those constantly on the go.

6. Software Experience

The Galaxy F55 comes with Android 14 and Samsung’s One UI 6.1, which provides a smooth and customizable user interface. I found it more intuitive than some of the bloatware-packed UIs from other brands. 

There’s no learning curve here if you're familiar with Samsung's ecosystem. The phone also supports software updates for a few years, ensuring it remains relevant for a while.

One small letdown is the absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack, something I still appreciate on mid-range devices like the Poco X5 Pro. But if you’ve already transitioned to wireless audio, this shouldn’t be a dealbreaker.

Final Thoughts

In a market crowded with mid-range smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy F55 stands out for its premium design and excellent performance. Its camera setup delivers solid results, the battery lasts all day, and the smooth 120Hz AMOLED display enhances the overall experience.

The Samsung Galaxy F55 may lack a few features like water resistance and a headphone jack, but for the price, these are minor trade-offs.