Galaxy A57 vs A55: No Surprise Who Wins, But the Gap Is Brutal
Samsung's latest mid-range offering, the Galaxy A57, has arrived, promising notable upgrades over its predecessors. While comparisons to the immediate predecessor, the A56, show expected improvements, a look back at the Galaxy A55 reveals just how much the series has evolved in a short time. The newer model emerges as the clear victor across nearly every category, though the extent of its superiority might catch some fans off guard.
Design and Display: A Sleeker, Brighter Experience
The Galaxy A57 introduces a significantly slimmer profile at 6.9mm compared to the A55's 8.2mm, while also shedding weight from 213 grams to 179 grams. Its 6.7-inch Super AMOLED+ display not only offers a slightly larger viewing area than the A55's 6.6-inch Super AMOLED screen but also boosts brightness with 1200 nits high brightness mode and 1900 nits peak, up from 1000 nits HBM and approximately 1600 nits peak. Visibly thinner bezels contribute to a more modern aesthetic, complemented by a camera housing with greater presence.
Performance and Features: Powering Ahead
Under the hood, the A57 is equipped with the more powerful Exynos 1680 chipset, replacing the Exynos 1480 in the A55. It starts with 8GB of RAM as a minimum, an increase from 6GB, and offers up to 512GB of internal storage—an option absent in the older model. However, the A57 omits the microSD card slot found in the A55, which may be a consideration for users requiring expandable storage.
Connectivity sees upgrades to Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 6.0, compared to Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3. Charging speeds leap from 25W to 45W, and durability is enhanced with an IP68 rating for better water and dust resistance, up from IP67. The device ships with One UI 8.5 and promises six years of Android OS upgrades, extending support beyond the A55's four years. Additional AI features further enrich the user experience.
Camera and Imaging: Subtle Yet Meaningful Improvements
Camera capabilities receive attention, with the A57 featuring a 12MP front-facing camera that supports 10-bit HDR, offering improvements over the A55's selfie shooter. The main camera benefits from faster performance and blur-free zooming transitions, a first for the series, enhancing overall photography and video quality.
Conclusion: A Clear Step Forward
The Galaxy A57 demonstrates a comprehensive evolution over the A55, excelling in design, display quality, performance, charging, durability, and software support. While the outcome of this comparison is unsurprising given the two-year gap between models, the breadth of enhancements underscores Samsung's commitment to advancing its mid-range lineup. For A55 owners considering an upgrade, trade-in programs may offer a cost-effective path, though the absence of expandable storage in the A57 could be a sticking point for some. Ultimately, the A57 sets a new benchmark, leaving little doubt about its superiority in the mid-range segment.