Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A02 vs. Samsung Galaxy A55
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the specifications, focusing on practical implications for users:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Samsung Galaxy A55 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.1 mm | 161.1 × 77.4 × 8.2 mm | The A02 is taller and thicker, potentially less comfortable in hand and pocket. A55 is wider and thinner, potentially more comfortable for some and easier to grip |
| Weight | 206g | 213g | The A02 is slightly lighter, which might make it negligibly more comfortable for extended periods. The difference is minor |
| Build | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The A55 has superior screen protection, less prone to scratches and cracks |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Samsung Galaxy A55 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | Negligible difference, both are large displays |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2340 | A55's higher resolution provides much sharper text, images, and videos, a noticeable difference in clarity. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 390 | A55's higher pixel density means crisper images and more detail. Text and graphics will appear less pixelated. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | A55's AMOLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. Better viewing experience for media and gaming. It also offers better power efficiency when displaying dark images or using a dark theme |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | A55's 120Hz refresh rate results in smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming. A much more fluid and responsive feel. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have same peak brightness, information is missing and can't be evaluated |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Samsung Galaxy A55 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6739W (28 nm) | Exynos 1480 (4 nm) | A55's chipset is significantly more powerful and efficient. Offers much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The A02 will feel sluggish compared to A55. |
| AnTuTu Score | 50,774 | 713,393 | A55's vastly superior score indicates substantially faster overall performance, with real world impact in running apps and playing games smoothly |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8100 | Xclipse 530 | A55's GPU is much more powerful, enabling superior graphics performance in games and other applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Samsung Galaxy A55 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 13MP | 50MP | A55 captures much more detailed photos. Better for cropping and larger prints. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.9 | f/1.8 | A55 has slightly wider aperture, allowing slightly better low-light performance and a shallower depth of field (subject separation). |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | Unknown | 1/1.56" | A55's larger sensor captures more light, leading to better low-light shots and dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 5MP | 32MP | A55 produces much sharper selfies with greater detail. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/2.2 | A02 has slightly wider aperture, though resolution difference is more impactful. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 13MP, f/2.2 | A55 offers the ability to capture wider scenes and perspectives, a significant advantage for travel and landscape shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.4 | A55 captures macro shots with higher details. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | A55 records much higher quality videos, more details and smoother playback with 60FPS option. |
| Video Stabilization | No | EIS + OIS | A55 provides much smoother video recording, reducing shake and blur, both electronic and optical image stabilization |
| Slow Motion | No | 240 fps | A55 has a much better slow-motion capability |
| Camera Features | Basic Features | Advanced Features | The A55 offers many features such as Pro Video Mode, OIS, and NPU AI engine, resulting in superior camera capabilities |
| DxOMark | Not Tested | Mobile:108, Photo:110, Video: 117 | A55 camera rated as pretty good, much better than not tested A02 |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Samsung Galaxy A55 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should offer similar battery life, depending on usage patterns. |
| Charging | 7.5W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | A55 charges significantly faster, reducing waiting time. |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Ion | Both have standard rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries |
| Removable Battery | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both phones have non-removable batteries |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Samsung Galaxy A55 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 10, upgrade to 11 | Android 14, upgrade to 18 | A55 offers latest Android software and many years of support compared to A02 which has an outdated version of Android |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Samsung Galaxy A55 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 b/g/n | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax | A55 supports faster and more stable Wi-Fi, especially with WiFi 6. |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 LE | 5.3 | A55 has a newer Bluetooth standard, offering better connection stability and more features |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | A55 uses a wider array of satellite systems, offering more accurate GPS location. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano/eSIM) | A55 supports eSIM, for more flexibility in choosing cellular carriers. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Samsung Galaxy A55 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 32GB/64GB | 128GB/256GB | A55 has much more storage, suitable for storing more photos, videos and apps. |
| RAM | 2GB/3GB/4GB | 8GB/12GB | A55 offers significantly more RAM, which translates to better multitasking and performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both phones do not offer expandable storage |
Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Samsung Galaxy A55 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | A55 has better audio quality, especially with stereo speakers for better sound separation, higher quality audio playback, and more immersive experience. |
Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Samsung Galaxy A55 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Security Features | Basic security features | Fingerprint Sensor | A55 has biometric security for faster and more secure unlocking. |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Samsung Galaxy A55 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Ultrasonic Proximity | A55 provides a much comprehensive set of sensors, allowing more advanced functions such as gyroscope for gaming, compass for direction, and barometer for altitude readings |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A02 Advantages:
- Potentially Lower Price: Being an older, budget-focused device, the A02 is likely to be significantly cheaper.
- Slightly Lighter: A marginally lighter weight might appeal to some users.
Samsung Galaxy A55 Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Display: High-resolution AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate provides a much better viewing experience.
- Massively Better Performance: Newer, more powerful chipset and more RAM result in significantly faster and smoother overall performance.
- Much Higher Quality Camera System: Superior image quality, better low-light performance, 4K video recording, optical image stabilization, wide angle and macro lens.
- Faster Charging: 25W fast charging reduces waiting time.
- Newer Software: Comes with the latest android version and will receive updates.
- Enhanced Connectivity: Faster Wi-Fi and newer Bluetooth version offer better connections.
- Stereo Speakers and Hi-Res Audio: Better audio for media consumption.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Provides improved security.
- More Comprehensive Sensors Supports many advanced applications.
Trade-offs:
- A02: The trade-off is that it offers significantly lower performance and features for a lower price.
- A55: The trade-off is the higher price.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A02:
- Ideal Users: Budget-conscious users with very basic needs (calling, messaging, very light social media use).
- Use Cases:
- A backup phone or basic phone for senior citizens.
- A secondary device for basic tasks.
- Users who prioritize cost over performance and features.
- Price-to-Value Ratio: Low price, but very limited functionality and outdated hardware.
Samsung Galaxy A55:
- Ideal Users: Users seeking good overall performance, excellent display quality, and a versatile camera.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday use, including social media, browsing, and media consumption.
- Mobile gaming and multitasking.
- Photography and videography, particularly in low-light conditions.
- Users who want a modern smartphone experience.
- Price-to-Value Ratio: Higher price, but justified by a significant jump in performance and features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If you're extremely budget-constrained, the A02 might be your only option.
- How important is performance and responsiveness? If you need smooth multitasking and gaming capabilities, the A55 is essential.
- How much do you value display and camera quality? If you watch videos, play games, or take photos frequently, the A55 is significantly better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Extremely limited budget: If you're on a very tight budget and only need a basic phone for calls and messages, the A02 will work.
- Scenario 2: Basic Smartphone User: If you want a good value and don't need high performance or features, the A02 is good option.
- Scenario 3: Mid-Range Performance Seeker: If you desire a good all-round experience for gaming, browsing, media, and photography, the A55 is the obvious choice.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A55.
Here's why:
The Samsung Galaxy A55 offers a far superior experience in almost every aspect that matters to me in a modern smartphone. The drastically better performance, the beautiful AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, the vastly improved camera system with 4K video and OIS, the faster charging, newer software, and better connectivity options make it a device that I would actually enjoy using every day.
While the A02 might be tempting due to its potential lower price, the compromises in performance, camera quality, and overall user experience are just too significant. For someone who uses their smartphone daily for a variety of tasks, the A55 is the better investment and provides far greater value for money in the long run. The improved performance alone is worth the difference.
