On the subject of shopping for the suitable cellphone, the selection isn’t at all times apparent with so many choices throughout a spread of value factors.
The mid-range cellphone market, particularly, is full of a number of aggressive choices, and the Samsung Galaxy A55 and OnePlus Nord 4 are two standout contenders.
Each telephones present premium options at an inexpensive value, however they cater to barely completely different person wants.
Right here’s a complete comparability of those two units, that can assist you resolve which higher meets your wants.
Design & Construct
The Galaxy A55 boasts a premium construct with an aluminium body and a glass again, nearer to that of flagship fashions. It retains IP67 water and mud resistance, making it a sturdy alternative for individuals who need sturdiness with out compromising on type.
The cellphone is obtainable in a number of colors, like Superior Iceblue, Navy, Lilac, and Yellow, providing a vibrant palette for shoppers. Nonetheless, its heavier weight of 213g and bigger dimension would possibly make it much less comfy for some customers.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
The OnePlus Nord 4 incorporates a comparatively distinctive metallic unibody design, which supplies it a premium really feel whereas retaining the load comparatively low at 199.5g. The distinct two-tone rear design – though eye-catching – is vulnerable to fingerprints and smudges.
It packs an IP65 score, which is barely much less strong than the Galaxy A55’s IP67 certification, however nonetheless presents safety in opposition to mud and water. The cellphone’s aesthetics may additionally enchantment extra to these on the lookout for a glossy and trendy look, with some standout design components.
Chris Martin / Foundry
The Galaxy A55 presents a extra premium really feel, with its aluminium body and glass again, together with superior water and mud resistance. Whereas the OnePlus Nord 4 has a lighter metallic unibody and distinctive design, it falls quick in sturdiness.
The Galaxy A55 additionally is available in a wider array of finishes, which can enchantment to these on the lookout for larger private expression.
Show & Audio system
The Galaxy A55 comes with a 6.6-inch Full HD+ AMOLED show, that includes a peak 120Hz refresh charge. The panel boasts vivid colors and strong brightness output, though it’s not superb for out of doors use in vibrant daylight except auto-brightness is enabled.
The stereo audio system ship first rate readability however lack bass depth, making them appropriate for informal listening however not for audiophiles.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
The Nord 4 presents a barely bigger 6.74-inch Full HD+ OLED show, with the next decision of 2772 x 1240. It additionally helps a 120Hz peak refresh charge.
The show performs nicely throughout varied lighting situations, and the twin stereo audio system ship a passable audio expertise, with extra distinguished bass in comparison with the Galaxy A55.
Chris Martin / Foundry
The Nord 4’s OLED show totes the next decision and gives higher efficiency in several lighting situations, making it extra versatile for out of doors use.
Whereas each telephones prime out at a 120Hz refresh charge, the Nord 4’s show presents sharper visuals.
Efficiency
The Galaxy A55 is powered by the Exynos 1480 chipset, paired with 8GB of RAM.
It gives clean efficiency for day by day duties and handles reasonable gaming nicely. Nonetheless, it falls quick with regards to intensive gaming, the place body charges could drop on larger constancy graphical settings.
The cellphone comes with 128GB or 256GB of storage, expandable through microSD, which is a bonus for these needing further area.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
The Nord 4 makes use of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset, which is a step down from in the present day’s flagship-class processors however nonetheless delivers wonderful efficiency.
With 12GB or 16GB of RAM, multitasking is a breeze, and gaming efficiency is strong too, although not flawless for graphically demanding video games.
Storage choices are 256GB and 512GB, however not like the Galaxy A55, there is no such thing as a microSD slot for enlargement.
Chris Martin / Foundry
The Nord 4’s chipset, paired with larger RAM choices, gives higher multitasking and gaming efficiency versus the Galaxy A55.
That is much more evident in our Geekbench 6 multi-core take a look at. Whereas the Galaxy A55 achieved a rating of 3447, the Nord 4 surpassed it, reaching 3835 factors.
So, regardless that neither cellphone is appropriate for intensive gaming on the highest high quality, the Nord 4 handles itself higher total.
Cameras
The Galaxy A55 incorporates a versatile digicam setup, with a 50Mp important digicam, a 12Mp ultrawide lens, and a 5Mp macro sensor.
The primary digicam captures detailed photographs with vibrant colours, though low-light efficiency shouldn’t be its sturdy swimsuit. The 12Mp ultrawide is helpful however suffers from a noticeable drop in high quality, in comparison with the primary sensor.
Selfies from the 32Mp entrance digicam are sharp, making it a fantastic choice for social media fans.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
The Nord 4 has a 50Mp important digicam, with a Sony Lytia sensor, which performs nicely in good lighting, providing true-to-life colors and wonderful dynamic vary.
The 8Mp ultrawide digicam, nevertheless, is a noticeable downgrade and produces much less detailed and washed-out photographs. There’s additionally a 16Mp entrance digicam, which delivers high-quality selfies.
Sadly, the shortage of a devoted telephoto lens limits its versatility, in comparison with the Galaxy A55.
Chris Martin / Foundry
General, the Galaxy A55’s digicam setup presents a extra well-rounded photographic expertise.
The Nord 4 has a powerful important digicam however lacks a devoted telephoto lens, and has a much less efficient ultrawide digicam, making the A55 a better option for these after photographic versatility.
Battery & Charging
The Galaxy A55 homes a 5000mAh battery, which may comfortably last as long as two days of reasonable use.
Its 25W charging speeds, nevertheless, are a bit gradual, in comparison with the Nord 4. It additionally lacks wi-fi charging, which is likely to be a downside for some customers.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
The Nord 4 excels in battery efficiency, with its 5500mAh battery providing long-lasting energy, even underneath heavy use.
It helps 100W quick charging, though no charger is included within the field, which suggests you’ll have to buy one individually to reap the benefits of the utmost charging speeds. Wi-fi charging can be absent right here.
Chris Martin / Foundry
With a bigger battery and quicker charging speeds, the Nord 4 presents superior battery life and faster charging occasions, versus the Galaxy A55.
Software program & Apps
The Galaxy A55 runs on Android 14 with Samsung’s One UI 6.1 overlay. It’s a feature-rich, extremely customisable interface that some could discover cluttered, in comparison with inventory Android.
Samsung guarantees 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of safety patches on its mid-rangers, guaranteeing the cellphone stays present for years to return.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
The Nord 4 runs Oxygen OS 14.1, additionally primarily based on Android 14. It serves up a cleaner, extra streamlined expertise in comparison with One UI, however comes with some bloatware.
OnePlus ensures 4 main OS updates and 6 years of safety updates, offering barely longer assist than the Galaxy A55.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Whereas each telephones run Android 14, the Nord 4 presents a cleaner, extra streamlined software program expertise with Oxygen OS, in distinction to Samsung’s One UI.
The marginally longer replace promise from OnePlus additionally makes it a better option for long-term software program assist, and when it comes to total worth for cash.
Worth & Availability
The Samsung Galaxy A55 begins at £439 for the 128GB mannequin and goes as much as £489 for the 256GB variant. You should purchase it immediately from Samsung.
It’s additionally broadly out there by way of varied retailers within the UK, however not within the US.
The OnePlus Nord 4 is barely cheaper, beginning at £429 for the 12GB/256GB mannequin, and £529 for the 16GB/512GB model.
It’s bought immediately by way of OnePlus’ retailer and different on-line retailers however – just like the Galaxy A55 – it’s additionally unavailable within the US.
Do you have to purchase the Galaxy A55 or Nord 4?
In the event you want a well-rounded gadget with good all-around efficiency, the Galaxy A55 is a superb decide.
Nonetheless, for those who’re on the lookout for a extra highly effective gadget with wonderful battery life and efficiency – particularly at a cheaper price and with barely longer safety assist – the OnePlus Nord 4 edges the win on this mid-range cellphone battle.