Samsung‘s Galaxy A-series has long been the company’s midrange smartphone workhorse, delivering solid performance and features at a more accessible price point. With the latest Galaxy A55 and A35 models, Samsung is upping the ante with improved security and build materials – addressing two areas that are often compromised at lower price points.

One of the key upgrades for the new A-series phones is the inclusion of Samsung’s Knox Vault security feature. Originally limited to the company’s flagship Galaxy lineups, Knox Vault is designed to safeguard sensitive user data like lock screen credentials and encryption keys by isolating them from the main processor and memory. This physical separation helps fortify the devices against potential software and hardware attacks.

The addition of Knox Vault to the A55 and A35 marks the first time this robust security solution has trickled down to Samsung’s more affordable A-series. It’s a significant move that brings enhanced data protection to a wider range of consumers.

Beyond security, Samsung has also focused on improving the physical construction of its latest midrange offerings. The Galaxy A55, in particular, receives a metal frame – a tangible upgrade over the plastic chassis found in last year’s A54 model.

This subtle but meaningful design choice imbues the A55 with a more premium hand-feel and potentially improved durability compared to its all-plastic predecessor. It’s a welcomed evolution that helps narrow the gap between Samsung’s midrange and flagship lineups in terms of build quality and perceived value.

Pricing and availability

Samsung has announced European pricing for the Galaxy A55 and A35, which are slated for availability starting March 20th, though exact release dates may vary across markets.

The Galaxy A55 will retail for €479 (approximately $524 USD) for the 8GB RAM/128GB storage configuration, with the 256GB storage variant commanding a €529 (around $579 USD) price tag.

Meanwhile, the more affordable Galaxy A35 kicks off at €379 (roughly $415 USD) for the 6GB/128GB model, with the 8GB/128GB and 8GB/256GB versions priced at €398 (around $435 USD) and €449 (approximately $491 USD), respectively.

While pricing and certain build elements differ between the two models, Samsung has maintained a consistent core experience across the Galaxy A55 and A35. Both devices feature 6.6-inch Super AMOLED displays with up to 120Hz refresh rates and a peak brightness of 1000 nits, ensuring smooth visuals and ample outdoor visibility.

Longevity is also a shared strength, with Samsung promising four years of Android OS updates and five years of security patches for each phone – slightly trailing the seven-year commitment for the company’s latest Galaxy S24 flagship line but still commendable for midrange devices.

The A55 and A35 also boast IP67 ratings for dust and water resistance, 5000mAh batteries with 25W fast charging support, and the ability to accommodate up to 1TB microSD cards for expanded storage.

Performance and camera

Where the Galaxy A55 and A35 diverge is in their processors and camera configurations. The A55 packs the more capable Exynos 1480 chipset, while the A35 utilizes the previous-generation Exynos 1380 found in last year’s A54.

Camera setups also vary between the two models. Both share 50-megapixel main sensors and 5-megapixel macro lenses, but the A55 enjoys the benefits of a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 32-megapixel selfie shooter. In contrast, the A35 settles for an 8-megapixel ultrawide and a 13-megapixel front-facing camera.