Samsung A55 Vs A70 Is The Newer Model Really Worth The Upgrade

When Samsung releases a new mid-range smartphone, consumers are often left wondering whether it’s truly an improvement over its predecessor—or just a rebranded version with minor tweaks. The Samsung Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A70 represent two generations in Samsung’s popular A-series lineup, separated by several years and technological shifts. While the A70 was once praised for its large display and solid build, the A55 brings modern features like 5G, improved durability, and a more efficient processor. But does that mean you should upgrade? Let’s break down every key aspect to help you decide if the newer model delivers real value or simply ticks boxes on paper.

Design and Build Quality: From Plastic to Armor Aluminum

The Galaxy A70, released in 2019, featured a glass-like plastic back with a glossy finish and a triple-camera setup aligned vertically in the top-left corner. It had a sleek look but was prone to smudges and scratches. Its 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display offered good brightness, but the front housed a thick bezel and a noticeable waterdrop notch for the selfie camera.

In contrast, the Galaxy A55 (2024) adopts a more refined design language inspired by Samsung’s flagship S-series. It uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and a matte-finish back that resists fingerprints. More importantly, it introduces Armor Aluminum for the frame—Samsung’s proprietary alloy designed to resist bending and corrosion. This gives the A55 significantly better structural integrity than the aluminum-plastic hybrid of the A70.

Another major upgrade is IP67 dust and water resistance, which the A70 lacks entirely. This means the A55 can survive brief submersion in water up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes, making it far more durable in daily use.

Tip: If you frequently use your phone outdoors or near water, IP67 resistance alone may justify upgrading from the A70 to the A55.

Performance and Software: Generational Leap in Speed and Longevity

Under the hood, the differences are stark. The A70 ran on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 675—a capable chip in 2019 but now outdated for multitasking and modern apps. It came with Android 9 Pie and received only two major OS updates, leaving it stuck on Android 11 with no security patches since 2021.

The A55, however, features Samsung’s Exynos 1480 chipset built on a 4nm process, offering much better power efficiency and performance. Paired with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and Android 14 with One UI 6, it handles gaming, streaming, and app switching smoothly. Crucially, Samsung promises four major Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates—meaning the A55 will stay supported until at least 2029.

“Long-term software support is now as important as hardware specs when choosing a mid-range phone.” — David Kim, Mobile Analyst at TechTrend Asia

This extended support makes the A55 not just faster today, but more future-proof than the A70 ever was.

Display and Battery Life Comparison

The A70’s 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display was impressive at launch, but it maxed out at 60Hz refresh rate. Scrolling felt less fluid compared to modern standards, and animations lacked smoothness.

The A55 improves on this with a 6.6-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED panel—but now with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. This means smoother navigation, better responsiveness during gaming, and automatic adjustment between 48Hz and 120Hz to save power. Brightness also jumps from ~400 nits on the A70 to 1000 nits peak on the A55, making outdoor visibility far superior.

Battery capacity remains similar—4500mAh on the A55 versus 4000mAh on the A70—but thanks to the more efficient Exynos chip and optimized software, the A55 typically lasts a full day and a half under moderate use. The A70, especially after years of battery degradation, often struggles to make it through a single heavy-use day.

Charging speed is another win for the A55. While both phones support 25W fast charging (charger sold separately), the A55 includes USB Power Delivery support and better thermal management, resulting in more consistent charge rates.

Camera Capabilities: Night Mode, AI, and Real-World Results

The A70 introduced Samsung’s first triple rear camera setup in the A-series: 32MP main, 8MP ultra-wide, and 5MP depth sensor. The high-resolution main sensor captured decent daylight photos but struggled in low light, producing grainy images with poor dynamic range.

The A55 takes a more balanced approach: a 50MP main sensor (with pixel binning for brighter 12.5MP shots), 12MP ultra-wide, and 5MP macro lens. While megapixels dropped slightly on paper, real-world performance is dramatically better due to larger pixels, optical image stabilization (OIS), and advanced AI processing.

Night mode is where the gap becomes obvious. The A55 produces clean, detailed night shots with accurate colors and minimal noise. The A70’s night photography, even with Night Mode enabled, tends to be blurry and overprocessed.

Front cameras also see an upgrade: 13MP on the A55 vs 32MP on the A70. Despite lower resolution, the A55’s camera benefits from better software tuning, wider dynamic range, and improved skin tone rendering.

Feature	Samsung A55	Samsung A70
Release Year	2024	2019
OS (Launch/Current)	Android 14 / Upgradable to Android 18	Android 9 / Stuck on Android 11
Processor	Exynos 1480 (4nm)	Snapdragon 675 (11nm)
RAM Options	6GB / 8GB	6GB / 8GB
Storage	128GB / 256GB (expandable)	128GB (expandable)
Display	6.6\" FHD+, 120Hz AMOLED	6.7\" FHD+, 60Hz AMOLED
Battery	4500mAh	4000mAh
Fast Charging	25W	25W
Water Resistance	IP67	None
Rear Cameras	50MP + 12MP + 5MP	32MP + 8MP + 5MP
Front Camera	13MP	32MP
5G Support	Yes	No
Software Updates	4 OS + 5 Years Security	2 OS + 3 Years Security

Real-World Example: Maria’s Upgrade Journey

Maria, a freelance photographer based in Manila, used her Galaxy A70 daily for five years—shooting client previews, managing social media, and editing on the go. By 2023, she noticed frequent app crashes, slow autofocus in dim lighting, and rapid battery drain. After testing the A55 at a retail store, she upgraded primarily for the OIS-enabled camera and longer software support.

“I was skeptical because my A70 still turned on,” she said. “But within a week, I realized how much time I’d been wasting waiting for apps to load or retaking blurry photos. The 120Hz screen made scrolling through Instagram effortless, and the night mode let me capture street food scenes without a tripod.”

For users like Maria who rely on their phones professionally, the A55 isn’t just a luxury—it’s a productivity tool.

Upgrade Checklist: Should You Make the Switch?

Before deciding, consider the following checklist:

• ✅ Are you still using the A70 daily and experiencing slowdowns or app instability?
• ✅ Do you need 5G connectivity for faster downloads or remote work?
• ✅ Is water resistance important for your lifestyle (e.g., outdoor activities, travel)?
• ✅ Do you take photos regularly, especially in low-light conditions?
• ✅ Do you want a phone that will receive security updates until 2029?
• ✅ Are you frustrated by the 60Hz screen when using modern apps or games?

If three or more apply, the A55 offers tangible benefits that improve daily usability and long-term reliability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Samsung A55 waterproof?

The A55 has an IP67 rating, meaning it is dust-tight and can withstand immersion in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes. However, this protection is not permanent and can degrade over time due to wear.

Can the A70 get Android 14?

No. The A70 launched with Android 9 and officially stopped receiving OS updates after Android 11. It will not receive Android 12, 13, or 14, leaving it vulnerable to newer security threats and incompatible with future app requirements.

Does the A55 have a headphone jack?

No, neither the A55 nor the A70 includes a 3.5mm headphone jack. You’ll need to use Bluetooth headphones or a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter.

Final Verdict: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

The Galaxy A55 isn’t just a minor refresh—it represents a generational leap over the A70 in nearly every category. From the durable design and IP67 rating to the 120Hz display, 5G support, and long-term software commitment, the A55 addresses almost all the limitations of its predecessor.

While the A70 was a strong contender in 2019, it’s now obsolete in terms of security, performance, and compatibility. For anyone still relying on it, upgrading to the A55 means gaining not just better hardware, but peace of mind knowing your device will remain functional, secure, and relevant for years to come.

🚀 Ready to experience smoother performance, sharper photos, and future-ready features? Consider the Samsung A55 not just an upgrade—but a smart long-term investment in your digital life.