Bad news: Samsung’s successor to the best cheap phone of 2023 isn’t coming to the US
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We’re huge fans of theSamsung Galaxy A54here at TechRadar, so much so that the device currently occupies coveted spots on ourbest cheap phonesandbest Samsung phoneslists, but Samsung itself has shared a disappointing update regarding the availability of the A54’s successor, the Galaxy A55.
Speaking toCNET, the company confirmed that it “will not be carrying the Galaxy A55 5G [in the US market] at this time,” with the phone’s availability instead reserved for regions including the UK, Europe and Australia at launch.
Interestingly, theeven more affordable Galaxy A35willbe made available in the US at launch, which represents something of a strategy shift from Samsung, since the company typically releases the more expensive of its two annual mid-range phones globally, and the cheaper option in selected regions (the Galaxy A54, for instance, launched worldwide, while the Galaxy A34 launched in markets outside of the US).
Samsung’s decision to limit the availability of the Galaxy A55, then, suggests the company is keen to push US customers towards the recently releasedSamsung Galaxy S23 FE, which boasts similar specs – and a potentially similar price – to the upcoming mid-range flagship (check out ourSamsung Galaxy S23 FE reviewfor our full verdict on the former phone).
The Galaxy A55 isn’t a million miles away from the Galaxy A35 in terms of specs, either. For instance, both phones share the same 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display (with a variable 120Hz refresh rate), the same 5,000mAh battery, the same 128GB storage capacity, and the same suite ofSamsungKnox and Samsung Knox Vault security tools.
The Galaxy A55 has a slightly more powerful Exynos chipset than its cheaper sibling, as well as slightly better cameras and a slightly higher RAM capacity. But then the Galaxy S23 FE – which retails for a very reasonable $599.99 in the US – is the phone to go for if you’re after premium specs at an affordable price.
What’s more, the US market is already spoiled for choice when it comes to impressive mid-range mobile options. The newOnePlus 12R, for instance, is a super long-lasting device with an outstanding display, while the ever-depreciatingGoogle Pixel 7aranks alongside thebest camera phones.Google’s next mid-range flagship, theGoogle Pixel 8a, is rumored to be on the horizon, too (thoughthat phone may not be as cheap as we hope).
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So, while we’re disappointed that the Galaxy A55 won’t be getting a global release (at least not at launch), there are plenty of great affordable alternatives available from both Samsung itself and rival mobile manufacturers.
As for whether the excellent Galaxy A54 will remain on sale in the US following the overseas launch of the Galaxy A55, we’ve reached out to Samsung for confirmation.
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Axel is TechRadar’s UK-based Phones Editor, reporting on everything from the latest Apple developments to newest AI breakthroughs as part of the site’s Mobile Computing vertical. Having previously written for publications including Esquire and FourFourTwo, Axel is well-versed in the applications of technology beyond the desktop, and his coverage extends from general reporting and analysis to in-depth interviews and opinion.
Axel studied for a degree in English Literature at the University of Warwick before joining TechRadar in 2020, where he then earned an NCTJ qualification as part of the company’s inaugural digital training scheme.
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