Samsung’s Galaxy A series is known for its many successful and affordable smartphones.
One of these is the Galaxy A15 5G, which in our review was called one of the best budget Androids available today. However, Motorola is now taking on the Korean giant, after unveiling the great looking G55 model.
So which one will prove the better buy? While we still haven’t had the chance to test the Motorola G55 (expect our review very soon), based on the information available we compared the two models to determine the potential winner.
Comparision between the Motorola G55 and the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
Design
The Motorola G55 comes with a premium feel, offering a choice between vegan leather or plastic finishes.
The vegan leather models are available in striking colours like Twilight Purple, Smoky Green, or Forest Grey, and provide a stylish and grippy texture that sets the G55 apart from its competitors.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Motorola also adds a water-repellent design, although it lacks an official IP rating.
Simon Chandler / Foundry
Samsung’s Galaxy A15 5G sports a chic design with flat edges, mimicking the company’s higher-end models.
Its colour options, including the standout Personality Yellow, give the phone a more modern and sophisticated look.
However, the Galaxy A15 lacks any water resistance features, making it less durable in challenging environments.
While both phones bring their own unique design language, Motorola’s use of vegan leather and vibrant colour options give the G55 an edge in the aesthetics department.
Display
The display experience is crucial in any smartphone, and both the Motorola G55 and Galaxy A15 5G offer different strengths in this area.
The Motorola G55 features a 6.49-inch FHD+ LCD screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. This high refresh rate makes for smoother scrolling and more fluid animations, a significant advantage over phones with a standard 60Hz panel.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Samsung’s Galaxy A15 5G, comes with a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display, which offers richer colours and deeper blacks compared to the LCD panel on the G55.
The Galaxy A15’s 90Hz refresh rate is lower than the G55’s, but still provides a smoother experience compared to the standard 60Hz.
Simon Chandler / Foundry
For users prioritising display vibrancy and contrast, the Galaxy A15 5G’s AMOLED screen is a better option. However, those who value a smoother experience in general usage may prefer the G55 with its faster refresh rate.
Performance
Under the hood, the Motorola G55 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7025 processor and offers up to 12GB of RAM.
This gives it a significant advantage in terms of multitasking and performance, making it well-suited for heavier apps and more demanding tasks.
Motorola
The G55’s performance is expected to be fluid, with a faster response time across various apps and gaming scenarios.
The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G, on the other hand, runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ processor, which is slightly less powerful.
It’s paired with 4GB of RAM, which is on the lower end for a smartphone in this price range.
As a result, users may experience some lag or slowdown during multitasking or when running more demanding applications.
Simon Chandler / Foundry
In terms of raw performance, the Motorola G55 should outshine the Galaxy A15 5G, especially for users looking for more RAM and faster processing power.
Cameras
The camera systems on both devices feature a 50Mp main sensor, but the Motorola G55 includes Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS), a major advantage for stabilising shots and reducing blur.
Along with the main camera, the G55 also comes with an 8Mp ultrawide lens and a 2Mp macro lens, adding more versatility to its photography setup. The 16Mp front camera ensures high-quality selfies, with its ultra-pixel technology improving low-light shots.
Motorola
The Galaxy A15 5G also features a 50Mp main camera but lacks OIS, making it slightly less reliable in low-light conditions or when capturing fast-moving subjects.
Additionally, it comes with a 5Mp ultrawide camera and a 2Mp macro lens, which are functional but less impressive. The 13Mp front camera delivers good selfie performance but doesn’t match the quality of Motorola’s G55.
Simon Chandler / Foundry
For photography enthusiasts or those who value stable video and low-light capabilities, the Motorola G55 is the better choice due to its inclusion of OIS.
Battery & Charging
Both the Motorola G55 and Galaxy A15 5G come equipped with a 5000mAh battery, offering all-day battery life for average use.
The G55, however, supports 30W charging, allowing for quicker top-ups compared to the Galaxy A15 5G, which is limited to 25W charging.
Neither phone includes a charger in the box, but users can still enjoy solid battery performance with either model.
Simon Chandler / Foundry
The faster charging speed of the G55 gives it a slight advantage, but for most users, the difference won’t be too noticeable unless fast charging is a priority.
Software
On the software front, the Motorola G55 runs Android 14 with a clean, near-stock experience. This ensures a minimal amount of bloatware and a user-friendly interface.
Motorola’s software approach has always been close to the stock Android experience, providing quicker updates and less clutter.
Simon Chandler / Foundry
The Galaxy A15 5G also runs Android 14, but with Samsung’s One UI 6 layered on top. One UI offers a rich set of features and customisation options, like Modes and Routines, allowing users to tailor their phone experience.
However, the added layer can feel heavier, and the overall experience may not be as fluid as Motorola’s more stripped-down interface.
If a clean and smooth Android experience is important to you, the Motorola G55 is the better choice. But if you enjoy deeper customisation options and Samsung’s ecosystem, the Galaxy A15 5G might appeal more.
Price & Availability
Both the Motorola G55 and Samsung Galaxy A15 5G are priced similarly at £199.
Both phones are available in Europe and the UK through multiple retailers, but only the Galaxy A15 5G is available in the US for $199.99.
With both phones priced the same, the choice comes down to your feature preferences rather than cost.
Verdict
The Motorola G55 shines with better overall performance, a faster refresh rate, and more advanced camera features, making it the better option for users who value performance and camera quality. Its premium vegan leather design and fast charging also add to its appeal.
If you need a phone with superior performance and camera capabilities, the Motorola G55 is the clear winner.
But, if display quality and Samsung’s feature-rich ecosystem are more important to you, the Galaxy A15 5G is worth considering. Especially if you live in the US, where the Motorola G55 is not available.
For more options you can also take a look at our roundup of the current Best budget Android phones.