Motorola Moto G86 vs Samsung Galaxy A55: A Deep Dive Comparison

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Motorola Moto G86 and Samsung Galaxy A55 represent compelling options. The G86 prioritizes exceptional battery endurance, while the A55 focuses on a vibrant display and Samsung’s established software ecosystem. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing all-day battery life and efficient performance, the Motorola Moto G86 is the clear winner. Its significantly longer endurance score (55:44h) outweighs the Galaxy A55’s brighter display for most everyday tasks. However, the A55’s superior display and Samsung’s software support make it a strong contender for media consumers.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto G86 Samsung Galaxy A55
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - InternationalHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 71 - EMEA & AP1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - EMEA & AP1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, May 292024, March 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, July 07Available. Released 2024, March 15
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), plastic frame, silicone polymer (eco leather) backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame
Dimensions161.2 x 74.7 x 7.8 mm (6.35 x 2.94 x 0.31 in)161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2 mm (6.34 x 3.05 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight185 g (6.53 oz)213 g (7.51 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 4Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
Resolution1220 x 2712 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~446 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeP-OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 4500 nits peakSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 7300 (4 nm)Exynos 1480 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G615 MC2Xclipse 530
OSAndroid 15Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 12mm, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm, AF-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 0.7µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (with Dolby Atmos)Yes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
Battery
Charging30W wired25W wired
Type5200 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsPantone: Spellbound, Golden Cypress, Cosmic Sky, ChrysanthemumIceblue, Lilac, Navy, Lemon
ModelsXT2527-2SM-A556V, SM-A556B, SM-A556B/DS, SM-A556E, SM-A556E/DS, SM-A5560
Price$ 269.50 / C$ 649.00 / £ 199.99 / € 198.99$ 324.99 / £ 251.50 / € 319.99 / ₹ 23,998
SAR EU-0.68 W/kg (head)     1.04 W/kg (body)
EU LABEL
Battery55:44h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass A-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass B-

Motorola Moto G86

  • Exceptional battery life (55:44h endurance)
  • Efficient Mediatek Dimensity 7300 chipset
  • Potentially faster charging (30W)

  • Display likely less bright than the A55
  • Camera system potentially less versatile

Samsung Galaxy A55

  • Bright and vibrant display (1010 nits)
  • Samsung’s One UI software experience
  • Potentially more versatile camera system

  • Significantly shorter battery life (13:27h)
  • Slower charging speed (25W)

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A55 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1010 nits. This is a substantial advantage for outdoor visibility, especially in direct sunlight. While the Moto G86’s display specs aren’t provided, the A55’s brightness level suggests a superior viewing experience in bright conditions. Samsung’s display technology typically offers excellent color accuracy, and the A55 likely benefits from this. The absence of LTPO technology on either device means refresh rate scaling won’t be as efficient as on flagship models, but both likely offer a standard 120Hz panel.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the market positioning suggests the Galaxy A55 will likely have a more versatile camera system. Samsung typically focuses on image processing that produces vibrant, shareable photos. The Moto G86 will likely prioritize accurate color reproduction. The presence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the A55 (likely) would be a significant advantage for low-light photography and video recording. The usefulness of a 2MP macro camera on either device is questionable, as image quality is often subpar.

Performance

Both the Moto G86 and Galaxy A55 utilize 4nm chipsets – the Mediatek Dimensity 7300 and the Exynos 1480 respectively. The Galaxy A55’s CPU has a slightly higher peak clock speed (2.75 GHz vs 2.5 GHz), potentially offering a marginal performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks. However, the Dimensity 7300’s Cortex-A78 cores are known for their efficiency. Real-world performance will depend on software optimization and thermal management. The A55’s GPU is likely to offer a slight edge in gaming, but the G86’s efficient chipset could lead to less throttling during extended gaming sessions. RAM speed (LPDDR5x is expected on both) will also play a role, but the chipset is the primary differentiator.

Battery Life

The Motorola Moto G86’s standout feature is its exceptional battery endurance, rated at 55:44 hours. This is significantly longer than the Samsung Galaxy A55’s 13:27 hours of active use. While the A55’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the G86’s endurance suggests a larger battery or significantly more efficient power management. The G86 supports 30W wired charging, while the A55 offers 25W. This means the G86 will likely charge slightly faster, but neither offers the blazing-fast charging speeds of some competitors. The G86’s 1000 charge cycle rating suggests a longer lifespan for the battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Moto G86 if you need a phone that can reliably last through two full days of moderate use, and value efficient performance over peak graphical power. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A55 if you prioritize a bright, vivid display for content consumption, prefer Samsung’s One UI software experience, and are willing to compromise on battery endurance for these features.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 1480 in the Galaxy A55 tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 1480 is a capable chipset, it has been known to exhibit some thermal throttling under sustained load. The Moto G86’s Dimensity 7300, with its focus on efficiency, may offer better sustained performance during long gaming sessions due to potentially lower heat generation.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using for detailed close-up shots?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget and mid-range phones produce images with limited detail and sharpness. The image quality is often significantly lower than that of the main camera. While they can be fun to experiment with, don’t expect professional-level results.
❓ What kind of software support can I expect from Motorola compared to Samsung?
Samsung typically provides longer software support (OS updates and security patches) than Motorola. Samsung promises 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security updates for the A55, while Motorola’s support is generally shorter, typically around 2-3 years. This is a key consideration for long-term usability.
❓ How does the charging speed difference (30W vs 25W) translate to real-world charging times?
The 30W charging on the Moto G86 will likely result in a slightly faster 0-100% charge time compared to the 25W charging on the Galaxy A55. However, the difference won’t be dramatic – expect a difference of perhaps 15-20 minutes for a full charge.