Nothing CMF Phone 1 vs Samsung Galaxy A55: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Champions
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing battery life and display brightness, the Nothing CMF Phone 1 emerges as the winner. Its 16:13 active use battery score and 1259 nits peak brightness significantly outperform the Galaxy A55. However, Samsung’s software and brand recognition remain strong considerations.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Nothing CMF Phone 1 | Samsung Galaxy A55 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024, July 08 | 2024, March 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, July 09 | Available. Released 2024, March 15 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back or silicone polymer back (eco leather) | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 164 x 77 x 8.2 mm (6.46 x 3.03 x 0.32 in) | 161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2 mm (6.34 x 3.05 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) |
| Weight | 197 g or 202 g (6.95 oz) | 213 g (7.51 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, 960Hz PWM, 500 nits (typ), 2000 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7300 (4 nm) | Exynos 1480 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G615 MC2 | Xclipse 530 |
| OS | Android 14, upgradable to Android 15, up to 2 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0 | Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED 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) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, BLE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 33W wired 5W reverse wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Orange, Light Green | Iceblue, Lilac, Navy, Lemon |
| Models | A015 | SM-A556V, SM-A556B, SM-A556B/DS, SM-A556E, SM-A556E/DS, SM-A5560 |
| Price | € 148.95 / ₹ 16,499 | $ 324.99 / £ 251.50 / € 319.99 / ₹ 23,998 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.68 W/kg (head) 1.04 W/kg (body) |
Nothing CMF Phone 1
- Exceptional battery life (16:13h active use)
- Brighter display (1259 nits)
- Potentially better GPU performance with Dimensity 7300
- Less established brand
- Software experience may be less refined
Samsung Galaxy A55
- Well-established brand and ecosystem
- Potentially more sophisticated camera system
- Faster charging (25W)
- Shorter battery life (13:27h active use)
- Dimmer display (1010 nits)
- Exynos 1480 may be prone to throttling
Display Comparison
The Nothing CMF Phone 1 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1259 nits compared to the Galaxy A55’s 1010 nits. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While both utilize 4nm chipsets, the display’s power draw will impact overall battery life. We lack panel technology details (LTPO, AMOLED type) for either, but the brightness difference is a clear win for the CMF Phone 1. Bezels appear comparable based on initial impressions, but color accuracy testing would be needed for a definitive assessment.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the CPU, a direct comparison is limited. However, the market positioning suggests the Galaxy A55 will likely feature a more sophisticated camera system with potentially larger sensors and more advanced image processing. The CMF Phone 1 will likely focus on delivering acceptable image quality at a lower price point. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely irrelevant; image quality from such sensors is typically poor. OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is a critical feature missing from the provided data, and its presence on the A55 would be a significant advantage.
Performance
Both phones employ 4nm chipsets – the Mediatek Dimensity 7300 in the CMF Phone 1 and the Exynos 1480 in the Galaxy A55. The A55’s CPU clocks slightly higher at 2.75 GHz versus 2.5 GHz on the CMF Phone 1, but the core architecture is identical (4x Cortex-A78 & 4x Cortex-A55). Real-world performance differences will likely be subtle, with the Dimensity 7300 potentially offering a slight edge in GPU performance. Thermal management is a key unknown; the Exynos 1480 has a history of throttling under sustained load, a potential concern for gamers. Both likely use LPDDR5x RAM, but specific speeds are not provided.
Battery Life
The Nothing CMF Phone 1 delivers a substantial advantage in battery life, achieving 16:13 hours of active use compared to the Galaxy A55’s 13:27 hours. This nearly 3-hour difference is significant for power users. While the A55’s 25W charging is slightly faster than the CMF Phone 1’s 33W, the larger battery capacity of the CMF Phone 1 means it will still take a comparable amount of time to fully charge. The CMF Phone 1 also offers 5W reverse wired charging, a useful feature for topping up accessories.
Buying Guide
Buy the Nothing CMF Phone 1 if you need exceptional battery endurance for all-day use, a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and are comfortable with a newer brand experience. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A55 if you prioritize a well-established brand with a refined software experience, and value Samsung’s ecosystem of services, even if it means sacrificing some battery life and display brightness.