The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Oppo F29 and Samsung Galaxy A55 represent compelling options. The F29 leverages Qualcomm's efficient Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, while the A55 champions Samsung's in-house Exynos 1480. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and faster charging, the Oppo F29 emerges as the winner. While the Galaxy A55 boasts a brighter display and longer battery life in active use, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 offers a more consistent experience under load, making it better suited for gaming and demanding applications.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 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 | 2025, March 20 | 2024, March 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, March 27 | Available. Released 2024, March 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), fiber-fabric back or fiber-reinforced plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 161.6 x 74.5 x 7.7 mm (6.36 x 2.93 x 0.30 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 | 185 g or 189 g (6.53 oz) | 213 g (7.51 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 7i | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 600 nits (typ), 1200 nits (HBM) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Exynos 1480 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | Xclipse 530 |
| OS | Android 15, ColorOS 15 | Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 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, 27mm (wide), 1/2.88", PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama | 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@30/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, (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, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 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 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 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 | 45W wired, PD, 30% in 21 min | 25W wired |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 6500 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Deep Purple, Glacier Blue | Iceblue, Lilac, Navy, Lemon |
| Models | - | SM-A556V, SM-A556B, SM-A556B/DS, SM-A556E, SM-A556E/DS, SM-A5560 |
| Price | About 260 EUR | $ 324.99 / £ 251.50 / € 319.99 / ₹ 23,998 |
| SAR | 1.12 W/kg (head) 0.89 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | - | 0.68 W/kg (head) 1.04 W/kg (body) |
Oppo F29
- Faster 45W charging for quick top-ups
- Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 offers strong GPU performance
- Potentially better thermal management for sustained performance
- Likely lower peak display brightness
- Potentially shorter battery life compared to the A55
Samsung Galaxy A55
- Brighter 1010 nit display for excellent outdoor visibility
- Longer battery life (13:27h active use)
- Samsung's refined image processing algorithms
- Slower 25W charging
- Exynos 1480 may exhibit more throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A55 immediately stands out with its measured peak brightness of 1010 nits, significantly exceeding what we'd expect in this price bracket. This translates to excellent outdoor visibility. While the Oppo F29's display specs are currently unknown, Samsung's panel likely offers superior viewing angles and color accuracy. The A55's display technology is likely to be a high-refresh-rate AMOLED, while the F29 may use an LCD panel, impacting contrast and color vibrancy. The A55's higher brightness is a clear advantage for users who frequently use their phones in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Oppo F29, a direct comparison is challenging. However, Samsung typically excels in image processing. The Galaxy A55 likely features a more sophisticated image signal processor (ISP) within the Exynos 1480, resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction. While both phones likely include a standard main camera, the A55's image processing algorithms will likely provide a more polished final image. The presence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the A55 is also probable, further enhancing image quality in low-light conditions. We can assume the F29 will include a standard set of lenses, but the A55's camera system is likely more refined.
Performance
The core of the performance difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A55's Exynos 1480, with its 4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 cores, boasts a higher clock speed than the Oppo F29's Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78). However, clock speed isn't everything. Both chips are built on a 4nm process, suggesting similar efficiency. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is known for its optimized power management and strong GPU performance for its class. The Exynos 1480 may offer slightly better multi-core performance, but the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is likely to maintain more consistent performance under sustained load due to better thermal characteristics. Both devices utilize Cortex-A55 cores for efficiency tasks.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A55 demonstrates a significant advantage in battery life, achieving 13 hours and 27 minutes of active use. This suggests a larger battery capacity and/or more efficient power management. The Oppo F29 compensates with faster 45W wired charging, capable of adding 30% charge in just 21 minutes. The A55's 25W charging is considerably slower. While the A55 offers longer runtimes, the F29's faster charging mitigates downtime, making it more convenient for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo F29 if you need a phone that prioritizes consistent performance during gaming and multitasking, and value faster 45W charging. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A55 if you prefer a brighter, more vibrant display for media consumption, and require maximum battery endurance for all-day use, even at the expense of some peak performance.
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 chip, it's known to exhibit some throttling under sustained load. The Galaxy A55 may experience a slight drop in performance after extended gaming, whereas the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Oppo F29 is generally more efficient at maintaining consistent performance due to its thermal characteristics.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up shots?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on phones in this price range offer limited detail and image quality. They are often included for marketing purposes but rarely deliver truly impressive macro photography. You're better off using the main camera and cropping for close-up shots.
❓ Can the Oppo F29 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at 60fps with high graphics settings?
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at 60fps with medium to high graphics settings. However, achieving consistently smooth performance at the highest settings may require some optimization of in-game settings. The F29's thermal management will play a key role in maintaining stable frame rates during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How much faster is the 45W charging on the Oppo F29 compared to the 25W charging on the Samsung Galaxy A55 in real-world usage?
The Oppo F29's 45W charging significantly reduces charging time. While a full 0-100% charge time isn't specified, the ability to gain 30% charge in 21 minutes is considerably faster than the A55's 25W charging. This means less downtime and quicker access to a usable battery level.
