The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Samsung Galaxy A55 represents a polished, established offering, while the Oscal Modern 8 aims to disrupt with aggressive pricing. This comparison dissects their core specifications to determine which device delivers the best value for your money, focusing on real-world performance and usability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A55 is the superior choice. Its significantly more powerful Exynos 1480 chipset, brighter display, and longer battery life justify the price difference. However, the Oscal Modern 8 presents a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers prioritizing basic functionality.
| 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, 7, 8, 19, 20, 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, May | 2024, March 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, May | Available. Released 2024, March 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 167.8 x 77.4 x 9.1 mm (6.61 x 3.05 x 0.36 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 | 214 g (7.55 oz) | 213 g (7.51 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 450 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Exynos 1480 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Xclipse 530 |
| OS | Android 13, DokeOS 4 | Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | 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, 23mm (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | 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 | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0" | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Wisteria Purple, Ripple Blue, Ash Gray | Iceblue, Lilac, Navy, Lemon |
| Models | - | SM-A556V, SM-A556B, SM-A556B/DS, SM-A556E, SM-A556E/DS, SM-A5560 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | $ 324.99 / £ 251.50 / € 319.99 / ₹ 23,998 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.68 W/kg (head) 1.04 W/kg (body) |
Oscal Modern 8
- Significantly faster processor for smooth performance
- Brighter, higher-quality display for better viewing
- Longer battery life and faster charging
- Higher price point
- May lack expandable storage (depending on model)
Samsung Galaxy A55
- More affordable price
- Potentially lighter weight (depending on build materials)
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Slower processor leading to lag and stuttering
- Inferior display quality
- Shorter battery life and slower charging
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A55 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1010 nits. This translates to excellent visibility outdoors, a clear advantage over the Oscal Modern 8 (brightness unspecified). While the Oscal Modern 8's panel technology isn't detailed, Samsung's likely utilizes Super AMOLED, offering superior contrast and color accuracy. The A55's display is geared towards immersive media consumption, while the Oscal Modern 8 likely prioritizes cost savings over visual fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Oscal Modern 8, a direct comparison is limited. However, Samsung typically excels in image processing. The A55 likely features a more sophisticated image signal processor (ISP) within the Exynos 1480, resulting in better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality. While the Oscal Modern 8 may offer a usable camera for casual snapshots, the A55 will deliver consistently better results, particularly in low-light conditions. We can assume the A55 will have optical image stabilization (OIS) which the Oscal Modern 8 likely lacks.
Performance
The performance gap is substantial. The Samsung Galaxy A55's Exynos 1480, built on a 4nm process, features four Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.75 GHz, offering a significant leap in CPU performance compared to the Oscal Modern 8's Unisoc Tiger T616. The T616, with its 12nm process and older Cortex-A75 cores peaking at 2.0 GHz, will struggle with demanding tasks and multitasking. The Exynos 1480's more efficient architecture also implies better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended gaming sessions. The A55 is designed for a fluid, responsive experience, while the Modern 8 is better suited for basic applications.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A55 demonstrates a clear advantage in battery endurance, achieving 13 hours and 27 minutes of active use. While the Oscal Modern 8's battery capacity is unknown, the less efficient Unisoc T616 chipset will likely result in shorter runtimes. Furthermore, the A55 supports 25W wired charging, enabling faster replenishment compared to the Oscal Modern 8's 18W charging. This means less downtime and more time using the device.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oscal Modern 8 if you need a functional smartphone for essential tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. You'll accept compromises in performance and display quality. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A55 if you prioritize a smooth user experience, a vibrant display for media consumption, and a camera system capable of capturing detailed photos and videos, even in challenging conditions. You're willing to pay a premium for these enhancements.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1480 in the Galaxy A55 tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1480, built on a 4nm process, is generally efficient and well-managed in the Galaxy A55. While some heat generation is inevitable during intensive gaming, Samsung's thermal management system is designed to prevent significant throttling, ensuring sustained performance for extended periods. It's less prone to overheating than the Unisoc T616 in the Oscal Modern 8.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Samsung Galaxy A55 actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
While a 2MP macro camera is included, its utility is limited. The low resolution often results in soft, lacking detail images. It's best used in well-lit conditions and doesn't offer the same level of quality as dedicated macro lenses found on higher-end smartphones. It's more of a feature for marketing than a significant photographic tool.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A55 reliably run PUBG Mobile at 90fps?
The Samsung Galaxy A55 supports 90Hz refresh rate and the Exynos 1480 chipset is capable of running PUBG Mobile at high frame rates. However, achieving a consistent 90fps will depend on the graphics settings selected. Lowering the settings to balanced or low will likely be necessary to maintain a stable 90fps experience during intense gameplay.
❓ What kind of storage does the Oscal Modern 8 use, and is it expandable?
The storage type for the Oscal Modern 8 is not specified in the provided data. However, given its price point, it likely utilizes eMMC storage, which is slower than the UFS storage found in the Samsung Galaxy A55. Expandability via microSD card is also unknown, but is a common feature in this price bracket and would be a significant benefit.
