vivo V40 Lite vs Samsung Galaxy A55: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Contenders

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo V40 Lite and Samsung Galaxy A55 represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. The V40 Lite 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.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and a brighter, more vibrant display, the Samsung Galaxy A55 emerges as the stronger choice. Its Exynos 1480 offers a noticeable CPU performance edge, and the 1010 nit display provides superior outdoor visibility. However, the vivo V40 Lite’s faster 44W charging is a significant advantage for those who value quick top-ups.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo V40 Lite Samsung Galaxy A55
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 66, 75, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 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
Announced2024, July 142024, March 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, July 14Available. Released 2024, March 15
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, glass back or plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame
Dimensions164.4 x 74.8 x 7.7 mm (6.47 x 2.94 x 0.30 in)161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2 mm (6.34 x 3.05 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight179 g or 188 g (6.31 oz)213 g (7.51 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~90.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1300 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm)Exynos 1480 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 710Xclipse 530
OSAndroid 14, Funtouch 14Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesRing-LED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, panorama, HDR
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)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@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Single32 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide)32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 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
Charging44W wired, PD Reverse wired25W wired
TypeLi-Ion 5500 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsClassy Brown, Dreamy WhiteIceblue, Lilac, Navy, Lemon
Models-SM-A556V, SM-A556B, SM-A556B/DS, SM-A556E, SM-A556E/DS, SM-A5560
Price$ 127.08$ 324.99 / £ 251.50 / € 319.99 / ₹ 23,998
SAR EU0.99 W/kg (head)     1.18 W/kg (body)0.68 W/kg (head)     1.04 W/kg (body)

vivo V40 Lite

  • Faster 44W charging for quick top-ups
  • Potentially lower price point
  • Efficient Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset for everyday tasks

  • Likely less powerful CPU and GPU
  • Potentially lower display brightness and quality
  • Camera performance may lag behind the A55

Samsung Galaxy A55

  • Brighter and more vibrant display (1010 nits)
  • More powerful Exynos 1480 processor
  • Longer battery life during active use (13:27h)

  • Slower 25W charging
  • Potentially higher price
  • May experience more heat under sustained load

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A55 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1010 nits, compared to an assumed lower peak brightness for the vivo V40 Lite (typical of its price bracket). This translates to superior visibility under direct sunlight. While the V40 Lite’s panel technology isn’t specified, the A55 likely utilizes a Super AMOLED panel known for its vibrant colors and deep blacks. The absence of LTPO technology on either device suggests neither offers adaptive refresh rate capabilities for optimal power efficiency, but the A55’s higher peak brightness is a clear advantage.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for the vivo V40 Lite, a direct comparison is challenging. However, Samsung typically focuses on image processing and computational photography, potentially giving the A55 an edge in dynamic range and low-light performance. The A55 likely features Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on its main sensor, a feature often absent in this price segment, resulting in sharper images and smoother videos. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the V40 Lite is likely a marketing feature with limited practical benefit, as image quality is often subpar. The A55’s larger main sensor (assumed, based on Samsung’s typical implementation) will capture more light and detail.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy A55’s Exynos 1480, with its 4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 cores, demonstrably outperforms the vivo V40 Lite’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78). While both chipsets are built on a 4nm process, the higher clock speeds of the Exynos 1480 translate to faster application loading times and smoother multitasking. Both devices utilize Cortex-A55 cores for efficiency, but the A55’s CPU advantage will be most noticeable in graphically intensive games and demanding applications. The V40 Lite’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 prioritizes efficiency, making it suitable for everyday tasks, but will likely exhibit more throttling under sustained load.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy A55’s active use score of 13:27h demonstrates impressive battery endurance. While the V40 Lite’s battery capacity is unknown, the A55’s efficiency and optimized software contribute to its longevity. The V40 Lite compensates with 44W wired charging, significantly faster than the A55’s 25W charging. This means the V40 Lite can replenish its battery much quicker, potentially mitigating any capacity disadvantage. A full charge on the V40 Lite is expected to take under an hour, while the A55 will likely require over 1.5 hours.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo V40 Lite if you prioritize fast charging and a lower upfront cost, and your usage primarily revolves around everyday tasks like social media, messaging, and light web browsing. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A55 if you value a brighter, more color-accurate display, smoother performance in demanding applications, and longer battery life during active use, even if it means sacrificing charging speed.

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 processor, it can generate heat under sustained load. Samsung typically implements thermal management solutions, but extended gaming at maximum settings may lead to some throttling. The V40 Lite’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, being less powerful, is less prone to overheating but will also experience performance limitations sooner.
❓ Is the 44W charging on the vivo V40 Lite compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers from other devices?
Yes, the vivo V40 Lite supports PD charging, meaning you can utilize compatible PD chargers from other devices to take advantage of the 44W charging speed. This provides flexibility and avoids the need to purchase a proprietary charger.
❓ How does the image processing differ between the Samsung Galaxy A55 and the vivo V40 Lite?
Samsung’s image processing typically prioritizes vibrant colors and enhanced details, often resulting in images that are visually appealing but may not be entirely natural. Vivo’s image processing tends to lean towards a more natural look, though this can vary depending on the specific software version. Without detailed camera specs, it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact differences, but expect Samsung to offer more aggressive post-processing.
❓ Will the Samsung Galaxy A55 receive more software updates and security patches compared to the vivo V40 Lite?
Samsung generally provides longer software support and more frequent security updates for its devices compared to vivo. The Galaxy A55 is likely to receive several years of Android OS updates and security patches, ensuring a more secure and up-to-date user experience. Vivo’s update schedule is typically shorter, though they have been improving in recent years.