Apple announced Tuesday that its annual developers’ conference, Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 24, will run from June 10 through June 14.
The WWDC conference commences with a keynote presentation, during which Apple unveils its latest software updates and sometimes introduces new hardware. This year, all eyes will be on Apple Park to see how Apple plans to integrate the power of Gen AI into its flagship products, such as the iPhone and Mac. Apart from announcements related to iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 for iPhone and iPad, there will be updates for Apple Watch, Apple TV, and macOS for Macs.
Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations, expressed excitement about the upcoming event and highlighted its significance in facilitating technological innovation and community engagement. “WWDC is all about sharing new ideas and providing our amazing developers with innovative tools and resources to help them make something even more wonderful,” Prescott stated.
Apple’s AI push?
Apple’s focus on artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to be a central theme at this year’s WWDC and could impact its future product strategy. Although Apple has not revealed much about its GenAI plans, other tech giants like Samsung, Microsoft, and Google have already rolled out new AI products and features.
Reports state that Apple is developing its own GenAI features that are expected to be integrated into the upcoming iPhone 16 models. Moreover, significant changes are anticipated in iOS 18, which is being touted as one of Apple’s most substantial upgrades in years. It will feature enhanced customization options for the home screen and a revamped Siri interface.
As per the reports, iOS 18 is set to be Apple’s most significant iOS update yet, leveraging generative AI tools across various applications. There is speculation that AI-driven features may be incorporated into apps like Photos, Notes, and email. Apple is facing tough competition from rivals like Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series, which boasts advanced Galaxy AI features.
Apple, DarwinAI Deal
In a recent development, Apple reportedly acquired Canadian AI startup DarwinAI, as per a Bloomberg report. While the deal was allegedly finalized earlier this year, Apple has yet to make a public announcement. DarwinAI specializes in AI technology for component inspection during manufacturing processes. It is known for its capability to make AI systems smaller and faster—an area of interest for Apple as it focuses on on-device AI processing.
Alexander Wong, an AI researcher from the University of Waterloo involved in DarwinAI’s development, has joined Apple as a director in its AI group as part of the acquisition, according to Bloomberg. This move underscores Apple’s commitment to advancing its AI capabilities in line with its broader strategic goals.
Update 28/03/2024: The global rollout of One UI 6.1 containing Galaxy AI features and other improvements has now begun. The update is reaching Galaxy S23 series phones, Galaxy Z Flip 5 and the Fold 5 in India, Europe, USA, South Korea and more regions.
Original Story Below
Samsung introduced the Galaxy AI suite of artificial intelligence-backed features with the launch of the Galaxy S24 series. Now, those same features will be making their way to older flagships from the brand as part of the One UI 6.1 update, including the Galaxy S23 series, Tab S9 series, Galaxy Z Flip 5, and the Galaxy Z Fold 5 from March 28.
The announcement was made via the Samsung US Newsroom, which read, “Galaxy AI puts our groundbreaking suite of AI tools in the palm of more users’ hands in different form factors — tailoring the mobile experience to their needs. Now, Samsung is bringing Galaxy AI features to even more users across the Galaxy ecosystem.”
One UI 6.1: Official Release Date
Starting March 28, One UI 6.1 will begin rolling out across the Galaxy S23 series which includes the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+, the Galaxy S23 Ultra and the S23 FE, along with Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5 sold at Samsung.com, carriers including AT&T, T-Mobile, UScellular, Verizon and more, as well as retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, and others. One UI 6.1 will also roll out to Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, Tab S9+ and Tab S9 WiFi versions beginning this week.
While this announcement was made for the US market, it is expected that the rollout will take place globally.
One UI 6.1: Supported Features
The AI features that will be coming to older Galaxy models include the ability to adjust message tone and translate messages in 13 different languages using Chat Assist. Galaxy users will now also be able to experience real-time interactions through Live Translate, which provides voice and text translations for phone calls. With Interpreter, users can also engage in spontaneous conversations with locals while travelling as the split-screen feature generates text translations for live conversations.
Search functions are improved through Circle to Search with Google, which generates intuitive search results with a swift circle-motioned gesture. Organisation features such as Note Assist allow users to create formats, generate summaries and translate notes. At the same time, Browsing Assist enables individuals to stay up to speed faster by generating comprehensive summaries of news articles. Transcript Assist can also quickly transcribe meeting recordings and generate summaries and translations.
Other generative edit features are also coming, such as the ability to resize, reposition or realign objects in photos that have already been clicked via Generative Edit. Then there’s Instant Slow-mo, which can generate additional frames for slow-motion videos to capture action-packed moments. The generative wallpapers feature will also be making its way to the older Galaxy models as part of the One UI 6.1 update.
Samsung says that Generative Editing, Circle to Search with Google, Live Translate, and Chat Assist on the Samsung keyboard have been the most used features among Galaxy users so far.
To enhance its retail offerings, HP has introduced Poly audio products in select HP World Stores throughout India. This initiative marks the first time Poly’s innovative audio solutions will be available to Indian consumers directly through retail outlets.
HP’s acquisition of Poly, formerly Plantronics & Polycom, for USD 3.3 billion in 2022, has paved the way for this significant retail expansion. The range of products includes earbuds, wired and wireless headsets, and speakerphones, all designed to elevate consumer communication and productivity.
Poly products are built for hot-desking or the home office and provide high-quality audio and options for a range of work styles. They are aimed at being office solutions rather than those made for personal or individual use.
Over 130 HP World Stores, strategically located across India, have begun offering Poly products. HP plans to extend this availability to more than 750 stores, ensuring that customers across India have easy access to these premium devices.
To celebrate this launch, HP World Stores offer Poly products at discounted prices, making it an opportune time for customers to invest in high-quality audio devices. Some of the notable deals include:
Poly Voyager 5200 Mono Wireless Headset worth Rs. 15,485 is available at Rs. 8,699 at HP World Stores
Poly Voyager Free 60 Carbon Black Earbuds worth Rs. 29,676 is available at Rs. 19,099 at HP World Stores
Poly Blackwire C5220 UC USB-A wired headset worth Rs. 15,609 is available at Rs. 9,999 at HP World Stores
Poly Sync 20 wired speakerphone worth Rs. 21,933 is available at Rs. 13,499 at HP World Stores
Poly Voyager Focus 2 UC headset worth Rs. 45,163 is available at Rs. 30,999 at HP World Stores
Poly Voyager 4320-M UC headset worth Rs. 29,676 is available at Rs. 19,999 at HP World Stores
Samsung has released a new update for its Galaxy S24 series in India and other parts of the world, such as Europe and South Korea. The new update brings the April 2024 security patch along with some of the suggested camera improvements. Here are all the details regarding the April 2024 patch for the Galaxy S24 series.
The April 2024 security patch update is now live for all three devices in the series, including the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+ and the Galaxy S24 Ultra. The update sizes vary according to the models, where the Galaxy S24 Ultra updates almost weigh in at about 1GB while the Galaxy S24+ update had a size of around 660MB.
According to a post on Samsung’s Korean community forums, the Galaxy S24 series April 2024 update also carries several improvements for the camera apart from the updated security, such as:
Improved low-light images
Improved white balance accuracy and exposure
Improved colours in the ExpertRAW app
Improved text clarity in zoomed-in shots
Support for 480 x 480 pixels Resolution in Instant Slow Mo
Samsung released the April security patch while we are still sitting in March, which shows how committed the brand is towards providing the latest security updates for its flagships.
In other related news, despite being their top-of-the-line flagship, the Galaxy S24 series still misses out on seamless updates, while the brand’s mid-ranger Galaxy A55 5G is the first smartphone to get it. It allows users to quickly update their devices without waiting for a long reboot process to complete.
As we enter April 2024, the smartphone industry is already hyped for new launches. The market is poised for the arrival of the OnePlus Nord CE 4, a launch that’s been etched in the calendar. Meanwhile, the tech community is abuzz with whispers and conjectures about other smartphones that are yet to be officially announced. For tech enthusiasts and savvy consumers looking to stay ahead of the curve, here’s an expanded list of smartphones that are expected to grace the market in April 2024.
One of the new premium mid-range smartphones comes from Motorola in April 2024. it will be dubbed the Motorola Edge 50 Pro, and as confirmed by the brand itself, the device will sport a 6.7-inch pOLED curved display with a Resolution of 1.5K and a refresh rate of 144Hz. The display will boast Pantone-validated colours, Gorilla Glass 5 protection, HDR 10+ support, 100% DCI-P3 coverage, and 2000 nits peak brightness. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor will power it.
We expect it to sport up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. Aside from that, the device will have a triple rear camera setup, including an OIS-assisted 50MP main sensor, a 13MP ultra-wide angle sensor that will double as a macro sensor, and a telephoto sensor. At the front, it will get a 50MP sensor with auto focus support.
The device will pack a 4500mAh battery with support for 125W wired charging and 50W wireless charging. It should also have stereo speakers. The handset will be IP68 rated and will receive upgrades until Android 17, which accounts for three years of OS upgrades.
Launch Date Motorola Edge 50 Pro (Confirmed)
The Motorola Edge 50 Pro will launch in India on April 3, 2024, at 12 noon. It will be available via the brand’s website, Flipkart, and other mainline retail stores.
Price of Motorola Edge 50 Pro (Expected)
The handset is expected to be priced below Rs 30,000, considering the specifications it boasts of. However, this is just speculation, and nothing has been confirmed so far.
OnePlus Nord CE 4 (India Launch)
The OnePlus Nord CE 4 will house the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 Processor under the hood. While the rest of the device’s specifications are under wraps, one can expect it to have a 6.72-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz Refresh Rate and a full-HD+ resolution.
The handset may be backed by a 5000mAh battery with 100W Fast charging support. As for connectivity options, it may get Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, NFC and a USB-C port for charging. There’s an IR blaster on the top, and a stereo speaker setup may also be included on the device.
The device could have a 50MP main sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide angle sensor for optics. There could be a 16MP sensor on the front, while it will also be equipped with an in-display optical fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication.
Launch Date OnePlus Nord CE 4 (Confirmed)
The OnePlus Nord CE 4 has been confirmed to debut in India on April 1, 2024 at 6:30 PM IST.
Price OnePlus Nord CE 4 (Expected)
The Nord CE 4 could be priced under Rs 30,000, making it a direct competitor to the Motorola Edge 50 Pro.
Samsung Galaxy M55 5G (India Launch)
Samsung is rumoured to launch the Galaxy M55 5G in India later in April 2024, which will be one of its mid-range smartphones. The brand has already confirmed the existence of the Galaxy M55 with model number SM-M556B/DS via the company’s support websites for India, Latin America, and the Levant regions.
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor would power the device. It should have at least 8GB of RAM, up to 256GB storage and should run on One UI 6.1 based on Android 14. The phone is said to be backed up by a 5,000mAh battery and 45W fast charging. It likely gets a triple rear camera setup consisting of a 64Mp primary camera, an 8MP ultrawide camera and a 2MP macro camera. The device should get a 6.6-inch AMOLED screen with a 120Hz Refresh Rate and a full-HD+ resolution.
Launch Date Galaxy M55 5G (Expected)
Samsung will launch the Galaxy M55 5G in India on April 8 at 12 noon, along with Galaxy M15 5G.
Price Galaxy M55 5G (Expected)
As per our expectations and Samsung’s previous pricing trends, we feel Samsung may price the Galaxy M55 in India at around Rs 30,000. However, this is just speculation, and Samsung has not confirmed anything officially.
Realme GT Neo 6 SE (China Launch)
While the brand has confirmed some of the specs of its upcoming GT Neo 6 SE, a tipster on Weibo has already shared the device’s render. According to the confirmed specs by Realme, the GT Neo 6 SE will sport the world’s brightest screen with 6000 nits peak brightness. It will be a 1.5K BOE 1.5K OLED screen with 0.5-120Hz adaptive refresh, 94.2% screen-to-body ratio and 2160Hz PWM dimming.
The handset is powered by the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 processor and could pack a 5500mAh battery with support for 100W SuperVOOC fast charging. Aside from this, it may get a 64MP Sony sensor on the pack, paired with an ultra-wide angle sensor. More information about the handset may be revealed in the coming days.
Launch Date Realme GT Neo 6 SE (Expected)
The Realme GT Neo 6 SE will launch in China in April, but a concrete release date is uncertain at the moment.
Price Realme GT Neo 6 SE (Expected)
The GT Neo 6 SE may have a price tag of below Rs 40,000 when converting Chinese Yuan to Indian National Rupee.
Infinix Note 40 Series (India Launch)
Infinix Note 40 series smartphones debuted globally earlier in March and they will debut in India in April 2024. The series consists of four models such as the Note 40 Pro+ 5G, Note 40 Pro 5G, Note 40 Pro (4G) and the Note 40.
The top-end model, which is the Note 40 Pro+ 5G, sports a 6.78-inch full-HD+ (1080 x 2436 pixels) 3D curved AMOLED Display with 120Hz dynamic refresh rate and 1,300 nits of peak brightness. The display supports 2160Hz PWM dimming and has Corning Gorilla Glass protection.
It is powered by an octa-core 6nm MediaTek Dimensity 7020 SoC, coupled with 12GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage which is expandable up to 2TB. It gets a triple rear camera setup including a 108MP f/1.75 primary sensor, 2MP f/2.4 depth sensor and a 2MP f/2.4 macro sensor. At the front, they have a 32MP f/2.2 camera for selfies and video calls.
The Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G is backed up by a 4600mAh battery with 100W Fast charging and 20W wireless charging. Connectivity options on the smartphones include 4G, 5G, GPS, NFC, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi 5. They also come with an IR blaster, ambient light sensor, e-compass, gyroscope, light sensor, Sar sensor, g-sensor, and proximity sensor. Further, there is an in-display fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication and an X-Axis motor for gaming. They also include dual speakers tuned by JBL and come with an IP53-rated build for dust and water resistance.
Launch Date Infinix Note 40 Series(Expected)
While Infinix has confirmed the launch of Note 40 series in India, it still hasn’t revealed an exact launch date.
Price Infinix Note 40 Series (Expected)
The Infinix Note 40 Pro+ carries a starting price tag of $309 (approx Rs 25,600) while the Note 40 Pro 5G starts at $289 (approx Rs 23,900) for the base configurations in global markets. The Infinix Note 40 starts at $199 (approx Rs 16,500) whereas the Note 40 Pro 4G starts at $259 (approx Rs 21,400) for the base models. The brand may replicate these price tags for the Indian market also.
Realme 12x 5G (India Launch)
Realme has also confirmed the launch of 12x 5G in India, among the other smartphones launching in April 2024. The brand is claiming it to be the “Entry-level 5G Killer”. Realme has confirmed that it will be having 45W fast charging support, MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ under the hood, a VC Cooling system, a 5000mAh battery and Air Gestures support as well.
Aside from this, as the device is already available for purchase in China, one can expect other specs to remain similar to the Chinese model. The device could sport a 6.67-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 625 nits peak brightness. The device will have a 50MP primary camera, a secondary sensor, and an 8MP front camera for selfies. It runs on Android 14-based Realme UI 5.0 out-of-the-box.
Launch Date Realme 12x 5G (Confirmed)
As confirmed by Realme, the 12x 5G will launch in India on April 2 at 12PM IST.
Price Realme 12x 5G (Expected)
Considering the device is an entry-level offering, Realme may price it at around Rs 15,000. The 12GB + 256GB model sells for CNY 1,399 (approx Rs 16,300) and 12GB + 512GB model retails for CNY 1,599 (approx Rs 18,700) in China.
While Paytm was hit by a major roadblock that LED the company to shut down its Paytm Payments Bank, a couple of other services associated with the bank took the hit too. As Paytm tries to recover, it has announced that it is enabling FASTag recharges directly through its app. This move allows users to recharge their FASTags anytime and anywhere, avoiding long queues and delays at toll plazas. Furthermore, Paytm users now have the option to purchase new FASTags from HDFC Bank on the app.
How to recharge a FASTag on Paytm App?
The steps to recharge a FASTag via the Paytm App are as follows:
Tap ‘FASTag Recharge’ option under ‘Bill Payments’ section.
Select your FASTag issuing bank which can be IDFC First Bank, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, State Bank of India, AU Bank, Airtel Payments Bank, Axis Bank, Bandhan Bank, Bank of Baroda, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Equitas Small Finance Bank, Federal Bank, IDBI Bank, IOB Fastag, Indian Bank, Indian Highways Management Company, IndusInd Bank, Karnataka Bank, UCO Bank, The South Indian Bank Ltd, Union Bank of India and others.
Enter your FASTag linked vehicle number and tap on ‘Proceed’
Confirm details and enter amount you want to recharge the FASTag with.
Tap on ‘Proceed to Pay’ to complete.
Once the recharge process is complete, the amount will instantly be updated to your FASTag.
Users can purchase an HDFC Bank FASTag through Paytm app via the following procedure:
On the Paytm app, search for ‘Buy HDFC FASTag’ and tap on it.
Enter customer and vehicle details.
Make the payment and get the HDFC FASTag delivered to your home address.
This was how you could recharge your existing FASTag from the Paytm app or a buy a new one from HDFC Bank through the Paytm app itself. In conclusion, it’s crucial to highlight that all services related to the Paytm app, including UPI transactions, QR code, Soundbox, and Card Machine payments, are operating without any interruptions.
Poco has launched a new entry-level smartphone in India, called as the Poco C61. The new handset from Poco sports an HD+ display along with a MediaTek Helio chipset. The device is competing with the likes of Lava O2 in its price range. Here’s what all it has to offer in its segment.
Poco C61: Price, Availability
The Poco C61 is available in two variants, including 4GB + 64GB and 6GB + 128GB, priced at Rs 7,499 and Rs 8,499. It can be bought in Ethereal Blue, Diamond Dust Black and Mythic Green colours. The device will be available beginning March 28 at 12PM IST on Flipkart.
Poco C61: Specs
The Poco C61 sports a 6.71-inch (1600 x 720 pixels) HD+ IPS LCD screen with 90Hz refresh rate, 180Hz touch sampling rate, 500 nits brightness and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection. There’s a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for biometrics.
It powered by the MediaTek Helio G36 Processor paired with up to 6GB LPDDR4X RAM and up to 128GB eMMC 5.1 internal storage, which is expandable up to 1TB with microSD. The device runs on Android 14 (Go Edition)-based MIUI.
The handset gets dual rear cameras, including an 8MP f/2.0 primary sensor and an additional sensor along with a 5MP front-facing camera. For connectivity, it gets Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth v5.4, GPS + GLONASS, a USB Type-C port and a 3.5mm Headphone jack. Lastly, it is backed up by a 5000mAh battery with 10W charging speeds.
By the looks of it, the Poco C61 seems like a rebranded Redmi A3 which landed in India back in February. While the specs largely remain the same, the Redmi A3 gets is priced higher than the Poco C61, at Rs 8,299 for the 4GB + 128GB model while the top-end 6GB + 128GB model costs Rs 9,299 in India.
Poco C61 Vs. Lava O2
The Poco C61 is competing with the recently launched Lava O2 in India, which has a price tag of Rs 8,499 for the single 8GB + 128GB model. This alone makes it better in one area and that’s RAM, as it gets 8GB compared to 6GB in Poco C61 which has the same price tag.
On paper, the Unisoc T616 is a marginally better chip than Helio G36 which again makes the Lava O2 a superior pick. The Lava O2 is backed by a 5,000mAh battery that supports 18W Fast charging via the USB-C port while the Poco C61 doesn’t. In all senses, at Rs 8,499, the Poco C61 falls short in front of the Lava O2, making the latter a value-for-money option.
Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is the most convenient way to make payments in India and even abroad. To bring the same convinience to its users, WhatsApp seems to be working on a new feature for its UPI functionality that will allow users to make international UPI payments via the app. Here’s what it’ll offer.
The ability to make international UPI payments is already supported by apps like Google Pay and PhonePe in India. With WhatsApp entering the space, it’ll make easier for users to use the same App for international UPI payments which they use for local transactions. The feature in development was spotted by @AssembleDebug on X.
As per the screenshots shared by the user, the current UPI settings section of the app will include a new option stating “International UPI payments”. Once the user taps on the option, WhatsApp will ask them whether they want to turn on International UPI payments and will ask them to define a period of up to 3 months within which users will be able to make international payments to businesses in select countries.
As the feature is currently under development, users will have to wait for a while before they can see it in action. However, if you want to be one of the first ones to receive it, you should opt into the beta testing of the app.
Meanwhile, we have a detailed guide explaining how UPI payments work internationally and in which countries the feature is supported. Not only that, but If you are a non-resident Indian (NRI), you can also access the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) on your international mobile number. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) issued new guidelines last year that allowed NRIs in ten countries to access UPI services using their international mobile numbers for bank accounts that are classified as Non-Resident External (NRE) or Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) accounts.
In a turn of events for racing game enthusiasts, Gameloft has announced a significant upgrade to the beloved Asphalt 9: Legends. The game is set to evolve into ‘Asphalt Legends Unite’, marking a full-scale upgrade that promises to redefine the mobile racing experience.
Asphalt Legends Unite is not just an update; it’s a complete overhaul of the current game. Slated for release in July 2024, this new title will replace Asphalt 9: Legends, incorporating a host of new features and improvements that fans have long been clamouring for.
One of the most anticipated additions is the co-op feature in the pursuit mode, allowing players to team up with friends for thrilling tactical races. A team of five Security players will work together to hunt down three Syndicate drivers, adding a new layer of strategy and camaraderie to the game, as noted by GamingonPhone.
Moreover, Asphalt Legends Unite will introduce a new cross-play functionality, enabling players to race against Console, Mac, and PC competitors. This feature also brings cross-progression, ensuring that all progress from Asphalt 9: Legends will be seamlessly carried over to the new title.
Asphalt Legends Unite will boast an upgraded game engine enabling features like dynamic lighting—a first for the franchise— with surface reflections, real-time headlights that will illuminate the tracks like never before, thereby adding to the game’s immersive quality.
The new garage system is designed to give players a ‘new-car-reveal’ feeling every time they unlock a new vehicle. It’ll allow players to unlock over 250 licensed hypercars.
Newcomers to the Asphalt series need not worry about being left behind. The new game is designed to be accessible to new players while still offering the depth and excitement that long-time fans expect from the franchise.
When Is Asphalt Legends Unite Releasing?
According to Gameloft, the game is set to release in July 2024. However, the company didn’t share an exact date.
Samsung debuted a new set of Galaxy A-series smartphones in India a while back and one of them was the Galaxy A55 5G. The new A55 5G brings some promising upgrades over last year’s A54 5G and starts at Rs 39,999 in India. Are the upgrades enough to justify the price tag or did Samsung fail in providing a value-for-money offering to the consumers? We’ll have an answer for you by the end of our in-depth review of the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G.
Design & Build
The Galaxy A55 5G sports a glass panel on the back that’s protected with Gorilla Glass Victus+ and a metal flat frame. The keys are embossed in the key island, which is a protrusion in the metal frame the same length as both keys combined. The device is on the heavier side and actually feels a bit heavy in the hand.
Combined with the metallic feel and glass on the back, the Galaxy A55 5G leaves no stone unturned in terms of how premium it feels in the hand. It’s actually as good as the flagship Galaxy S24+ in terms of feel. However, the edges of the frame are sharper in the Galaxy A55 5G, while the Galaxy S24+ has slightly curved edges.
While not the most vibrant, the icy blue shade appears pristine. The back panel highly resembles the design of the brand’s flagship devices, the S24 and S24+, but Samsung has tried to create a differentiation by giving the cameras a ring border of the same blue shade as the phone’s back panel. It’s much better than the Galaxy A54 5G because it looked even more similar to the Galaxy S23 series.
The key island feels unique, and correlating to that, I have also noticed that Samsung has improved the buttons in its 2024 smartphones. Not only has the size of the keys been increased, but the tactile feel while clicking them has also been significantly enhanced. The handset is IP67 rated as well, so splashes and dirt shouldn’t hurt the device either.
The Haptics are slightly weak compared to those of the Galaxy S24+, but they aren’t bad by any means, and they complement the overall premium feel of the device.
The stereo speakers are loud enough, while the bass is on the weaker side. However, the treble is decent, and the overall quality is impressive.
Display
The Galaxy A55 5G sports a 6.6-inch 120Hz Super AMOLED panel with a full-HD+ Resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels), Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection and 1000 nits peak brightness.
As usual with Samsung smartphones, it’s a great panel. The colours aren’t as vibrant and in fact, they look similar to how they were on the Galaxy S24 series before it got the vividness slider update. They have a more natural tone, and I feel they could be more vibrant.
On the other hand, the brightness levels are acceptable outdoors, while the viewing angles and responsiveness are decent. In addition, the Netflix App says that the device supports Widevine L1 and HDR 10. Watching videos on the handset was also quite a pleasant experience.
The bezels on the front look odd to some extent because they aren’t even on all sides. They are thicker than expected, and based on what we have seen on iQOO Neo 9 Pro and the OnePlus 12R, we feel Samsung could have done much better here.
An in-display optical fingerprint sensor is on offer, which works as it should. It’s also quick, responsive, and accurate.
Performance & Software
The Galaxy A55 5G has an Exynos 1480 SoC at its core, paired with up to 12GB RAM and up to 256GB storage. Samsung offers 128GB storage in the base model, which is disappointing considering the competition is well ahead with up to 512GB storage in Poco X6 Pro 5G at Rs 27,999.
As for the chipset, we have had our doubts about Exynos, but it surprised us with the kind of performance we saw with Galaxy S24+. The Exynos 1380 in last year’s Galaxy A54 5G also wasn’t the best in daily use, but fortunately, the Exynos 1480 works like a charm in daily use.
The Chipset also doesn’t let the phone lag and doesn’t overheat. It does get warm in some tasks, but the usual ones, such as during extended camera usage, trying to load it with heavy games, benchmarking, or if you are on max brightness with GPS navigation turned on.
Exynos 1480 works nicely in day-to-day usage, making the phone feel snappy, but it does struggle with heavier games. It cannot compete with the likes of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or the MediaTek Dimensity 8300. The frame rate fails to stay consistent during a more extended gaming session than usual.
As for benchmarks, the Galaxy A55 5G scored 1143 points in single-core and 3453 points in multi-core. To put in perspective, the single-core scores match that of the Galaxy S21 Ultra, while the multi-core scores match Pixel 7 Pro’s. We’d say these are decent but aren’t the best by any means, especially compared to the competition.
The Galaxy A55 5G runs on One UI 6.1 based on Android 14 and is set to receive updates till Android 18 with 5 years of security patches. While the device may not be able to match the experience of some other performers in the same segment regarding power, its software experience remains unmatched despite a couple of shortcomings.
Talking about the shortcomings first, the A55 has some bloatware installed, including third-party apps like Snapchat, PhonePe, Truecaller, Dailyhunt and Amazon. All of them can be uninstalled. On the other hand, the device has a Glance lock screen enabled by default, but you can also disable that by going to settings > wallpaper & style > change wallpaper > scroll down to the bottom and tap on “wallpaper services” > now tap on “None” and you are done.
Next, there were some stuttering animations when opening apps, which was solved when we got the March 2024 update on the device that had the security patch of the same month as well.
On the upside, the March 2024 update also revealed that Galaxy A55 5G is the first Samsung device that supports seamless updates. Aside from that, One UI 6.1 flies with daily use and is basically the same as seen on Galaxy S24 series, minus the Galaxy AI features.
It has a number of other features, though, you’ll get tired of exploring, such as the new Clock fonts for lock screen and AOD, multi-window, maintenance mode and a lot more. Moreover, it’s one of the most stable Android skins out there without any major bugs as we have seen on FunTouch OS, hence, the unmatched experience we talked about.
Connectivity performance, including Wi-Fi, 5G, and Bluetooth connections, remained optimum.
Battery Life
A 5000mAh battery with 25W Fast charging and no in-box charger provided backs up the Galaxy A55 5G. Speaking of the backup, the Galaxy A55 5G gave us an incredible runtime. The device gave us about 5.5 hours of screen-on time with a day’s worth of use in the first charge cycle. It ran for about a day before coming down to 16%.
However, with the second cycle, which included almost the same type of usage, such as mixed 5G and Wi-Fi connectivity, calling on 5G, some gaming, browsing the internet and social media apps, and some chatting, the device ran for about 34 hours before dropping to 15% with slightly above 6 hours of screen-on time, which is amazing.
The device supports 25W fast charging, and at the maximum speeds, it takes about 1h 10m to go from 19% to 100%. It takes about 1h 30m from 0 to 100%, which is quite disappointing. That’s because the competition has upped the game significantly. iQOO Neo 9 Pro can charge from 0 to 100 in about 30 minutes with the provided in-box charger, and so does the OnePlus 12R.
Cameras
At the back, the Galaxy A55 5G gets a triple cam setup including a 50-megapixel f/1.8 primary shooter, along with a 12-megapixel f/2.2 ultra-wide snapper and a 5-megapixel macro camera. The front-facing camera includes a 32MP f/2.2 sensor for selfies.
The primary sensor shoots impressive photos in broad daylight. The detailing in the shots is excellent, while the colour science remains typical Samsung. The photos are vibrant and lifelike, showcasing Samsung’s signature color palette with vivid hues. The dynamic range in shots is also incredible, and the overall shot is quite decent.
Samsung has also maintained the colours incredibly well in ultra-wide angle shots. There’s little to no shift in the shades of the shot over the main sensor’s photo. The detailing is again well handled, and so is the sharpness. However, the EDGE distortion could have been better in these photos.
When it comes to portrait photos, they certainly don’t disappoint either. The bokeh effect is impressive, boasting incredibly accurate edge detection. The background bokeh effect feels natural, and the level of detailing in the shot is exceptional.
The camera easily handles low-light situations, producing noise-free photos while maintaining the integrity of colors. Even in artificial lighting conditions, the device delivers satisfying results. Although edge detection may suffer slightly in these scenarios, the colors appear natural, and there is no compromise in the sharpness of the shot.
While selfies have a high level of detailing, the skin tones could have been produced more naturally.
Under extreme low light, such as nighttime shots, the photos do have slight noise, but turning on Night mode improves the whole situation. The colours look nice while the detailing remains intact, to the extent that even the text written in distance was visible if you zoomed into the photo.
