Galaxy A55 vs Pixel 8a – Which One Should You Buy?
I tested the Samsung Galaxy A55 and Google Pixel 8a, two top mid-range phones in Canada. They both offer great features under CAD $700. But which one fits you better? I’ll walk you through what matters.
Specs Comparison Table – Canada Edition
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A55 | Google Pixel 8a |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | March 2024 | May 2024 (expected) |
| Display | 6.6″ Super AMOLED, 120Hz | 6.1″ OLED, 120Hz |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels | 1080 x 2400 pixels |
| Build Material | Glass front/back, metal frame | Plastic back, Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Chipset | Exynos 1480 (4nm) | Google Tensor G3 (4nm) |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB |
| Storage Options | 128GB / 256GB | 128GB / 256GB |
| Rear Camera | 50MP + 12MP + 5MP | 64MP + 13MP |
| Front Camera | 32MP | 13MP |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 4492 mAh |
| Charging Speed | 25W wired | 18W wired |
| OS | Android 14 (One UI) | Android 14 (stock Pixel UI) |
| Software Updates | 4 years OS, 5 years security | 7 years full updates |
| Expected Price | CAD $599 – $649 | CAD $679 |
My Hands-On Experience
When I used both phones, the first thing I noticed was build quality. The Galaxy A55 feels premium. It has a solid metal frame and glass on both sides. The Pixel 8a is lighter and made of plastic, which makes it easier to hold, but it doesn’t feel as strong.
The display on both phones is smooth and bright, thanks to 120Hz refresh rates. But Samsung’s AMOLED panel is slightly bigger, which helps if you stream videos a lot.
When it comes to performance, the Pixel 8a wins. It runs on Google’s Tensor G3 chip, which feels snappier and more responsive. Apps opened faster, and switching between tasks was smoother. It also handled AI tasks like live translation and photo editing better.
Camera-wise, I got sharper photos with the Pixel 8a. Google’s software really helps in low light. Portrait shots looked cleaner, and colors were more accurate. But the Galaxy A55 still delivered very good daylight photos and had better selfies thanks to its 32MP front camera.
Battery life goes to the Galaxy A55. It lasts longer in daily use because of the larger 5000 mAh battery. The Pixel 8a still makes it through the day, but not as easily if you play games or watch a lot of videos.
One big point? Software updates. Pixel 8a gets 7 years of updates, while Samsung offers 4 years of Android updates. If you want long-term use, that’s a big win for the Pixel.
Which One Is Better for You?
Choose Galaxy A55 if you want:
- Better battery life
- Premium build with glass and metal
- Great selfies with 32MP front camera
- Samsung’s feature-rich One UI
Choose Pixel 8a if you want:
- Best-in-class camera
- Google’s latest AI tools and features
- Longest software support (7 years)
- Clean and fast Android experience
FAQs
The Pixel 8a gives better overall photos, especially in low light. It has stronger software processing.
The Galaxy A55 lasts longer due to its 5000 mAh battery.
Yes. The Tensor G3 chip runs most games smoothly. But it can get warm after long play.
Yes. Samsung promises 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security patches.
The Galaxy A55 feels more premium with its glass and metal build. The Pixel 8a is more lightweight but made of plastic.
