Samsung Galaxy A55 vs. Google Pixel 8a vs. iPhone SE 4: Best Mid-Range Phone in 2025?

June 24, 2025 Sophia Grant 0 Comments 5 min read

In 2025, the $400–$500 smartphone market is packed with phones that look premium, shoot stunning photos, and last all day — without the thousand-dollar price tag.

Three of the most talked-about models this year are the Samsung Galaxy A55, the Google Pixel 8a, and the newly released iPhone SE 4. Each one claims to deliver flagship essentials at half the cost.

But which mid-ranger actually gives you the best mix of performance, photography, battery, and long-term value?

📱 Design & Display

Galaxy A55: 6.6” FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate, aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus+. It feels premium and looks flagship-tier from any angle.
Pixel 8a: 6.1” OLED display, 120Hz, vivid colors, and minimal bezels. Compact, curved edges, matte plastic back — less “wow” visually, but great in the hand.
iPhone SE 4: Now upgraded with a 6.1” OLED screen (finally ditching the home button), but still 60Hz. Uses the iPhone 13 chassis. Feels solid and familiar, but behind on refresh rate.

🎨 Design Insight: Samsung wins on modern polish. Pixel strikes a balance between compact and current. iPhone SE 4 feels refreshed but dated in smoothness.

📷 Camera Quality

Pixel 8a: Dual-lens setup (64MP wide + 13MP ultrawide), powered by Google’s AI smarts. Night Sight, Real Tone, and Magic Eraser make it the best point-and-shoot in the class.
Galaxy A55: Triple lens (50MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 5MP macro). Solid in daylight, but Samsung’s processing can be heavy-handed, especially in low light.
iPhone SE 4: 12MP main sensor with the A15 chip’s computational photography. Consistent colors and sharp detail, but no ultrawide or night mode still limits it.

📸 Camera Verdict: Pixel 8a wins — by a lot — in dynamic range, detail, and computational enhancements. iPhone is the most consistent, Samsung is versatile but sometimes overprocessed.

⚙️ Performance

Pixel 8a: Runs on Tensor G3, optimized for AI-powered features, voice, transcription, and Assistant. Slightly behind in raw power, but fluid in real use.
Galaxy A55: Exynos 1480 processor with AMD GPU. Decent for everyday tasks, not built for gaming or multitasking.
iPhone SE 4: A15 Bionic chip still outpaces most Android chips in this price range. Blazing fast performance — but limited by 4GB RAM and basic iOS features.

⚡ Power Tip: iPhone SE 4 is fastest, Pixel is smartest, and Samsung feels a generation behind in performance.

🔋 Battery Life & Charging

Galaxy A55: 5000mAh battery, 25W fast charging. Lasts over a day with ease.
Pixel 8a: 4492mAh battery, 18W wired, 7.5W wireless. All-day capable but slower to charge.
iPhone SE 4: Smaller battery (~3000mAh), 20W fast charging, wireless supported. Battery life is average, especially on iOS 17.

🔋 Battery Verdict: Galaxy wins. Pixel lasts well. iPhone is best kept near a charger if you’re a heavy user.

🧠 Software & Updates

Pixel 8a: Ships with Android 14, 7 years of OS and security updates — longest in Android.
Galaxy A55: One UI 6.1, 4 years OS + 5 years security. Samsung’s UI is feature-rich but heavier.
iPhone SE 4: iOS 17, likely supported through 2029 or beyond. Updates are consistent and smooth.

🛠️ Longevity Insight: Pixel and iPhone are near-equal on software lifespan. Samsung isn’t far behind but has more bloatware.

💵 Pricing (June 2025)

Galaxy A55: ~$449
Pixel 8a: ~$499
iPhone SE 4: ~$479

💰 Value Take: Pixel offers the most photography and AI per dollar. iPhone gives top-tier performance in a basic shell. Samsung gives flagship design, mid-range experience.

🏁 So, Which One Should You Use?

Choose the Pixel 8a if you want the best camera, clean Android, and long update support. It’s the smartest pick for casual users, creators, and Android fans.
Choose the iPhone SE 4 if you want raw performance, seamless Apple integration, and a phone that will last for years — as long as you can live without 120Hz or ultrawide.
Choose the Galaxy A55 if you care about design, battery, and a bigger display, and are willing to trade some performance for aesthetics.

🎯 Recommendation Insight: Pixel is the best all-rounder. iPhone is the fastest. Samsung looks premium but plays mid-range.