The Samsung Galaxy A55 (review) is a capable mid-range smartphone with a promising camera setup. It delivers impressive images across various lighting scenarios. However, is it truly the best in its class? We aim to answer that in this Samsung Galaxy A55 vs OnePlus 12R (review) camera comparison. The base variants of both smartphones are priced under Rs 40,000 in India and come equipped with a 50MP OIS triple rear camera setup. Here are the camera specifications of the smartphones, followed by a comparison of their shooting prowess in different scenarios.
| Samsung Galaxy A55 | OnePlus 12R |
| 50MP OIS main sensor | 50MP OIS main sensor |
| 12MP ultrawide lens | 8MP ultrawide lens |
| 5MP macro unit | 2MP macro unit |
| 32MP selfie camera | 16MP selfie camera |
Table of Contents
Daylight
These daylight images have been captured using the 50MP primary camera on both smartphones with their default settings. The handsets output images with 12.5MP resolution, with a bit of HDR processing. While the details look equally good on both smartphones, it is the colour science that makes all the difference. The OnePlus 12R oversaturates the colours, thereby adding a more vibrant look to the images. However, the Samsung Galaxy A55 shines in dynamic range and relatively sharper details, owing to a colour calibration that closely mirrors reality.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy A55
Ultrawide
The colour science of the Samsung Galaxy A55 and OnePlus 12R aligns with their respective primary cameras. While the OnePlus 12R leans towards vibrancy with colder tones, the Samsung smartphone maintains a more natural aesthetic with warmer tones. The Galaxy A55 further benefits from its wider field of view (FoV) and higher-resolution 12MP lens against its rival’s 8MP.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy A55
Macro
For their vibrant appeal, social media users might lean towards the OnePlus 12R’s macro images. However, if natural images with relatively sharper details are what you’re after, the Samsung Galaxy A55 will appeal to you. The handset ships with a higher resolution 5MP macro camera instead of the 2MP counterpart on the OnePlus 12R. Nevertheless, both smartphones could do with some improvement in close-up shots.
Winner: Tie
Portrait
The Samsung Galaxy A55 and OnePlus 12R both utilise computational skills to separate the foreground from the background for the portrait images. The edge detection looks pretty neat on both smartphones, with a little warping here and there. However, as noticeable in the images (above), the OnePlus 12R overexposed the shot, thereby crushing the shadows and minor details. The Samsung Galaxy A55 keeps things natural with good facial detail.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy A55
Selfie
The Samsung Galaxy A55 also seems to be doing a better job when it comes to selfies. Its 32MP front-facing camera outputs images with better facial details compared to the OnePlus 12R’s 16MP selfie shooter in well-lit environments. The skin tones captured by the Samsung smartphone are also more realistic and accurate. This isn’t to say that OnePlus 12R selfies lack appeal. They boast vibrant tones that may appeal to social media users. But, for better details, we are giving this round to the Samsung Galaxy A55 smartphone.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy A55
Low light
The OnePlus 12R outperforms its counterpart in low-light conditions, delivering images with more visual appeal. Its vibrant colours lend a slightly dramatic quality to the photos, a contrast to the Samsung Galaxy A55’s more subdued, natural tones. The OnePlus smartphone also seems to be handling light flare relatively well, which could be due to its ability to capture images in low light with long exposure mode even without night mode.
Winner: OnePlus 12R
Night mode
With night mode enabled, the Samsung Galaxy A55 surpasses the OnePlus 12R, offering better clarity and vibrancy. In contrast, the OnePlus smartphone also introduces a bluish tint to the images, which detracts from the overall quality, rendering it slightly underwhelming.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy A55
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A55 and OnePlus 12R both showcase impressive shooting capabilities across various scenarios. However, the Samsung smartphone managed to surpass its competitor OnePlus 12R in all departments, except low light. The handset excels in daylight and portrait photography with its superior colour accuracy, dynamic range, and natural rendering.
Conversely, the OnePlus 12R performs well in low-light conditions and offers vibrant colours. If that’s what you are after, the handset will be a good buy. However, for users seeking a well-rounded camera experience in the mid-range segment, the Samsung Galaxy A55 proves to be the better choice.
