Samsung and OnePlus have recently expanded their portfolio with their sub-Rs 25,000 offerings. Samsung has the Galaxy M55 while OnePlus has the Nord CE4. So, if you’re on the hunt for a mid-ranger and are stuck between these two, you’ve come to the right place. We have been using both devices for a while now, and here’s our take on it.
Samsung Galaxy M55 vs OnePlus Nord CE4: Price in India
| Smartphone | Configuration | Price |
| Galaxy M55 5G | 8GB+128GB | Rs 26,999 |
| 8GB+256GB | Rs 29,999 | |
| Nord CE 4 | 8GB+128GB | Rs 24,999 |
| 8GB+256GB | Rs 26,999 |
Samsung Galaxy M55 vs OnePlus Nord CE4: Design
| Samsung Galaxy M55 | OnePlus Nord CE4 | |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 76.5 x 7.8 mm | 162.5 x 75.3 x 8.4 mm |
| Weight | 180 g | 186 g |
Samsung has been following the same minimal design language for all its smartphones. Whether it’s their top-of-the-line Galaxy S24 series or the budget lineup like the M15, they all have almost identical appearance, and the Galaxy M55 is no exception. However, they differ in terms of the material used in these devices. The flagship S24 series comes with a glass back and titanium frame. Mid-rangers like the Galaxy M55 boast a plastic frame and back, which is not that bad as it keeps the weight in check.
On the other hand, the Nord CE4 is an absolute stunner in terms of looks. It comes in two colourways: Dark Chrome and Celadon Marble. Both colours look spectacular, but the marble finish option is more attractive. It looks unique, premium, and refreshing at the same time.
The Nord CE4 comes with the IP54 rating, which is not the ultimate protection. But it can save the device from accidental water splashes. It’s good that there’s some IP rating, as the Galaxy M55 misses out on that aspect.
Samsung Galaxy M55 vs OnePlus Nord CE4: Display
| Samsung Galaxy M55 | OnePlus Nord CE4 | |
| Type | Super AMOLED+, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM) | Fluid AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 900 nits (HBM), 1100 nits (peak) |
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) |
The display has always been Samsung’s forte, and the Galaxy M55 proves that again. It flaunts a flat Super AMOLED+ display that produces vibrant colours with excellent viewing angles. The screen is fast and responsive, thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate, so scrolling through the UI or social media apps is fun. While it’s not the brightest display in town, content legibility under direct sunlight is not too bad either.
We watched a series called Haunting of the Bly Manor on the device, and the experience was quite good. The colours were vivid, the blacks were deep, the details were sharp, and the device managed darker scenes impressively.
The Nord CE4 also has a flat AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and almost identical brightness. We watched The Office on the device, and the overall experience was quite pleasant. The colours were vibrant and punchy but not too over the top.
However, the interesting part is that if you like to tweak display settings like the mode or colours, the Nord CE4 allows you to do that, unlike the Galaxy M55. So keep that in mind if that matters to you.
Samsung Galaxy M55 vs OnePlus Nord CE4: Performance and UI
| Samsung Galaxy M55 | OnePlus Nord CE4 | |
| OS | Android 14, One UI 6.1 | Android 14, ColorOS 14 |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 |
| CPU | Octa-core (1×2.4 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3×2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1×2.63 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4×2.4 GHz Cortex-A715 & 3×1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| GPU | Adreno 644 | Adreno 720 |
The Galaxy M55 packs the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 SoC, which feels a bit dated as it was launched in 2022. However, the device is not targeted towards gamers or performance enthusiasts. It’s meant for a casual user and passes with flying colours. The device handles everyday tasks like switching between multiple apps, doom-scrolling through Instagram Reels, or easily playing games like Clash of Clans. It also allows you to play heavy titles like the BGMI up to HDR graphics and Ultra frame rates without major hiccups.
OnePlus devices are known for their fast, performance-centric smartphones, and the Nord CE4 is no exception. It draws power from the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, launched in November last year. Daily tasks and playing games are a piece of cake for the Nord CE4. It also allows the player to play BGMI at up to “Ultra HDR” graphics quality and “Ultra” frame rates.
In terms of software, both smartphones run Android 14-based UI and come with a host of pre-installed apps that you can thankfully uninstall. However, the Galaxy M55 shines the most here. Samsung has promised to offer four years of OS and five years of security updates, whereas OnePlus has only promised two years of OS and three years of security updates.
Samsung Galaxy M55 vs OnePlus Nord CE4: Camera
| Samsung Galaxy M55 | OnePlus Nord CE4 | |
| Rear Cameras | 50-megapixel, f/1.8, PDAF, OIS
8-megapixel, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2-megapixel, f/2.4, (macro) |
50-megapixel, f/1.8, PDAF, OIS
8-megapixel, f/2.2, (ultrawide) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, OIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Front Camera | 50-megapixel, f/2.4 | 16-megapixel, f/2.4 |
The 50-megapixel primary sensor on the Galaxy M55 captures good images with the signature Samsung look. The photos taken during the day offer details and punchy colours. The portrait mode on the device allows some customisation and detects edges quite well; the important thing is its consistency.
Apart from that, when it comes to low-light photography, the images are quite good. But the night mode, which kicks in automatically, takes forever to capture the image. While the OIS helps to avoid shakes to a certain level, the chances of missing out on your special moment are very high.
The Nord CE4 has a 50-megapixel Sony LYT600 primary sensor, which captures some great images with punchy colours and adequate details when the sun is up. The images captured from the Nord CE4 leaned slightly towards the warmer tones, but it doesn’t overdo the saturation or the vibrancy. Apart from that, the portrait mode on the Nord CE4 is wonderful. The edge detection is superbly accurate in almost every photo and manages the colours of fabric and skin tones quite well.
Samsung Galaxy M55 vs OnePlus Nord CE4: Battery Life and Charging
The Galaxy M55 packs the standard 5,000mAh battery, whereas the Nord CE4 takes it a little further with the 5,500mAh battery. The phone lasted about 11 hours in our PCMark Battery test, proving our real-life usage. It supports 45W, a first for an M-series device. However, you will have to buy the charger separately.
On the other hand, the Nord CE4 lasted around 19 hours and 8 minutes in the PCMark battery test, which are some great numbers. But the best part is that it supports 100W fast charging, which takes your device from 0 to 100% in about 45 minutes. You will not have to buy it separately; the 100W charging brick comes with the device.
Verdict
Both the OnePlus Nord CE 4 and the Galaxy M55 are powerful contenders and exceptional bang for your buck. They have superb displays and dependable cameras. Their distinctive design elements set them apart.
If you are a Samsung fanboy or if those extra two years of software support matter to you, then the Galaxy M55 emerges as the ideal choice. But if you want that extra bit of fast charging capabilities without paying extra for the charger, along with amazing performance, then you should pick the OnePlus Nord CE4.
