Samsung A55 or S23: Which Is Better Value in Australia in 2026?

Published: 8 October 2026 · Last updated: 8 October 2026 · Author: Mirabelle Chew, Fashion and Lifestyle Editor, ShopBack

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The numbers side by side

These are the published specifications for the standard Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy S23 (not the S23+, S23 Ultra or S23 FE):

	Galaxy A55 5G	Galaxy S23
Launched	March 2024	February 2023
Software support	4 Android upgrades, 5 years of security updates from launch	4 Android upgrades, 5 years of security updates, ending within 2028
Chip	Exynos 1480 (mid-range)	Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy (flagship)
Screen	6.6 inch Super AMOLED, 120Hz	6.1 inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz
Battery	5,000mAh	3,900mAh
Charging	Up to 25W	Up to 25W
Rear cameras	50MP main (OIS), 12MP ultrawide, 5MP macro	50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto
Selfie camera	32MP	12MP
Storage	128GB or 256GB	128GB, 256GB or 512GB
Water and dust	IP67	IP68
Weight	213g	168g
Build	Gorilla Glass Victus+ front and back, aluminium frame	Gorilla Glass Victus 2, aluminium frame

What the table means in plain terms. The S23 is the more powerful, more compact phone with a zoom lens. The A55 lasts longer on a charge, has a bigger screen and will be supported for longer. Both are older models now: Samsung's current range has moved on to the Galaxy S26 series and newer A series phones, which is why the S23 in particular is mostly sold refurbished.

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Samsung A55: what you get for the money

The Samsung Galaxy A55 is a mid-range phone that borrows several flagship touches. It has an aluminium frame, and both the front and back use Gorilla Glass Victus+. It is rated IP67 for dust and water resistance.

The 6.6 inch 120Hz screen and 5,000mAh battery are the A55's strongest value points. Most people will get through a full day of mixed use, and the larger screen suits video and reading. The 50MP main camera has optical image stabilisation, which helps in low light, and the phone records 4K video at 30fps on both the main and selfie cameras.

Where the A55 gives ground is speed and zoom. The Exynos 1480 handles social apps, maps, streaming and messaging smoothly, but demanding 3D games run better on a flagship chip, and there is no telephoto lens, so zoomed shots are cropped from the main sensor.

Who it suits: people who want a dependable phone for three to four more years, care about battery life, and do not need optical zoom.

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Samsung A55 in Australia in 2026: where it is sold

In Australia in 2026, the A55 is a run-out model, so where you buy it matters as much as the price.

• Samsung Australia. When we checked, Samsung's Australian online store no longer had an A55 product page, which usually means it has been replaced by newer A series models in Samsung's own range.
• The Good Guys. At the time of writing, The Good Guys listed the A55 128GB in two colours as clearance stock, available in store only. Clearance stock can sell out without notice.
• Amazon Australia. Amazon Australia showed hundreds of results for the A55, including listings that name a European (EU) version. Imported versions can differ in network band support, charger plug and warranty handling, so read the listing carefully.
• Phone and plan bundles. Carriers such as Optus sell phones with postpaid plans online. Which models are offered changes often, so check the carrier's current range.

JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Officeworks, Telstra and Vodafone also sell Samsung phones, so check their current range when you compare.

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Samsung A55 best deals in Australia in 2026: where to look

The best Samsung A55 deals in Australia in 2026 usually come from clearance stock, big sale events and an honest total-cost comparison, rather than a single headline price.

1. Clearance and run-out stock. Older models often drop in price as retailers clear space for new launches. The Good Guys marks these as clearance; its terms say discounts apply to the previous ticketed or advertised price.
2. Major sale events. Click Frenzy, Black Friday, Boxing Day and EOFY are the usual windows when Australian electronics retailers cut prices. See our guide to how long Black Friday sales last.
3. Renewed or refurbished stock. Amazon Australia has an Amazon Renewed section. Renewed phones can cost less, but check the condition grade, battery health and the warranty period.
4. Storage size. The 256GB A55 costs more than the 128GB. If you mostly stream and back up photos to the cloud, 128GB is often enough.
5. The total, not the sticker. Delivery, the warranty and any plan you pair with the phone all change the real cost.

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Optus vs The Good Guys Samsung A55 price comparison 2026

Optus and The Good Guys sell the A55 in different ways, so the fair 2026 price comparison is total cost, not the headline number. The Good Guys sells phones outright. Optus sells mobile plans, including SIM-only plans and phone and plan bundles. Neither is cheaper for every buyer.

What to compare	Optus	The Good Guys
How you buy	A phone with a postpaid plan, or a SIM-only plan for a phone you already own	The phone outright, online or in store
What you pay	A monthly plan cost over a set term	One upfront price
Model availability	Changes with the carrier's current range	The A55 was clearance, in store only, when we checked
Best for	People who want a phone and plan in one bill	People who want to own the phone and choose any plan
ShopBack step	Start a new plan from the ShopBack Optus page	Open the ShopBack The Good Guys page before you check out

How to compare properly:

1. Write down the full cost of the Optus bundle over its whole term.
2. Add the outright price of the A55 to the cost of a SIM-only plan with similar data over the same period.
3. Compare the two totals, then factor in what you value: owning the phone outright, or keeping one bill.
4. Check ShopBack before you check out, whichever way you buy.

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Optus, The Good Guys and Amazon: Samsung A55 in Australia

Each of the three works for a different kind of A55 buyer in Australia:

• Optus suits people who are switching carrier anyway and want a new service. On the ShopBack Optus page, the categories include postpaid mobile with a device and plan, and the terms list which new online sign-ups are eligible, so read them first.
• The Good Guys suits people who want to buy outright from an Australian electronics retailer and see the phone in store. Clearance stock is the main reason the A55 can be good value there.
• Amazon Australia suits people comparing many sellers at once, including renewed stock. Check whether the seller is Amazon or a third party, and whether the phone is an Australian or international version.

Before you check out at any of the three, go through ShopBack to get a post-purchase discount on the order.

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When the Galaxy S23 is the better value

The S23 can still be the smarter buy in a few situations:

• You want a compact phone. At 6.1 inches and 168g, it is noticeably smaller and lighter than the A55 at 6.6 inches and 213g.
• You use zoom. The 10MP 3x telephoto lens takes sharper zoomed photos than the A55, which has no telephoto.
• You play demanding games. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy is a flagship chip and handles heavy games and editing more comfortably.
• The refurbished price is clearly lower. Because its security updates are due to end within 2028, about a year earlier than the A55's, a refurbished S23 needs to cost meaningfully less to be the better value.

Before you buy a refurbished S23, check the battery health (a 3,900mAh battery that has aged leaves less headroom), the condition grade, the warranty length and the return window.

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Check ShopBack before you check out

Whichever phone you choose, make ShopBack part of the routine: open ShopBack, tap the store, then check out. Before you check out, go through ShopBack to get a post-purchase discount on the order.

Step by step:

1. Open ShopBack Australia and go to The Good Guys, Amazon Australia or Optus.
2. Read the terms on that page, including which products or plans are eligible and whether outside promo codes affect your order.
3. Tap through to the store and add the phone (or start your plan sign-up).
4. Check out in the same session and on the same device.
5. Once the store confirms the order and any return window passes, the cash becomes available to withdraw.

Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles.

A worked example. An A55 bought for an illustrative $450 at an illustrative 3% rate would bring $13.50 back once the order is confirmed, so the effective price is $436.50. The rate is only an example; check the live rate on The Good Guys or Amazon Australia ShopBack page before you buy, because rates and eligible categories change. Note that in-store only clearance purchases are not online orders, so they will not track through ShopBack.

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Key takeaways

• The Galaxy A55 is usually the better value for Australians in 2026: 5,000mAh battery, IP67, and security updates that run about a year longer than the S23's.
• The Galaxy S23 is faster, smaller and has a 3x telephoto lens, so it wins only when a refurbished unit is clearly cheaper.
• Compare Optus bundles against an outright price from The Good Guys or Amazon Australia plus a SIM-only plan, on total cost.
• On Amazon Australia, check whether a listing is an international version before you buy.
• Check ShopBack Australia before you check out, so cash comes back on the order.

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Frequently asked questions

Which is better value, the Samsung A55 or S23?

For most Australians buying new in 2026, the Galaxy A55 is the better value. It launched in March 2024 with a 5,000mAh battery and 5 years of security updates, so support runs about a year longer than the S23, which launched in February 2023. The S23 is faster and has a 3x telephoto camera, so it only wins at a clearly lower refurbished price. Check ShopBack before you check out.

How long will the Samsung A55 and S23 get updates?

Samsung committed to 4 Android upgrades and 5 years of security updates for both phones, counted from launch. The S23 launched in February 2023 and its support is due to end within 2028. The A55 launched in March 2024, so its security updates are expected to run about a year longer.

Is the Galaxy S23 faster than the A55?

Yes, usually. The S23 uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, a flagship chip, while the A55 uses Samsung's mid-range Exynos 1480. For everyday apps both feel smooth with 120Hz screens; the gap shows most in demanding games and heavy photo or video editing.

Which has the better battery, the A55 or S23?

The A55. It has a 5,000mAh battery against the S23's 3,900mAh, and both charge at up to 25W. The A55 is also larger and heavier at 213g against 168g, so the S23 suits people who want a compact phone.

Which has the better camera, the A55 or S23?

The S23 has the more flexible camera, because it adds a 10MP 3x telephoto lens to its 50MP main and 12MP ultrawide cameras. The A55 has a 50MP main camera with OIS, a 12MP ultrawide and a 5MP macro, plus a 32MP selfie camera.

Where can I buy the Samsung A55 in Australia?

Electronics retailers such as The Good Guys and marketplaces such as Amazon Australia list the A55. When we checked, The Good Guys showed the A55 128GB as clearance stock in store only, and some Amazon Australia listings were international versions. Check ShopBack before you check out at either store.

Is the Samsung S23 still sold new in Australia?

It is hard to find new. When we checked, The Good Guys phone range listed models released in 2024 to 2026 and no S23. Most S23 phones on sale now are refurbished, renewed or second hand, so check the condition grade, battery health and warranty before you buy.

Is it cheaper to buy the A55 outright or on an Optus plan?

It depends on the plan. Add up the total cost of a phone and plan bundle over its full term, then compare it with the outright price of the phone plus a SIM-only plan for the same period. If you start a new Optus plan online, go through the ShopBack Optus page first.

Are international A55 versions on Amazon Australia worth it?

They can be, but check the listing first. Some Amazon Australia listings for the A55 name a European (EU) version. Confirm the model number, Australian network band support, the charger plug and who handles the warranty before you buy.

How does ShopBack lower the price of a Samsung phone?

Before you check out, go through ShopBack Australia to The Good Guys, Amazon Australia or Optus. Once the store confirms the order, cash comes back to your ShopBack account, which works like a post-purchase discount on the phone. Check the live rate and terms on each store's ShopBack page.

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Disclaimer

The views and recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author. Phone specifications are the manufacturer's published figures for the standard models. Prices, stock, clearance status, plan terms and ShopBack rates and eligibility vary by retailer and over time and are subject to change; availability notes reflect what the retailers showed at the time of writing. Check the current terms before you buy.

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional or financial advice.