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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Android Authority readers chose the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G as the best Android phone with microSD storage in an October 8, 2026 poll. The margin was narrow, and the result reflects reader preference among six candidates, not an independent test. Before buying, check whether the A55 is sold in your market, because Samsung did not officially launch it in the US.
How the poll turned out
The poll asked, “Which Android phone with a microSD card slot would you buy?” It also asked whether manufacturers should launch more devices with expandable storage. Just over 1,500 readers voted, choosing from six phones from Samsung, Motorola, Sony and TCL.
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| Phone | Share of votes | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy A55 5G | 25.9% | Winner |
| Motorola G Stylus (2026) | 23.7% | 2.2 points behind |
| Sony Xperia 10 VII | 22.4% | 3.5 points behind |
| Moto G Power (2025) | 9.9% | Fourth tier |
| Samsung Galaxy A17 5G | 9.3% | Fifth tier |
| TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro | 8.8% | Sixth tier |
The top three finished within 3.5 percentage points of each other. A different group of readers, or a slightly different set of candidates, could plausibly have changed the order at the top. The poll tells you what this audience preferred on that day, not which phone is objectively strongest.
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Why the Galaxy A55 5G won
Expandable storage is the feature that put the A55 in contention. Android Authority’s companion buying guide says the Galaxy A55 5G accepts a microSD card of up to 1TB. A separate Galaxy A55 review lists 128GB and 256GB internal storage options with the same 1TB card support.
#1 Best Overall
- USA Market Only Works on Tmobile / Mint / Metro PCS . Unlocked Worldwide GSM 5G + 4G LTE PHONE
- LATIN VERSION ***** AMERICAN + LATIN BANDS Octa-core 2.75GHz, 2GHz Android 14, One UI 6.1 Chipset Exynos 1480 CPU Octa-core (4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
- Rear Camera - Resolution (Multiple) 50.0 MP + 12.0 MP + 5.0 MP / Rear Camera - F Number (Multiple) F1.8 , F2.2 , F2.4 / Main Camera - Auto Focus Yes / Rear Camera - OIS Yes / Rear Camera Zoom Digital Zoom up to 10x / Front Camera - Resolution 32mp / Front Camera - F Number F2.2 Video Recording Resolution UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) @30fps Slow Motion 240fps @HD
- Dual Sim (Shared Micro SD Slot) LTE 5G FDD Sub6 N1(2100), N3(1800), N5(850), N7(2600), N8(900), N20(800), N28(700), N66(AWS-3) 5G TDD Sub6 N38(2600), N40(2300), N41(2500), N78(3500) 4G FDD LTE B1(2100), B3(1800), B5(850), B7(2600), B8(900), B20(800), B28(700) 4G TDD LTE B38(2600), B40(2300), B41(2500) / 3G Quad Band / 2G Quad Band
- Size (Main_Display) 168.3mm (6.6") Resolution (Main Display) 1080 x 2340 (FHD+) Technology (Main Display) Super AMOLED Color Depth (Main Display) 16M Max Refresh Rate (Main Display) 120 Hz
The card slot shares space with the second SIM. The A55 uses a hybrid SIM tray, so if you insert a microSD card, you may lose the ability to run a second SIM. Buyers who depend on dual SIM should settle that trade-off before buying.
The same review reports four major Android OS updates and five years of security updates. It also lists trade-offs: no wireless charging, no Galaxy AI, and camera limitations. These are findings from that review, not a fresh verification of current software support.
Rank #2
- USA Market Only Works on Tmobile / Mint / Metro PCS . Unlocked Worldwide GSM 5G + 4G LTE PHONE
- LATIN VERSION ***** AMERICAN + LATIN BANDS Octa-core 2.75GHz, 2GHz Android 14, One UI 6.1 Chipset Exynos 1480 CPU Octa-core (4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
- Rear Camera - Resolution (Multiple) 50.0 MP + 12.0 MP + 5.0 MP / Rear Camera - F Number (Multiple) F1.8 , F2.2 , F2.4 / Main Camera - Auto Focus Yes / Rear Camera - OIS Yes / Rear Camera Zoom Digital Zoom up to 10x / Front Camera - Resolution 32mp / Front Camera - F Number F2.2 Video Recording Resolution UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) @30fps Slow Motion 240fps @HD
- Dual Sim (Shared Micro SD Slot) LTE 5G FDD Sub6 N1(2100), N3(1800), N5(850), N7(2600), N8(900), N20(800), N28(700), N66(AWS-3) 5G TDD Sub6 N38(2600), N40(2300), N41(2500), N78(3500) 4G FDD LTE B1(2100), B3(1800), B5(850), B7(2600), B8(900), B20(800), B28(700) 4G TDD LTE B38(2600), B40(2300), B41(2500) / 3G Quad Band / 2G Quad Band
- Size (Main_Display) 168.3mm (6.6") Resolution (Main Display) 1080 x 2340 (FHD+) Technology (Main Display) Super AMOLED Color Depth (Main Display) 16M Max Refresh Rate (Main Display) 120 Hz
Check availability before you shop
The companion guide says Samsung did not officially launch the A55 in the United States, though it noted that a 128GB variant could be found through Amazon sellers when the guide was published. The review makes the same point about US availability. Treat that as a dated observation rather than a current listing.
- Confirm the exact regional model number. Variants sold in different markets can differ in bands and carrier support.
- Check that the seller is an authorised retailer and that the listing is for the model you need.
- Look up current stock and price on the day you buy. Older prices quoted in guides may no longer apply.
How the other poll finalists compare
The companion guide highlights a practical reason to consider each of the other five phones. Its list is not exhaustive, and the specifications below are as reported by that guide.
Rank #3
- 25W Samsung Super Fast Charger Included, 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1080x2340px, Fingerprint (under display, optical), IP67 dust and water resistance
- 256GB, 8GB, No SD Card Slot, Exynos 1580 (4nm), Octa-core, Xclipse 540 GPU, Android 15, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 7
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 + 12MP, f/2.2 + 5MP, f/2.4, Front Camera: 12MP, f/2.2, 5000mAh Battery, Bluetooth 5.3
| Phone | Expansion reported | Standout point | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorola G Stylus (2026) | microSD expansion | Active stylus for note-taking and sketching | The guide says it costs more than the 2025 model |
| Sony Xperia 10 VII | microSD up to 2TB | Compact 6.1-inch screen | The guide says it is not officially sold in the US |
| Moto G Power (2025) | Not stated in the companion guide | IP68/IP69 ratings and 5,000mAh battery | Value and durability are its main pitch |
| Samsung Galaxy A17 5G | Not stated in the companion guide | Entry price and six-year update commitment | The guide notes performance limitations |
| TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro | microSD up to 2TB | NXTPAPER display | Not stated in the companion guide |
If capacity is your main concern, the Sony and TCL phones report the highest card support. If you want a stylus, the Motorola is the only option in this group that offers one. If you want the lowest entry cost, the Galaxy A17 5G fits that goal, with the guide’s performance caveat in mind.
What this poll does not establish
A reader poll is an informal measure. Votes show which phone this audience preferred from a short list, not how many buyers in general prefer microSD storage. The poll does not test battery life, camera quality, or call reliability, and it does not confirm that every model is available in every market.
Rank #4
- ELEVATED DESIGN. EVERYDAY EASE: Galaxy A57 5G features the best of A Series design that’s lighter, slimmer¹ and made to fit with your outfit
- A VIVID VIEWING EXPERIENCE: Dive deeper into your content with the Super AMOLED Plus display² on Galaxy A57 5G that features slimmer bezels for a more immersive viewing experience
- SNAP IT. LOVE IT. SHARE IT: The triple-lens camera on Galaxy A57 5G lets you capture everything from low-light videos with Nightography Video to landscapes in awesome detail
- BIG-TIME BATTERY LIFE: The 5,000mAh battery in Galaxy A57 5G lets you do what you want without worrying about running out of power and the 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0³ recharges your phone faster
- AWESOMELY FAST PERFORMANCE: Galaxy A57 5G⁴ keeps you connected with faster speeds so you can enjoy every online experience with ease. Stream videos, share photos, video call or simply surf your favorite sites without interruption
A buying checklist
- Decide whether you need a microSD slot or dual SIM. On the A55, you generally cannot use both at once.
- Choose a card size that fits your use. The A55 supports up to 1TB, and the Sony and TCL models are listed up to 2TB.
- Confirm that the model you are looking at is sold in your country and works with your carrier.
- Compare the current price with the price you saw in the guide, since older figures may be outdated.
- Buy a microSD card that your phone’s manual or the manufacturer lists as compatible, and check its capacity and speed rating before you purchase.
The A55 is the reader favourite, but it is a best fit only if it is available to you and its hybrid tray works with your SIM plans.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- International Model – Global Connectivity – Plug & Play with an active SIM on AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and most U.S. carriers. New activations are supported on T-Mobile and Its MVNO's in the U.S., as some carriers may not recognize International IMEI's as Compatible. (No U.S. manufacturer warranty; Seller Return policy applies.)
- This model is Dual SIM with eSIM capability however the configuration is either SIM+SIM or eSIM+SIM 6.7” Super AMOLED Display (120Hz). Enjoy ultra-smooth scrolling and vibrant colors with a large Full HD+ screen, perfect for streaming, gaming, and browsing.
- Powerful Performance Equipped with an advanced Exynos processor and 8GB RAM, delivering fast multitasking and efficient performance for apps and games. 256GB Storage Store your photos, videos, apps, and files without worrying about space.
- Triple Camera System (50MP Main) Capture sharp, detailed photos with optical image stabilization, plus ultra-wide and macro lenses for versatile shooting.
- Long-lasting 5,000mAh Battery Stay powered all day with fast charging support, keeping you connected longer. Premium Build & Durability Sleek gray finish with water and dust resistance (IP68 rating) for added durability.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
