Samsung's Galaxy A series has been a popular choice for budget-conscious consumers who want a decent phone without breaking the bank. The Galaxy A5X models, in particular, have been bestsellers for Samsung. The latest addition to this lineup is the Galaxy A54 5G, which boasts a faster processor, improved camera system, and a new design. But is it worth upgrading from the Galaxy A53 5G, which was released last year? Let's find out.
Design and Display Quality
Sleeker Design and Same Great Protection
Samsung has upgraded the build quality of the Galaxy A54 5G by swapping out the all-plastic construction of the A53 5G for a glass front and back. However, the mid-frame is still rumored to be made out of plastic. The new camera module design, with individual enclosures for each lens, is reminiscent of Samsung's premium S series.
Although the A54 5G is slightly smaller than its predecessor, the difference in size is negligible. Both phones have an IP67 water and dust resistance rating and a microSD card slot for expandable storage, which is a rarity these days. The displays of both phones are flat and feature 1080p Full HD+ resolution Super AMOLED screens, which support a fast 120Hz refresh rate, resulting in smoother scrolling.
More detailed testing of color accuracy and brightness levels will be available soon, but for now, it's worth noting that both phones feature a fingerprint scanner embedded within the screen. It is an optical scanner, not an ultrasonic one found in flagship models, but it worked well on the A53 and is expected to be similarly reliable on the A54 5G. Additionally, both phones support 2D image scans for facial recognition, which is not as secure as a fingerprint scanner but adds convenience.
Performance and Software
Exynos Chip Upgrade and the Latest One UI
The Galaxy A54 5G's significant improvement lies under the hood, with the Exynos 1380, a 5nm processor, replacing the Exynos 1280 used in the A53. While there isn't much difference in single-core CPU speeds, multi-core speeds see a massive 50% boost, and the GPU performance is expected to improve by up to 20%. This upgrade should address occasional stutters present on the A53 5G and make the A54 5G a more enjoyable experience for gamers.
The A54 5G comes with One UI 5 on top of Android 13, while the Galaxy A53 recently received an update to the same version just weeks before the A54 unveiling. Samsung provides 4 years of major software update support, which is more than other Android phone makers. However, the updates typically arrive months after the Pixel series, so there is often a long wait before getting them.
Camera, Audio Quality, and Haptics on the Galaxy A54 5G
The Galaxy A54 5G comes with a revamped camera system that features a 50MP main camera with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 5MP macro camera. In comparison, the A53 5G had an older 64MP main sensor and a 12MP ultra-wide camera, but it also had a depth sensor that is missing on the A54. While the depth sensor on the A53 5G did not add much to the experience, Samsung has already teased that the new camera system on the A54 5G is better at night and we can expect to see significant improvements in both photos and videos. A more in-depth analysis of the camera performance will be provided in a future update.
Audio on the A53 5G was adequate for the price, but there was room for improvement. The speakers were downward-facing and had a secondary speaker located in the earpiece of the phone. There was distortion at the highest volume levels, and the lower frequencies were missing. The Galaxy A54 5G also has a similar audio setup, and a detailed analysis of the loudspeakers' quality will be provided in the coming weeks.
The A53 5G had vague haptic feedback, which was not as sharp and precise as the Taptic Engine on an iPhone or some recent OnePlus phones. Whether or not the A54 5G's haptic motor is an improvement is yet to be seen, but no upcoming improvements have been announced thus far.
Battery Life and Charging
The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G features a slightly larger battery than its predecessor, with a capacity of 5,100mAh compared to the A53 5G's 5,000mAh. While we are yet to test the actual battery life on the phone, we have seen significant improvements in battery life on the Galaxy S23 series, and we hope to see similar results on the A54.
Both the A54 5G and A53 5G support 25-watt charging speeds, but unfortunately, neither phone comes with a charger in the box. While Samsung has played it safe with the charging speeds, competitors like OnePlus and Asus offer much faster charging. However, it's worth noting that the Pixel 6a charges slower than both Samsung phones.
Display Comparison
In terms of display, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G has a larger screen size of 6.5 inches compared to the A54 5G's 6.4-inch screen. However, the A54 5G boasts a newer screen type, while the A53 5G features a Super AMOLED screen type. Both phones have the same pixel density of 405 PPI and aspect ratio of 20:9.
Memory Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G comes with 8GB of RAM, which is better suited for gaming and multitasking compared to the A53 5G's 6GB of RAM. However, both phones have the same internal storage capacity of 128GB, and both have a memory card slot for expandable storage.
Camera Comparison
When it comes to camera performance, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G has a 64MP quad rear camera that outshines the A54 5G's 50MP main camera with a 12MP ultra-wide and 5MP macro camera. However, Samsung has dropped the depth sensor that was present on the A53 5G, which had little impact on the overall experience. Both phones have the same 32MP front-facing camera, and Samsung has teased that the A54 5G's camera system is better at night, so we can expect significant improvements in both photos and videos.
Technical Comparison
Both phones run on the Android operating system, but the A54 5G runs on the newer version 13, while the A53 5G runs on version 12.
Should You Upgrade to the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G?
Samsung has definitely made significant upgrades to the Galaxy A series with the Galaxy A54 5G. With a faster chip, better camera system, and longer battery life, it can compete with some of the best mid-range phones in the market. The addition of a microSD card slot is also a welcome feature for those who need extra storage space.
However, the price of the Galaxy A54 5G is slightly higher than its predecessor, the A53 5G. For A53 5G users, there may not be enough reason to upgrade, but for those looking for a new and affordable phone with upgraded features, the Galaxy A54 5G is worth considering.
Overall, the Galaxy A54 5G is one of the bigger upgrades in the Galaxy A series and can hold its own against the competition. We recommend checking it out if you are in the market for a new mid-range phone.