Samsung Galaxy A54 5G Vs Galaxy A53 5G: Should You Upgrade?

A year after the launch of the Galaxy A53 5G, Samsung is ready to release its latest mid-range phone in the Galaxy A series, the Galaxy A54 5G. While the A54 5G shares many similarities with its predecessor, there are some minor improvements that make it a serious contender in the mid-range smartphone market. But if you already own an A53, is it worth the quick upgrade? Find out in our Samsung Galaxy A54 5G vs Galaxy A53 5G comparison.

Instead of a dramatic change, the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G could take a step forward by improving last year's hardware platform. The A54 5G is equipped with the new Exynos 1380 processor, which is the next generation of the Exynos 1280 chipset in the Galaxy A53. The processor is still based on the 5nm architecture, but Samsung says the Exynos 1380 offers 20% more CPU and 26% more GPU support than last year's device. We'll have to wait until we get our hands on the A54 5G to confirm if that's true, but it looks like a promising upgrade.

Looking at the screen, the Galaxy A54 is 6.4 inches smaller than the 6.5-inch Galaxy A53. As a result, the Galaxy A54 has slightly larger bezels than its predecessor. In addition to size, the A54 5G has a much brighter 1,000-nit display than the previous panel's 800-nit display, making it easier to view outdoors.

In terms of phone design, the Galaxy A54 has Gorilla Glass 5 protection that matches the front display. The Galaxy A53 has a plastic back and only Gorilla Glass 5 on the front. Both phones are IP67 rated, which means they can be submerged in shallow water for less than half an hour.

The Galaxy A54 5G supports Wi-Fi 6, while the Galaxy S53 5G was limited to Wi-Fi 5. Like other Samsung flagship phones, the Galaxy A54 5G gets four years of Android OS updates and five years of Android OS updates. security updates. The Galaxy A53 5G promises the same, meaning the phone software runs until 2027 and the A54 5G software runs until 2028.

Before we get to the cameras themselves, the rear camera design has changed a lot between the two devices. The Galaxy A54 5G now follows the look and feel of the Galaxy S23 series, with each lens protruding independently rather than sitting on a raised island like the Galaxy A53 5G. The A54 is a member of the now-familiar Galaxy S23 series (or at least its close relative) that might appeal to those looking for a high-end phone.

In terms of cameras, the most notable change is that the Galaxy A54 5G has a 50MP main camera instead of the current 64MP main camera on the Galaxy A53 5G. However, don't think that fewer pixels mean lower quality; This is probably a much smaller issue. However, the A54 has a larger sensor, increasing the pixel size from 0.8µm to 1.0µm, so we expect better low-light performance.

Another big difference is that Samsung has chosen not to include a 5MP depth sensor in the A54 5G. While this adds a bit of flexibility, it's not a huge loss. We didn't find the fourth camera to be of much value, and in everyday use you might not notice that the A53 5G lacks a depth sensor.

In addition, both phones have the same 12MP rear lens and 5MP macro lens, while the front houses the same 32MP selfie camera with a punch-hole design. Both phones have the same 4K video recording capabilities at 30fps, though we'll be crossing our fingers to see 4K at 60fps on the Galaxy A54 5G.

Samsung Galaxy A54 5G vs Galaxy A53 5G: battery and charging

When it comes to battery and charging speeds between the Galaxy A54 5G and A53 5G, there isn't much new under the sun (or should I say under the hood). Both phones have a 5,000mAh battery that supports 25W fast charging (make sure you use a compatible charger or it will charge at 15W).

While the Galaxy A53 is effective at extending battery life, we found it lasted about two days with regular use. Once discharged, it took about 85 minutes to fully charge the A53, which was a little long. We'll have to wait until our Galaxy A54 5G review is complete to see if battery life and charging speeds improve, but given the same specs, we don't expect a huge difference.

In the US, the Galaxy A54 5G will only be available in 128GB configuration, while the Galaxy A53 5G will retain the same starting price of $449 when it goes on sale in March 2022. For $399 ($50 off).

Regardless of your location, the Galaxy A54 5G is available for pre-order from Samsung starting March 30, 2023. The phone will be officially presented to major telecom operators and retail outlets on April 6th. If you pre-order the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G, they're offering up to $250 through qualifying deals and the option to get a pair of Galaxy Buds Live for just $49.99.

While Samsung hasn't completely reinvented the mid-range smartphone, it looks like it's perfected the recipe for success at a reasonable price. The new Exynos 1380 processor is said to improve performance, while the bright screen provides better visibility in direct sunlight. While the A54 has three cameras instead of the A53 5G's four, the design is more modern. While the quality of the larger sensors hasn't improved, your photos should be just as good, especially in low light.

If you bought the Galaxy A53 5G last year, you don't have enough incentive to shell out another $450 for a new model. Many of the core features are the same, such as B. battery and video recording, and both devices are running the same 5.1 UI with Android 13, with more software and security updates coming in the next few years. Some features, such as Wi-Fi 6 support for the A54 5G, can be a deciding factor if you have a new router. That said, there's no reason to upgrade unless your A53's performance drops or you're seriously jealous of the S23 series' sleek design.

The Galaxy A54 5G and Galaxy A53 5G are proof that you don't have to spend a lot to get features like a multi-lens camera and a 120Hz refresh rate. And while Samsung has plenty of mid-range options, it's not the only player in town. For example, recent leaks suggest that the Google Pixel 7a is just around the corner and will launch at the same price. If you're looking to upgrade your mid-range phone, it might be worth waiting a while to see how it compares.

Stay tuned for the full Samsung Galaxy A54 5G review from Android officials.