Samsung Galaxy A54 Specs, Features, Test and Review

The Samsung Galaxy A54, like its predecessors, has a straightforward role – to be the go-to smartphone for the Korean brand. Positioned just before the leap into high-end devices, it aims to offer a balanced experience at a significant price tag of $500, while still making some compromises.

Compared to the Galaxy A53, the A54 has a $40 price increase. It’s hard to justify this by performance gains or a new camera sensor, as these technologies should improve yearly at a constant price. However, Samsung does justify the price hike with some additions, such as a glass back and the introduction of eSIM to mid-range devices. With the Galaxy A53 at around $350, does the A54 have enough to convince potential buyers?

Samsung Galaxy A54 Technical Specifications

Samsung Galaxy A54 Design: Hitting the Bullseye

At first glance, Samsung has succeeded with the Galaxy A54. Adopting a design similar to the Galaxy S23, adding a flat glass back that is seamlessly integrated, the Galaxy A54 is playing in the big leagues.

In terms of handling comfort, the 6.4-inch phone with a central punch-hole display is very satisfying. It has a relatively small, not too wide (76.7 mm) or tall (158.2 mm) format. However, it does have a somewhat heavy weight of 202 g, but this is not an issue due to the phone’s compact size. The considerable thickness of 8.2 mm is also worth noting, although the phone’s compactness helps to avoid a brick-like feel.

The Galaxy A54 is otherwise understated. Its glass-covered back does show some fingerprints, but not to the extent of becoming a fingerprint magnet. A subtle mirror effect adds flair without being overly flashy. The three camera modules, perfectly aligned and separate from one another, also follow the same theme of simplicity and effectiveness, with a slight glossy treatment in the circle.

The plastic edges feel very pleasant to touch, and the buttons, all located on the right side, are easily accessible. The top SIM tray can accommodate up to two SIM cards.

Some may point out minor issues such as visible borders and a slightly thick chin, but honestly, this didn’t bother me during use. The rounded corners provide a well-finished look to the overall design.

The presence of IP67 certification, which is rare at this price point, is a definite plus. The Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection is also appreciated.

Samsung Galaxy A54: Premium Smartphone Display

With its 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display (or 6.3 inches considering the rounded edges), FHD+, and 120 Hz refresh rate, the Galaxy A54 has nothing to envy in the premium segment. It’s a very pleasant screen to use daily, perhaps a bit compact for those who want a larger viewing experience, but that’s about the only criticism.

Our measurements using a probe and Portrait Displays’ CalMAN Ultimate software confirm that this screen can hold its own against a premium smartphone. It displays 127% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, a demanding standard. It even reaches 86% of the BT.2020 color space, a feature usually reserved for the high-end segment.

As for color accuracy, it’s not as good. In the vivid mode, we measure an average delta E of 5.86, while the target should be below 3. In the standard mode, which is supposed to be more accurate, we get a slightly better delta E average of 4.53. For HDR content, it’s not much more precise, with an average delta E of 5.41.

The measured maximum brightness is excellent for this price range. The Galaxy A54 displays 1275 cd/m², a very high value that ensures comfortable use even in direct sunlight.

Samsung Galaxy A54 Software: As Many Updates as a Galaxy S23

The Samsung Galaxy A54 features the latest version of Samsung’s interface, One UI 5.1 (Android 13).

It’s worth noting that the Galaxy A54 benefits from some of the best software support on Android, with four years of major updates and five years of security patches. This is equivalent to what some high-end brands offer, but here at $500.

One UI has clearly stepped up its game with this latest generation. The issue of stuttering animations is a thing of the past, and the numerous added features are a welcome addition. For example, the modes and routines are a real source of comfort, allowing users to create a dedicated environment for each activity. Whether it’s for movies, work, or sleep, any combination is possible.

Many other small additions are present, such as the ability to stack widgets on top of one another, the ability to create a floating window with a single gesture (available in Labs), and resizing or customizing the lock screen.

Some new features seem to be missing, such as the ability to automatically outline the subject of a photo or the Expert RAW photo app, which remains exclusive to the Galaxy S series.

Fear not, if you are a fan of streaming video on demand, the Wideline L1 DRM is included, ensuring FHD content. The system occupies 35.21 GB of base storage, which is quite significant.

Samsung Galaxy A54 Photo: Samsung’s touch does the job

Here’s the photo configuration of the Samsung Galaxy A54:

• Main camera: 50 megapixels, f/1.8, PDAF, OIS;
• Ultra-wide-angle camera: 12 megapixels, f/2.2, 123°, 1.12 µm;
• Macro camera: 5 megapixels, f/2.4;
• Selfie: 32 megapixels, f/2.2, 26 mm, 1/2.8 inch, 0.8 µm.

The phone is capable of shooting in 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels), 30 FPS, or in 240 FPS HD for slow-motion effects.

Main Camera

The main camera is satisfying in the majority of cases.

Starting with outdoor shots, scenes are correctly exposed, the level of detail is good, and the colorimetry is a bit flattering (especially for greens and blues). There are some dynamic difficulties when a scene is a bit dark (see the stop sign), but it remains usable.

Indoors, the camera module excels at close-ups, consistently providing well-exposed scenes. In 90% of cases, it achieves a sharp result, but if your subject, like the black cat below, moves a bit too much, you may have to try several times. Nothing too serious.

Ultra Wide-Angle

The ultra-wide-angle camera maintains good color consistency compared to its main counterpart. Close-up, there are some sharpness issues, such as with plants. The well-exposed subject photo of the cat shows that the rest of the room suffers from a slight dynamic issue.

There is also a loss of detail in vegetation and micro-details, but this is common for an ultra-wide-angle lens.

Night Photography

Samsung has introduced “Nightography” for its Galaxy A54, a marketing term usually reserved for high-end smartphones and supposed to highlight their low-light photography capabilities. Let’s see what it offers.

In near-total darkness, the night mode works its “magic,” meaning it effectively brightens the scene. Is the result aesthetic? Not necessarily.

It’s far from what a high-end phone can achieve. Details in the photos are smoothed out, giving them a watercolor-like appearance. While the option is commendable and pleasant, it’s better suited for conveying information to someone (like a meeting location) rather than capturing aesthetically pleasing images. Don’t expect miracles.

In more conventional situations, with artificial outdoor lighting, the photos are quite successful, although they do exhibit some lens flare. Indoors, with low light, there’s a tendency for blurred, artistic effects.

Whether with or without light, the ultra-wide-angle lens doesn’t offer much at night.

Portrait

The portrait mode is effective and does what it’s supposed to do: blur the background and accentuate facial details of the subject.

Macro

Although the macro sensor boasts 5 megapixels instead of the usual 2 megapixels, the results are still debatable.

Selfie

The selfie sensor requires very good lighting to display a convincing level of detail, as seen in the third photo below. In other cases, such as in the evening or with poor indoor lighting, it lacks detail.

Samsung Galaxy A54 Performance: Samsung has listened

The Samsung Galaxy A54 features an Exynos 1380 chip, which is promised to be faster than the slightly sluggish Exynos 1280 of the Galaxy A53. Regardless of the chosen configuration, it comes with 8 GB of RAM and 128 to 256 GB of storage. This capacity can be expanded up to 1 TB using a microSD card.

In terms of pure performance, the Exynos is slightly ahead of the Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus but lags behind the 2022 mid-range champions such as the Nothing phone (1) and the Pixel 6a.

Don’t expect to play Genshin Impact with the highest settings. The Galaxy A54, however, ensures the minimum expected performance, meaning it’s possible to play smoothly with low detail levels. By setting graphics to low and fluidity to 60 FPS, the game runs without lag and can be fully enjoyed without excessive heat.

However, pushing the device further results in significant slowdowns and noticeable heating. On Fortnite, you can reach the Ultra graphics level at 30 FPS and play with occasional slowdowns. Reducing the graphics settings by one level provides a comfortable experience. It’s worth noting that the CPU heat is reasonable, not exceeding 40°C.

Samsung Galaxy A54 Battery: decent, but we expected better

The Samsung Galaxy A54 features a comfortable 5000 mAh battery. Samsung promises 19 to 21 hours of continuous light use.

On a daily basis, the phone is quite reassuring to use. With light use (under three hours of screen time), it easily lasts for two consecutive days. However, unlike the previous year’s Galaxy A53, increasing usage with GPS, more browsing, and video watching makes it difficult to surpass a day and a half.

Using the ViSer software and our custom protocol, which simulates continuous phone activity until it reaches 10% battery life, we achieved a score of 12 hours and 49 minutes. This places the A54 slightly above average, ranking 39th among the last 92 phones tested.

Charging

Remember that the charging cable is not included with the Samsung Galaxy A54. It’s limited to 25W charging. Here’s the charging progress starting from 4%:

• 5 minutes : 13 %
• 10 minutes : 22 %
• 15 minutes : 31 %
• 30 minutes : 56 %
• 45 minutes : 76 %
• 60 minutes : 92 %
• 65 minutes : 94 %
• 70 minutes : 96 %
• 75 minutes : 98 %
• 80 minutes : 99 %
• 82 minutes : 100 %

Taking 1 hour and 22 minutes to fully charge a phone in 2023 is far from competitive. However, it is noticeable that charging significantly slows down after 80%. This is likely a measure to protect the phone’s battery life. There’s even an option to limit charging to 85% for battery protection.

Samsung Galaxy A54 Audio

The Galaxy A54 delivers with its stereo speakers. The bass is present, the trebles don’t hurt the ears, and the volume is sufficient. In gaming or watching a show, the balance between the two speakers is maintained, allowing for good spatialization and clear understanding. Overall, the audio performance is clean and impressive.

Samsung Galaxy A54 Networks and Communications

A rarity in mid-range smartphones, the Galaxy A54 features eSIM technology, allowing you to completely forego a physical SIM card if desired. It still supports dual SIM functionality. The phone is 5G-capable, covering all bands except for the 5G mmWave, which is not yet in use in France.

In terms of connectivity, the phone offers WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and an NFC chip.

Samsung Galaxy A54 Price and Release Date:

The Samsung Galaxy A54 costs around $500 for the base configuration with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. An additional $50 grants access to 256GB storage. It is available in four colors: black, purple, lemon yellow, and white.

Editor’s Verdict

Design – 9/10:

The Galaxy A54 has a small form factor, a glass back, and reassuring protections (IP68 and Gorilla Glass 5). It also boasts a design similar to the S23 and has a good balance in hand.

Screen – 10/10:

Samsung has gone all-out for its display, which rivals premium smartphones: OLED, 120Hz, fantastic brightness, and vibrant colors. A strong selling point for the device.

Camera – 7/10:

Photography remains a strong point for Samsung in this price range. The main sensor is very capable in most situations, but secondary modes are just satisfactory.

Performance – 7/10:

Samsung has improved performance, offering a balanced mid-range smartphone that keeps up with the competition. No slowdowns in sight, except perhaps in demanding 3D games.

Software – 10/10:

One UI 5 under Android 13 performs well again. The latest version’s additions are welcome, and animations are more fluid and enjoyable. With up to five years of updates, it’s the best Android mid-range smartphone in this regard.

Battery Life – 7/10:

Battery life is good, lasting a day and a half easily, and up to two days for more conservative users. Unfortunately, charging speed and the lack of an included charger lower the score.

For $500, the Samsung Galaxy A54 hits the mark with a well-balanced smartphone that meets all expectations at this price point. The exceptional display and exemplary software support outshine competitors. Samsung delivers a comfortable, balanced experience with decent photography performance for this price range.

The main downside is battery life, which has suffered somewhat. If only the charger were faster and included in the box, this phone would be close to perfect.

Pros of the Samsung Galaxy A54:

• Premium-quality display
• Two days of battery life without strain
• Four major Android updates
• Premium feel in hand

Cons of the Samsung Galaxy A54:

• Only 25W charging and no included charger
• Mediocre night mode, useless macro sensor