Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S23 Ultra has some of the best specs and cameras. It also costs a staggering $1,200 ($1,249 PS, AU$1,949), which is simply out of reach for most of us. If you look lower in the range, it doesn’t have to mean that your hardware will be slow and frustrating. Samsung’s Galaxy A54 5G, priced at $450 (PS499 or AU$ 699), is an excellent example of a smartphone with solid performance.
The Galaxy A54 has a 6.4″ display, an 8-core processor with enough power to handle daily tasks (including light gaming), and a camera capable of taking decent pictures when you’re out and about. The design is also very nice, especially the lime-green version I tested. The 128GB storage is enough for many people. Those who need more can add microSD cards of up to 1TB.
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The phone is an excellent value for its $450 price, and it can be found on sale at Best Buy or Amazon for as little as $375. Unfortunately, the prices were not available when I was writing this review. Google’s budget smartphones still outshine Samsung, especially in the camera department.
Galaxy A54 or Pixel 6A: Which is better?
The competition is fierce even at the Galaxy A54’s low price. Google’s Pixel 6A, priced at $349, and the Pixel 7A, priced at $499, are just $50 more expensive than the A54’s regular retail price. CNET Editors’ Choice awarded the Pixel 6A for its solid performance on all fronts and low cost. It remains one of the top budget phones available. We were also impressed by the new Pixel 7A’s excellent camera and smooth performance. CNET recommended it over Pixel 7 because it was $100 cheaper.
The Pixel 6A still beats the A54 5G. The Pixel 6A is better in terms of performance, the camera is more impressive, and Google’s version of Android feels more natural to use. The Pixel 7A offers a better camera and wireless charging if you spend $50 more. These features are not available on the Galaxy A54. The A54 provides microSD storage expansion and is slightly bigger, so the Pixel’s victory is not complete. What you need to know about this phone
Galaxy A54: Fun design, vibrant display
The glossy back of the lime green A54 5G I have is quite beautiful with its metallic-looking edge (which is plastic). The phone is comfortable to hold but lacks the solidity of the Pixel 6A and 7A. The Pixel 6A and 7A are IP67-rated, meaning they will be safe to use on rainy days or when friends with beer drop the phone.
The Pixel 6A has a 6.1-inch display, but the Galaxy A54’s screen is 6.4 inches. This is worth considering if you play mobile games and watch videos often or if a larger screen would be more helpful. The Galaxy A54 has a brighter screen than the Pixel 6A and 7A, which makes it easier to read outdoors in direct sunlight.
Galaxy A54 Processor, Software and Battery
The Galaxy A54 is powered by an Exynos processor with 6GB RAM. The Galaxy A54 scored well on benchmark tests, considering its low cost. It was a little below the Pixel 6A. There’s still enough power for everyday web browsing, WhatsApp messaging, and emailing to feel fast. Both Genshin Impact & Asphalt 9: Legends ran smoothly at default settings.
Galaxy A54 performance comparison with Pixel 6A and Pixel 7A
Galaxy A54 1,006 2,780 8,12Pixel 8A 1,342 3,042 1,528
The phone runs Android 13 as its base, but Samsung has added its One UI software. Although I like the look of the skin, I wouldn’t say I like the amount of clutter Samsung preloads on the phone. Disney Plus, Bolt TikTok, Booking.com, and Bolt came preinstalled, as did many Samsung apps, including its own Galaxy Shop, SmartThings app, Messages, and various TV and media apps. Microsoft apps such as OneNote and Linkedin are also preinstalled. You may have different apps on yours, especially if you purchased them directly from Samsung UK.
You can remove many of them, but they make your phone look cluttered as soon as it is turned on. The Pixel 6A has a default interface that is clean, and uncluttered and only includes the Google essentials, such as Chrome, Gmail, and Drive. No third-party services are installed.
Samsung and Google promise to provide security updates five years after launch to make their devices safer. The Pixel 6A launched in 2017 is therefore guaranteed support until 2027. Meanwhile, the A54 will continue to receive updates up to 2028. Samsung offers a different generation of Android OS updates in comparison to Google. This is not a big difference, but it’s worth remembering if you want your device to last as long as possible.
The A54 has a larger battery of 5,000mAh than the Pixel 6A’s 4,410mAh. Battery life on both phones was similar during my YouTube drain test and when used daily. This could be due to their larger screens. If you are careful, you can get one full day of use from either phone. However, both phones will need to be recharged overnight.
It’s one last phone that supports microSD cards of up to 1TB. This is a massive plus for Samsung’s Galaxy A54, as you can choose the lowest storage option and then buy a cheap card of 128GB to double your storage. You will have plenty of space for music, apps, photos and videos.
Galaxy A54: three cameras for vibrant photos
The phone has three cameras on the back; a 50-megapixel primary camera, a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 5-megapixel macro camera. The primary camera’s shots were generally good, but the software optimizations resulted in unnatural images. The photos are crisp and clear with the 2x digital zoom preset (there is no optical zoom).
It was also a good lens, with great detail and decent exposure. There was a distinct colour difference between the broad and primary lenses. I prefer the slightly warmer colour of the wide lens to the incredible images captured by the primary camera.
The primary lens captures bright, sharp images on par with those taken by the Pixel 6A.
You can focus on the subject you want to photograph with the 5-megapixel macro lens. It’s disappointing, as are most of the macro lenses we’ve seen on other phones from OnePlus or Samsung. Focus is often off, and colours appear dull compared to pictures taken with the primary camera. Samsung could have cut the price by a few dollars and not added an extra camera.
The A54’s camera set-up won’t be appealing to those who are photographers and want realistic images. However, if you wish to vibrant photos of your children on your next vacation at the beach, this will work well. The Pixel 6A or 7A produce better images with less saturation and perfect exposure.
Should you purchase the Samsung Galaxy A54?
The A54 is an excellent option for budget buyers thanks to its combination of good performance, a fun design, a vibrant camera and a low price. The A54’s bright screen, expandable memory and more extended software support make it a better option than Google’s Pixel 6A. However, the Pixel 6A is superior in nearly every other aspect. It’s cheaper, has better cameras and software. I’d choose the Pixel 6A over the Pixel 6A.
