Reviews
Samsung Galaxy A54 Review.
The Samsung Galaxy A54 is a mid-range smartphone that strikes a balance between affordability and impressive features. Boasting a sleek design and a vibrant display, the A54 offers a modern and visually appealing device for users on a budget.
Despite its mid-range cost, the A54 5G does boast some features usually seen on high-end models; however, the old adage still applies: you get what you pay for. Without a doubt, the standout of the Galaxy A54 5G is its fantastic, sizeable screen.
When it comes to mid-range phones, the A54 has everything you need from a large 6.4-inch display to exceptional battery life, a strong construction that can handle water and dust, and a service policy that promises five years of security updates. If you take a closer look at its features, you can almost mistake it for a high-end phone that costs a thousand dollars. Almost.
Construction and Display of the Samsung Galaxy A54
Regarding build quality, the Galaxy A54 has resilient glass on its front and rear, whereas other mid-range phones such as the Google Pixel 6A typically utilize composite plastic. The exterior frame of the A54 is plastic, which might not be as luxurious as the aluminum frames on other models like the S23 or Pixel 6A, and the A54 is chunkier as well. Although not as sleek, the A54 has an IP67 rating, granting it dust resistance and some protection from being submerged in water.
The A54’s screen is certainly something to be impressed by. It offers a larger 6.4-inch OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, compared to the Pixel 6A’s 6.1-inch OLED and its standard 60Hz refresh rate. This faster refresh rate makes the A54 feel more high-end than it is. Scrolling is made simpler thanks to the smooth transition. Furthermore, it can reach 1000 nits in bright outdoor light, making the text on the display more visible even in direct sunlight. This is slightly less than the brightness of the S23 Plus, but it still works well.
The battery and processor of the Samsung Galaxy A54
The A54 has a massive 5,000mAh cell, making it one of the biggest battery capacities you’ll find on any smartphone these days. Its battery stamina is good, though not extraordinary like devices like the Moto G Power. The A54’s power-hungry screen necessitates this large battery in order to keep up. It can charge up to 25W with the right wired charger (sold separately) and unfortunately does not have wireless charging capabilities, which is still not prevalent in the mid-range smartphone class.
I tested the battery by enabling the always-on display and keeping the refresh rate at the highest setting. Even with a full day’s use of data-connected mobile gaming, Google Maps navigation, and browsing the internet, the battery lasted until nightfall with a few single digits left. On a less demanding day, the A54 still had an impressive 50% remaining at the end of the day.
The Galaxy A54 5G sports a huge 5,000mAh battery, however, its performance is only mediocre due to a power-consuming display.
The A54 5G has 128GB of memory, enough to satisfy the majority of users, as well as 6GB of RAM that prevents applications from running in the background and allows efficient multitasking. The Exynos 1380 chipset can handle graphically demanding games such as Genshin Impact, though there may be slight stuttering. For lighter games such as Pocket City 2, the A54 5G is more than adequate.
Samsung Galaxy A54’s Camera
The A54 has an optical stabilisation feature included with its primary camera, enabling the device to take better quality images in low light settings.
My expectations for the Galaxy A54 have been exceeded, although the camera is quite average. It features a 50-megapixel F/1.8 main rear camera with optical stabilization, similar to that of the S23 and S23 Plus. This stabilization helps the camera to capture clearer images in dimmer conditions with longer shutter speeds. The A54 also has a 32-megapixel front camera of moderate quality, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide which is satisfactory, and a largely pointless 5-megapixel macro.
When I tried to use the A54’s camera system in challenging conditions, it did not perform optimally. Compared to the S23 Plus, portrait mode had difficulty keeping focus on the subject in moderate lighting and the subject isolation wasn’t as good.
When not in portrait mode, you can use night mode for dim lighting. However, if your subject is active, it can be difficult to get a sharp photo. The camera has trouble shooting at a speed faster than 1/20th of a second, which isn’t fast enough for living beings. It’s a tough task for most phone cameras to capture a clear image of children or pets in movement, so it’s understandable.
If you prioritise creature comforts, the Galaxy A54 is the best option in this affordability bracket. It offers a large screen with a speedy refresh rate and a rear glass panel. On the other hand, if you value photography above all else I will advise you to seek other options. It is still unmatched in the midrange class as it delivers superior low light performance. Although the S23 Plus is more expensive, it offers better camera processing and a sturdier design, yet the advantages may not be as pronounced as one might expect.
The A54 is a great phone, boasting an impressive screen, dependable performance, and an IP67 rating with strong support. The A54 can still provide a great experience, unless you’re primarily interested in camera quality. It even has a touch of class.
Design
Dimensions (Unfolded): 161.2 x 144.7 x 6.9 mm
Dimensions (Folded): 161.2 x 72.6 x 13.5 mm
Weight: 299 grams
Build: Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus) when folded and unfolded, aluminum frame
Colors: Black, White
Display
Type: AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2000 nits (peak brightness)
Main Display (Unfolded): 7.85 inches, 2296 x 2000 pixels, ~388 ppi density
Cover Display (Folded): 6.42 inches, 1080 x 2520 pixels, ~431 ppi density
Screen-to-Body Ratio: ~88% (main display), ~90% (cover display)
Touch Sampling Rate: 240Hz
Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Performance
Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ (4nm)
CPU: Octa-core (1×3.05 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3×2.85 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4×1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
GPU: Mali-G710 MC10
Operating System: Android 13, HiOS Fold
Memory
RAM: 12GB LPDDR5
Internal Storage: 256GB / 512GB UFS 3.1
Expandable Storage: No (no microSD card slot)
Cameras
Rear Camera Setup:
- 50 MP (wide), f/1.8, 1/1.56″, 1.0µm, PDAF, Laser AF, OIS
- 50 MP (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom
- 13 MP (ultrawide), f/2.2
Camera Features: Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Video Recording:
- 4K@30/60fps (main camera)
- 1080p@30/60fps
- Gyro-EIS (electronic image stabilization)
Front Cameras:
- Cover Display: 32 MP, f/2.5
- Main Display (Unfolded): 16 MP, f/2.0
Front Video: 1080p@30fps
Battery
Type: Li-Po, non-removable
Capacity: 5000mAh
Fast Charging: 45W wired fast charging
Reverse Charging: 10W
Network & Connectivity
SIM: Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Network:
- 5G: Supported
- 4G LTE: Yes
- 3G: Yes
- 2G: Yes
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band)
Bluetooth: 5.3, A2DP, LE
GPS: GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
NFC: Yes
USB: USB Type-C 2.0, OTG support
Audio: Stereo speakers, no 3.5mm headphone jack
Sensors
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
- Accelerometer
- Gyroscope
- Proximity sensor
- Compass
Audio
Speakers: Stereo speakers
Audio Features: 24-bit/192kHz audio
No 3.5mm Jack: USB Type-C to 3.5mm adapter may be required
Software & Features
Operating System: Android 13 with Tecno HiOS Fold UI
Special Features:
- Multi-tasking with split-screen mode
- Flex Mode support (optimizes apps for the foldable screen)
- AI-enhanced photography and videography features
- HiOS customizations for foldable displays
Battery Life
- Talk Time: Up to 30 hours on 4G
- Standby: Up to 400 hours
- Music Playback: Up to 90 hours
Charging Time
- Wired Charging: 0 to 100% in about 55 minutes
Price Range (Expected)
- 256GB Storage Model: $1,200
- 512GB Storage Model: $1,400
Availability: Expected release in selected markets by Q4 2024
Design and Build
Dimensions:
Luxe Marble: 163.72 x 75.00 x 7.49 mm
Flamboyant Orange: 163.72 x 75.00 x 7.99 mm
Weight:
Luxe Marble: 185 g
Flamboyant Orange: 190 g
Back Material: Vegan Leather (Flamboyant Orange)
Colors Available: Luxe Marble, Flamboyant Orange
Build: Glass front, plastic frame, glass back (Luxe Marble), or vegan leather back (Flamboyant Orange)
SIM Type: Dual Nano-SIM (Dual Standby)
Display
Type: AMOLED, 1B colors, HDR10+
Size: 6.77 inches (~90.3% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution: 2392 x 1080 pixels (~388 ppi density)
Refresh Rate: 120Hz
Brightness: 4500 nits (peak)
Protection: Schott Xensation glass
Touch Screen: Capacitive multi-touch
Performance
Chipset: Qualcomm SM7550-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm)
CPU: Octa-core (1×2.63 GHz Cortex-A715, 3×2.4 GHz Cortex-A715, 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)
GPU: Adreno 720
Operating System: Android 14 with Funtouch OS 14 (Up to 2 major Android upgrades)
Memory and Storage
RAM Options: 8GB, 12GB LPDDR5
Internal Storage Options: 128GB, 256GB UFS 3.1 (non-expandable)
Battery
Capacity: 5500 mAh (typical) / 5390 mAh (minimum)
Type: Li-Ion, non-removable
Charging: 80W wired fast charging (50% in 21 minutes), 7.5W reverse wired charging
Camera System
Rear Cameras:
Main: 50 MP Sony IMX883, f/1.79, OIS
Ultra Wide: 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ field of view
Features: LED flash, panorama, HDR
Video Recording: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p, gyro-EIS, OIS
Front Camera:
Single: 16 MP, f/2.45
Video Recording: 1080p@30fps
Photography Modes:
Rear: Photo, Portrait, Night, Video, 50 MP, Panorama, Ultra HD Document, Slo-mo, Time-lapse, Supermoon, Pro, Dual-view, Live Photo
Front: Photo, Portrait, Video, Dual-view, Live Photo
Connectivity
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax), dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
Bluetooth: 5.4, A2DP, LE
USB: USB Type-C 2.0, OTG supported
GPS: Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
Network Support
2G GSM: 850/900/1800 MHz
3G WCDMA: B1/B5/B8
4G LTE (FDD): B1/B3/B5/B8/B28B
4G LTE (TDD): B38/B40/B41
5G: n1/n3/n5/n8/n28B/n40/n77/n78
Sensors
In-Display Fingerprint Sensor: Optical
Accelerometer: Yes
Gyroscope: Yes
Proximity Sensor: Yes
Ambient Light Sensor: Yes
E-Compass: Yes
Audio
Speakers: Stereo speakers
Audio Jack: No 3.5mm jack (USB Type-C audio)
Additional Information
Build Quality: IP54 rating for dust and water resistance
Country of Origin: India
Design and Build
Dimensions: 164.31 x 74.47 x 7.9 mm
Colors: Rock Black, Moving Titanium, Violet Garden
Build: Curved-edge design with Gorilla Glass 5 protection (front and back)
Water and Dust Resistance: IP54 (Splash and Dust resistant)
Display
Type: Curved AMOLED, 1B colors
Size: 6.78 inches
Resolution: 1080 x 2436 pixels, (~388 ppi density)
Refresh Rate: 144Hz
Brightness: 1300 nits (peak)
Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Performance
Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultra (6 nm)
CPU: Octa-core (1×3.1 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3×3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU: Mali-G610 MC6
RAM: 12GB LPDDR5 + 12GB virtual RAM
Internal Storage: 256GB / 512GB UFS 3.1
Expandable Storage: No
Operating System: Android 14, XOS 14.5
Camera
Rear Camera:
Primary Sensor: 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), OIS
Secondary Sensor: 50 MP, f/2.0, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Tertiary Sensor: 2 MP, f/2.4, (depth)
Features: Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama, GoPro mode
Video Recording: 4K@60fps, 1080p@60/120fps
Front Camera:
Sensor: 50 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Features: Dual-LED flash, HDR
Video Recording: 4K@60fps
Battery
Capacity: 5000mAh
Type: Li-Po, non-removable
Charging:
Wired: 45W fast charging
Wireless: 20W wireless charging
Reverse Wireless Charging: 10W
Connectivity
Network: 5G, 4G LTE, 3G, 2G
SIM: Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6E, dual-band
Bluetooth: 5.2, A2DP, LE
GPS: Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
NFC: Yes
Infrared Port: Yes
USB: USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
Audio Jack: No
Other Features: JBL-tuned stereo speakers
Sensors
Fingerprint Sensor: In-display, optical
Other Sensors: Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity, Compass
Additional Features
Software Features:
- GoPro Mode with Quik App integration
- XOS features like Smart Panel, Peek Proof, and more
IR Blaster: Yes
