On paper, you might think that the Samsung Galaxy A54 is similar to its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy A53. Still, there are several small differences that might lead you to prefer one over the other. Price will be a deciding factor, as always.
You need to change smartphones, you want something solid and rather long term, but without breaking the bank to buy an ultra flagship. It’s a safe bet that your research leads you to Samsung’s Galaxy A range, champions of smartphones under 500 euros.
Except that here, the Korean brand has just renewed the champion of this range with a Galaxy A54. This replaces an excellent Galaxy A53. So which one should you choose? Follow the leader.
On design, two worlds
The first criterion that will interest us is that of the size. If you’re looking for the smallest possible smartphone at all costs, then consider the Galaxy A54 since it has a diagonal of 6.4 inches, against 6.5 inches on the A53. Be careful though, this is a very small difference. The A54 is less spread out in height by 1.4 mm, but it is also wider and above all heavier. We go from 189g to 202g.
The fault of another novelty which makes them stand out: the arrival of glass on the back of the phone. Material usually reserved for the high end, it is found here on a phone at 499 euros.
Samsung Galaxy A54 // Source: Frandroid
The Galaxy A53 // Source: Frandroid – Arnaud Gelineau
Glass is going to have the advantage of these disadvantages. As we said, it makes the phone heavier, but also more slippery and finally more breakable. Because glass, unlike plastic, breaks easily if dropped. You have been warned.
We lose a sensor, we gain in quality
The other modification to take into account on the exterior of the devices is on the photo sensors. The Galaxy A53 had four, the Galaxy A54 now has only three. Aesthetically, the integration is a little more elegant on the A54 given that there is no longer a photo block on the back, but simply three stacked modules.
Samsung Galaxy A54 // Source: Frandroid
The Galaxy A53 and A33 offer four colors. // Source: Frandroid – Arnaud Gelineau
As for the photo configuration, the loss of a depth sensor on the A54 is not really a big loss. It also swaps the main 64 megapixel sensor of the A53 for a 50 megapixel sensor, supposed to be more comfortable at night. The other two devices are strictly the same: an ultra wide-angle in 12 megapixels (123 °, f / 2.2, 1.12 μm) and a macro in 5 megapixels (f / 2.4).
One more year can make a difference in performance
The other major difference is in performance. The Galaxy A54 starts at 8 GB of RAM where the Galaxy A53 offered a configuration at 6 GB and another at 8 GB.
The chip has also been improved, we go from an Exynos 1280 to an Exynos 1380. Samsung does not make any particular promises regarding the improvement in performance, but let us simply point out that it is moving from a configuration with 2 high performance cores high-performance 4-core. We can therefore expect the best for somewhat intense uses.
Samsung Galaxy A54 // Source: Frandroid
The Galaxy A53. // Source: Frandroid – Arnaud Gelineau
Let’s add that the Galaxy A54 coming out a year later, it logically promises an extended software follow-up of one year on its ancestor. If you are on the idea of a long-term smartphone purchase and you have the budget, the A54 therefore has the advantage of being able to last longer on paper.
The new model also defends itself on connectivity since it adds eSIM, which is extremely rare for a mid-range phone. What there also to see coming, because it is about a technology brought to develop in the years to come.
The prize gives a big winner
On arrival, the new features brought by the latest Galaxy A54 still seem very meager to justify its purchase as soon as it is released rather than that of its predecessor. The latter is also often the subject of promotions which places it around 370 euros, a much more attractive price than the 500 euros to be paid for the A54.
That said, the Galaxy A54 should last you longer thanks to a more powerful chip and a newer release. This is provided you don’t drop it, as glass is much more fragile than plastic.
The Galaxy A53 therefore seems to be a better choice in March 2023, when the A54 has just been released. But if you really want to buy the brand new model for its few superior qualities, we advise you to wait a few months to see the price drop.
Do you use Google News (News in France)? You can follow your favorite media. Follow Frandroid on Google News (and Numerama).