Samsung Galaxy A54 Review: Key Upgrades & Worth Buying?

content: Samsung Galaxy A54 First Impressions

If you're comparing mid-range phones, the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G demands attention. After testing this 2023 refresh, I appreciate its flagship-like design evolution from plastic to glass back (though still plastic frame). The new Awesome Lime colorway breaks from Samsung's typical pastels, offering fresh aesthetics at ₱24,990 for 128GB. But does it justify upgrading from last year's A53? Based on my hands-on analysis, key improvements exist – yet compromises remain.

Design and Build Quality

The A54's glass back immediately elevates its premium feel versus previous plastic builds. Weighing 202g, it's noticeably heavier than the A53 (189g), but the heft conveys solidity. Physical changes include:

Relocated SIM tray to the top edge
No headphone jack (continuing last year's omission)
Identical button layout with IP67 water resistance

Samsung incorporates recycled materials in both frame and back glass – a sustainability win. However, the bezels remain thicker than competitors in this price segment, a visual drawback when compared to Chinese rivals.

Display and Visual Experience

Samsung upgraded the display significantly:

6.4-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED (down from 6.5" on A53)
1000 nits peak brightness (versus 800 nits previously)
120Hz adaptive refresh rate

The brightness boost makes outdoor visibility dramatically better. During daytime testing, content remained clear under direct sunlight. The slightly smaller screen size is negligible in practice, and color accuracy stays excellent for media consumption. You can switch to 60Hz mode for battery savings, but the 120Hz fluidity enhances daily usability.

Camera System Analysis

Samsung reconfigured the camera array:

50MP main sensor (newer than A53's 64MP)
12MP ultrawide
5MP macro lens
32MP front camera (unchanged)

Key improvements include new object eraser tools borrowed from flagship models. In initial tests, the main camera captured sharper details in good light, though low-light performance still requires Night Mode. Video capabilities include:

4K/30fps recording on main camera
Lens switching during video (ultrawide/1x/2x)
Super Steady stabilization at 1080p

The macro and depth sensors from the A53 are gone, simplifying the module. Selfie video flipping works seamlessly – useful for content creators.

Performance and Battery Life

The Exynos 1380 chipset replaces last year's 1280, promising:

20% faster CPU performance
26% GPU improvement
8GB RAM standard

Real-world usage shows smoother app launches and multitasking versus the A53. While not flagship-level, it handles social media, photography apps, and moderate gaming competently. I still prefer Snapdragon chips for sustained performance, but Samsung's optimization helps.

Battery specs mirror the A53:

5,000mAh capacity
25W charging (no charger in box)

This is disappointing considering competitors offer 65W+ charging near this price. A full charge takes approximately 90 minutes. The silver lining? Samsung promises 4 Android OS upgrades and 5 years of security patches – exceptional for mid-range devices.

Key Considerations Before Buying

Pros:

Premium glass back design
Significantly brighter display
Main camera improvements
Industry-leading software support
IP67 water resistance

Cons:

Thick bezels versus competitors
Slow 25W charging
No headphone jack
Exynos chip still lags behind Snapdragon equivalents

Final Verdict and Alternatives

The Galaxy A54 makes strategic upgrades where they matter most: display quality, tactile design, and long-term software support. For Samsung ecosystem users, it's a sensible upgrade – especially with the brighter screen and camera enhancements. However, value-focused buyers should consider alternatives like the Pixel 6a for camera performance or Nothing Phone (1) for design innovation.

Actionable Checklist:

Test display brightness outdoors before purchasing
Buy a 25W charger separately (not included)
Enable adaptive refresh rate in settings
Use object eraser for photo editing
Compare trade-in values if upgrading from A53

Recommended Resources:

DXOMARK Camera Tests (for technical camera comparisons)
GSMArena Battery Benchmarks (objective battery life data)
Samsung Members Community (for optimization tips)

What's your dealbreaker? Are the missing headphone jack or slow charging more frustrating? Share your priorities below!