Samsung Galaxy A54 5G vs Galaxy A53 5G: Should you upgrade?

Samsung is set to release its latest mid-range phone in the Galaxy A series later this month, the Galaxy A54 5G, just one year after the Galaxy A53 5G launched. While the A54 5G has a lot in common with its predecessor, there are a few notable upgrades that make it a serious contender in the market of mid-range smartphones. But if you already have the A53, is it worth upgrading so soon? Find out in our Samsung Galaxy A54 5G vs Galaxy A53 5G comparison.

Samsung Galaxy A54 5G vs Galaxy A53 5G: At a glance

Samsung Galaxy A54 5G vs Galaxy A53 5G: Specs

Rather than making any drastic changes, the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G looks to refine last year’s hardware platform and take it a step forward. The A54 5G is powered by the new Exynos 1380, the next generation of processors from the Galaxy A53’s Exynos 1280 chipset. The processor is still built on a 5nm architecture, but Samsung claims the Exynos 1380 will have a 20% CPU and 26% GPU boost over last year’s device. We will have to wait until we get our hands on the A54 5G for testing to see if this proves true, but it seems to be a promising upgrade.

Looking at the display, the Galaxy A54 is slightly smaller at 6.4 inches compared to the Galaxy A53, which measured 6.5 inches diagonally. As a result, the Galaxy A54 appears to have slightly bigger bezels than its predecessor. Aside from the size, the A54 5G has a brighter display at 1000 nits instead of its predecessor’s 800 nits panel, making it more easily viewable outdoors.

As for the build of the phones, the Galaxy A54 gives some increased durability to the backside with Gorilla Glass 5 protection to match the front display. The Galaxy A53 had a plastic backside and only featured Gorilla Glass 5 on the front. Both phones have an IP rating of IP67, which means they can be immersed in shallow water for less than half an hour.

The Galaxy A54 5G has the advantage of Wi-Fi 6 support, while the Galaxy S53 5G was limited to Wi-Fi 5. Like other recent flagship Samsung phones, the Galaxy A54 5G will receive four years of Android OS updates and five years of security updates. The Galaxy A53 5G shared the same flagship promise, meaning the phone’s software is still good until 2027, while the A54 5 G’s software will coast into 2028.

Samsung Galaxy A54 5G vs Galaxy A53 5G: Camera

Before we get into the cameras themselves, the design of the rear camera rig between the two devices has undergone a substantial makeover. The Galaxy A54 5G now matches the look of the Galaxy S23 series, with each lens protruding independently rather than embedded in a raised island, as was the case for the Galaxy A53 5G. The A54 is now a more recognizable member of the Galaxy S23 series family (or at least a close cousin), which may appeal to those who want a phone that looks high-quality.

As for the cameras, the most significant shakeup is that the Galaxy A54 5G now features a 50MP primary camera rather than the 64MP main shooter of the Galaxy A53 5G. However, don’t think that fewer megapixels mean a downgrade; this is likely a case of less is more. Namely, The A54 features a bigger sensor, bringing the pixel size from 0.8µm up to 1.0µm, which we expect to deliver a better low-light performance.

The other big difference is that Samsung has opted not to include the 5MP depth sensor with the A54 5G. While this does entail slightly less flexibility, it isn’t a grave loss. We didn’t find the fourth camera to contribute a ton of added value, and you wouldn’t likely notice the lack of the A53 5G’s depth sensor in everyday use.

Besides that, both phones have the same 12MP ultrawide and 5MP macro lens on the backside while sporting the same 32MP selfie camera on the front with punch hole design. Both phones also share the same video recording capabilities maxing out at 4K at 30 fps, despite us crossing our fingers to have seen 4K at 60 fps with the Galaxy A54 5G.

Samsung Galaxy A54 5G vs Galaxy A53 5G: Battery and charging

There’s not much new under the sun (or under the hood, I should say) regarding the battery and charging speeds between the Galaxy A54 5G and A53 5G. Both phones house a 5,000mAh battery that supports 25W fast charging (although make sure you’re using a compatible charger; otherwise, you’ll top out at 15W).

We found the Galaxy A53 to efficiently maximize its battery life, lasting almost two days of regular usage. When drained, the A53 took roughly 85 minutes to replenish fully, which was a bit long. We will have to wait until our review of the Galaxy A54 5G is finished to see if the battery life and charging speeds have improved, but given the similar specs, we don’t anticipate a huge difference.

Samsung Galaxy A54 5G vs Galaxy A53 5G: Price

In the United States, the Galaxy A54 5G will only be available in its 128GB configuration, maintaining the same launch price of $449 that the Galaxy A53 5G had when it was released in March 2022. However, the Galaxy A53 5G is currently available on Amazon for $399 ($50 off).

Regardless of your location, the Galaxy A54 5G will be available for pre-order from Samsung beginning March 30, 2023. The phone will then officially release on April 6 to pick up from store shelves at major carriers and retail stores. If you pre-order the Galaxy A54 5G from Samsung, they are offering up to $250 with an eligible trade-in and the option to pick up a pair of Galaxy Buds Live for only $49.99.

Samsung Galaxy A54 5G vs Galaxy A53 5G: Should you upgrade?

Even though Samsung hasn’t wholly reinvented its mid-range wheel, it does look to have refined a winning formula for an affordable asking price. The new Exynos 1380 processor should boost performance speed, and the brighter display will bring better viewability under direct sunlight. While the A54 has a trio of cameras instead of the quartet of cameras found on the A53 5G, the design is more modern. Plus, the larger sensors should deliver equally, if not improved quality, to your pictures, especially in low-light conditions.

If you just bought a Galaxy A53 5G last year, there really isn’t enough incentive to spend another $450 on the latest model. Many of the basic features are the same, such as battery and video recording, and both devices run the One UI 5.1 with Android 13, with plenty of software and security updates to come over the next few years. Certain capabilities, such as Wi-Fi 6 support for the A54 5G, may be the deciding factor if you have a brand-new router. Still, there’s no reason to upgrade unless you find the performance on your A53 slowing down or are extremely envious of the S23 Series’ sleek design.

Both the Galaxy A54 5G and the Galaxy A53 5G are a testament to the fact that you don’t have to shell out a grand to get features like a multi-lens camera and a display with a 120Hz refresh rate. And while Samsung has many great mid-tier options, it isn’t the only player in town. For instance, recent leaks suggest Google’s Pixel 7a is just on the horizon and will launch at around the same price. If you are considering upgrading your mid-range phone, it may be worth waiting a little longer to see how it compares.

Stay tuned for Android Authorities’ full review of the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G.

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