Samsung Galaxy A54 5G Review: The Mid-Range Champion Refined
The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G represents Samsung's commitment to democratizing premium smartphone features for the mid-range market. As the successor to the highly successful Galaxy A53, this device aims to bridge the gap between Samsung's flagship S-series and budget-oriented offerings. In this exhaustive review, we examine whether the A54 justifies its position as one of the most anticipated mid-range releases and how it compares to an increasingly competitive market landscape.
Complete Technical Specifications
| Category | Specification | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Display | Size | 6.4 inches |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz | |
| Resolution | 2340 x 1080 pixels (FHD+) | |
| Pixel Density | 403 PPI | |
| Peak Brightness | 1000 nits | |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | |
| Performance | Chipset | Samsung Exynos 1380 (5nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MP5 | |
| RAM Options | 6GB / 8GB LPDDR4X | |
| Storage | Internal Storage | 128GB / 256GB UFS 2.2 |
| Expandable Storage | microSDXC up to 1TB (shared SIM slot) | |
| RAM Plus | Virtual RAM up to 8GB | |
| Camera System | Primary Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, PDAF, OIS |
| Ultra-wide Camera | 12MP, f/2.2, 123° field of view | |
| Macro Camera | 5MP, f/2.4 | |
| Depth Sensor | Not included | |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | |
| Front Camera | 32MP, f/2.2 | |
| Front Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR, Night Mode, Portrait Mode, Pro Mode | |
| Battery & Charging | Battery Capacity | 5,000mAh (non-removable) |
| Wired Charging | 25W Super Fast Charging | |
| Charging Time | 0-50% in approximately 30 minutes | |
| Wireless Charging | Not supported | |
| Software | Operating System | One UI 6.1 based on Android 14 (ships with Android 13) |
| OS Updates | 4 major Android updates guaranteed | |
| Security Updates | 5 years of security patches | |
| Samsung Features | Knox Security, Samsung DeX, Secure Folder, Bixby | |
| Connectivity | 5G Support | Yes, SA/NSA, Sub-6GHz |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | |
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | |
| NFC | Yes (region dependent) | |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG support | |
| Audio Jack | No 3.5mm headphone jack | |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | |
| Design & Build | Dimensions | 158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2mm |
| Weight | 202g | |
| Build Materials | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) | |
| Water Resistance | IP67 (dust and water resistant, up to 1m for 30 minutes) | |
| Color Options | Awesome Violet, Awesome Lime, Awesome Graphite, Awesome White | |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) or Hybrid (Nano-SIM + microSD) | |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Under-display optical sensor | |
| Face Unlock | Yes (2D face recognition) | |
| Audio | Speakers | Dual stereo speakers (Dolby Atmos) |
| Audio Features | 32-bit/384kHz audio, Dolby Atmos surround sound | |
| FM Radio | No | |
| Headphone Output | Via USB Type-C or wireless | |
| Additional Features | Sensors | Accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity, compass, ambient light, barometer, virtual proximity sensing |
| Special Features | Samsung Knox, Samsung Pay, Always-on Display, Edge Panel, Game Booster | |
| In the Box | Device | Samsung Galaxy A54 5G |
| Accessories | USB Type-C cable, SIM ejection pin | |
| Not Included | Charging adapter, headphones, protective case |
Design Philosophy and Build Quality
Samsung has refined the Galaxy A54's design language to more closely mirror its flagship Galaxy S25 series, a strategic move that enhances perceived value. The device features a distinctive camera housing where each lens sits individually within the rear glass panel, eschewing the traditional camera bump—a design element that sets it apart from competitors and lends a premium aesthetic.
The glass front and back, both protected by Gorilla Glass 5, sandwich a plastic frame that, while not as luxurious as aluminum, contributes to the device's lighter weight and improved durability against drops. At 202 grams, the A54 feels substantial without being unwieldy, and the 8.2mm thickness strikes an acceptable balance between slimness and battery capacity.
Samsung's implementation of IP67 water and dust resistance represents a significant advantage in this price segment. The certification guarantees protection against dust ingress and water immersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes—a feature typically reserved for premium devices. This robust protection provides peace of mind for everyday scenarios, from accidental spills to usage in light rain. Learn more about IP ratings and their practical implications
The color options—Awesome Violet, Awesome Lime, Awesome Graphite, and Awesome White—showcase Samsung's confidence in offering distinctive aesthetics. The gradient finishes on the Violet and Lime variants particularly stand out, appealing to users seeking personality in their devices. The matte texture on the rear glass effectively resists fingerprints while maintaining a premium feel.
Ergonomically, the slightly curved edges and well-considered button placement ensure comfortable one-handed usage despite the 6.4-inch screen. The under-display fingerprint sensor is positioned ideally for thumb reach, and its optical technology provides reliable and reasonably fast unlocking performance.
Display Excellence
The 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display represents one of the Galaxy A54's strongest attributes, leveraging Samsung's display technology expertise. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures buttery-smooth scrolling and animations, with the adaptive refresh rate intelligently scaling between 60Hz and 120Hz based on content to optimize battery consumption.
With a peak brightness of 1000 nits, outdoor visibility is excellent even under direct sunlight—a notable improvement over its predecessor. The FHD+ resolution (2340 x 1080 pixels) delivers sharp, detailed visuals with a pixel density of 403 PPI, more than adequate for distinguishing fine text and detailed imagery at normal viewing distances.
Color reproduction is characteristically vibrant, as expected from Samsung's AMOLED panels. The display offers multiple color profiles, including Vivid (default) and Natural modes, allowing users to choose between Samsung's signature punchy colors or more accurate color representation. Content creators and photographers will appreciate the Natural mode's sRGB accuracy for color-critical work.
The display supports HDR10+, enhancing dynamic range when viewing compatible content from streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube. The contrast ratio, inherent to OLED technology, produces deep blacks and excellent shadow detail, making the A54 particularly well-suited for media consumption in darkened environments.
Samsung's implementation of Eye Comfort Shield (blue light filter) and adaptive brightness works seamlessly, adjusting not only brightness but also color temperature based on ambient lighting and time of day. The Always-On Display feature provides at-a-glance information without unlocking the device, with extensive customization options for layout and information displayed. Explore our comprehensive display technology guide for deeper insights.
Performance and Daily Usage
The Samsung Exynos 1380 chipset, manufactured on a 5nm process, represents a significant improvement over the Exynos 1280 found in the A53. The octa-core processor, featuring four Cortex-A78 performance cores and four Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, delivers competent performance for everyday tasks including social media browsing, productivity applications, and multitasking.
In real-world usage, the Galaxy A54 handles typical smartphone operations with confidence. Application launches are swift, multitasking with multiple apps running simultaneously presents no significant challenges, and the device rarely exhibits the stuttering or lag that plagued some mid-range devices in previous generations. The combination of the Exynos 1380 and either 6GB or 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM ensures smooth operation under normal usage conditions.
However, sustained heavy workloads reveal the chipset's limitations compared to flagship processors. Video editing in applications like Adobe Premiere Rush or intensive 3D rendering shows noticeable delays. The Mali-G68 MP5 GPU, while adequate for casual gaming, struggles with the most demanding titles at maximum settings. Games like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty Mobile run acceptably at medium settings but experience frame drops during graphically intensive scenes.
Thermal management is generally effective, with the device remaining comfortably cool during normal usage. Extended gaming sessions do produce noticeable warmth around the upper rear panel, accompanied by mild thermal throttling that reduces performance to manage temperatures. While this thermal behavior is typical for mid-range devices, competitive alternatives sometimes offer slightly better sustained performance. Check our mobile gaming optimization guide for tips.
The UFS 2.2 storage, while not the fastest available, provides adequate read and write speeds for most users. Those frequently transferring large files or working with extensive photo libraries may notice longer processing times compared to devices equipped with UFS 3.1, though the difference is marginal in typical usage scenarios.
Samsung's RAM Plus feature allows the system to utilize up to 8GB of internal storage as virtual RAM, theoretically improving multitasking capabilities. In practice, the benefits are subtle and primarily manifest in keeping more background applications active rather than dramatically improving performance.
Camera System Deep Dive
The triple camera configuration, spearheaded by a 50MP primary sensor with optical image stabilization, represents a significant aspect of the Galaxy A54's value proposition. Samsung's computational photography prowess, refined through years of flagship development, trickles down effectively to this mid-range offering.
Primary Camera Performance
The 50MP main camera, utilizing pixel binning to produce 12.5MP images by default, captures excellent photographs in favorable lighting conditions. Images exhibit strong dynamic range, accurate color reproduction, and impressive detail retention. The OIS implementation effectively stabilizes handheld shots, reducing motion blur and enabling longer exposure times in challenging lighting.
Samsung's HDR processing is sophisticated, balancing highlights and shadows without producing the artificially processed look common in aggressive HDR implementations. The camera maintains natural-looking results while preserving detail in both bright skies and darker foreground elements—a difficult balance that Samsung navigates successfully.
Portrait mode produces convincing bokeh effects with generally accurate edge detection, though complex subjects like hair strands or glasses occasionally challenge the depth mapping algorithm. The adjustable blur intensity and various lighting effects provide creative flexibility, though some effects appear somewhat artificial.
Low-Light Photography
Night mode, Samsung's multi-frame computational photography solution for low-light scenarios, produces commendable results that rival more expensive alternatives. The feature combines multiple exposures with sophisticated noise reduction and detail enhancement algorithms to brighten scenes while maintaining reasonable detail and minimizing noise.
Results are generally impressive, with the camera producing usable images in lighting conditions where many competitors produce muddy, noise-ridden photographs. However, processing times can extend to several seconds, requiring steady hands or tripod support for optimal results. Colors occasionally appear slightly desaturated in night mode compared to reality, though this conservative approach helps maintain a natural appearance. Visit our low-light photography guide for technique recommendations.
Ultra-Wide Camera
The 12MP ultra-wide camera with a 123-degree field of view provides valuable compositional flexibility for landscape photography, architecture, and group shots. Image quality, while not matching the primary sensor, remains respectable with good color consistency and acceptable detail levels in well-lit conditions.
Samsung's correction algorithms effectively minimize the barrel distortion inherent to ultra-wide lenses, producing natural-looking perspectives without excessive stretching at frame edges. However, low-light performance deteriorates noticeably, with increased noise and reduced detail compared to the main sensor. The absence of Night mode support for the ultra-wide camera limits nighttime versatility.
Macro Camera
The 5MP macro camera represents a modest upgrade over the 2MP macro sensors common in this segment, enabling close-up photography of subjects 4cm from the lens. While image quality surpasses minimal 2MP implementations, results remain underwhelming compared to using the primary camera with digital cropping in many scenarios. The macro camera serves a niche purpose but won't see extensive use for most photographers.
Selfie Camera
The 32MP front-facing camera captures detailed selfies with Samsung's characteristic beauty mode subtly smoothing skin tones while maintaining natural appearance when set conservatively. The camera supports 4K video recording at 30fps, a feature uncommon in mid-range devices that benefits content creators and vloggers.
Portrait mode on the selfie camera produces convincing bokeh effects, though the purely software-based depth estimation occasionally struggles with complex backgrounds or accessories like hats and glasses. The wide field of view accommodates group selfies comfortably without requiring a selfie stick.
Video Recording
Video capabilities are solid, with the primary camera supporting 4K recording at 30fps with electronic image stabilization. The stabilization performs admirably during walking or gentle movement, though more vigorous activity reveals the limitations of EIS compared to more sophisticated gimbal-based stabilization.
The absence of 4K@60fps recording may disappoint video enthusiasts and content creators, representing a clear differentiation point between Samsung's mid-range and flagship offerings. However, the available 4K@30fps and 1080p@60fps options satisfy most casual videography requirements. Audio recording through the dual microphones is clear with effective wind noise reduction. Explore mobile videography techniques to maximize quality.
Battery Performance and Charging
The 5,000mAh battery capacity has become the standard for mid-range devices, and the Galaxy A54 leverages this substantial capacity effectively. Battery life is excellent, with the device comfortably lasting a full day of heavy usage including continuous screen-on time exceeding six hours with mixed usage patterns involving social media, video streaming, gaming, and photography.
Moderate users who primarily use their devices for communication, web browsing, and occasional media consumption can expect approximately two days between charges. The adaptive 120Hz refresh rate contributes positively to battery longevity by automatically reducing to 60Hz when high refresh rates aren't beneficial, such as when viewing static content or reading text.
Power management features within One UI provide granular control over battery consumption. Adaptive Battery learns usage patterns to prioritize power allocation to frequently used applications, while Deep Sleep mode aggressively restricts background activity for seldom-used apps. Power Saving and Maximum Power Saving modes extend battery life during critical periods by limiting performance and background processes.
The 25W wired fast charging, while adequate, represents one area where the A54 falls behind some competitors offering 67W or even 100W+ charging speeds. Charging from 0% to 50% requires approximately 30 minutes, with a full charge taking around 80-90 minutes. While not the fastest available, the charging speed is acceptable for most users who charge overnight or during extended stationary periods.
The absence of a charging adapter in the box, part of Samsung's environmental initiative, requires users to either utilize existing chargers or purchase a compatible 25W adapter separately. Any USB-C charger functions with the device, though only those supporting USB Power Delivery PPS at 25W or higher achieve maximum charging speeds.
Wireless charging remains absent, a consistent omission across Samsung's A-series lineup that distinguishes it from flagship offerings. While wireless charging provides convenience, its exclusion helps control costs and may not significantly impact users who primarily charge overnight with cables. Learn about optimal battery maintenance practices to maximize longevity.
One UI 6.1 Software Experience
The Galaxy A54 ships with One UI 5.1 based on Android 13, with updates to One UI 6.1 (Android 14) available or forthcoming depending on region and purchase timing. Samsung's One UI represents one of the most mature and feature-rich Android customizations, balancing functionality with usability.
Software Support and Longevity
Samsung's commitment to four major Android updates and five years of security patches represents the industry's gold standard for software longevity in the mid-range segment. This extended support ensures the Galaxy A54 remains secure and receives new features through 2027 and security updates through 2028—exceptional value that significantly extends the device's viable lifespan.
This extended software support provides meaningful long-term value, allowing users to maximize their investment without concerns about obsolescence. The update frequency has improved considerably in recent years, with Samsung now delivering monthly security patches and reasonably timely major Android updates. Explore our Android update policy comparison across manufacturers.
User Interface and Customization
One UI's design philosophy prioritizes one-handed usability through a distinct separation of viewing and interaction zones. Important interactive elements concentrate in the lower half of the screen within comfortable thumb reach, while information displays in the upper portion. This thoughtful design consideration significantly improves usability on larger displays.
Customization options are extensive, rivaling third-party launchers in flexibility. Themes comprehensively change system-wide appearance including icons, colors, wallpapers, and even notification sounds. The Color Palette feature extracts dominant colors from wallpapers to automatically theme system elements, creating cohesive visual harmony.
Good Lock, Samsung's advanced customization suite available through the Galaxy Store, provides enthusiasts with granular control over nearly every interface aspect. Modules allow customization of the lock screen, notification panel, recent apps view, navigation gestures, and much more, satisfying power users seeking maximum personalization.
Samsung Ecosystem Integration
Integration with Samsung's ecosystem provides significant value for users invested in multiple Samsung devices. Samsung DeX transforms the A54 into a desktop-like computing experience when connected to an external display, supporting productivity workflows with windowed applications and mouse/keyboard input.
Quick Share enables seamless file transfers between Samsung devices and select Windows PCs, while Samsung Cloud provides automatic backup of photos, documents, and settings. Smart Things integration allows the A54 to serve as a control hub for compatible smart home devices, creating a cohesive ecosystem experience. Learn about maximizing Samsung ecosystem features.
Bloatware Considerations
Like most manufacturer-customized Android implementations, One UI includes pre-installed applications that may not appeal to all users. Samsung's own suite of apps duplicates functionality available through Google's equivalents (Samsung Internet vs. Chrome, Samsung Gallery vs. Google Photos, etc.), though many users find Samsung's alternatives competitive or superior.
Third-party applications from partners like Microsoft and Netflix come pre-installed in some regions, though most can be uninstalled or disabled. While the bloatware situation has improved compared to earlier One UI versions, users preferring minimal installations may spend initial setup time removing unwanted applications.
Audio Quality and Multimedia
The dual stereo speaker configuration, enhanced by Dolby Atmos processing, delivers audio quality that significantly exceeds expectations for the mid-range segment. The speakers provide balanced sound with surprising volume capability, making the device well-suited for media consumption without external speakers.
While bass response remains limited by physical constraints inherent to smartphone speakers, the overall sound profile emphasizes clarity and vocal intelligibility. Dolby Atmos creates a sense of spatial dimension when consuming compatible content, though the effect is subtle given the speaker placement and size limitations.
Maximum volume is impressively loud without significant distortion, making the A54 suitable for sharing audio content in quiet to moderately noisy environments. The stereo separation, with one speaker positioned at the earpiece and another at the bottom edge, creates a more immersive experience compared to single-speaker configurations.
The absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack continues the industry trend toward wireless audio, requiring users to utilize USB-C dongles for wired headphones or transition to Bluetooth alternatives. The A54 supports high-quality Bluetooth codecs including AAC and Samsung's proprietary Scalable Codec, ensuring good wireless audio quality with compatible headphones and earbuds.
Samsung's integration with Galaxy Buds provides seamless pairing and additional features like ambient sound control and automatic device switching. The 32-bit/384kHz audio support ensures high-fidelity playback for audiophiles using appropriate source files and output devices. Check our wireless earbuds recommendations for compatible accessories.
Security and Privacy Features
Samsung Knox, the company's defense-grade security platform, provides comprehensive protection spanning hardware and software layers. Knox creates a secure environment for sensitive data, with real-time kernel protection, secure boot verification, and hardware-backed encryption ensuring data remains protected even if the device is compromised.
Secure Folder creates an encrypted, isolated space within the device for storing sensitive files, photos, and applications. This feature proves particularly valuable for users who share devices or wish to separate personal and work-related content. Applications and data within Secure Folder remain completely isolated from the rest of the system, requiring separate authentication to access.
The under-display optical fingerprint sensor provides reliable biometric authentication, though it's noticeably slower than the ultrasonic fingerprint sensors found in Samsung's flagship devices. Recognition accuracy is generally good, with occasional failed attempts in extremely bright lighting conditions where light interferes with the optical sensor's ability to read fingerprint patterns.
Face unlock, implemented through 2D facial recognition using the front camera, offers convenient but less secure authentication compared to fingerprint unlocking. While suitable for quickly unlocking the device in most scenarios, it's vulnerable to spoofing with photographs and isn't recommended for securing sensitive applications or payment methods. Learn more about biometric security technologies.
Connectivity and 5G Performance
The Galaxy A54 supports Sub-6GHz 5G connectivity across a wide range of bands, ensuring compatibility with 5G networks globally. While lacking mmWave 5G support—a bandwidth typically reserved for flagship devices and offering extremely high speeds in limited coverage areas—the Sub-6GHz implementation provides excellent real-world performance with broader coverage.
In areas with mature 5G infrastructure, download speeds routinely exceed 500Mbps, with upload speeds reaching 50-100Mbps depending on network congestion and carrier infrastructure. The 5G implementation is power-efficient, with minimal battery impact compared to LTE connectivity when not actively transferring large amounts of data.
Wi-Fi 6 support ensures fast and stable wireless connectivity, with dual-band operation allowing connection to both 2.4GHz (for range) and 5GHz (for speed) networks. Wi-Fi Direct enables peer-to-peer connections for quick file transfers without requiring a router intermediary.
Bluetooth 5.3 provides improved range, connection stability, and audio quality compared to previous Bluetooth versions. The implementation supports multiple simultaneous Bluetooth connections, allowing users to connect wireless earbuds, smartwatches, and other accessories concurrently without interference.
NFC support (in markets where included) enables contactless payments through Samsung Pay and Google Pay, along with quick device pairing with compatible accessories. Samsung Pay's combination of NFC and MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission) in supported regions provides wider payment terminal compatibility than alternatives limited to NFC-only transactions. Explore our comprehensive 5G technology guide.
Competitive Analysis and Positioning
The Galaxy A54 5G competes in the fiercely contested $350-$450 USD mid-range segment, facing strong competition from multiple manufacturers. Key competitors include the Google Pixel 7a, OnePlus Nord series, Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro series, and Motorola Edge series, each offering distinct advantages.
vs. Google Pixel 9a
The Pixel 7a offers Google's flagship Tensor G2 processor with superior AI/ML capabilities, stock Android experience, and exceptional computational photography rivaling flagship devices. However, the A54 counters with a larger display, bigger battery, expandable storage, and crucially, superior software longevity (4+5 years vs. 3+5 years). The choice often hinges on whether users prioritize camera quality and pure Android (Pixel) or display size and long-term support (A54).
vs. Huawei Mates series
The Huawei Mate Serie offers faster 67W charging and a cleaner, near-stock Android experience through OxygenOS. However, Samsung's IP67 rating (vs. IP54), longer software support, and more mature camera processing provide meaningful advantages. Users prioritizing rapid charging and minimal software customization may prefer OnePlus, while those seeking comprehensive protection and longevity favor Samsung.
vs. Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro
Xiaomi's offering typically provides higher-resolution displays, faster charging, and often more aggressive pricing. However, Samsung's brand reputation, retail availability in Western markets, cleaner software experience, and dramatically superior software support (4+5 years vs. 2+4 years) justify the premium for many users. The decision often reflects regional availability and personal preferences regarding MIUI vs. One UI.
Market Positioning
Samsung positions the A54 as a "flagship lite" offering—delivering 70-80% of flagship capabilities at 50-60% of flagship pricing. The strategy succeeds through careful feature prioritization: exceptional display quality, comprehensive water resistance, extended software support, and reliable performance while accepting compromises in charging speed, build materials, and maximum performance. Visit our comprehensive mid-range comparison for detailed analysis.
Use Case Scenarios
Ideal Users
- Long-term investment seekers: The four-year OS update and five-year security patch commitment makes the A54 ideal for users planning to keep devices for 3-4+ years, providing exceptional long-term value.
- Content consumers: The excellent Super AMOLED display with Dolby Atmos audio creates an outstanding multimedia experience for streaming services, social media, and casual gaming.