Design and Build: Stylish and Durable
The Galaxy A54 boasts a stylish design with a glass front and back, a plastic frame, and IP67 water and dust resistance. The phone comes in a variety of colors, including lime, graphite, violet, and white, making it a fashionable option for any user. Measuring 158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2mm and weighing 202g, the A54 has a solid feel in hand, although its glossy glass back can make it prone to slipping on some surfaces.
Display: A Visual Treat
The 6.4-inch AMOLED display of the Galaxy A54 features a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, a 120Hz refresh rate, 1000 nits brightness, and HDR10+ support. This combination ensures a vibrant and colour-rich viewing experience, with sharp details and smooth motion. Colors may sometimes appear slightly oversaturated, but overall, the display is a pleasure to use.
Performance: Capable but with Room for Improvement
Powered by the Exynos 1380 processor, the Galaxy A54 is available in 8GB/128GB or 8GB/256GB configurations. While not a flagship chipset, it can handle most tasks efficiently. App loading times are reasonable, and the A54 can run games smoothly. However, occasional lag and stuttering may occur when navigating the UI or using certain third-party apps, which could be improved upon in future iterations.
Battery Life: A True Powerhouse
Samsung’s marketing for the Galaxy A54 emphasizes its “two-day battery life” and while it may not last a full 48 hours between charges, it comes close. With around 3 hours of mixed usage per day, including gaming, social media, web browsing, and music listening, users can expect to have about 40-50% battery remaining at the end of the day. This impressive battery life is achieved through the inclusion of a 5000mAh battery, which supports up to 25W wired charging for quick recharging when needed.
Camera: A Mixed Bag of Performance
The Galaxy A54 features a main 50MP, f/1.8 camera with OIS, a 12MP, f/2.2 ultrawide camera, and a 5MP, f/2.4 macro camera. Additionally, there is a 32MP, f/2.2 front-facing camera for selfies. The primary lens is undoubtedly the strongest of the three rear cameras, offering sharp, color-rich images that perform well in various lighting conditions. However, the ultrawide and macro cameras are less impressive. The ultrawide lens struggles with overexposure, leading to blown-out highlights and loss of detail in bright areas. The macro camera allows users to capture close-up shots of small objects, but the resulting images lack detail and appear rough due to the lower-resolution sensor. Indoor photography with the primary camera may result in excessive contrast, causing dark shadows and loss of texture in darker areas of the image. This issue is most apparent when there is a particularly bright spot in the image, suggesting that the camera’s processing may be overcompensating for highlights at the expense of shadow detail. The front-facing camera offers both regular and wide-angle options for selfies, with generally pleasing results. Video capabilities include 4K recording and built-in stabilization, which can be toggled on for smoother, albeit slightly grainier, footage.
Software: Feature-Rich but with Bloatware
The Galaxy A54 runs on One UI 5.1 based on Android 13, offering a plethora of features. However, the inclusion of bloatware may impact the phone’s overall performance and user experience.
Conclusion: A Strong Contender with Some Shortcomings
The Samsung Galaxy A54 is a robust mid-range smartphone that boasts a stunning display, long- lasting battery life, and a stylish design. While it does have some weaknesses, such as occasional lag and underwhelming secondary cameras, it remains a compelling option for users seeking a reliable daily driver with an exceptional display. If smooth performance and a refined software experience are your top priorities, you may want to explore other options in the mid-range market. Otherwise, the Samsung Galaxy A54 is a well-rounded choice that offers a mix of features appealing to a wide range of users.
