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Samsung is following its usual annual schedule by launching the Galaxy A. After the Galaxy S23 in February, the Korean is attacking the mid-range segment. In 2023, the Galaxy A family consists of the A14 (4G or 5G), the A34 5G and the A54 5G.
For several weeks, we swapped our Galaxy S23 for the Galaxy A54 5G, the best equipped Galaxy A. What is it worth at daily ? Is the price increase compared to the A53 justified ? Answer in our complete test.
Its almost premium design (especially the lime green)
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© Lemon squeezer
We often salute the work of designers on premium smartphones. But in recent years, manufacturers have also taken care of the lines of their more affordable models.
Although Samsung took time to get started, it had to, pushed by Chinese competition, bring the aesthetic codes of the premium segment to its Galaxy A.
For several years, the A50s have been among the most elegant mid-range smartphones. Without much surprise, the Galaxy A54 5G is part of a certain continuity.
All covered in glass, it comes in four colors: graphite, white, lavender and our favorite lime (test model). As always, Samsung takes care of the finishes. Also, with the exception of the black borders surrounding the screen, the general aesthetics of the Galaxy A54 5G are a perfect illusion: we have the feeling of using a premium smartphone.
Moreover, Samsung explains that it wants to bring a certain homogeneity across all of its ranges. Thus, the A54 5G sees its photo lenses integrated directly into the chassis, like the Galaxy S23 launched earlier in the year.
What else? Not much except IP67 certificationor the reduction in screen size (6.4” versus 6.5” for the A53). Everything is there, everything is well done, everything is elegant. What more could you ask for ?
Its eye-catching screen
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The integration of the screen may not be perfect, the 6.4'' Super AMOLED panel (compared to 6.5'' for the A53) Full HD+ 120 Hz hits the mark. Samsung confirms its know-how in the field of screens and here offers a panel of exceptional quality for a product at this price.
Beyond the contrasts and colorimetry (a bit saturated by default) the screen of the Galaxy A54 5G stands out for its excellent brightness. With a light peak of more than 1000 cd/m2, it does even better than its predecessor (around 800 cd/m2) which is already very convincing.
The Galaxy A54 5G is therefore a perfect smartphone for multimedia use. Watching videos or playing in brightly lit environments poses no problem problem.
We could quibble by noting a questionable calibration in Vivid mode (pulls too much towards the red). But this small defect can be corrected in one click by switching to neutral mode in the display settings.
Its good performance and autonomy
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While the Galaxy S23s feature the latest high-end chips from Qualcomm, the Galaxy A54 5G inherits an Exynos 1380 chip, made in Samsung.
This choice allows the manufacturer to reduce costs and therefore contain the final price. A strategy already applied last year with the A53 but which did not really convince.
Does the A54 5G do better? Yes! Accompanied by 8 GB of RAM and 128 or 256 GB of storage, the Exynos 1380 chip delivers enough power to meet 99% of needs.
Beyond the fluidity provided in everyday uses, the Exynos 1380 is much more convincing with demanding applications.
Improved graphics performance is the main reason for this. When the A53 was dragging its feet (gaming, photo editing, video editing), the A54 5G was wandering around. We will only notice a tendency to heat up a little during long gaming sessions.
The uneven camera
In the mid-range segment, manufacturers are playing with the accumulation of sensors, even if it means forgetting their usefulness. Samsung is no exception and equips its Galaxy A54 5G with a trio of sensors that would have worked just as well as a duo. See instead:
- a 50 Mpxl sensorwith wide-angle lens (f/1.8) and optical stabilization
- a 12 Mpxl sensor with ultra-wide-angle lens (f/2.2)
- a 5 Mpxl sensor with macro lens (f/2.4)
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© Lemon squeezer
You see us coming? Yes, we do consider the macro lens as a superfluous element in this camera module, also we would have preferred the integration of a telephoto lens, even medium.
Because this material choice has two flaws. First, the macro lens is useless as the quality of the photos (blurry, dull) is poor.
Then, the integration of a telephoto lens would have made it possible to take long-distance shots further. Because with this arsenal, the Galaxy A54 5G will not be able to go further than 2x zoom. Well, it can of course, but the results are not sufficiently convincing beyond this threshold.
Ultra wide angle
Big angle
2x zoom
4x zoom
10x zoom
Ultra wide angle
Big angle
2x zoom
4x zoom
While we discuss the camera's weak points, let's highlight the very average performance of the ultra-wide angle. The loss of detail compared to the wide-angle angle is obvious and the lack of dynamics is obvious, especially at the edges.
Ultra wide angle
Big angle
Finally, the Galaxy A54 struggles in low light, including with its main sensor. We observe a lot of digital noise as well as poor management of light points.
Ultra wide angle
Big angle
Ultra wide angle
Big angle
Should we conclude that the Galaxy A54 is not a good camera phone? Absolutely not. For most users, it gets the job done thanks in part to the good performance of the main sensor in good light conditions. It produces good quality shots with flattering colors and very good sharpness. Optical stabilization also helps prevent camera shake.
The portrait mode is also very effective. The A54 detects faces very quickly and the bokeh is more natural than with the previous one generation.
Portrait
Portrait
Portrait
Finally, the 32 Mpxl front sensor will appeal to selfie lovers (good sharpness, good exposure).
selfie
Self-portrait
Note that the Galaxy A54 5G can film up to 4K at 30 fps but without optical stabilization or autofocus. Enough to immortalize a few moments of life but not enough to hope to produce professional content.
Autonomy
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In absolute terms, the autonomy of the Galaxy A54 5G is not bad. In this price range, the Samsung model is even a reference. But in the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
In other words, if we compare the performance of the A54 5G to the rest of the market, it is placed in the soft underbelly. With one day of battery life in standard use, the A54 5G is far from the podium. It's even worse than the A53 last year, give or take a few tens of minutes.
We therefore have to go through the recharge box every evening, even more so if we are among the very connected users. A slight disappointment especially since the charging system isn't very brilliant either.
Recharging
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The race for the fastest charging ? Too little for Samsung. Limited to a power of 25 W (optional charger), the wired charging of the Galaxy A54 5G is fast in name only. Allow nearly 1h30 to fully recharge the 5 000 mAH battery, an eternity in 2023.
Let's add to this the absence of wireless charging, a technology that is nevertheless inexpensive and integrated into many competing models. Above all, this absence is a stain on a smartphone sold for 500 euros. The upscaling strategy has its limits.
The price rising
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With inflation definitely having its back, Samsung is increasing the price of its Galaxy A54. Certainly, this new generation includes 8 GB of RAM (compared to 6 GB for the A53) but the price increase can reach 10%.
Count 499 euros for the 8/128 GB versioncompared to 459 euros for the Galaxy A53 (6/128 GB) last year. The 8/256 GB model goes to 549 euros compared to 519 euros last year. A more contained increase, but an increase nonetheless.
Care bears that we are, we would have liked the market leader to make an effort during this period of economic crisis, just to show the way to the rest of the market. An effort that would make sense given that the smartphone market has collapsed every quarter since the start of 2022. Obviously in big tech we prefer to lay off workers than cut back a little on their margins.
Like the Galaxy S23, the Galaxy A54 does not mark an upheaval compared to the previous generation. Samsung is resting on its achievements while increasing the prices of one of its best-selling smartphones each year.
Technically, the Galaxy A54 is a good smartphone. Elegant and efficient, it also stands out for its magnificent screen and its effective camera in good light conditions.
Nevertheless, even if it means increasing the price, we would have liked Samsung to correct certain faults of the previous generation, namely autonomy, charging speed or photo quality in more difficult conditions. We could at least expect that given the 10% price increase.
Despite everything, there is no doubt that the Galaxy A54 will be sold by pallets, Samsung being able to count on a very large distribution network and interesting promotional offers.