Because it does yearly, Samsung launched a variety of new smartphones in 2023, every geared toward a barely totally different individual.
First, the flagship gadgets of the Galaxy S sequence had been unveiled, together with the “entry-level flagship” Galaxy S23 and, a month later, the cheaper however extraordinarily promising Galaxy A54 additionally went on sale.
Given their specs, the Galaxy S23 is superior in each respect. However on the subject of worth, is the Galaxy A54 the higher purchase? With a big efficiency leap over its predecessor, you would possibly nicely be stunned what the cheaper cellphone is able to.
Right here’s how each fashions carry out in on a regular basis use and which one you should purchase.
Variations between the Galaxy A54 and Galaxy S23
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Relating to the design, Samsung went all-in this yr by making the A54 intently resemble the flagship S23 cellphone. It’s a vital change in comparison with the established Galaxy A-series look that has been with us for the previous few years.
So at first look, these two telephones seem remarkably related. Apparently, they’re almost the very same dimension and weight, regardless of a number of bodily variations.
The Galaxy A54 encompasses a 6.4in display screen, whereas the Galaxy S23 gives a 6.2in show. Though the latter doesn’t sound considerably smaller, in individual it’s noticeably extra compact.
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It would sound like a nit-picking distinction however the placement of the facility and quantity buttons on the A54 is significantly decrease, which makes them a lot simpler to press.
Nonetheless, essentially the most distinguished distinctions you’ll instantly discover are the selection of supplies and bigger bezel across the display screen on the A54. The S23 exudes a premium really feel with its aluminium edges, whereas the A54’s plastic body reveals its extra funds nature. However pop a case on it and that disadvantage is nicely and really hidden.
It’s additionally value mentioning that the Galaxy A sequence now has a glass again, but it surely’s undoubtedly of decrease high quality in comparison with its flagship counterpart.
Once more, contemplating that just about everybody will shield their cellphone with a case, these materials variations are basically a non-issue.
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When it comes to efficiency, each telephones function totally different processors. The Galaxy A54 scored 2852 in our Geekbench 5 Multi-core check, whereas the S23 almost doubled it with a rating of 5001.
What does that imply? Properly, on the A54 you’re going to note some some stuttering and the occasional slowdown, whereas the S23 seamlessly handles nearly each job. This isn’t a dealbreaker for the A54 although: each telephones carry out nicely for on a regular basis use. Simply keep in mind that the A54 doesn’t actually have the facility for demanding video games. So long as “severe” video games aren’t your precedence, this actually gained’t matter in any respect.
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Each of those telephones are geared up with succesful fingerprint sensors and face recognition methods that work persistently and reliably. Nonetheless, the S23 has the higher hand right here, permitting you to faucet your finger on the sensor for faster recognition, whereas the A54 takes a second longer to register. This additionally applies to the face recognition function.
It’s additionally value noting that regardless of each having a 120Hz refresh charge on their screens, the A54 feels barely much less fluid when scrolling by social media. Nonetheless, watching YouTube movies and different content material on the A54 is sort of pleasing, and occasional lags are greater than acceptable for the worth level.
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The Galaxy A54 has an IP67 score (in comparison with the S23’s IP68 score), a comparable dual-speaker setup, and – other than the shortage of wi-fi charging in Samsung decks, it gives almost all of what One UI 5 has to supply, together with options like Samsung’s Fast Share and Sensible View.
In terms of battery life, neither cellphone is up there with one of the best battery life smartphones, however can get you thru the day with round 10-20% energy remaining with combined utilization. Nonetheless, the S23 is extra prone to lengthen that as a consequence of its extra environment friendly processor, regardless of having a smaller battery.
Relating to the cameras, you possibly can as soon as once more see the place that extra cash goes with the S23, which boasts glorious picture stabilisation. Then again, movies taken with the A54 are much more wobbly.
The Galaxy S23 additionally leads within the zoom division, because it encompasses a 3x optical zoom lens that means that you can zoom digitally as much as 30 instances, whereas the A54’s most 10 instances digital zoom struggles to seize distant particulars.
However if you happen to’re merely searching for an excellent point-and-shoot digicam that takes first rate images, the A54 delivers glorious outcomes with its major lens, along with the ultra-wide lens for great-looking panorama pictures. The A54 additionally encompasses a macro lens for taking close-up pictures, a function that’s lacking on the S23, however hardly one which makes the A54 the higher purchase.
For extra on the photographic capabilities and images learn our Galaxy A54 and Galaxy S23 critiques.
Worth & availability
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You should buy the Galaxy A54 immediately from Samsung for $449/£449 which will get you 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. If you happen to stay in UK, you may as well go for an 8GB/256GB variant that prices £499. Each supply the choice so as to add a microSD card as much as 1TB. Sadly, US patrons get the bottom mannequin solely.
Discover out extra on the place to purchase the Galaxy A54 in our separate information.
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The Galaxy S23 can also be obtainable immediately from Samsung and its pricing begins at $799/£849 for 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. You may get a 8GB/256GB mannequin for $859/£899 too. Both means, you get 8GB of RAM and there’s no SD card slot for including storage.
Learn our the place to purchase the Samsung Galaxy S23 information, if you wish to get it for one of the best value attainable.
Verdict
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All issues thought of, the Galaxy A54 is a well-equipped mid-range cellphone and the most effective Samsung smartphones. The S23, whereas additionally delivering on all its guarantees, is a more durable capsule to swallow at twice the worth. The Galaxy A54 appears, feels, and performs surprisingly just like the S23 in on a regular basis use, and because of this, it wins on this battle.
That’s particularly the case if you happen to’re after good worth for cash. The Galaxy S23 isn’t unhealthy worth, however for most individuals, the A54 is greater than ok. After all, it’s all the time value checking the newest offers (as we mentioned above) as a result of like nearly all Samsung telephones, the S23 may be discovered cheaper than its unique launch value.
After all, if value doesn’t matter to you, the Galaxy S23 is the one to go for.
Make sure you additionally take a look at our roundup of the finest telephones in order for you extra suggestions for what to purchase.
Specs
Samsung Galaxy A54:
- Android 13 with One UI 5.1
- 6.4in AMOLED, 2340 x 1080, 120Hz, 19.5:9 ratio
- Exynos 1380 chipset
- 6/8GB RAM
- 128/256GB of storage (expandable through microSD)
- Cameras:
- 50Mp f/1.8 OIS important digicam
- 12Mp f/2.2 ultrawide
- 5Mp f/2.4 macro
- 32Mp f/2.2 selfie digicam
- Twin-SIM/microSD
- Stereo audio system
- NFC
- GPS
- Bluetooth 5.3
- Wi-Fi 6
- Underneath-display fingerprint sensor
- 5000mAh battery
- 25W wired charging
- USB-C charging port
- 158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2mm
- 202g
Samsung Galaxy S23:
- Android 13 with One UI 5.1
- 6.1in, 120Hz, FHD+, Dynamic AMOLED show
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
- 8GB RAM
- 128/256GB storage
- Cameras:
- 50Mp f/1.8 important digicam
- 12Mp f/2.2 ultrawide digicam
- 10Mp f/2.4 3x optical telephoto digicam
- 12Mp f/2.2 entrance dealing with digicam
- 5G
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Bluetooth 5.3
- Stereo audio system
- USB-C
- 3900mAh battery
- 45W wired charging
- 15W wi-fi charging
- 4.5W reverse wi-fi charging
- IP68
- Gorilla Glass Victus 2
- 157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm
- 196g