Because it does yearly, Samsung launched quite a lot of new smartphones in 2023, every geared toward a barely completely different individual.
First, the flagship gadgets of the Galaxy S sequence have 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 relating to worth, is the Galaxy A54 the higher purchase? With a big efficiency leap over its predecessor, you may properly be shocked what the cheaper telephone 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 telephone. It’s a important 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 practically the very same dimension and weight, regardless of a number of bodily variations.
The Galaxy A54 incorporates a 6.4in display, whereas the Galaxy S23 presents a 6.2in show. Though the latter doesn’t sound considerably smaller, in individual it’s noticeably extra compact.
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It’d sound like a nit-picking distinction however the placement of the ability and quantity buttons on the A54 is significantly decrease, which makes them a lot simpler to press.
Nevertheless, probably the most outstanding distinctions you’ll instantly discover are the selection of supplies and bigger bezel across the display on the A54. The S23 exudes a premium really feel with its aluminium edges, whereas the A54’s plastic body reveals its extra finances nature. However pop a case on it and that disadvantage is properly and actually hidden.
It’s additionally price 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 nearly everybody will shield their telephone with a case, these materials variations are primarily a non-issue.
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By way of efficiency, each telephones function completely different processors. The Galaxy A54 scored 2852 in our Geekbench 5 Multi-core take a look at, whereas the S23 practically doubled it with a rating of 5001.
What does that imply? Nicely, on the A54 you’re going to note some some stuttering and the occasional slowdown, whereas the S23 seamlessly handles virtually each activity. This isn’t a dealbreaker for the A54 although: each telephones carry out properly for on a regular basis use. Simply keep in mind that the A54 doesn’t actually have the ability for demanding video games. So long as “critical” video games aren’t your precedence, this actually received’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. Nevertheless, 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 price noting that regardless of each having a 120Hz refresh fee on their screens, the A54 feels barely much less fluid when scrolling via social media. Nevertheless, watching YouTube movies and different content material on the A54 is kind of gratifying, 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 – except for the shortage of wi-fi charging in Samsung decks, it presents practically all of what One UI 5 has to supply, together with options like Samsung’s Fast Share and Good View.
In terms of battery life, neither telephone is up there with the most effective battery life smartphones, however can get you thru the day with round 10-20% energy remaining with combined utilization. Nevertheless, the S23 is extra prone to lengthen that as a consequence of its extra environment friendly processor, regardless of having a smaller battery.
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Relating to the cameras, you’ll be able to as soon as once more see the place that more money goes with the S23, which boasts glorious picture stabilisation. Alternatively, movies taken with the A54 are much more wobbly.
The Galaxy S23 additionally leads within the zoom division, because it incorporates a 3x optical zoom lens that lets you zoom digitally as much as 30 instances, whereas the A54’s most 10 instances digital zoom struggles to seize distant particulars.
However when you’re merely in search of a superb point-and-shoot digital camera that takes first rate photographs, the A54 delivers glorious outcomes with its major lens, along with the ultra-wide lens for great-looking panorama pictures. The A54 additionally incorporates 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 photographs 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. In the event you dwell in UK, you too can 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 consumers 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 out there immediately from Samsung and its pricing begins at $799/£849 for 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. You will get a 8GB/256GB mannequin for $859/£899 too. Both approach, 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 the most effective worth doable.
Verdict
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All issues thought-about, the Galaxy A54 is a well-equipped mid-range telephone and top-of-the-line 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 to be like, feels, and performs surprisingly much like the S23 in on a regular basis use, and for that reason, it wins on this battle.
That’s particularly the case when you’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 price checking the most recent offers (as we stated above) as a result of like virtually all Samsung telephones, the S23 could be discovered cheaper than its unique launch worth.
After all, if worth doesn’t matter to you, the Galaxy S23 is the one to go for.
You’ll want to additionally take a look at our roundup of the greatest 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 foremost digital camera
- 12Mp f/2.2 ultrawide
- 5Mp f/2.4 macro
- 32Mp f/2.2 selfie digital camera
- Twin-SIM/microSD
- Stereo audio system
- NFC
- GPS
- Bluetooth 5.3
- Wi-Fi 6
- Below-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 foremost digital camera
- 12Mp f/2.2 ultrawide digital camera
- 10Mp f/2.4 3x optical telephoto digital camera
- 12Mp f/2.2 entrance going through digital camera
- 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