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Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
An immersive display
Samsung’s Galaxy A54 is a worthy successor to one in all our favourite mid-range telephones from 2022. The 120Hz AMOLED show stands out amongst telephones in its worth vary, the chip has gotten a pleasant efficiency enhance, and the brand new 50MP digital camera guarantees important low-light images enhancements.
Execs- Vivid 120Hz AMOLED show
- Minimalist design
Cons- Lacks wi-fi charging
- Restricted coloration availability
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Supply: Google
Google Pixel 6a
Class-leading efficiency
$250 $450 Save $200
The Pixel 6a delivers one of the best worth you may get in a smartphone. It gives a pure Google expertise with the identical {powerful} Tensor chip present in its pricier flagship cousins, implausible software program options, and spectacular digital camera capabilities.
Execs- Highly effective Tensor processor
- Nice images options
Cons- Lacks wi-fi charging
- 60Hz OLED show
Samsung’s Galaxy A54 is setting the stage for what might be one other thrilling race amongst mid-range smartphones. Whereas this summer time’s anticipated launch of the Google Pixel 7a will undoubtedly shake issues up a bit, at this level, the Google Pixel 6a is the one to beat among the many finest funds Android telephones. The Samsung Galaxy A53 was a worthy contender final 12 months, however will the enhancements on this 12 months’s Galaxy A54 be sufficient to knock the Pixel 6a off its perch? Let’s discover out.
Value, availability, and specs
The Samsung Galaxy A54 is up for pre-order as of March 30, beginning at $450 for the bottom mannequin with 6GB RAM and 128GB of storage, which will be expanded to as much as 1TB with a microSD card. Your coloration decisions will differ by area; the U.S. mannequin is accessible in graphite and violet, whereas clients within the U.Okay. may also have lime and white variations obtainable. Some nations, like Canada, are getting solely graphite. It is anticipated to hit cabinets on April 6, and for a restricted time, it can save you as much as $250 with an eligible trade-in.
Google’s Pixel 6a is presently obtainable for $300 from the Google Retailer for the bottom mannequin with the identical 6GB RAM and 128GB of storage. It is also obtainable at most main retailers and all the large carriers within the U.S., the place even deeper reductions can usually be discovered. It is available in the identical three colours — Sage, Chalk, and Charcoal — in each nation the place it is offered.
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Samsung Galaxy A54 5G Google Pixel 6a SoC Samsung Exynos 1380 Google Tensor Show 6.4-inch Tremendous AMOLED, 120Hz 6.1 2400×1080 (20:9) 60Hz OLED RAM 6GB, 8GB 6GB Storage 128GB, 256GB 128GB Battery 5,000mAh 4,400mAh Ports USB-C 1x USB Kind-C Entrance digital camera 32MP f/2.2 8MP f/2.0 IMX355 84FOV Rear cameras 50MP f/1.8 (main), 12MP f/2.2 (ultrawide), 5MP f/2.4 (macro) 12MP f/1.73 IMX 363 w/OIS 77 FoV; Extremely-wide: 12MP f/2.2 IMX386 114 FoV Connectivity Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, LTE, 5G (sub-6GHz) 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC Dimensions 158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9mm, 178g Colours Lime, Graphite, Violet, White Sage (inexperienced), Chalk (white), Charcoal (black) Weight 202 g 6.72 oz Charging 25W wired 18W USB PD IP Score IP67 IP67
Design: Every elegant in its personal manner
This 12 months Samsung has given its mid-range Galaxy A54 the identical contemporary new design as its flagship Galaxy S23 fashions, eliminating the digital camera bump in favor of a cleaner and extra minimalist look. It is a good contact that unifies the corporate’s 2023 lineup, and at a look, you would be hard-pressed to inform the distinction between the Galaxy A54 and the similarly-sized Galaxy S23+. Nevertheless, the brand new design feels rather more refined, and it is also well-suited to the big variety of obtainable instances, a lot of which now provide a equally understated look by offering cutouts for the digital camera lens relatively than a ginormous gap for the digital camera bump.
It seems like Samsung could have discovered its design footing this 12 months; nevertheless, Google settled on a brand new design language with the Pixel 6 lineup in late 2021, which it is carried ahead to the Pixel 6a and past. Consequently, the horizontal digital camera bar has turn out to be a definite search for Google’s telephones. And although it stands out greater than Samsung’s new triple-lens digital camera array, we predict it does so in a great way, like a deliberate a part of the design relatively than one thing Google had no selection however to dwell with.
Supply: Google
By way of measurement, the Pixel 6a is available in a bit smaller than the Galaxy A54. Nonetheless, at solely round 1 / 4 of an inch much less in width and top, it is not an particularly important measurement distinction, and the Galaxy A54 greater than makes up for it with its bigger display (which we’ll get to in a second). Each units characteristic an IP67 ranking for water and mud resistance, which is the norm these days. The Galaxy A54 options Gorilla Glass 5 on the back and front, which makes it extra sturdy and offers it a extra elegant really feel. By comparability, the Pixel 6a has a plastic again, however as we famous in our overview, it is a good and surprisingly resilient plastic. Nevertheless, the Pixel 6a solely makes use of Corning’s Gorilla Glass 3 on the entrance.
Show: Brightness issues
Contemplating that Samsung is among the world’s main show producers, it is in all probability no shock that it is geared up the Galaxy A54 with a brilliant and exquisite 6.4-inch AMOLED show with a 120Hz refresh fee. Whereas the A54 would not get the variable refresh fee of its costlier cousins, the display ought to nonetheless provide buttery-smooth scrolling and gaming. Samsung has additionally been considerably growing the utmost brightness of its shows over the previous few years, and the Galaxy A54 display isn’t any exception; with 1,000 nits peak brightness, Samsung is promising “astounding out of doors visibility,” even in direct daylight.
Despite the fact that the Google Pixel 6a has a succesful OLED show, it is merely not in the identical league because the Samsung Galaxy A54. As a substitute, you are getting the bottom 60Hz refresh fee in a 6.1-inch display with the identical 2400×1080 decision. Though that technically means a barely increased pixel density, that is not sufficient to make up for a slower refresh fee and a decrease peak brightness. At solely 785 nits, it is not not possible to see outdoor, however as we have noticed, it usually feels prefer it’s not fairly brilliant sufficient.
Software program: Options and long-term updates
Like most Android telephones from completely different producers, the Galaxy A54 and Pixel 6a every include their very own takes on Android 13. The underlying working system is identical, however since Google makes Android, it gives what most contemplate a purer Google expertise on the Pixel 6a with little to no additional fluff and stronger ties into the Google suite of apps and providers. Samsung provides its customized OneUI 5.1 layer on prime of Android 13, nevertheless it’s additionally been embracing Google apps like Messages extra lately relatively than pushing customers to its personal Samsung variations.
Largely, the Galaxy A54 and Pixel 6a software program variations come down to private desire, with some completely different tradeoffs between the platforms. As an example, Google incorporates extra machine studying to energy distinctive options reminiscent of name screening, whereas Samsung gives tighter integration with its personal machine ecosystem.
Each platforms promise 5 years of safety patches. Nevertheless, because the Pixel 6a is already final 12 months’s mannequin, that places the Galaxy A54 almost a 12 months forward on this space; Google signifies the Pixel 6a will stop getting new updates in July 2027, whereas the Galaxy A54 needs to be good via March 2028. On the subject of main Android updates, Samsung guarantees 4 OS upgrades, which suggests it ought to sometime have the ability to run Android 17. The Pixel 6a is simply assured to get full OS updates till July 2025, which suggests it’ll probably cease at Android 15.
That mentioned, Pixel telephones are inclined to get thrilling updates extra ceaselessly. Google sends out “Characteristic Drop” updates about each three months with new goodies to check out, so if you happen to’re anyone who likes to remain on the vanguard of recent software program options, the Pixel 6a has the benefit.
Efficiency: How a lot do you want?
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Samsung could also be placing ahead its finest shows within the Galaxy A54, however the Pixel 6a has the excessive floor in terms of delivering extra {powerful} chips. Google started constructing customized silicon for the Pixel 6 lineup in 2021, and it did not skimp on efficiency when placing it into the Pixel 6a. In different phrases, the sub-$450 Pixel 6a packs in the identical Tensor chip because the flagship Pixel 6 Professional, which initially offered for a minimum of twice as a lot.
By comparability, Samsung has opted for its in-house Exynos 1380 within the Galaxy A54. Whereas we will anticipate that to supply a wholesome enchancment over the 1280 present in final 12 months’s A53, it will not maintain a candle to the Tensor chip that is additionally utilized in Google’s flagship smartphones.
The vital query is how a lot this issues. Do not take this comparability to imply the Galaxy A54 will likely be a slouch relating to efficiency. Right this moment’s ultra-powerful chipsets are extra about powering superior machine-learning options like computational images than user-facing efficiency positive factors.
The Galaxy A53 did a good job dealing with demanding video games like “Diablo Immortal” — so long as you did not anticipate an excessive amount of from it by pushing all of the settings to max. Samsung guarantees the Exynos 1380 will ship CPU positive factors of 20% and GPU positive factors of 26% within the Galaxy A54. Whereas that will not make it a gaming powerhouse, it is greater than cheap efficiency for a cellphone on this worth vary. Tradeoffs abound right here; the Pixel 6a could have Google’s significantly extra {powerful} Tensor chip, however its gaming capabilities are hampered by its 60Hz show.
We now have little doubt the Galaxy A54 will ship the efficiency most folk want at the moment, however the extra vital query pertains to the way it will maintain up within the years to come back. Samsung guarantees 4 variations of Android updates, nevertheless it’s controversial whether or not the Exynos 1380 will have the ability to ship a {smooth} consumer expertise on Android 16 down the street. Relating to longer-term endurance, the secure cash is on the Pixel 6a with Google’s class-leading Tensor chip inside.
Battery life: Sufficient to get you thru the day
The Google Pixel 6a packs in a 4,400mAh battery, whereas the Galaxy A54 pushes that to five,000mAh. Each promise all-day battery life, however we’ll have to attend for real-world testing on the A54 to see how that bears out. Google’s extra power-efficient Tensor chip partially compensates for the lower-capacity battery of the Pixel 6a. It ended up being on par with final 12 months’s Galaxy A53, which had an analogous 5,000mAh cell. Both cellphone ought to have the ability to attain as much as 48 hours with lighter use.
Like its predecessor, the Galaxy A54 hasn’t embraced wi-fi charging. However that is not stunning, because it’s sometimes one of many first issues omitted in funds smartphones — and the Pixel 6a isn’t any completely different. As a substitute, you get 25W wired charging on the Galaxy A54. That is the identical efficiency provided by the smaller Galaxy S23 and a slight enhance over the 18W wired speeds of the Pixel 6a. Nevertheless, that is not sufficient to make an enormous distinction except you are ceaselessly sitting by your cellphone ready for it to cost.
Cameras: Extra than simply megapixels
The Galaxy A54 follows a latest pattern with just a few different Samsung telephones in truly reducing the megapixel (MP) rely on a few of its cameras in favor of a greater sensor. On this case, that is a 50MP main shooter — a lower from the 64MP sensor discovered on the Galaxy A53. Past that change, it is in any other case the identical triple-lens digital camera design, and the opposite digital camera specs stay unchanged, with a 12MP ultra-wide sensor and a 5MP macro digital camera. You may additionally discover a 32MP selfie digital camera across the entrance.
After all, megapixels aren’t every little thing, and Samsung has probably packed in a more recent sensor that may make higher use of these 50 megapixels than the earlier mannequin did. For one, the corporate guarantees this 12 months’s design will provide significantly better efficiency beneath low-light circumstances and improved dynamic vary.
Whereas the digital camera {hardware} specs on the Pixel 6a aren’t fairly as spectacular — you get solely a pair of 12MP sensors overlaying essential and ultra-wide focal lengths — Google’s edge comes from the machine studying and picture processing capabilities of its extra {powerful} Tensor chip, which Google has fastidiously tuned to benefit from each pixel that comes out of the picture sensors.
Additional, because the Pixel 6a makes use of the identical Tensor chip because the costlier Pixel flagships, you get all the identical AI-powered digital camera options, together with issues like Actual Tone processing for extra correct pores and skin tones and Magic Eraser to take away background objects from photographs. Google additionally pioneered low-light images on Android smartphones with Evening Sight, so seeing how the brand new low-light capabilities on the Galaxy A54 examine will likely be fascinating.
The decision will likely be out till we see some digital camera testing beneath real-world circumstances, nevertheless it’s honest to say that the Galaxy A54 has its work minimize out for it. The digital camera efficiency on final 12 months’s A53 was astonishingly lackluster regardless of having increased specs on paper; we’re cautiously optimistic that the A54 will do higher, however whether or not it’ll surpass the Pixel 6a is one other matter.
Samsung Galaxy A54 vs. Google Pixel 6a: Which is best for you?
The Samsung Galaxy A54 and Google Pixel 6a are each strong mid-range smartphones with their very own advantages and tradeoffs. This makes it arduous to select a transparent winner since a lot of it comes all the way down to what you are on the lookout for in a smartphone. Those that need one of the best show on a funds will lean towards the Galaxy A54, however the Pixel 6a comes out on prime in a number of different vital ways in which matter greater than what’s mirrored of their respective spec sheets.
As an example, whereas the Galaxy A54 guarantees to ship some good digital camera enhancements, Google has a confirmed observe document of delivering wonderful images options in its Pixel telephones with out resorting to a number of digital camera arrays or increased specs. There is a degree of belief right here that permits you to be assured in what you are getting, whereas Samsung would not all the time dwell as much as its guarantees within the mid-range market. It is also uncertain the Exynos 1380 contained in the A54 has the ability to supply almost the identical degree of subtle picture processing and computational images options as Google’s Tensor chip. It might be virtually 9 months outdated, nevertheless it’s nonetheless going sturdy and can probably proceed for one more few years.
Supply: Google
Google Pixel 6a
Nonetheless the clear winner
$250 $450 Save $200
Google’s Pixel 6a stays one of the best smartphone you should buy on a funds. A robust flagship processor, superior images options, and spectacular software program options ship unimaginable worth in a bundle that may final you for years to come back.
However, followers of Samsung’s {hardware} and software program designs will not be disillusioned with the Galaxy A54, as its brighter and quicker show units it other than most smartphones on this class. And whereas the digital camera enhancements are nonetheless one thing of a query mark, they need to carry out higher than final 12 months’s A53, significantly beneath low-light circumstances. That is nonetheless a troublesome promote towards the cheaper price tag of the Pixel 6a — nevertheless it might be well worth the premium price ticket if a greater display is vital, particularly if you may get a deal on the Galaxy A54.
Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
Runner up
The Galaxy A54 stands out amongst funds smartphones due to its brilliant 120Hz AMOLED show. The brand new 50MP digital camera additionally guarantees enhancements to low-light efficiency, and the wonderful replace coverage means it ought to final consumers for almost half a decade, so long as you do not plan to place too many calls for on it down the street.
