Samsung Galaxy A54 Review: A Stylish Mid-Range Powerhouse That Feels Almost Flagship

Introduction

Samsung’s Galaxy A54 carries forward the brand’s “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it” philosophy — and for the most part, it works. The A54 refines what made its predecessor, the Galaxy A53, a popular mid-ranger, while packing just enough upgrades to keep things fresh.

Priced at around €500, it might seem a bit steep at first, but keep in mind that the A53 launched at a similar price and dropped quickly after release. So, if you’re eyeing a premium Samsung phone without breaking the bank, the A54 might be worth the wait.

Under the hood, the Exynos 1380 chipset brings a performance boost with more CPU and GPU cores. The battery remains the same at 5,000mAh, but the A54 adds weight and improves design and display quality. Gone is the depth sensor — and good riddance — while the new 50MP main camera replaces last year’s 64MP shooter. Don’t worry, it’s an upgrade where it counts.

Design

Samsung’s unifying design strategy continues here — the Galaxy A54 looks strikingly similar to the Galaxy S23 series. The clean triple-camera layout with shiny metal rings gives it a premium touch. However, the camera bumps make the phone wobble on flat surfaces, which might annoy frequent typers.

Despite the glossy finish that easily attracts fingerprints, the phone feels solid in hand. Initially thought to be plastic, Samsung later confirmed the back is protected by Gorilla Glass 5, matching its flagship siblings in durability. At 200g, it’s slightly heavier but well-built, offering a sleek aluminum frame and IP67 water resistance.

Display

One of the best mid-range displays just got better. The Galaxy A54 features a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED panel with Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Though slightly smaller than the A53’s screen, it’s brighter and more vibrant.

Samsung claims up to 1000 nits of peak brightness, and tests show it comes close at 980 nits — great for outdoor use. It also borrows the Vision Booster feature from the S-series, enhancing visibility under harsh sunlight.

Colors are punchy and customizable through Vivid and Natural modes, giving users control over tone accuracy. Overall, this is one of the best screens you’ll find in this price range.

Battery Life

The 5,000mAh battery returns, offering reliable endurance that easily lasts a full day of moderate to heavy use. While results vary depending on usage, the A54 delivers average but dependable battery life for its class.

Charging Speed

Charging speed is rated at 25W, and while that’s not the fastest, it’s consistent. Using Samsung’s 25W PPS charger (sold separately), the A54 reaches 100% in about 63 minutes — faster than the A53 and a good improvement overall.

Still, competitors like OnePlus and Xiaomi offer much faster charging at similar prices. Samsung’s focus, however, remains on long-term battery health and safety, not raw charging numbers.

Software

Running Android 13 with One UI 5.1, the Galaxy A54 offers the same refined experience you’d find on the Galaxy S23. Samsung promises 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of security patches, a major plus for long-term users.

It supports Always-on Display customization, smart widgets, and smooth animations. The only thing missing is Samsung DeX, which remains exclusive to higher-end models.

Performance

With the Exynos 1380 (5nm) chip, the A54 finally catches up in performance after last year’s A53 lagged behind. The new chipset brings 4 high-performance Cortex-A78 cores and a stronger GPU, delivering smoother multitasking and better gaming.

In benchmarks, it performs close to the Galaxy A52s (Snapdragon 778G), meaning it’s back to respectable mid-range power. Everyday performance feels snappy, apps open quickly, and gaming is noticeably smoother than before.

Camera

Samsung swapped the 64MP main sensor for a new 50MP camera, and it’s a definite improvement. Photos come out sharper, more natural, and with better color balance. The 12MP ultrawide and 5MP macro lenses are mostly unchanged but still perform decently in good light.

The 32MP front camera delivers crisp selfies with excellent detail and dynamic range — a strong point for social media users.

Video recording is decent but limited — 4K lacks stabilization, making handheld videos a bit shaky. Still, for photos, the Galaxy A54 punches above its weight.

Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy A54 doesn’t reinvent the wheel — it polishes it. With a bright AMOLED display, improved camera system, strong software support, and a design that looks like a flagship, it’s one of the best mid-range options of 2023.

However, it’s not perfect. Charging could be faster, and the initial price feels high. But once discounts kick in, the A54 becomes an easy recommendation for those who want a stylish, reliable, and long-lasting smartphone from a trusted brand.

If you want a premium Samsung feel without flagship pricing, the Galaxy A54 is the one to get.