Samsung Galaxy A54 5G Review: Mid-Range Excellence

Galaxy A54 5G

1. Basic Overview

The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G is a premium mid-range smartphone in Samsung’s Galaxy A – series, announced on March 15, 2023, and released globally on March 24, 2023 (model number: SM – A546B/DS, regional variants like SM – A546U for the US). It targets users seeking flagship – like features at a mid – range price, such as a high – refresh – rate AMOLED display, OIS – equipped main camera, 5G connectivity, and long – term software support. Launched with Android 13 and One UI 5.1, it is eligible for 4 major Android OS upgrades and 5 years of security patches—a key selling point for Samsung’s modern A – series lineupSamsung. It succeeded the Galaxy A53 5G and has been a steady seller, balancing performance, camera quality, and durability for daily users.

2. Key Hardware Specifications (Global Variant: SM – A546B/DS)

Component	Technical Specifications
Display	6.4 – inch FHD + Super AMOLED Infinity – O display; 2340×1080 resolution; 411 ppi; 120Hz adaptive refresh rate; Vision Booster (enhanced outdoor visibility); Gorilla Glass 5 (front/back); 85.4% screen – to – body ratioSamsung Mobile Press
Processor	Samsung Exynos 1380 octa – core chip (2×2.4 GHz Cortex – A78 + 6×2.0 GHz Cortex – A55); Mali – G68 MP5 GPU; 5nm process (regional variants may use different chips)
Memory (RAM)	6GB / 8GB LPDDR4X RAM (non – upgradable); supports RAM Plus (virtual RAM expansion up to 8GB)
Storage Options	128GB / 256GB UFS 2.2 storage; microSD card slot (expandable up to 1TB via hybrid SIM slot)Samsung Mobile Press
Rear Camera System	Triple – camera setup:- 50MP Wide: f/1.8 aperture, PDAF, OIS, 1.0 μm pixels, 1/1.56” sensor- 12MP Ultra – wide: f/2.2 aperture, 123° FOV, fixed focus, 1.12 μm pixels- 5MP Macro: f/2.4 aperture, fixed focus, for close – up shotsFeatures: 4K video (30 fps), 1080p slow – motion (240 fps), Nightography, AI Scene Optimizer, Portrait Mode (bokeh)Samsung Mobile Press
Front Camera	32MP Selfie: f/2.2 aperture, fixed focus, 1.0 μm pixels; 1080p video (30 fps); AI beauty modeSamsung Mobile Press
Battery	5,000 mAh typical (4,860 mAh rated) non – removable Li – ion battery; 25W wired fast charging; no wireless chargingSamsung Mobile Press
Connectivity	5G NR (Sub – 6 GHz); 4G LTE; Wi – Fi 6 (802.11 ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; USB – C 2.0 port; GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/QZSS/Beidou; no 3.5mm headphone jack
Dimensions & Weight	158.2×76.7×8.2 mm; 202 gramsSamsung Mobile Press
Build & Durability	Plastic frame; Gorilla Glass 5 front/back; IP67 water/dust resistance (1m depth for 30 minutes)
Security & Sensors	In – display optical fingerprint sensor; 2D facial recognition; accelerometer; gyroscope; proximity sensor; geomagnetic sensor; ambient light sensor
Audio	Stereo speakers (Dolby Atmos support); USB – C audio output; no 3.5mm jackSamsung

3. Core Software & Feature Highlights

3.1 Display & Performance

120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate: Dynamically adjusts between 48Hz–120Hz based on content (e.g., 120Hz for scrolling/gaming, 48Hz for static apps) to balance smoothness and battery life. Vision Booster optimizes brightness and contrast for outdoor use, a big plus for daytime users.
Exynos 1380 Efficiency: The 5nm chip delivers reliable daily performance (social media, video streaming, web browsing) and handles casual gaming (e.g., Genshin Impact at medium settings) without significant lag. RAM Plus further improves multitasking by using storage as virtual RAM.
IP67 & Gorilla Glass 5: The device is protected against dust and short water submersion, and the glass resists scratches—ideal for users with active daily routines.

3.2 Camera Capabilities

50MP OIS Main Camera: Optical Image Stabilization ensures sharp photos/videos, even in low light or while moving. Nightography combines multi – frame processing to reduce noise and brighten dark scenes, a key upgrade over entry – level models.
Ultra – Wide & Macro Versatility: The 12MP ultra – wide lens captures group shots and landscapes, while the 5MP macro lens focuses on close – up details (e.g., flowers, textures). AI Scene Optimizer recognizes 30 + scenes and adjusts settings automatically.
Selfie & Video Features: The 32MP front camera takes detailed selfies, and 4K video recording (30 fps) on the rear camera is suitable for casual content creation.

3.3 Software & Productivity

One UI 5.1 (Android 13): Features include a customizable home screen, edge panels, Secure Folder (encrypted storage), Multi Window (split – screen), and Digital Wellbeing. The interface is optimized for one – handed use and offers a clean, user – friendly design.
Long – Term Support: 4 major OS upgrades (up to Android 17) and 5 years of security patches provide peace of mind, extending the device’s usable lifespan.
Connectivity & Audio: 5G enables fast downloads and streaming, while Dolby Atmos – tuned stereo speakers deliver immersive audio for media consumption. NFC supports mobile payments globally.

4. Market Reception & Limitations

4.1 Positive Feedback

Display & Camera: Reviewers praised the 120Hz Super AMOLED display for its vibrancy and smoothness, and the OIS – equipped 50MP main camera for consistent photo quality, especially in low light.
Software Support: The 4 – year OS/5 – year security update commitment was a major draw, setting it apart from many mid – range competitors with shorter support cycles.
Durability: IP67 rating and Gorilla Glass 5 were appreciated for adding resilience to daily use, reducing the need for a bulky case.

4.2 Limitations & Criticisms

Charging Speed: 25W wired charging is slower than flagship – tier 45W + speeds, and the lack of wireless charging was a letdown for users used to premium features.
Exynos Performance: Some users reported that the Exynos 1380 lags behind rival Snapdragon chips in gaming and sustained performance, though it is sufficient for daily tasks.
No Headphone Jack: The removal of the 3.5mm jack forced users to switch to USB – C or wireless headphones, which was inconvenient for those with legacy audio gear.

5. Legacy & Positioning

Camera Accessibility: It made OIS and high – resolution main cameras more common in mid – range devices, democratizing features once exclusive to flagships.

Mid – Range Benchmark: The Galaxy A54 5G solidified Samsung’s A – series as a leader in the mid – range segment, showing that premium features (OIS, 120Hz AMOLED, long software support) can be offered at accessible prices.

Software Commitment Trend: Its long – term update policy set a standard for mid – range phones, with other manufacturers later following suit to compete.