Samsung Galaxy A54 5G Review: Cruise Control
What makes the A54 5G stand out from each different sub-$500 is its software program assist cycle. Samsung is promising a whopping 4 main OS Android upgrades. That means because it runs Android 13 out of the field, it’s going to get Android 17 in 2027. Wowza. That’s higher than what Google provides. The cherry on high is you may get 5 years of safety updates. It’s good figuring out the cellphone you spent a whole lot of {dollars} on will nonetheless get new options, vital bug fixes, and safety patches for years as a substitute of only one. Speaking of, the A54 is IP67-rated, so it will probably survive the rain and even a drop within the pool, so it will probably take years of accidents.
Happy Medium
That leads me to its efficiency. Unlike some finances telephones that stuff a 120-Hz panel on the show solely to ship a stuttery expertise on account of a weak processor, the Galaxy A54 5G is highly effective sufficient which you could take pleasure in that buttery easy display screen to its full extent. It’s powered by Samsung’s Exynos 1380 processor with 6 gigabytes of RAM, and my benchmark checks present a good soar from final 12 months’s mannequin, however it’s firmly a midrange chipset.
For essentially the most half, you will not run into many points making an attempt to browse your favourite apps or ship an e-mail. Even video games like Dead Cells and Streets of Rage 4 ran with no hitch. However, I’ve seen sluggishness right here and there, significantly while you’re shifting forwards and backwards between a number of apps. This could be annoying while you’re in a rush to rapidly accomplish a job, however I solely bumped into this sometimes. The digital camera additionally could be a little gradual to launch.
Battery-wise, you get a big 5,000-mAh cell, which may simply take you thru two full days with gentle use. However, on days after I was out and about, taking photos, utilizing the GPS for navigation, and killing time on Reddit, I ended up with roughly 30 % by bedtime. That’s not fairly nearly as good as a lot of Motorola’s finances telephones that may simply final two full days.
Speaking of, Motorola has began providing 256 gigabytes as its base storage choice in its smartphones, and this can be a fairly nice change. Almost all telephones—sure, even people who price $1,000—nonetheless provide a paltry 128 gigs of storage, and the A54 5G isn’t any completely different. It’d be good to see Samsung buck the pattern right here. (You do get a microSD slot to broaden area in the event you want it.) Unlike Motorola, there may be an NFC sensor, so you should use Google or Samsung Wallet to pay for that very important kombucha even in the event you’ve forgotten the bodily pockets at dwelling.
There’s nonetheless no wi-fi charging assist. This function is usually nixed with most sub-$500 telephones, however with the newest Google Pixel 7A rumors claiming the cellphone may have it, it is bizarre that Google was in a position to beat Samsung to the punch. You may also care that there is additionally no charging adapter within the field (you do get a USB-C cable), and there is no headphone jack.
Cruise Control
Thankfully, the cameras are fairly darn nice. Oftentimes I discover myself not taking as many pictures on cheaper telephones as a result of I’m simply not pleased with the outcomes, however I by no means stopped snapping on the A54 5G. It’s not far behind the Google Pixel 6A (dare I say it generally performs higher!). The 50-megapixel major digital camera can take some sharp pictures through the day, with standard Samsung flaws like overexposure and oversaturation.
