What makes the A54 5G stand out from any other sub-$500 is the software support cycle. Samsung is promising four major improvements to the Android operating system. This means that since it runs Android 13 out of the box, it will get Android 17 in 2027. Wowza. This is better than what Google offers. The cherry on top is that you’ll get five years of security updates. It’s nice to know that the phone you spent hundreds of dollars on will still have new features, critical bug fixes, and security patches for YEAR instead of just one. Speaking of, the A54 is IP67 rated, so it can survive rain and even a drop in the pool, so it can take years of mishaps.
Happy medium
This brings me to his performance. Unlike some budget phones that cram a 120Hz panel into the screen only to deliver a stuttering experience due to a weak processor, the Galaxy A54 5G is powerful enough to enjoy that buttery smooth display on its full extent. It’s powered by Samsung’s Exynos 1380 processor with 6 gigabytes of RAM, and my benchmark tests show a decent jump from last year’s model, but it’s thoroughly a mid-range chip.
For the most part, you won’t run into too much trouble trying to browse your favorite apps or send an email. Even games like Dead cells AND Fury Roads 4 ran without obstacles. However, I did notice sluggishness here and there, especially when moving back and forth between multiple apps. This can be annoying when you’re in a rush to complete a task quickly, but I’ve only encountered this occasionally. The camera can also be a little slow to launch.
As for the battery, you get a large 5000 mAh cell, which can easily get you through two full days of light use. However, on days when I was out and about, taking pictures, using GPS for navigation, and killing time on Reddit, I ended up with roughly 30 percent of my sleep time. That’s not as good as many of Motorola’s budget phones that can easily last two full days.
Speaking of, Motorola has started offering 256 gigabytes as the base storage option on smartphones and that’s a pretty big change. Almost all phones – yes, even those that cost $1,000 – still offer a paltry 128 gigs of storage, and the A54 5G is no different. It would be nice to see Samsung buck the trend here. (You I DO get a microSD slot to expand the space if you need it.) Unlike the Motorola, there’s an NFC sensor, so you can use Google or Samsung Wallet to pay for that vital kombucha even if you’ve forgotten your physical wallet at home.
No support for wireless charging yet. This feature is often excluded with most phones under $500, but with the latest Google Pixel 7A rumor claiming the phone will have it, it’s surprising that Google was able to beat Samsung to the punch. You may also care that there’s also no charging adapter in the box (you get a USB-C cable) and no headphone jack.
Cruise control
Thankfully, the cameras are pretty great. I often find myself not taking as many photos on cheaper phones because I’m just not happy with the results, but I never stopped taking photos on the A54 5G. It’s not far off the Google Pixel 6A (dare I say it sometimes performs better!). The 50-megapixel main camera can take some sharp photos during the day, with the usual Samsung flaws like overexposure and oversaturation.
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