Samsung Galaxy A54 Review: The Mid-Range Value King

In the ever-competitive mid-range smartphone market, Samsung has consistently delivered devices that balance performance, design, and affordability. The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G is the latest in this lineage, succeeding the well-received Galaxy A53. With refinements in design, display, performance, and camera capabilities, the A54 positions itself as a strong contender for the title of the best mid-range smartphone of 2024.

This review delves into the key aspects of the Galaxy A54, evaluating its strengths, weaknesses, and overall value proposition to determine whether it truly deserves the crown as the mid-range value king.

Design & Build: Premium Feel Without the Premium Price

Samsung has always prioritized aesthetics in its Galaxy A series, and the A54 is no exception. The phone features a matte-finish plastic back with a contoured camera island, giving it a sleek, modern look reminiscent of higher-end Galaxy S models. The Gorilla Glass 5 front and back, combined with an aluminum frame, enhance durability while maintaining a premium feel.

The device measures 158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2mm and weighs 202g, making it slightly heavier than some competitors but still comfortable for one-handed use. The IP67 water and dust resistance rating is a welcome addition, ensuring protection against accidental spills and splashes.

Available in Awesome Graphite, Awesome White, Awesome Violet, and Awesome Lime, the A54 offers a variety of color options to suit different tastes. While the plastic back may not feel as luxurious as glass, it resists fingerprints better and is less prone to shattering.

Display: A Vibrant and Smooth AMOLED Experience

One of the standout features of the Galaxy A54 is its 6.4-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Samsung’s AMOLED panels are renowned for their deep blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast, and the A54 delivers on all fronts.

Resolution: 2340 x 1080 pixels (~403 PPI)
Brightness: Up to 1000 nits (peak), ensuring good visibility in sunlight
Adaptive Refresh Rate: Switches between 10Hz and 120Hz for power efficiency
Vision Booster: Enhances outdoor visibility

The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling, gaming, and general navigation buttery smooth, a feature rarely seen in this price segment. The HDR10+ support further enhances media consumption, making videos and games more immersive.

While the display is excellent, the centered punch-hole selfie camera may be a minor distraction for some users. However, it’s a small trade-off for an otherwise outstanding screen.

Performance: Smooth and Efficient for Daily Use

The Galaxy A54 is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 1380 chipset, a 5nm octa-core processor with a Mali-G68 MP5 GPU. This is a significant upgrade over the Exynos 1280 found in the A53, offering better CPU and GPU performance.

Benchmark Performance

AnTuTu Score: ~500,000
Geekbench 5 (Single-Core): ~800
Geekbench 5 (Multi-Core): ~2,300

In real-world usage, the A54 handles multitasking, social media, and light gaming with ease. Apps launch quickly, and RAM management is efficient, thanks to 6GB or 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM (depending on the variant). The 128GB or 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage ensures fast app loading and smooth file transfers.

Gaming Performance

The Mali-G68 GPU is capable of running moderate games like Call of Duty Mobile, PUBG Mobile, and Genshin Impact at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. However, demanding titles may require lowering graphics settings to maintain smoothness.

Thermal Management

The A54 stays cool under normal usage, but prolonged gaming sessions can lead to minor throttling. This is expected in mid-range devices, but the phone recovers quickly once the load decreases.

Software & One UI 5.1

The Galaxy A54 runs Android 13 with One UI 5.1, Samsung’s custom skin. One UI is polished, feature-rich, and user-friendly, with minimal bloatware (though some Samsung and Google apps are pre-installed).

Key software features include:
– Samsung DeX (for desktop-like experience)
– Secure Folder (for private files and apps)
– Samsung Knox (enhanced security)
– Four years of major Android updates (up to Android 17)
– Five years of security patches

The long-term software support is a major selling point, ensuring the A54 remains relevant for years.

Cameras: Versatile and Reliable

The Galaxy A54 features a triple-camera setup on the rear, headlined by a 50MP main sensor with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). This is a significant upgrade from the A53’s 64MP sensor, offering better low-light performance and sharper details.

Rear Cameras:

50MP Main Sensor (f/1.8, OIS, PDAF)
Excellent dynamic range and color accuracy
Night Mode improves low-light shots significantly
12MP output via pixel binning for balanced exposure
12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 123° FOV)
Great for landscapes and group shots
Slight distortion at the edges, but software correction helps
5MP Macro (f/2.4)
Useful for close-up shots, but not as sharp as the main camera

Front Camera:

32MP (f/2.2)
Sharp and detailed selfies
Portrait Mode with good edge detection
4K video recording (though stabilization could be better)

Video Recording:

4K@30fps (rear & front)
1080p@60fps (with stabilization)
Super Steady Mode for smoother footage

Camera Performance Summary:

✅ Daylight photos – Sharp, vibrant, and well-balanced
✅ Low-light photos – Improved over A53, but still not class-leading
✅ Ultra-wide shots – Decent, but soft at the edges
✅ Selfies – Natural colors and good detail
❌ Macro shots – Mediocre compared to main camera
❌ 4K video stabilization – Not as smooth as flagship models

Overall, the A54’s camera system is one of the best in its price range, offering versatility and reliability for everyday photography.

Battery Life: All-Day Endurance

The Galaxy A54 packs a 5,000mAh battery, a slight downgrade from the A53’s 5,100mAh but still more than sufficient for a full day of use.

Battery Performance:

Screen-on time: ~7-9 hours (mixed usage)
Gaming: ~5-6 hours
Video playback: ~15-17 hours
Standby: ~2 days

The 15W fast charging is a bit slow compared to competitors like the OnePlus Nord CE 3 (80W) or Realme 10 Pro+ (67W), but it’s adequate for most users. A full charge takes around 1.5 hours.

Wireless Charging & Reverse Charging

Unfortunately, the A54 lacks wireless charging, which is a feature found in some premium mid-range devices.

Connectivity & Extras

The Galaxy A54 supports 5G (sub-6GHz), ensuring fast download and upload speeds on compatible networks. Other connectivity features include:
– Wi-Fi 6 (for faster and more stable connections)
– Bluetooth 5.3 (with LE Audio support)
– NFC (for contactless payments)
– USB-C 2.0 (no USB 3.2, so slower file transfers)
– Stereo speakers (tuned by AKG, decent audio quality)

Biometrics & Security

Under-display fingerprint sensor (fast and accurate)
Face unlock (works well in good lighting)

Competitors: How Does the A54 Stack Up?

The mid-range smartphone market is crowded, with strong contenders like:
1. Google Pixel 7a – Better software and camera, but weaker battery and display
2. OnePlus Nord CE 3 – Faster charging and smoother performance, but less refined software
3. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ – Higher refresh rate (144Hz) and faster charging, but MIUI can be bloated
4. Nothing Phone (2) – Unique design and clean software, but weaker camera and battery life

The Galaxy A54 strikes a balance between display quality, software support, and camera performance, making it a well-rounded choice for most users.

Pricing & Value for Money

The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G is priced at:
– $449 (6GB + 128GB)
– $499 (8GB + 256GB)

For this price, it offers:
✔ Premium design & build quality
✔ 120Hz AMOLED display
✔ Reliable performance (Exynos 1380)
✔ Versatile camera system
✔ Long-term software support (4 years of updates)
✔ IP67 water and dust resistance

While it lacks wireless charging and ultra-fast wired charging, the overall package is hard to beat in this segment.

Final Verdict: The Mid-Range Value King

The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G is a refined, well-balanced mid-range smartphone that excels in display quality, software experience, and camera performance. While it may not be the fastest or most feature-packed device in its class, it offers consistency, reliability, and long-term value—qualities that Samsung has perfected over the years.

For users who prioritize a smooth AMOLED display, clean software, and a dependable camera, the A54 is an excellent choice. It may not have the fastest charging or the most powerful chipset, but it delivers a premium experience without the flagship price tag.

If you’re in the market for a mid-range smartphone that won’t disappoint, the Galaxy A54 is a strong contender—and arguably the best in its class.

Samsung Galaxy A54 Review: Mid-Range Value King