What makes the A54 5G stand out from each different sub-$500 is its software program help cycle. Samsung is promising a whopping 4 main OS Android upgrades. Meaning because it runs Android 13 out of the field, it’s going to get Android 17 in 2027. Wowza. That is higher than what Google gives. The cherry on high is you will get 5 years of safety updates. It is good realizing the telephone you spent a whole lot of {dollars} on will nonetheless get new options, important bug fixes, and safety patches for years as an alternative of only one. Talking 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.
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That leads me to its efficiency. Not like some funds telephones that stuff a 120-Hz panel on the show solely to ship a stuttery expertise as a result of a weak processor, the Galaxy A54 5G is highly effective sufficient which you could get pleasure from that buttery easy display screen to its full extent. It is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 1380 processor with 6 gigabytes of RAM, and my benchmark assessments present a good leap from final 12 months’s mannequin, but it surely’s firmly a midrange chipset.
For probably 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 Lifeless Cells and Streets of Rage 4 ran and not using a hitch. Nonetheless, I’ve seen sluggishness right here and there, notably while you’re shifting backwards and forwards between a number of apps. This may be annoying while you’re in a rush to shortly accomplish a process, however I solely bumped into this often. The digital camera additionally generally is 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. Nonetheless, on days once I was out and about, taking footage, utilizing the GPS for navigation, and killing time on Reddit, I ended up with roughly 30 p.c by bedtime. That is not fairly nearly as good as lots of Motorola’s funds telephones that may simply final two full days.
Talking of, Motorola has began providing 256 gigabytes as its base storage possibility in its smartphones, and it is a fairly nice change. Virtually all telephones—sure, even those who price $1,000—nonetheless provide a paltry 128 gigs of storage, and the A54 5G isn’t any completely different. It might be good to see Samsung buck the development right here. (You do get a microSD slot to develop house if you happen to want it.) Not like Motorola, there’s an NFC sensor, so you need to use Google or Samsung Pockets to pay for that important kombucha even if you happen to’ve forgotten the bodily pockets at house.
There’s nonetheless no wi-fi charging help. This characteristic is usually nixed with most sub-$500 telephones, however with the most recent Google Pixel 7A rumors claiming the telephone could have it, it is bizarre that Google was in a position to beat Samsung to the punch. You may additionally care that there is additionally no charging adapter within the field (you do get a USB-C cable), and there is no headphone jack.
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Fortunately, the cameras are fairly darn nice. Oftentimes I discover myself not taking as many pictures on cheaper telephones as a result of I am simply not pleased with the outcomes, however I by no means stopped snapping on the A54 5G. It isn’t 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 normal Samsung flaws like overexposure and oversaturation.
