The HMD Pulse 2 Pro and Samsung Galaxy A54 represent distinct approaches to the affordable smartphone market. The Pulse 2 Pro aims for aggressive value, while the Galaxy A54 focuses on a more refined experience with a stronger brand reputation. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a smooth, all-around experience and long-term software support, the Samsung Galaxy A54 is the better choice. Its Exynos 1380 chipset and brighter display offer a noticeable performance and visual upgrade, justifying the price difference. However, the HMD Pulse 2 Pro presents a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, September 01 | 2023, March 15 |
| Status | Coming soon. Exp. release 2025, December | Available. Released 2023, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 166.1 x 76.6 x 8.3 mm (6.54 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm (6.23 x 3.02 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~384 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 110.9 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T615 (12 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G68 MP5 |
| OS | Android 15 | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide), AF, OIS
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.X", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 50 MP | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, user replaceable | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glacier Green, Dark Blue | Lime, Graphite, Violet, White |
| Models | - | SM-A546V, SM-A546U, SM-A546U1, SM-A546B, SM-A546B/DS, SM-A546E, SM-A546E/DS, SM-A5460, SM-A546M, SM-A546M/DS, SM-A546W |
| Price | About 180 EUR | € 210.00 / $ 119.11 / £ 169.95 / ₹ 28,999 |
| SAR | - | 0.81 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.69 W/kg (head) 1.34 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 119h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.6 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 506678 (v9)
GeekBench: 2703 (v5.1), 2797 (v6)
GFXBench: 25fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
HMD Pulse 2 Pro
- Aggressive price point
- Decent battery life (estimated)
- Functional and reliable
- Less powerful processor
- Lower display brightness
- Limited camera capabilities (estimated)
Samsung Galaxy A54
- Faster and more efficient processor
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Superior camera system (expected)
- Longer battery life
- Higher price
- May be overkill for basic users
- Samsung's software bloat (subjective)
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A54 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 980 nits, compared to an unstated brightness for the HMD Pulse 2 Pro. This translates to superior visibility outdoors. While the Pulse 2 Pro’s display specs are limited in the provided data, Samsung’s 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a VA panel, offering deeper blacks. The A54’s display is likely to provide a more immersive viewing experience, especially for media consumption. The lack of refresh rate data for the Pulse 2 Pro suggests it likely operates at a standard 60Hz, while the A54 is expected to have a 120Hz panel, further enhancing smoothness.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specs are absent for the HMD Pulse 2 Pro. The Samsung Galaxy A54 likely features a more sophisticated camera system, benefiting from Samsung’s image processing expertise. While the presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely inconsequential, the A54’s main sensor is expected to be larger and paired with optical image stabilization (OIS), resulting in better low-light performance and sharper images. Without specific details on the Pulse 2 Pro’s camera, it’s safe to assume the A54 offers a more versatile and capable photography experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the HMD Pulse 2 Pro utilizes the Unisoc T615, a 12nm process chip, while the Samsung Galaxy A54 is powered by the Exynos 1380, fabricated on a more efficient 5nm node. This process difference is crucial; the 5nm Exynos 1380 delivers significantly better performance and thermal efficiency. The A54’s CPU configuration – 4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – is a step up from the Pulse 2 Pro’s 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55. This means faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance on the A54. The A54 will handle demanding tasks with greater ease.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A54 achieves an impressive endurance rating of 119 hours and a real-world active use score of 11:15h, indicating excellent battery life. The HMD Pulse 2 Pro’s battery capacity is unknown, but its 20W wired charging is slower than the A54’s 25W charging. While charging speed isn’t everything, the A54’s faster charging allows for quicker top-ups. The A54’s efficient Exynos 1380 chipset also contributes to its superior battery endurance, allowing it to last longer on a single charge despite potentially having a similar or smaller battery capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the HMD Pulse 2 Pro if you need a functional, reliable smartphone with decent battery life and are willing to compromise on processing power and display quality to stay within a very tight budget. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A54 if you prefer a more polished experience, a brighter and more vibrant display, and a significantly faster processor for smoother multitasking and gaming, and are willing to pay a premium for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1380 in the Galaxy A54 tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1380, built on a 5nm process, is generally efficient and well-managed in the Galaxy A54. While it can get warm during extended gaming, Samsung’s thermal management system typically prevents significant throttling, maintaining consistent performance for longer periods compared to the Unisoc T615 in the Pulse 2 Pro.
❓ Is the 20W charging on the HMD Pulse 2 Pro slow compared to other phones in this price range?
Yes, 20W charging is relatively slow compared to the 25W charging on the Galaxy A54 and even some other budget phones. While it will still charge the device overnight, it will take considerably longer to reach a full charge from a low battery level.
❓ How does the Unisoc T615 perform with everyday tasks like browsing and social media on the HMD Pulse 2 Pro?
The Unisoc T615 is adequate for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and light app usage. However, you may experience some lag or slowdown when multitasking or running more demanding applications. It's best suited for users with minimal smartphone needs.
❓ What kind of software updates can I expect on the HMD Pulse 2 Pro?
HMD Global typically provides a commitment to software updates for their devices, but the duration and frequency may be less extensive than Samsung's support for the Galaxy A54. Expect a few years of security patches and potentially one or two major Android version updates.
