The smartphone market offers a vast spectrum of choices, from budget-friendly options to premium flagships. This comparison pits the Samsung Galaxy A54, a popular mid-range contender, against the LG K40S, a more affordable device. We'll dissect their key specifications to determine which phone delivers the best value for your money, focusing on real-world performance and usability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A54 is the superior choice. Its significantly more powerful Exynos 1380 chipset, brighter display, and likely superior camera system justify the price difference. However, the LG K40S remains a viable option for those on a very tight budget prioritizing basic functionality.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August. Released 2019, September | 2023, March 15 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156.3 x 73.9 x 8.6 mm (6.15 x 2.91 x 0.34 in) | 158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm (6.23 x 3.02 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~276 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~80.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G68 MP5 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10 | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), PDAF
5 MP, (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, 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 | 13 MP, f/2.0, 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | New Aurora Black, New Moroccan Blue | Lime, Graphite, Violet, White |
| Models | LMX430HM, LM-X430 | 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 160 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) |
LG K40S
- Significantly faster processor for smooth performance.
- Brighter, higher-resolution display for better viewing.
- Likely superior camera system with OIS.
- Faster charging speeds.
- Higher price point.
- May be larger and heavier than the K40S.
Samsung Galaxy A54
- More affordable price.
- Potentially more compact and lightweight.
- Decent battery life for basic usage.
- Functional for essential smartphone tasks.
- Slow processor struggles with demanding apps.
- Lower-quality display with limited brightness.
- Inferior camera performance.
- Slower charging speeds.
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A54 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 980 nits. This is crucial for outdoor visibility, a clear advantage over the LG K40S, whose brightness is not specified but is expected to be considerably lower given its market positioning. While the K40S's display resolution is likely 720p+, the A54's likely 1080p+ resolution will offer sharper images and text. The A54's 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a Super AMOLED panel, delivering richer blacks and more vibrant colors compared to the K40S's likely IPS LCD.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature photo and video capabilities, but the Samsung Galaxy A54 is expected to deliver superior image quality. While specific sensor details are missing for both, Samsung typically employs larger sensors and more advanced image processing algorithms in its A-series phones. The A54 likely benefits from Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), reducing blur in photos and videos, a feature unlikely to be found on the K40S. The K40S may include a 2MP macro camera, but these low-resolution sensors generally offer limited practical benefit.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Samsung Galaxy A54's Exynos 1380 (5nm) utilizes a more modern architecture – Cortex-A78 and A55 cores – compared to the LG K40S's MediaTek Helio P22 (12nm) and its Cortex-A53 cores. The 5nm fabrication process of the Exynos 1380 translates to better power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling, allowing for sustained performance during demanding tasks. The A54's CPU configuration (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) offers a significant speed boost over the K40S's Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53. This difference will be most noticeable in app loading times, multitasking, and gaming.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A54 achieves an impressive 11:15h active use score and an endurance rating of 119 hours, indicating excellent battery life. While the LG K40S's battery capacity isn't specified, its less powerful chipset and lower screen brightness likely contribute to comparable endurance. However, the A54's 25W wired charging is significantly faster than what the K40S likely offers, allowing for quicker top-ups when needed.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG K40S if you need a functional smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use, and your budget is under $150. You're willing to compromise on performance and camera quality. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A54 if you prioritize a smooth user experience, capable gaming, a vibrant display for media consumption, and a more versatile camera system, and are willing to spend around $350-$400.
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 a playable frame rate. It's far less prone to overheating than the Helio P22 in the K40S, which would likely struggle with even moderate gaming loads.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the LG K40S actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones like the K40S offer limited practical benefit. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. While they can capture a close-up perspective, the image quality is often subpar compared to using the main camera with digital zoom.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A54 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high frame rates (90fps)?
Yes, the Galaxy A54 can comfortably run PUBG Mobile at high frame rates (60fps or potentially 90fps depending on settings). The Exynos 1380's GPU is capable of handling the game's graphics without significant frame drops, providing a smooth and immersive gaming experience. The K40S would struggle to maintain a stable frame rate even at lower settings.
