The Samsung Galaxy A54 and LG K50 represent different approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The A54 aims for a premium experience with a modern chipset and vibrant display, while the K50 focuses on affordability. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device delivers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A54 is the clear winner. Its Exynos 1380 chipset provides significantly faster performance, and the 980 nit display offers a far superior viewing experience. While the LG K50 offers a budget-friendly entry point, the A54’s improvements justify the price difference.
| 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, 38 | 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 300/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, February. Released 2019, August | 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 | 161.3 x 77 x 8.7 mm (6.35 x 3.03 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 | 170 g (6.00 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 (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.26 inches, 97.8 cm2 (~78.8% 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) | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 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
Auxiliary lens | - |
| 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 | Aurora Black, Moroccan Blue, Platinum Gray | Lime, Graphite, Violet, White |
| Models | LMX520BMW, LMX520EMW, LM-X520, 802LG | 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) |
LG K50
- Significantly faster performance with the Exynos 1380 chipset.
- Brighter and more vibrant 980 nit display.
- Excellent battery life and 25W fast charging.
- Higher price point compared to the LG K50.
- May have bloatware depending on carrier.
Samsung Galaxy A54
- Extremely affordable price.
- Acceptable for basic smartphone tasks.
- Potentially longer battery life due to less demanding hardware (though unconfirmed).
- Slow performance with the Helio P22 chipset.
- Likely a lower-quality display.
- Limited camera capabilities.
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A54 boasts a significantly more advanced display. While both phones feature unspecified panel technologies, the A54’s measured peak brightness of 980 nits dwarfs what the K50 likely offers, resulting in superior visibility in direct sunlight. The A54’s 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a VA panel or similar, providing deeper blacks and more vibrant colors compared to the K50’s likely IPS LCD. The K50’s display is likely adequate for basic tasks, but the A54 provides a far more immersive and enjoyable viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but the A54 is expected to deliver superior image quality. While specific sensor details are missing for both, Samsung typically employs larger sensors and more sophisticated image processing algorithms in its A-series phones. The A54’s image processing will likely excel in low-light conditions and offer more dynamic range. The K50’s camera is likely adequate for casual snapshots, but it won’t compete with the A54’s capabilities. It's reasonable to assume the K50 will include lower-resolution sensors and less advanced features.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Samsung Galaxy A54’s Exynos 1380 (5nm) is a modern octa-core processor featuring a combination of Cortex-A78 and A55 cores clocked up to 2.4GHz. This architecture, coupled with the 5nm manufacturing process, delivers significantly higher performance and efficiency compared to the LG K50’s MediaTek Helio P22 (12nm) and its Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.0GHz. The A54 will handle demanding games and multitasking with ease, while the K50 will struggle with anything beyond basic applications. The 5nm process also means the A54 will run cooler and more efficiently, reducing throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A54’s endurance rating of 119 hours and active use score of 11:15h demonstrates excellent battery life. While the LG K50’s battery capacity is unknown, the A54’s efficient Exynos 1380 chipset and optimized software contribute to its impressive longevity. The A54 also supports 25W wired charging, allowing for faster top-ups compared to the K50, which likely supports slower charging speeds. The A54’s combination of battery life and charging speed provides a more convenient user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG K50 if you prioritize extreme affordability and basic smartphone functionality – calls, texts, and light social media use. It’s a suitable option for first-time smartphone users or those on a very tight budget. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A54 if you value performance for gaming and multitasking, a brighter and more vibrant display for media consumption, and a more refined overall user experience. It’s ideal for users who want a phone that can handle demanding tasks without breaking the bank.
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. It's far less prone to overheating than the Helio P22 in the K50, which would likely throttle heavily under similar load.
❓ Is the LG K50 a good option for running multiple apps simultaneously?
The LG K50’s MediaTek Helio P22 chipset and limited RAM (spec not provided, but likely 3-4GB) will struggle with multitasking. Running multiple apps simultaneously will likely result in noticeable lag and slowdowns. It’s best suited for running one app at a time.
❓ What kind of charging speeds can I expect with the Samsung Galaxy A54?
The Samsung Galaxy A54 supports 25W wired charging. While not the fastest charging available, it will typically charge the phone from 0-100% in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on the charger used. The LG K50 likely supports significantly slower charging speeds.
