Nokia XR21 vs Samsung Galaxy A54: The Ultimate Showdown

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and two strong contenders are the Nokia XR21 and the Samsung Galaxy A54. Both offer compelling features, but cater to slightly different needs. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one is right for you.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy A54 takes the crown with its superior display, more powerful chipset, and generally better camera performance. However, the Nokia XR21's rugged design and 5G connectivity make it a solid choice for those prioritizing durability and outdoor use.

PHONES
Phone Names Nokia XR21 Samsung Galaxy A54
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 20, 25, 28, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2023, May 032023, March 15
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, June 11Available. Released 2023, March 24
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions168 x 78.6 x 10.5 mm (6.61 x 3.09 x 0.41 in)158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm (6.23 x 3.02 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight231 g (8.15 oz)202 g (7.13 oz)
 IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 60 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.8m MIL-STD-810H compliantIP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~77.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ), 550 nits (HBM)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)Exynos 1380 (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G68 MP5
OSAndroid 12Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7
Memory
Card slotUnspecifiedmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm-
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, second LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED 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)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Single16 MP, f/2.4 (wide)32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only)
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging33W wired, PD2.0, QC325W wired
TypeLi-Po 4800 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsMidnight Black, Pine GreenLime, 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
PriceAbout 570 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)

Nokia XR21

  • Rugged and durable design
  • 5G connectivity
  • Compact size
  • Decent battery life
  • IP68 water and dust resistance

  • Less powerful chipset
  • Lower display quality
  • Less impressive camera
  • Slower charging speed

Samsung Galaxy A54

  • Vibrant Super AMOLED display
  • Powerful Exynos 1380 chipset
  • Excellent camera system
  • Long battery life
  • Stylish design

  • Less rugged than XR21
  • Slower charging speed (25W)
  • Larger size

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A54 boasts a significantly brighter display (980 nits) with an impressive contrast ratio (infinite), offering a more immersive viewing experience. The XR21's display is adequate but lacks the vibrancy and brightness of the A54. The A54's Super AMOLED technology also provides richer colors and deeper blacks.

Camera Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A54's camera system is more versatile and generally produces better image quality. It excels in various lighting conditions and offers features like optical image stabilization (OIS). The XR21's camera is decent, but lacks the same level of detail and dynamic range as the A54.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy A54's Exynos 1380 (5nm) generally outperforms the Nokia XR21's Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) in benchmarks and real-world usage. The A54's Cortex-A78 cores provide a noticeable boost in processing power, resulting in smoother multitasking and gaming. While the XR21 is capable, the A54 offers a more fluid experience.

Battery Life

Both phones offer excellent battery life, with the Galaxy A54 demonstrating exceptional endurance (119h endurance rating). The XR21 also provides solid battery performance, but the A54's larger battery capacity and efficient chipset give it a slight edge.

Buying Guide

The Nokia XR21 is ideal for users who need a durable phone that can withstand harsh conditions, appreciate 5G connectivity, and value a more compact form factor. The Samsung Galaxy A54 is perfect for those seeking a vibrant display, smooth performance, a versatile camera system, and long battery life in a stylish package.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Nokia XR21 waterproof?
Yes, the Nokia XR21 is IP68 rated, meaning it's dustproof and can withstand immersion in fresh water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A54 have a microSD card slot?
No, the Samsung Galaxy A54 does not have a microSD card slot for expandable storage.