OnePlus Turbo vs. Samsung Galaxy A54: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The OnePlus Turbo and Samsung Galaxy A54 represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Turbo aggressively targets performance with a cutting-edge Snapdragon chipset, while the A54 prioritizes a well-rounded experience with a focus on battery life and Samsung’s established ecosystem. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right phone for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw performance and rapid charging, the OnePlus Turbo is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 offers a significant leap in processing power. However, the Samsung Galaxy A54 remains a compelling option for those valuing all-day battery life and a more refined software experience.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus Turbo Samsung Galaxy A54
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bandsSA/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
AnnouncedNot announced yet2023, March 15
StatusRumoredAvailable. Released 2023, March 24
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions-158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm (6.23 x 3.02 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight-202 g (7.13 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1272 x 2800 pixels (~459 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 109.1 cm26.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120HzSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x4.6 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix L + 6x3.62 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix M)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)Exynos 1380 (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 840Mali-G68 MP5
OSAndroid 16, ColorOS 16Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
InternalUp to 512GB128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm-
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, 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)
Video4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS, OIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panorama-
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 23mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB 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 (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only)
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging100W wired Bypass charging25W wired
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 8000 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack; other colorsLime, 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-€ 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)

OnePlus Turbo

  • Significantly faster processor with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
  • Ultra-fast 100W wired charging
  • Potential for superior thermal management due to 3nm process

  • Display specs currently unknown
  • Camera details are currently unavailable

Samsung Galaxy A54

  • Excellent battery life (11:15h active use)
  • Bright and vibrant display (980 nits)
  • Samsung’s established software ecosystem

  • Less powerful processor compared to the OnePlus Turbo
  • Slower 25W charging

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A54 boasts a 980 nits peak brightness, providing excellent visibility outdoors. While the OnePlus Turbo’s display specs are currently unavailable, Samsung’s display technology is known for its color accuracy and viewing angles. The A54’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a strong AMOLED panel. Without knowing the Turbo’s panel type or refresh rate, the A54 currently holds an advantage in display quality based on measured brightness and established Samsung expertise.

Camera Comparison

Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for the OnePlus Turbo. The Galaxy A54’s camera system is likely to rely on Samsung’s image processing algorithms for vibrant and detailed photos. Without knowing the Turbo’s main sensor size, aperture, or OIS implementation, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. The A54’s camera is known for its consistent performance in various lighting conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the A54 is unlikely to be a significant factor for most users, but the main sensor and image processing are key differentiators.

Performance

The OnePlus Turbo’s Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Samsung Galaxy A54’s Exynos 1380 (5nm). The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 features a cutting-edge Oryon V3 Phoenix CPU architecture (2x4.6 GHz + 6x3.62 GHz) compared to the A54’s Cortex-A78 & A55 cores (4x2.4 GHz + 4x2.0 GHz). The 3nm process node of the Snapdragon promises superior power efficiency and thermal management, potentially leading to less throttling during sustained workloads. This translates to a significantly smoother experience for gamers and users running resource-intensive apps. The A54’s Exynos 1380 is capable, but it won’t match the Turbo’s sheer processing power.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy A54 delivers an impressive 11:15h of active use and an endurance rating of 119 hours, indicating excellent battery life. The OnePlus Turbo, with its 100W wired charging, offers a significant advantage in charging speed. While the Turbo’s battery capacity is unknown, the 100W charging allows for a full charge in a fraction of the time compared to the A54’s 25W charging. This bypass charging feature further optimizes the charging process. The A54 prioritizes longevity, while the Turbo prioritizes convenience and quick top-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the OnePlus Turbo if you need uncompromising performance for gaming, demanding applications, or future-proofing. Its 100W charging is a game-changer for power users. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A54 if you prefer a balanced experience with excellent battery endurance, a vibrant display, and Samsung’s robust software features, even if it means sacrificing some processing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 1380 in the Galaxy A54 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1380 is a capable chip, but it's not designed for sustained peak performance like the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. While it won't necessarily overheat, users may experience some thermal throttling after extended gaming, leading to reduced frame rates. The A54's thermal design is adequate for everyday use, but it's not optimized for hardcore gaming.
❓ How much faster is the 100W charging on the OnePlus Turbo compared to the 25W charging on the Galaxy A54?
The 100W charging on the OnePlus Turbo is significantly faster. While exact times depend on battery level and other factors, the Turbo can likely charge from 0-100% in around 30-40 minutes. The Galaxy A54, with its 25W charging, will take well over an hour, typically closer to 90-120 minutes for a full charge. This difference is substantial for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specs on the OnePlus Turbo a cause for concern?
It's a valid concern. Without knowing the sensor size, aperture, and OIS capabilities, it's difficult to assess the Turbo's camera performance. OnePlus has a history of focusing on performance over camera innovation, so it's possible the camera is a secondary consideration. We'll need more information to determine if it can compete with the Galaxy A54's camera.