Razer Phone 2 vs Samsung Galaxy A54: A Clash of Generations

The Razer Phone 2, released in 2018, was a bold attempt to create a dedicated gaming phone. Now, years later, it faces a different kind of competitor: the Samsung Galaxy A54, a modern mid-ranger focused on all-around usability. This comparison examines whether the Razer Phone 2’s specialized hardware still holds up against the A54’s balanced approach, particularly given the significant price drops on the older device.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user, the Samsung Galaxy A54 is the better choice. Its significantly superior battery life (119h endurance vs 70h) and more efficient Exynos 1380 chipset provide a smoother, longer-lasting experience. While the Razer Phone 2 offers a higher contrast ratio in sunlight, the A54’s overall package is more compelling in 2024.

PHONES
Phone Names Razer Phone 2 Samsung Galaxy A54
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 48, 66, 711, 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
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2018, October. Released 2018, October2023, March 15
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2023, March 24
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions158.5 x 79 x 8.5 mm (6.24 x 3.11 x 0.33 in)158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm (6.23 x 3.02 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight220 g (7.76 oz)202 g (7.13 oz)
 IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 mins) RGB Illuminated Razer Chroma Logo on the backIP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5, oleophobic coatingCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~513 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size5.72 inches, 90.2 cm2 (~72.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIGZO IPS LCD, 120Hz, 580 nits (typ)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM)
 Wide Colour Gamut-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm)Exynos 1380 (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 630Mali-G68 MP5
OSAndroid 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie)Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 8GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
Dual12 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.6, 1/3.1", 1.0µm, 2x optical zoom-
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRLED 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@30/60fps, 1080p@30/30/60/120fps, stereo sound rec.4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.032 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30/60fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with Dolby Atmos stereo speakers (THX-certified amplifiers)Yes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio -
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only)
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging18W wired, QC4 15W wireless25W wired
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsMirror back, Rugged satinLime, 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 850 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
Audio quality Noise -93.4dB / Crosstalk -92.8dB-
Battery lifeEndurance rating 70h Endurance rating 119h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: 948 (nominal), 2.932 (sunlight) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker Voice 78dB / Noise 78dB / Ring 86dB -26.6 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 286076 (v7) GeekBench: 9110 (v4.4) GFXBench: 22fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 506678 (v9) GeekBench: 2703 (v5.1), 2797 (v6) GFXBench: 25fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Razer Phone 2

  • High contrast ratio for outdoor visibility
  • Potentially lower price point (due to age)
  • Gaming-focused design (though dated)

  • Significantly shorter battery life
  • Older chipset and software support
  • Less efficient power consumption

Samsung Galaxy A54

  • Excellent battery life (119h endurance)
  • More efficient Exynos 1380 chipset
  • Modern camera system and image processing
  • Guaranteed software updates

  • May lack the dedicated gaming features of the Razer Phone 2
  • Potentially higher price than a used Razer Phone 2

Display Comparison

The Razer Phone 2 boasts a high contrast ratio of 948 (nominal) and an impressive 2.932 in sunlight, suggesting excellent outdoor visibility. However, the Samsung Galaxy A54 counters with a measured peak brightness of 980 nits, likely providing a brighter overall image in most conditions. While the Razer Phone 2’s refresh rate is likely 120Hz (based on its gaming focus), the A54’s display technology isn’t specified, but Samsung’s Super AMOLED panels are known for vibrant colors and efficient power consumption. The A54’s 'Infinite' contrast ratio suggests a true black level, a common trait of OLED displays, which the Razer Phone 2 likely lacks.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature photo and video capabilities, but details are limited. The Razer Phone 2’s camera system was never its strong suit, focusing more on video recording. The Galaxy A54 likely benefits from Samsung’s advanced image processing algorithms and a more modern sensor. Without specific sensor size or aperture information for the Razer Phone 2, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison, but the A54’s camera is expected to deliver superior image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) in the A54 is also a significant advantage.

Performance

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 in the Razer Phone 2, built on a 10nm process, was a flagship chip in its time, featuring an octa-core CPU with Kryo cores clocked up to 2.8 GHz. However, the Samsung Galaxy A54’s Exynos 1380, fabricated on a more efficient 5nm node, offers improved power efficiency and potentially comparable real-world performance. The 5nm process allows for a higher transistor density, leading to better thermal management and reduced throttling during sustained workloads. While the Snapdragon 845’s raw CPU clock speed is higher, the Exynos 1380’s architecture and process node give it an edge in sustained performance and battery life.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy A54 dominates in battery life, with an endurance rating of 119 hours compared to the Razer Phone 2’s 70 hours. This translates to significantly longer usage between charges. While the Razer Phone 2 supports 18W wired charging with QC4 and 15W wireless charging, the A54 offers 25W wired charging, enabling faster top-ups. The Exynos 1380’s 5nm efficiency plays a crucial role in the A54’s extended battery life, offsetting the potential impact of a smaller battery capacity (not specified in the data).

Buying Guide

Buy the Razer Phone 2 if you prioritize a high-refresh-rate display and are willing to accept compromises in battery life and software support for a potentially lower price. It's a niche choice for those who specifically want a gaming-focused experience and don't mind an older device. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A54 if you value all-day battery life, a modern camera system, and guaranteed software updates. It’s the more practical and versatile option for everyday use.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 1380 in the Galaxy A54 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1380’s 5nm process node is designed for improved thermal efficiency. While it may get warm during extended gaming, it’s unlikely to experience significant throttling like the Snapdragon 845 in the Razer Phone 2, which is more prone to overheating due to its older 10nm architecture.
❓ Is the Razer Phone 2 still a viable option for competitive mobile gaming in 2024?
While the Snapdragon 845 was powerful in its day, newer chipsets like the Exynos 1380 offer better sustained performance and efficiency. The Razer Phone 2 may struggle with demanding titles at high settings, and its limited software support could impact compatibility with newer games.
❓ How does the charging speed of the Galaxy A54 compare to the Razer Phone 2 in real-world usage?
The Galaxy A54’s 25W charging is noticeably faster than the Razer Phone 2’s 18W charging. Expect a significantly quicker top-up time with the A54, reducing downtime and ensuring you spend less time tethered to a charger.
❓ What kind of software updates can I expect from each device?
The Razer Phone 2 is no longer receiving official software updates. The Samsung Galaxy A54, however, is guaranteed several years of Android OS and security updates, ensuring a more secure and feature-rich experience over time.