Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming. The Realme 8s 5G and Samsung Galaxy A54 are both strong contenders in the mid-range market, offering compelling features at competitive prices. But which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A54 emerges as the overall winner thanks to its superior display, more powerful chipset, and better camera capabilities. While the Realme 8s 5G offers impressive battery life and a competitive price, the A54's refinements make it the more compelling choice for most users.
| 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, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 09 | 2023, March 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 13 | Available. Released 2023, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.5 x 74.8 x 8.8 mm (6.40 x 2.94 x 0.35 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 + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 600 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G68 MP5 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 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, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Purple | Lime, Graphite, Violet, White |
| Models | RMX3381 | 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 210 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 123h
|
Endurance rating 119h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1384:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-27.8 LUFS (Good)
|
-26.6 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 329661 (v8), 383409 (v9)
GeekBench: 7314 (v4.4), 1842 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 14fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 506678 (v9)
GeekBench: 2703 (v5.1), 2797 (v6)
GFXBench: 25fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme 8s 5G
- Brighter Display
- More Powerful Chipset
- Better Camera
- Premium Build Quality
- Software Updates
- Slower Charging
- Higher Price
Samsung Galaxy A54
- Excellent Battery Life
- Competitive Price
- 5G Connectivity
- Fast Charging
- Less Powerful Chipset
- Dimmer Display
- Less Refined Camera
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A54 boasts a significantly brighter display (980 nits vs 530 nits) and an 'infinite' contrast ratio, offering a more immersive and visually appealing experience. While the Realme 8s 5G has a respectable 1322:1 contrast ratio, the A54's brightness advantage is noticeable, especially outdoors. The A54 also likely features better color accuracy and viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer capable camera systems, the Samsung Galaxy A54 is expected to deliver superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. Samsung's image processing is generally well-regarded, and the A54 likely benefits from improved sensors and software optimization. The A54 also likely offers more advanced camera features like improved video stabilization and more versatile shooting modes.
Performance
The Exynos 1380 in the Galaxy A54 is a more modern and powerful chipset (5nm) compared to the Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6nm) in the Realme 8s 5G. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the A54. The A54's Cortex-A78 cores also provide a performance boost over the Realme's Cortex-A76 cores.
Battery Life
The Realme 8s 5G holds a slight edge in endurance rating (123h vs 119h), but the Galaxy A54's active use score of 11:15h suggests efficient power management. Both phones offer all-day battery life for moderate users. The slower 25W charging on the A54 is a drawback compared to the Realme's 33W charging.
Buying Guide
The Realme 8s 5G is a good option for budget-conscious users prioritizing battery life and 5G connectivity. The Samsung Galaxy A54 is ideal for those seeking a premium experience with a vibrant display, strong performance, and a versatile camera system.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better 5G performance?
Both phones support 5G, but real-world performance will depend on network availability and carrier support. The Realme 8s 5G's chipset is specifically designed for 5G, but the A54's newer chipset may offer improved efficiency.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A54 worth the extra money?
If you prioritize display quality, performance, and camera capabilities, then yes. The A54 offers a more premium experience. However, if you're on a tight budget and battery life is your top priority, the Realme 8s 5G remains a compelling option.
