The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme Narzo and Samsung Galaxy A54 represent compelling options for users seeking a balance of features and affordability. The Narzo prioritizes raw processing power with its Helio G90T, while the A54 focuses on a refined user experience, strong battery life, and Samsung’s established camera expertise. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and a polished software experience, the Samsung Galaxy A54 is the better choice. However, gamers and power users who demand maximum performance for the price will find the Realme Narzo a more compelling option, despite its slower charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - Indonesia | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - Indonesia | 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 42.2/11.5 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 | 2020, June 23. Released 2020, June 23 | 2023, March 15 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.1 x 74.8 x 8.9 mm (6.38 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) |
| | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | 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 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90T (12 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G68 MP5 |
| OS | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB 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 |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| 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 | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 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 | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 | 30W wired, 100% in 55 min | 25W wired |
| Type | 4300 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Just Black, Just White | Lime, 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 | About 190 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) |
Realme Narzo
- Faster 30W charging
- Potentially higher raw gaming performance due to the Helio G90T
- Likely more affordable price point
- Less efficient 12nm chipset
- Limited display information suggests a potentially inferior screen
- Battery life likely shorter than the A54
Samsung Galaxy A54
- Exceptional battery life (11:15h active use)
- Brighter display (980 nits)
- More efficient 5nm Exynos 1380 chipset
- Slower 25W charging
- Potentially lower peak gaming performance compared to the Narzo
- Generally higher price
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A54 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 980 nits, compared to an unstated peak brightness for the Narzo. This makes the A54 far more usable outdoors in direct sunlight. While the Narzo’s display specs are limited in the provided data, the A54’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a superior viewing experience with deeper blacks, likely due to its AMOLED panel. The absence of refresh rate data for the Narzo is a notable omission, while the A54 is expected to have a 120Hz panel, contributing to smoother scrolling and animations.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but the provided data lacks specifics for a detailed comparison. However, Samsung’s image processing is generally known for its vibrant colors and strong dynamic range. The Narzo’s camera performance is likely to be more reliant on the sensor and lens quality, as its image processing capabilities are less refined. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to assess the low-light performance of either device. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the Narzo is likely a marketing feature with limited practical benefit, as image quality from such sensors is typically subpar.
Performance
The Exynos 1380 in the Galaxy A54, fabricated on a 5nm process, offers a clear architectural advantage over the Narzo’s 12nm Helio G90T. The A54’s CPU configuration – 4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – utilizes more efficient and powerful cores than the Narzo’s 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 setup. This translates to better multi-core performance and improved power efficiency. While the Narzo’s G90T was a strong performer in its time, the A54’s newer chipset provides a more modern and refined experience, especially in sustained workloads. The 5nm process also means less heat generation, potentially reducing thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A54 demonstrates superior battery endurance with an impressive 11:15h active use score and a 119h endurance rating. While the Realme Narzo’s battery capacity is not specified, its 30W charging is faster than the A54’s 25W, achieving a full charge in 55 minutes. However, the A54’s longer battery life means you’ll likely need to charge it less frequently. The A54’s efficiency gains from the 5nm Exynos 1380 chipset contribute significantly to its extended battery performance, offsetting the slower charging speed.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Narzo if you need a phone primarily for gaming and demanding applications, and are willing to compromise slightly on battery charging speed. Its Helio G90T chipset delivers more raw processing power for the price. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A54 if you prefer a phone with exceptional battery endurance, a brighter and more refined display, and Samsung’s well-regarded camera system, even if it means sacrificing some peak performance.
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 more thermally efficient than the Helio G90T. While some heat generation is inevitable during gaming, the A54 is less prone to significant throttling compared to the Narzo, allowing for more sustained performance over longer periods.
❓ Is the 30W charging on the Realme Narzo a significant advantage over the 25W charging on the Galaxy A54?
While 30W is faster, the Galaxy A54’s superior battery life means you’ll likely charge it less often. The Narzo’s faster charging is beneficial for quick top-ups, but the A54’s overall endurance reduces the need for frequent charging.
❓ How much does the lack of a high refresh rate display (like 120Hz) impact the user experience on the Realme Narzo?
Without confirmed refresh rate data, it's difficult to say definitively. However, a lower refresh rate (e.g., 60Hz) will result in less smooth scrolling and animations compared to the A54’s expected 120Hz panel, impacting the overall fluidity of the user interface.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Realme Narzo worth considering for everyday photography?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras offer limited image quality due to their small sensor size. While they can capture close-up shots, the detail and clarity are often subpar compared to using the main camera with digital zoom. It's unlikely to be a significant factor in your purchasing decision.
