The Samsung Galaxy A series bridges the gap between flagship features and affordability. We're pitting the older, budget-focused Galaxy A22 against the newer, more refined Galaxy A54 to determine which offers the best balance of performance, features, and value in today's market. This comparison focuses on tangible differences impacting everyday use, from display quality to processing power.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A54 is the superior choice. While the A22 boasts impressive endurance, the A54’s significantly brighter display, faster processor, and more efficient chipset deliver a smoother, more enjoyable user experience justifying the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 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, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 03 | 2023, March 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 01 | Available. Released 2023, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.3 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm (6.27 x 2.90 x 0.33 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 | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~274 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 600 nits | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G68 MP5 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 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 | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 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 | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Mint, Violet | Lime, Graphite, Violet, White |
| Models | SM-A225F, SM-A225F/DS, SM-A225M, SM-A225M/DS | 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 | € 193.97 / £ 160.00 | € 210.00 / $ 119.11 / £ 169.95 / ₹ 28,999 |
| SAR | - | 0.81 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.52 W/kg (head) 1.59 W/kg (body) | 0.69 W/kg (head) 1.34 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 121h
|
Endurance rating 119h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-30.6 LUFS (Below average)
|
-26.6 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 185358 (v8), 165959 (v9)
GeekBench: 5464 (v4.4), 1372 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 506678 (v9)
GeekBench: 2703 (v5.1), 2797 (v6)
GFXBench: 25fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy A22
- Exceptional battery endurance (121h)
- Lower price point
- Adequate for basic smartphone tasks
- Significantly slower processor
- Dimmer display, poor outdoor visibility
- Slower charging speed
Samsung Galaxy A54
- Brighter, more vibrant display
- Faster and more efficient processor
- Faster charging (25W)
- Slightly lower battery endurance rating
- Higher price
- May experience some throttling under heavy load
Display Comparison
The Galaxy A54’s display is a clear upgrade. Its measured peak brightness of 980 nits significantly outshines the A22’s 597 nits, making it far more usable outdoors in direct sunlight. Both phones feature an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, typical of Samsung’s AMOLED panels, but the A54’s higher brightness translates to a more vivid and engaging viewing experience. While neither phone specifies refresh rate in the provided data, the A54 is known to have a 120Hz panel, offering smoother scrolling and animations compared to the A22’s likely 60Hz display.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but the provided data lacks specifics. However, given the A54’s positioning, it likely features a more advanced camera system with a larger sensor and improved image processing. The A22’s camera is likely adequate for casual snapshots, but the A54 will excel in low-light conditions and offer more detailed images. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) in the A54, a common feature in this price range, would further enhance image quality and video stability, something the A22 likely lacks. We can assume the A54 has more advanced video recording capabilities as well.
Performance
The chipset difference is substantial. The A54’s Exynos 1380, built on a 5nm process, offers a significant performance and efficiency advantage over the A22’s MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm). The A54’s CPU configuration – 4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – provides a noticeable boost in multi-core performance compared to the A22’s 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience. The 5nm process also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended use.
Battery Life
Despite the A22’s impressive 121-hour endurance rating, the A54 holds its own with 119 hours. The A54’s active use score of 11:15h provides a more realistic measure of battery life during typical usage. The A22’s 15W wired charging is significantly slower than the A54’s 25W charging, meaning the A54 can replenish its battery much faster. While the A22 may last longer on a single charge with minimal use, the A54’s faster charging and more efficient processor offer a more convenient and practical battery experience for most users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A22 if you prioritize maximum battery life and are on a very tight budget, accepting compromises in performance and display quality. It’s ideal for basic communication and light social media use. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A54 if you value a vibrant display, smoother performance for gaming and multitasking, and a more modern feature set, even if it means slightly less battery endurance and a higher upfront cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1380 in the A54 tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 1380 is a capable chip, it can experience some thermal throttling during extended, graphically intensive gaming. However, the 5nm process and Samsung’s thermal management solutions mitigate this issue, preventing significant performance drops. The A22’s Helio G80 will likely throttle sooner due to its less efficient 12nm process.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on phones in this price range offer limited detail and image quality. They are often included for marketing purposes but rarely deliver truly impressive macro photography. The A54’s main camera, with its likely higher resolution and better image processing, will likely produce more usable close-up shots even without a dedicated macro mode.
❓ What charging adapter do I need to get the 25W fast charging on the A54?
The Samsung Galaxy A54 does *not* include a charging adapter in the box. You will need to purchase a separate 25W USB-C Power Delivery (PD) charger to take advantage of the fast charging capabilities. Using a lower wattage charger will still charge the phone, but at a significantly slower rate.
