Choosing a new mid-range smartphone can be tough, especially with Samsung's extensive lineup. The Galaxy A23 and A54 are both popular contenders, offering compelling features at accessible prices. But which one is right for you? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy A54 emerges as the overall winner thanks to its significantly brighter display, more powerful processor, and improved camera capabilities. While the A23 offers impressive battery life, the A54's upgrades justify its slightly higher price for most users.
| 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 | 2022, March 04 | 2023, March 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 25 | Available. Released 2023, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.4 x 76.9 x 8.4 mm (6.51 x 3.03 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 | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD, 90Hz | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G68 MP5 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 | 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, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB 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 | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF, OIS
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 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 | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 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 | 25W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Peach, Blue | Lime, Graphite, Violet, White |
| Models | SM-A235F, SM-A235F/DS, SM-A235F/DSN, SM-A235M, SM-A235M/DS, SM-A235N | 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 | £ 99.00 / ₹ 14,999 | € 210.00 / $ 119.11 / £ 169.95 / ₹ 28,999 |
| SAR | 0.48 W/kg (head) | 0.81 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.36 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) | 0.69 W/kg (head) 1.34 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 130h
|
Endurance rating 119h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1241:1 |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-27.6 LUFS (Good)
|
-26.6 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 273554 (v9)
GeekBench: 1632 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 6.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 506678 (v9)
GeekBench: 2703 (v5.1), 2797 (v6)
GFXBench: 25fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy A23
- Exceptional battery life
- Large display
- Affordable price
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- Less powerful processor
- Dimmer display
- Subpar camera compared to A54
- Slower charging speeds
Samsung Galaxy A54
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Faster and more efficient processor
- Superior camera system
- Premium design and build quality
- Slightly shorter battery life than A23
- Higher price
- Charging speed remains at 25W
Display Comparison
The A54 boasts a substantial advantage in display quality. Its 980 nits peak brightness is significantly higher than the A23's 464 nits, making it much easier to see outdoors. The A54 also claims an 'infinite' contrast ratio (nominal), suggesting superior image depth compared to the A23's 1241:1 ratio. Both phones feature Super AMOLED panels, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer versatile camera setups, the A54 generally delivers superior image quality. The A54's improved processor and software optimization result in better dynamic range, detail, and low-light performance. Both phones feature a main camera, ultrawide, macro, and depth sensor, but the A54's image processing is noticeably better.
Performance
The A54's Exynos 1380 chipset (5nm) is noticeably faster and more efficient than the A23's Snapdragon 680 (6nm). Expect smoother multitasking, quicker app loading times, and better gaming performance on the A54. The A23 is adequate for everyday tasks, but may struggle with demanding games or heavy workloads.
Battery Life
The A23 shines in battery endurance, boasting an impressive 130h endurance rating. The A54's endurance rating is slightly lower at 119h, and its active use score is 11:15h. However, the A54's more efficient chipset helps offset this difference, providing all-day battery life for most users.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A23? Budget-conscious users prioritizing exceptional battery life and a large display. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A54? Users seeking a smoother performance, a better camera system, and a brighter, more vibrant display, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A54 worth the extra money?
Yes, if you prioritize a better display, faster performance, and a more capable camera. The A54 offers a significant upgrade over the A23 in these areas.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Galaxy A23 has a slightly better endurance rating, but the A54's more efficient chipset means both phones offer excellent battery life.
