Samsung Galaxy A54 vs. Galaxy J5 Prime: A Generational Leap?

Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming. The Samsung Galaxy A54 represents a modern mid-range offering, while the Galaxy J5 Prime is a significantly older budget device. This comparison will break down their key differences to help you decide which is right for you.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Galaxy A54 is the clear winner, offering vastly superior performance, a much better camera, and a brighter, more vibrant display. The J5 Prime remains a functional option for basic tasks, but the A54's modern features and longevity make it the better investment.

PHONES
Phone Names	Samsung Galaxy A54	Samsung Galaxy J5 Prime

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 - EMEA, India
5G bands	1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International	-
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40 - Australia

Launch
Announced	2023, March 15	2016, September 19. Released 2016, October
Status	Available. Released 2023, March 24	Discontinued

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame	Glass front (Gorilla Glass), aluminum/plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions	158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm (6.23 x 3.02 x 0.32 in)	142.8 x 69.5 x 8.1 mm (5.62 x 2.74 x 0.32 in)
SIM	· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	202 g (7.13 oz)	143 g (5.04 oz)
	IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)	-

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 5	Corning Gorilla Glass (market dependent)
Resolution	1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)	720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density)
Size	6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio)	5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~69.4% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM)	PLS LCD

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)	Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53
Chipset	Exynos 1380 (5 nm)	Exynos 7570 Quad (14 nm)
GPU	Mali-G68 MP5	Mali-T720 MP2
OS	Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7	Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to Android 8.0 (Oreo)

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM	16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM
	-	eMMC 5.0

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, panorama, HDR	LED flash, panorama, HDR
Single	32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm	13 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), AF
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@30/60fps, 720p@480fps, gyro-EIS	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm	5 MP, f/2.2
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps	-

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	Yes
35mm jack	No	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	5.3, A2DP, LE	4.2, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes (market/region dependent)	No
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS, GLONASS/ BDS (region dependent)
Radio	No	FM radio; recording
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG	microUSB 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only)	Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity
	Virtual proximity sensing	-

Battery
Charging	25W wired	-
Music play	-	Up to 54 h
Talk time	-	Up to 16 h (3G)
Type	5000 mAh	Li-Ion 2400 mAh, non-removable

Misc
Colors	Lime, Graphite, Violet, White	Black, Gold
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	SM-G570F, SM-G570F/DD, SM-G570F, SM-G570Y, SM-G570M
Price	€ 210.00 / $ 119.11 / £ 169.95 / ₹ 28,999	About 120 EUR
SAR	0.81 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body)	0.71 W/kg (head)
SAR EU	0.69 W/kg (head) 1.34 W/kg (body)	0.42 W/kg (head) 0.83 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)	-

OUR TESTS
Battery	Active use score 11:15h	-
Battery (old)	Endurance rating 119h	-
Camera	Photo / Video	-
Display	980 nits max brightness (measured)	-
Loudspeaker	-26.6 LUFS (Good)	-
Performance	AnTuTu: 506678 (v9) GeekBench: 2703 (v5.1), 2797 (v6) GFXBench: 25fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	-

Samsung Galaxy A54

Excellent display
Powerful performance
Great camera
Long battery life
Modern software

Can be pricier than older models
25W charging isn't the fastest

Samsung Galaxy J5 Prime

Affordable
Compact size
Decent for basic tasks

Outdated processor
Poor camera quality
Dim display
Slow performance
No fast charging

Display Comparison

The A54 boasts a vibrant Super AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 980 nits, offering excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. Its contrast ratio is essentially infinite. The J5 Prime's LCD display is noticeably dimmer and lacks the color vibrancy of the A54. Resolution is also lower on the J5 Prime.

Camera Comparison

The A54's camera system is a major upgrade. It offers significantly better image quality, improved low-light performance, and features like optical image stabilization (OIS). The J5 Prime's camera is adequate for basic snapshots but lacks the detail and dynamic range of the A54.

Performance

The Exynos 1380 in the A54 provides a significant performance boost over the J5 Prime's Exynos 7570. The A54's octa-core processor and 5nm architecture handle demanding apps and games with ease, while the J5 Prime struggles with multitasking and more intensive tasks. The A54 also benefits from more modern software optimization.

Battery Life

The A54 demonstrates excellent battery life, achieving an active use score of 11:15h and an endurance rating of 119h. While the J5 Prime's battery life was decent for its time, it pales in comparison to the A54's efficiency and capacity. The A54 also supports 25W fast charging, a feature absent in the J5 Prime.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy A54 is ideal for users who want a modern smartphone experience with a good camera, solid performance, and a long-lasting battery. The Galaxy J5 Prime is suitable for users on a very tight budget who primarily need a phone for calls, texts, and basic apps, and don't require advanced features.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Galaxy J5 Prime still usable in 2024?

Yes, the J5 Prime can still be used for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light web browsing. However, its outdated hardware and software limit its capabilities and security.

❓ What is the biggest difference between the A54 and J5 Prime?

The biggest difference is the generational leap in technology. The A54 offers a significantly faster processor, a better camera, a more vibrant display, and longer battery life, along with modern software features and security updates.