Samsung Galaxy A54 vs Galaxy S21 FE 5G: The Ultimate Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy S21 FE 5G generally offers superior performance thanks to its Snapdragon 888 (or Exynos 2100) chipset and brighter display. However, the A54 boasts longer battery life and a more modern design. If performance is key, the S21 FE wins; for longevity and value, the A54 is a strong choice.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy A54 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International | 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 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat19 1600/200 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA | 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 15 | 2022, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 24 | Available. Released 2022, January 07 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm (6.23 x 3.02 x 0.32 in) | 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm (6.13 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 202 g (7.13 oz) | 177 g (6.24 oz) |
| IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version 1Octa-core (1x2.9 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.80 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version 2 |
| Chipset | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) - Version 1Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - Version 2 |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MP5 | Adreno 660 - Version 1Mali-G78 MP14 - Version 2 |
| OS | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 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) | 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 76mm (telephoto), 1/4.5", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| - | 32-bit/384kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only) | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Virtual proximity sensing | Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Samsung DeX (desktop experience support) | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 25W wired | 25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Lime, Graphite, Violet, White | White, Graphite, Lavender, Olive |
| 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-G990B, SM-G990B/DS, SM-G990U, SM-G990U1, SM-G990W, SM-G990E, SM-G9900, SM-G990B2, SM-G990U2, SM-G990W2, SM-G990U3 |
| Price | € 210.00 / $ 119.11 / £ 169.95 / ₹ 28,999 | € 199.00 / $ 143.95 / £ 154.99 / ₹ 29,990 |
| SAR | 0.81 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body) | 0.77 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.69 W/kg (head) 1.34 W/kg (body) | 0.95 W/kg (head) 1.48 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 119h | Endurance rating 92h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | -26.6 LUFS (Good) | -26.9 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 506678 (v9) GeekBench: 2703 (v5.1), 2797 (v6) GFXBench: 25fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 566529 (v8), 719696 (v9) GeekBench: 3049 (v5.1) GFXBench: 56fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
| OUR TESTS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | Active use score 11:15h | - |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 119h | Endurance rating 92h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | 980 nits max brightness (measured) | 792 nits max brightness (measured) |
| Loudspeaker | -26.6 LUFS (Good) | -26.9 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 506678 (v9) GeekBench: 2703 (v5.1), 2797 (v6) GFXBench: 25fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 566529 (v8), 719696 (v9) GeekBench: 3049 (v5.1) GFXBench: 56fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy A54
- Excellent battery life
- Modern design
- Good value for money
- Bright display
- Less powerful processor
- Slightly less refined camera
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G
- Faster performance
- Brighter display
- Wireless charging (including reverse)
- More premium feel
- Shorter battery life
- Older design
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
The Galaxy S21 FE 5G takes the display crown with a measured peak brightness of 792 nits compared to the A54's 980 nits. While the A54's brightness is impressive, the S21 FE's panel often delivers slightly better color accuracy and vibrancy. Both offer excellent contrast ratios (infinite nominal), and both are enjoyable to use.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer versatile camera systems, but the S21 FE 5G generally produces slightly better image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The A54's camera is no slouch, offering vibrant colors and good detail, but the S21 FE's processing often results in more refined images. Video recording capabilities are comparable on both devices.
Performance
Here's where the S21 FE 5G truly shines. The Snapdragon 888 (or Exynos 2100) provides significantly more processing power than the A54's Exynos 1380. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the S21 FE. The A54 is still capable, but it won't handle demanding tasks as effortlessly.
Battery Life
The A54 is the clear winner in battery life. Its endurance rating of 119h significantly surpasses the S21 FE 5G's 92h. Active use also shows the A54 lasting longer, around 11:15h versus the S21 FE's likely shorter duration. This makes the A54 a better choice for users who need a phone that can last through a full day of heavy use.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A54? Users prioritizing battery life, a modern design, and a more budget-friendly price. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G? Those seeking faster performance, a brighter display, and features like wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, even if it means a slightly shorter battery life.