Samsung Galaxy A54 vs F02s: Which Samsung Phone is Right for You?

The Samsung Galaxy F02s represents an entry point into the Samsung ecosystem, prioritizing affordability. Conversely, the Galaxy A54 aims for a more balanced experience, offering a significant step up in processing power and display quality. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two devices, helping you determine if the A54’s premium features justify its higher price tag.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a smooth, responsive experience and a vibrant display, the Samsung Galaxy A54 is the clear winner. Its Exynos 1380 chipset and 980 nit display offer a substantial upgrade over the F02s’ Snapdragon 450 and basic panel. However, the F02s remains a viable option for those on a very tight budget.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy F02s Samsung Galaxy A54
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 411, 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
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2021, April 052023, March 15
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, April 09Available. Released 2023, March 24
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 in)158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm (6.23 x 3.02 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight196 g (6.91 oz)202 g (7.13 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypePLS LCDSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm)Exynos 1380 (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 506Mali-G68 MP5
OSAndroid 10Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashLED flash, panorama, HDR
Single5 MP, f/2.232 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens50 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)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Single5 MP, f/2.232 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video-4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximityFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only)
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging15W wired25W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsCeramic Blue, Ceramic White, Ceramic BlackLime, Graphite, Violet, White
ModelsSM-E025F, SM-E025F/DSSM-A546V, SM-A546U, SM-A546U1, SM-A546B, SM-A546B/DS, SM-A546E, SM-A546E/DS, SM-A5460, SM-A546M, SM-A546M/DS, SM-A546W
PriceAbout 100 EUR€ 210.00 / $ 119.11 / £ 169.95 / ₹ 28,999
SAR0.52 W/kg (head)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)

Samsung Galaxy F02s

  • Extremely affordable price point
  • Functional for basic smartphone tasks
  • Acceptable battery life for light usage

  • Outdated Snapdragon 450 chipset
  • Likely low-resolution display
  • Limited camera capabilities

Samsung Galaxy A54

  • Powerful Exynos 1380 chipset
  • Bright and vibrant 980 nit display
  • Excellent battery life and 25W charging

  • Higher price tag
  • May be overkill for basic users
  • Potential for software bloat (typical Samsung)

Display Comparison

The Galaxy A54 boasts a significantly superior display experience. While the F02s’ display specifications are not provided, it’s reasonable to assume a lower peak brightness and resolution compared to the A54’s measured 980 nits. This higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. The A54’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a VA panel, offering deeper blacks than the F02s likely utilizes. The A54’s display is geared towards immersive media consumption, while the F02s is likely adequate for basic viewing.

Camera Comparison

Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but the A54 is expected to deliver significantly better results. While specific sensor details are missing for both, the A54 benefits from a more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) integrated within the Exynos 1380. This allows for improved image processing, noise reduction, and dynamic range. The F02s’ camera system is likely focused on affordability, potentially sacrificing image quality and features like optical image stabilization (OIS). The A54’s camera is designed for versatile photography, while the F02s is suitable for casual snapshots.

Performance

The performance gap between these devices is substantial. The Galaxy A54’s Exynos 1380, built on a 5nm process, features a combination of Cortex-A78 and Cortex-A55 cores clocked up to 2.4 GHz. This contrasts sharply with the F02s’ Snapdragon 450 (14nm) and its Cortex-A53 cores running at 1.8 GHz. The 5nm fabrication process of the Exynos 1380 provides superior power efficiency and thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained workloads. The A54 will handle multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications with ease, while the F02s will struggle with anything beyond basic tasks.

Battery Life

The Galaxy A54 achieves an impressive endurance rating of 119 hours and an active use score of 11:15h, indicating excellent battery life. While the F02s’ battery capacity isn’t specified, its less powerful chipset and likely lower-resolution display suggest reasonable, though not exceptional, battery performance. The A54 also supports 25W wired charging, significantly faster than the F02s’ 15W charging, reducing recharge times.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy F02s if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use, and your budget is under $150. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A54 if you prioritize a fluid user experience, enjoy media consumption with a bright and clear display, and want a capable camera system for everyday photography and video recording.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 1380 in the A54 tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1380, built on a 5nm process, is generally efficient and well-managed in the A54. While some heat generation is inevitable during intensive gaming, Samsung’s thermal management system effectively prevents significant throttling, maintaining consistent performance for extended periods. However, sustained use in very hot environments could lead to some performance reduction.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the F02s actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones like the F02s offer limited utility. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. While they can capture close-up shots, the quality is often subpar compared to using the main camera with digital zoom. It's primarily a marketing feature rather than a genuinely useful photographic tool.
❓ Can the Galaxy A54 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high frame rates (90fps)?
Yes, the Galaxy A54 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at high frame rates (60fps or potentially higher depending on settings). The Exynos 1380 chipset and ample RAM provide sufficient processing power for a smooth gaming experience. However, achieving consistently high frame rates may require adjusting graphics settings based on your preference for visual fidelity.