Samsung Galaxy M23 vs Galaxy A54: The Ultimate Comparison

Choosing a new Samsung phone can be tough, especially with so many options. The Galaxy M23 and A54 are both popular mid-range contenders, offering a blend of features and affordability. But which one is right for you? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Galaxy A54 emerges as the overall winner thanks to its superior display, more powerful chipset, and consistently excellent battery life. While the M23 offers a slightly more budget-friendly price, the A54's upgrades make it the better long-term investment.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy M23 Samsung Galaxy A54
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2022, March 042023, March 15
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 08Available. Released 2023, March 24
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions165.5 x 77 x 8.4 mm (6.52 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
Weight198 g (6.98 oz)202 g (7.13 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFT LCD, 120HzSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)Exynos 1380 (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G68 MP5
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, panorama, HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)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)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@480fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radio, recordingNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only)
 Virtual Proximity SensingVirtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging25W wired25W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsDeep Green, Light Blue, Orange CopperLime, Graphite, Violet, White
ModelsSM-M236B, SM-M236B/DS, SM-M236LSM-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£ 195.34€ 210.00 / $ 119.11 / £ 169.95 / ₹ 28,999
SAR-0.81 W/kg (head)     0.67 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.78 W/kg (head)     1.09 W/kg (body)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 M23

  • Superior Display
  • Better Performance (Exynos 1380)
  • Excellent Battery Life
  • Premium Build Quality
  • Improved Camera

  • Slightly Higher Price
  • 25W Charging (standard for mid-range)

Samsung Galaxy A54

  • More Affordable
  • 5G Connectivity
  • Decent Display
  • Good Value for Money

  • Lower Performance (Snapdragon 750G)
  • Less Bright Display
  • Average Camera Quality
  • Plastic Build

Display Comparison

The Galaxy A54 boasts a significantly brighter display (980 nits peak) with an infinite contrast ratio, offering a more immersive and visually appealing experience. The M23's display is adequate but lacks the vibrancy and outdoor visibility of the A54. Both have similar resolutions and refresh rates (typically 120Hz).

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer capable cameras, the A54 generally produces better image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The A54's image processing tends to be more refined, resulting in more natural-looking photos and videos. Both offer similar camera configurations, but the A54's software and hardware are superior.

Performance

The Exynos 1380 in the A54 provides noticeably better performance than the Snapdragon 750G in the M23. The A54 handles demanding tasks and games more smoothly, while the M23 can occasionally feel sluggish. The A54's 5nm process also contributes to better power efficiency.

Battery Life

The Galaxy A54 shines in battery life, consistently achieving endurance ratings of 119 hours. The M23's battery life is respectable, but falls short of the A54's longevity. Both support 25W wired charging, but charging speeds are generally similar across the mid-range segment.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy M23? Budget-conscious users prioritizing 5G connectivity and a decent display. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A54? Users seeking a premium feel, a brighter and more vibrant display, better performance, and longer battery life.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Galaxy A54 worth the extra money?
Yes, the A54's superior display, performance, and battery life justify the higher price for most users. It offers a more premium experience overall.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Galaxy A54 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful chipset and better thermal management.
❓ Do both phones have 5G?
Yes, both the Galaxy M23 and Galaxy A54 support 5G connectivity.