Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs. A54: A Deep Dive into Samsung's Lineup
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A54 represents the smarter buy. Its comparable battery life (119h endurance rating vs 114h for the S21 Ultra), coupled with a more modern and efficient chipset, delivers a smoother daily experience at a significantly lower price point. The S21 Ultra remains a strong contender for power users prioritizing camera versatility and peak performance.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy A54 |
| 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, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - SM-G998U1 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-G998U1 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G (5+ Gbps DL) | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - SM-G998B | 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, January 14 | 2023, March 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, January 29 | Available. Released 2023, March 24 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm (6.5 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm (6.23 x 3.02 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 227 g (Sub6), 229 g (mmWave) (8.01 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Stylus support | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~515 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 112.1 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Always-on display | - | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.9 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.80 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A55) - InternationalOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) - USA/China | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - InternationalQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) - USA/China | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - InternationalAdreno 660 - USA/China | Mali-G68 MP5 |
| OS | Android 11, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Laser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 108 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.33", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 72mm (telephoto), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 10 MP, f/4.9, 240mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video | - |
| Single | - | 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 | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 40 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.7µm, PDAF | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG | - | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio (Snapdragon model only; market/operator dependent) | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, 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, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support | Virtual proximity sensing | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 25W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Titanium, Phantom Navy, Phantom Brown, Navy | Lime, Graphite, Violet, White |
| Models | SM-G998B, SM-G998B/DS, SM-G998U, SM-G998U1, SM-G998W, SM-G998N, SM-G9980 | 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 | $ 240.01 / C$ 353.20 / £ 202.99 / € 264.99 | € 210.00 / $ 119.11 / £ 169.95 / ₹ 28,999 |
| SAR | 0.77 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) | 0.81 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.71 W/kg (head) 1.58 W/kg (body) | 0.69 W/kg (head) 1.34 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing | ||
|---|---|---|
| 128GB 12GB RAM | $ 384.99 | - |
| 256GB 12GB RAM | $ 998.00 | - |
| 512GB 12GB RAM | $ 1,179.99 | - |
| RENEWED | $ 459.00 | - |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 114h | Endurance rating 119h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | -25.5 LUFS (Very good) | -26.6 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 657150 (v8) GeekBench: 3518 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 506678 (v9) GeekBench: 2703 (v5.1), 2797 (v6) GFXBench: 25fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
- Significantly brighter display for outdoor visibility
- More powerful processor for demanding tasks
- More versatile camera system with advanced zoom
- Lower battery endurance rating
- Higher price point
- Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load
Samsung Galaxy A54
- Excellent battery life and power efficiency
- More affordable price
- Smooth performance for everyday tasks
- Less powerful processor
- Dimmer display compared to the S21 Ultra
- Less advanced camera system
Display Comparison
Both devices feature 'Infinite' contrast ratio displays, but the S21 Ultra boasts a significantly brighter panel at 1023 nits measured, compared to the A54’s 980 nits. This translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. While both offer excellent viewing experiences, the S21 Ultra’s display is demonstrably superior in peak brightness, making it ideal for outdoor use. The S21 Ultra also benefits from a variable refresh rate (LTPO) which dynamically adjusts to conserve battery, a feature absent on the A54.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer versatile camera systems, but the S21 Ultra’s capabilities are more extensive. While both support photo and video, the S21 Ultra’s superior processing and potentially larger sensors (specs not provided) deliver greater detail and dynamic range. The A54’s camera is excellent for its price point, but lacks the S21 Ultra’s advanced zoom capabilities and low-light performance. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the A54 is largely inconsequential, offering minimal benefit over the main sensor.
Performance
The S21 Ultra, depending on region, utilizes either the Exynos 2100 (5nm) or the Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) chipset, featuring a Cortex-X1 prime core clocked up to 2.9 GHz. This contrasts with the A54’s Exynos 1380 (5nm) which employs a Cortex-A78 based octa-core configuration peaking at 2.4 GHz. While the S21 Ultra’s chipset is more powerful on paper, the A54’s newer architecture and optimized power efficiency result in a surprisingly competitive real-world experience. The S21 Ultra’s performance advantage will be most noticeable in sustained, demanding workloads, but the A54 handles everyday tasks with ease.
Battery Life
Despite having a potentially larger battery capacity (not specified in the data), the S21 Ultra achieves an endurance rating of 114 hours, slightly lower than the A54’s 119 hours. This suggests the A54’s Exynos 1380 chipset is more power efficient. Both support 25W wired charging, but the A54’s efficiency means it may reach full charge slightly faster in real-world scenarios. The A54 also offers reverse wireless charging, a feature also present on the S21 Ultra at 4.5W.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G if you absolutely need the highest possible performance for demanding tasks like video editing or gaming, and value the more advanced camera system with its greater zoom capabilities. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A54 if you prioritize all-day battery life, a smooth and responsive experience for everyday tasks, and excellent value for your money, without sacrificing Samsung's signature display quality.