Sony Xperia XA2 vs Samsung Galaxy A54: A Clash of Generations

The Sony Xperia XA2, a mid-range champion from a few years ago, faces off against the modern Samsung Galaxy A54. Can the older phone still compete with the newer technology? This comprehensive comparison will break down the key differences to help you decide which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy A54 is the clear winner. While the XA2 boasts impressive endurance ratings, the A54's superior display, significantly faster processor, improved camera, and modern features make it a more compelling choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia XA2 Samsung Galaxy A54
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only)GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - H3123HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 28, 29, 66 - H31231, 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 (3CA) Cat13 600/150 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - H3133, H413325, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2018, January. Released 2018, February2023, March 15
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2023, March 24
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 4), plastic back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions142 x 70 x 9.7 mm (5.59 x 2.76 x 0.38 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
Weight171 g (6.03 oz)202 g (7.13 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 4Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~75.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM630 Snapdragon 630 (14 nm)Exynos 1380 (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 508Mali-G68 MP5
OSAndroid 8.0 (Oreo)Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal32GB 3GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Single23 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.3", PDAF32 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)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec., HDR4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.4, 1/4.0"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
 24-bit/192kHz audio -
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only)
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging18W wired, QC325W wired
TypeLi-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsSilver, Black, Blue, PinkLime, Graphite, Violet, White
ModelsH4113, H3113, H4133, H3123SM-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 200 EUR€ 210.00 / $ 119.11 / £ 169.95 / ₹ 28,999
SAR-0.81 W/kg (head)     0.67 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.69 W/kg (head)     1.34 W/kg (body)
Tests
Audio quality Noise -92.8dB / Crosstalk -87.8dB-
Battery life Endurance rating 92h Endurance rating 119h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: 1327:1 (nominal), 2.938 (sunlight) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker Voice 68dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 78dB -26.6 LUFS (Good)
Performance GeekBench: 4215 (v4.4) GFXBench: 6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 506678 (v9) GeekBench: 2703 (v5.1), 2797 (v6) GFXBench: 25fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia XA2

  • Exceptional battery life
  • Compact and lightweight design
  • Good value for money (used)
  • Clean Android experience

  • Outdated processor
  • Lower resolution display
  • Less capable camera
  • Slow charging

Samsung Galaxy A54

  • Vibrant and bright display
  • Powerful processor
  • Versatile camera system
  • Modern design
  • 5G connectivity

  • Can be more expensive
  • Samsung's One UI can be divisive
  • Charging speed could be faster

Display Comparison

The Galaxy A54's display is a significant upgrade. Its 980 nits max brightness offers excellent visibility even in direct sunlight, a stark contrast to the XA2's 2.938 sunlight ratio. The 'Infinite' contrast ratio on the A54 also suggests richer blacks and more vibrant colors compared to the XA2's 1327:1 ratio. The A54 likely has a higher resolution as well, further enhancing the visual experience.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the Galaxy A54's camera system is expected to be far superior. Modern Samsung phones typically feature improved sensors, image processing algorithms, and more versatile features like optical image stabilization (OIS). The XA2's camera is functional but lacks the detail and dynamic range of the A54.

Performance

The Exynos 1380 in the Galaxy A54 is a powerhouse compared to the Snapdragon 630 in the XA2. The newer chipset's 5nm process and Cortex-A78 cores deliver significantly faster processing speeds and smoother multitasking. The XA2's Cortex-A53 cores are adequate for basic tasks, but struggle with demanding applications and games.

Battery Life

Both phones have impressive endurance ratings (XA2: 92h, A54: 119h). However, the A54's active use score of 11:15h suggests it can handle daily usage effectively. The XA2's endurance rating is likely based on very light usage scenarios.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia XA2 is a good option for budget-conscious users who prioritize exceptional battery life and a compact form factor. The Samsung Galaxy A54 is ideal for those seeking a vibrant display, powerful performance, a versatile camera system, and a modern Android experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia XA2 still worth buying in 2024?
Only if you're on a very tight budget and prioritize battery life above all else. Otherwise, the Galaxy A54 offers a much better overall experience.
❓ Does the Galaxy A54 have expandable storage?
No, the Galaxy A54 does not have a microSD card slot. You'll need to rely on its internal storage or cloud storage.