A Refreshing Twist on Last Year's Model: Samsung Galaxy A54 Delivers with Its Stellar Camera, Reasonable Price, and Solid Features

Hello there!

I'll be upfront – I wasn't expecting to love the Samsung Galaxy A54 as much as I do. Sure, it's all about personal taste, but this phone is more than just a good deal in its price segment.

I traded in my Honor X8, which I'd had for 8 months and was driving me crazy. Why? Because I wanted a good camera. That was my top priority. Of course, I also considered other good phone features.

For me, Samsung is about trust. It's about getting value for money. No other phone brand comes close (I'm not talking about apples right now). After weighing the pros and cons, I decided to hold off on buying an Apple product – maybe for good. Some people might disagree, but that's just my opinion. I also respect Xiaomi, but my previous phone, despite its flawless 3.5-year performance, would periodically freeze and then just stop working altogether...

So, the Samsung Galaxy A54.

Price at the time of purchase in September: around 1300 BYN, which is roughly equivalent to 49,000 rubles;Release year: 2023;Main camera: 50 MP;Front camera: 32 MP;Ultra-wide-angle camera: 12 MP;Display: 6.4-inch Full HD;Battery: 5,000 mAh;Storage: 128/256 GB (I opted for the 128 GB version);RAM: 6 GB;Charging: 25 W, wired;Colors: graphite, lime, white, and lavender.xa0

I went for the lime phone, although I was torn between it and the lavender shade.

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Box Contents

The box, phone, manual (which was completely useless – not a single word in Russian, English, or French that I could've read), a SIM ejector tool, and a charger.

I've got to say, the charger that came with it is pretty subpar. It's like they thought, 'Hey, we'll just throw something together.' I mean, what's the point of that? Can't they just include a proper charger? Until I got a new charger that's compatible with Type-C, I've been using an old one, but that's not ideal. I guess I'm just old-fashioned, but I don't have any Type-C chargers at home, only USB ones...xa0

The case and earbuds aren't included, so I ended up buying a simple silicone case to show off the lime green back panel.

Also, there's no 3.5mm headphone jack, so you're limited to using wireless or Type-C headphones, which I didn't have at the time. I have to admit, that was a surprise for me, since I'm a fan of wired headphones. Oh well, I guess I'm just old-school about that.Design

This phone isn't huge, but it's not tiny either – 158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm is the perfect size for me. Compared to the Honor X8, it looks more balanced in terms of dimensions. I thought the Honor was a bit too flat and narrow, but this one feels more proportional.

At 200 grams, it feels surprisingly heavy – especially when compared to my previous phones or the Honor. But in a weird way, that extra weight makes it feel more premium. You know, the kind of thing where you pick it up and you're like, 'Ah, I've got a solid device here.'xa0

The sides are made of plastic, but the front and back panels are supposedly made of tempered glass – although the back looks a bit like plastic to me.

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The 6.4-inch screen is a real treat. The color reproduction is amazing, and after using the Honor, I was blown away by how much better the image quality is. Scrolling through social media stories is a joy now – it's like the whole experience has been given a new lease on life!

The left side is completely empty, but the right side has the volume and power buttons.

Up top, you'll find a slot for two NANO-sim cards.

Sitting at the bottom - a dynamic speaker, 2 microphones, and a Type-C charging port.

Honestly, the Samsung A54 is the more feature-packed of the two latest series A phones, with a more premium build, a more competent camera, and more power under the hood.

Camera

I've got three of them, and it's pretty clear that I'm holding a Samsung.

The main camera is 50MP with optical stabilization - that's 14MP less than the Honor X8, but the shots it takes are insane. Check out these examples.

Street scene:

What a beautiful sky... Sunsets:

Wide-angle shots are a breeze with this camera.

Zooming in twice doesn't make the image grainy: Indoors with artificial lighting, my shots tend to look a bit too warm. I prefer a cooler tone, to be honest... Shooting indoors with natural light:

Nighttime shots: Ночная съемка + портрет: Lighting plays a huge role here. The quality takes a hit when it's really dark, of course...

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I use the main camera to take close-ups of my face when I'm writing reviews for skincare or makeup. I'm pretty happy with the quality of those shots.

The Portrait mode lets you manually adjust the background blur (from 0 to 7). It usually works out really well:

One thing that's bugged me is the occasional blur on the transparent spoon. I think it's just too thin and transparent for the AI to pick up:

The 32-megapixel front camera is also a winner for me.

Video recording is just as solid, with optical stabilization and accurate color transfer. Samsung Galaxy A54 can shoot video in 4K at up to 30 frames per second or in Full HD at up to 60 frames per second.

I read a review when I bought this that compared the specs of the iPhone 11 and my Samsung. I don't remember the details, but I recall thinking that the camera on the Samsung Galaxy A54 would be better than the iPhone 11. And with the 12, it's definitely not even in the running. When I compare my photos to my friend's iPhone 11, I don't see any significant difference in quality or color transfer.

Audio recording is also spot on, with clear and noise-free sound.

Charging time is a bit of a slog - it takes me a full 2 hours to get from zero to 100%. I've got to say, I was used to the Honor X8's lightning-fast charging, but that's not the case here. Still, it's not like it's the worst I've seen. Samsung's charging is pretty solid, and if you're not using the phone, it'll hold a charge for up to 2 days - depending on how much you're glued to the screen.

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I've been using the 'Comfort mode for eyes' and I've got to say, my eyes aren't feeling as strained as they used to when I'm staring at the screen for hours. It's not like it's a game-changer or anything, but it's definitely a nice touch.

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Oh, and I almost forgot to mention - this phone is water-resistant. I'm not planning on testing it out, but I do make sure to give it a good wipe down with some antibacterial soap and water every now and then. Just in case.

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All in all, I'd say the Samsung Galaxy A54 is a solid workhorse with a great camera - if that's a priority for you.

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The only downside I've found so far is the lack of a Type-C block - but it's not like it's a deal-breaker or anything.

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good value for money;excellent camera;great technical specs;comfortable size;good sound quality;nice color reproduction;unique color option;water-resistance;long battery life.xa0

I'd definitely recommend it to anyone in the market for a new phone. Thanks for reading!)

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Check out my other tech reviews:

I've gotta say, this phone, the Honor X8, looks pretty sweet with its silver holographic finish. But let's be real, it's not exactly a camera powerhouse. Check out my full review of this phone for calling, gaming, and video watching.

On the other hand, I've been loving my Xiaomi Deerma Vacuum Cleaner DX118C from Xiaomi's sub-brand. It's an amazing budget-friendly vacuum that gets the job done. Read my full review here.

When it comes to keeping my home germ-free, I've been relying on my Ultraviolet Disinfecting Lamp Photon OB-1. It's been a lifesaver during the pandemic and cold season. Check out my review for more info.

For a gentle exfoliating experience, I've been using the Foreo-like brush for washing my face. It's a game-changer. Read my review to learn more.

And finally, I've been enjoying my Bosch Blender. It's a stainless steel classic that's been a reliable companion in the kitchen. Check out my full review here.