Key Points
- The Galaxy A54 5G and the S23 are two smartphones in Samsungâs 2023 lineup, with the A54 5G being a more affordable alternative to the S23.
- The A54 5G has a similar design to the S23 and S23 Plus, but with some differences in materials and colors.
- The S23 and S23 Plus have better performance and camera capabilities compared to the A54 5G.
- The A54 5G has expandable storage and a lower price point, while the S23 and S23 Plus offer higher internal storage options and faster charging.
In Samsung’s 2023 flagship lineup, the S23 and the S23 Plus cater to users who want a premium phone but don’t want to splurge on the S23 Ultra. These two models are nearly identical except for their size, battery capacity, and internal storage options. However, they are not the only two look-alikes.
Until you’re close enough to pick it up, the midrange Galaxy A54 5G is hard to tell apart from the S23 and the S23 Plus. Beyond a similar design, the A54 5G even shares multiple features with the S23 lineup. Considering these similarities, you might wonder if the S23 is worth the higher price tag.
This comparison between the Galaxy A54 5G and the S23 might help you decide which model is worth your money.
Let’s get into it!
Galaxy A54 5G vs. S23: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Samsung Galaxy A54 5G | Samsung Galaxy S23/S23 Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Date of Release | March 24, 2023 | February 17, 2023 |
| Display Size | 6.4” | 6.1” or 6.6” |
| Display Type | FHD+ | Flat FHD+ |
| Display Technology | Super AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Chipset | Exynos 1380 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| RAM | 6GB | 8GB |
| Internal Storage | 128GB | 128GB to 512GB |
| Expandable Storage? | Yes, up to 1TB | No |
| Main Camera | 50MP | 50MP |
| Front Camera | 32MP | 12MP |
| Operating System | Android 13 with One UI 5.1 | Android 13 with One UI 5.1 |
| Battery Capacity | 5,000 mAh | 3,900 mAh or 4,700 mAh |
| Price | Around $400 | Around $800 to $1,120 |
- A stylish, redesigned look inspired by the Galaxy S lineup
- Expandable memory up to 1 TB
- AMOLED Infinity-O display enhances the crisp look
- 5,000 mAh battery and 25W fast charging
- Factory unlocked
- 256GB
- 50MP camera
- Night mode
- Long battery life
- Adaptive display
- U.S. version 2023
- Green
Galaxy A54 5G vs. S23: What’s the Difference?
The Galaxy A54 5G and the S23 are two smartphones in Samsung’s 2023 lineup. The latter, released in February 2023, is the company’s latest flagship. It is offered in three variants, two of which address casual users who want a premium phone but don’t particularly care about the bells and whistles.
These models bring the most sought-after S lineup features at affordable prices compared to the S23 Ultra. However, both the S23 and the S23 Plus are a lot more expensive than the look-alike Galaxy A54 5G.
Yet, as a part of Samsung’s midrange lineup, the A54 5G is a promising device. It has decent performance and a good camera setup, features that make it an excellent alternative to the S23 if you don’t want to spend too much. Some crucial details do give the S23 and the S23 Plus the extra edge that justifies the steep difference in price, though.
Let’s see how these models compare.
Design
Samsung’s S smartphones used to have smooth corners and round edges that distinguished these devices from the entry and midrange lines. However, the company changed the iconic design in 2022, only maintaining the edge feature on its Ultra phones.
As a result, both the S23 and the S23 Plus are characterized by flat displays that are more reminiscent of an iPhone than the original Galaxy S design. An almost identical design is found in the Galaxy A54 5G, a phone that, from a visual standpoint, is nearly identical to the S23 and the S23 Plus.
At a superficial glance, the only difference between these phones is the size. The Galaxy A54 5G measures 6.4 inches diagonally and exists in between the S23’s 6.1 inches and the S23 Plus’s 6.6 inches.
However, all it takes is a more attentive look to notice the details. One difference is the frame — high-quality plastic in the Galaxy A54 5G and aluminum in the S23 and S23 Plus. Another distinction is the front and back protection glass, which is Gorilla Glass 5 on the A54 5G and a more resistant Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the S23 and the S23 Plus.
Telling the two smartphones apart is also easy by looking at their colors. The A54 5G comes in two hues, Awesome Graphite and Awesome Violet. The S23 and the S23 Plus come in four standard colors: Phantom Black, Green, Lavender, and Cream. Two exclusive colors, Graphite and Lime, are available on Samsung’s official website.
Performance
While the Galaxy A54 5G and the S23 are similar from a visual standpoint, the two couldn’t be more different in terms of performance.
Part of Samsung’s midrange lineup, the A54 5G is powered by an Exynos 1380 processor that isn’t punchy enough for resource-avid games and apps. While you can download and play games, you can expect lower refresh rates and some stutters, especially in action-packed scenarios.
Like the S23 Ultra, the S23 and the S23 Plus are equipped with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 CPUs. This processor can run multiple demanding apps at once with no latency or stutters. Qualcomm also optimizes these processors for Galaxy devices, so you can expect better battery life — even though the S23 and the S23 Plus have lower capacity batteries than the A54 5G.
Memory and Storage
Apart from the processor, the S23’s performance is further enhanced by the 8GB of RAM. Samsung’s flagship smartphones don’t feature expandable storage, but you can choose from 128GB or 256GB of internal storage on the S23 and 256GB or 512GB of internal storage on the S23 Plus.
The Galaxy A54 5G has 6GB of RAM and is offered in one internal storage capacity — 128GB. This could seem limiting, but you can expand storage up to 1TB with an external microSD card.
Camera Setup
On paper, the Galaxy A54 5G and the S23 share the same main camera setup. Both phones have a 50MP main camera with optical stabilization, but there are crucial differences in the amount of detail you can capture with each phone.
The Galaxy A54 5G has midrange image processing capabilities. The pictures are satisfactory but not outstanding, especially in less-than-ideal light conditions. Thanks to AI processing, the S23 and the S23 Plus can capture rich images with a great amount of detail in all light conditions. These phones also shoot clearer videos at a resolution of up to 8K, whereas the A54 5G is only 4K capable.
For portraits, the A54 5G comes with a 32MP camera. The S23 and the S23 Plus have a 12MP selfie camera, which seems like a downgrade. In reality, Samsung’s flagship smartphones take better selfies than the A54 5G, thanks to better AI image processing.
Battery
A similarity between the Galaxy A54 5G and the S23 lineup is the battery life. While each model has a different capacity battery, all three phones deliver up to a full day of runtime with normal usage. Playing games or streaming YouTube and Netflix can deplete the battery faster, but the runtime is generally satisfactory.
However, there is a difference in terms of charging. The A54 5G is fast-charging-capable, but it is only compatible with 25W chargers. Meanwhile, the S23 and the S23 Plus can use 45W ultra-fast chargers as well as fast wireless charging. This means that you can charge the S23 or the S23 Plus in about an hour. Charging the A54 5G can take about an hour and 40 minutes with the fast charger and around two hours with a standard charger.
Price
While the A54 5G looks very similar to the S23 and the S23 Plus, a major difference between these phones is their price. The former currently costs around $400. At around $800, the S23 costs twice as much, and the S23 Plus is even more expensive — you can expect to shell out around $1,100 to get one.
The actual price of the S23 and the S23 Plus can vary based on internal storage and color, as the exclusive colors are typically more expensive. However, the outstanding processor, excellent photo and video capabilities, and overall performance can easily justify the premium.
Galaxy A54 5G vs. S23: 5 Must-Know Facts
- The Galaxy A54 5G is the latest release in Samsung’s midrange lineup. Its design is inspired by the S23 and the S23 Plus.
- The S23 and the S23 Plus are Samsung’s entry-level flagships. These phones share numerous features with the S23 Ultra, but they are smaller and have different camera setups.
- Samsung equips its A54 5G, the S23, and the S23 Plus with a 50MP main rear camera. However, advanced AI processing and a better CPU help the S23 and the S23 Plus capture better images.
- Aluminum frames increase durability and give the S23 and the S23 Plus a premium feel compared to the A54 5G’s plastic frame.
- The Dynamic AMOLED display of the S23 and the S23 Plus has a richer color gamut as well as better brightness and contrast than the Super AMOLED display on the A54 5G.
- 50MP rear camera
- 5,000mAh battery
- Exynos 1380 processor
- 6.4” FHD+ AMOLED Infinity-O screen
- Factory unlocked
- 256GB
- 50MP camera
- Night mode
- Long battery life
- Adaptive display
- U.S. version 2023
- Green
Galaxy A54 5G vs. S23: Which One Should You Buy?
The Galaxy A54 5G and the S23 might look alike, but the two phones couldn’t be more different. If you want a top-of-the-range device without spending too much, the S23 or the S23 Plus could be the best alternative to the more expensive Galaxy S23 Ultra. From a premium design to excellent battery life, great photos, multitasking capabilities, and an outstanding processor, these phones have it all.
However, if you need a fancy phone at an affordable price, the A54 5G might be a better choice. This phone delivers dependable day-to-day performance and good battery life. It also shoots good photos, and with up to five years of operating system and security upgrades, it might be one of the most budget-savvy options for those in need of a long-term phone.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Framesira/Shutterstock.com.
