Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy A54
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Samsung Galaxy A54 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2023-03-24 | The A54 is a newer device by over two years, likely with longer software support. |
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm | S21 is smaller and thinner, the A54 is larger overall, potentially less comfortable in smaller hands/pockets. |
| Weight | 169g | 202g | S21 is significantly lighter, making it easier to hold for long periods. A54 is heavier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.4" | A54 has a slightly larger display, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both phones have very similar sharpness, negligible real-world difference. |
| PPI | 421 | 403 | Both phones have very sharp displays, negligible difference in clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both phones have vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both phones have smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21 will be much easier to see in bright sunlight. A54's brightness information is missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) | S21 has better performance for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| Antutu Score | 749,100 | 578,600 | S21 is notably faster in benchmark tests, translates to snappier app loads and multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G68 MP5 | S21 has a more powerful GPU for graphics-intensive apps and gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | A54 is likely to have significantly longer battery life, ideal for heavy users. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Both support 25W fast charging, charging times would be similar. |
| Features | Reverse, Wireless, Reverse Wireless Charging | Non-removable | S21 offers wireless charging and reverse charging for other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" | A54's standard camera has a higher resolution and slightly larger sensor for better detail and low light performance. |
| Telephoto | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" | None | S21 has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, A54 lacks dedicated optical zoom. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | A54 has a higher resolution selfie camera with a slightly larger sensor. |
| Wide Angle lens | None | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1" | A54 has a dedicated ultra-wide-angle lens. |
| Macro lens | None | 5MP, f/2.4 | A54 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | None | S21 has dedicated wide angle and macro lens, but not as independent features |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | S21 can record higher resolution video (8K), though 4K is sufficient for most users. |
| DXOMark Mobile | 111 (Photo: 118, Video: 90) | 107 (Photo: 106, Video: 115) | S21 excels in photo performance while the A54 excels in video. |
| Selfie DXOMark | 132 (Photo: 125, Video: 145) | Not tested | S21 has superior selfie capabilities based on DXOMark scores. |
| Features | 8K Video, Optical zoom, RAW | Pro Video Mode, AutoFraming, NPU AI Engine, DOL HDR | S21 has more advanced manual video and photo features, while A54 has intelligent features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Max 15 | Android 13, Max 17 | A54 has a newer OS with longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6, MiMO | Both have Wi-Fi 6; A54 has MiMO for potentially improved network performance. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Bluetooth 5.3 | A54 has a newer Bluetooth version for better power efficiency and audio quality. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, QZSS | S21 offers more precise GPS with dual-band capabilities. A54 supports QZSS |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM, eSIM | A54 offers eSIM support, while S21 only supports physical SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 128/256GB | Both offer the same internal storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB | 6GB/8GB | S21 has a guaranteed 8GB of RAM. A54 can have 6 GB or 8 GB of RAM. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation Mic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res Audio | S21 offers noise cancellation microphone while A54 offers Hi-Res audio. Both have stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Both have standard fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 5 | S21 has superior screen protection for better scratch and shatter resistance. |
| Sensors | Barometer | Ultrasonic virtual Proximity | S21 has a barometer and a proximity sensor, A54 uses an ultrasonic proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset and Mali-G78 MP14 GPU offer significantly better performance for demanding apps and gaming.
- Brighter Display: 1300 nits of brightness for much better outdoor visibility, particularly in direct sunlight.
- Advanced Camera System: Features a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom and higher 8K video recording, better overall photo performance based on DXOMark and has RAW support.
- Wireless Charging: Offers 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities for added convenience.
- More Precise GPS: Utilizes dual-band GPS for improved location accuracy.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides superior protection against scratches and drops.
Practical Implications: The S21 excels in performance, photo capabilities and outdoor display visibility. It's better for users who prioritize gaming, photography, and usage in bright sunlight, also provides additional convenience features like wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
Samsung Galaxy A54 Advantages:
- Newer Device: Released over two years later, with longer software support.
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery offers significantly longer battery life for a full day of usage.
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 13 and guaranteed upgrade to Android 17, offering latest software features.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 32MP front camera for detailed selfies.
- Dedicated Wide and Macro Lenses: Offers dedicated ultra-wide and macro lenses for more versatile photography.
- eSIM Support: Supports eSIM in addition to dual Nano SIMs for more flexible carrier switching.
- Better Video Recording Performance: Better scores on DXOMark for video recording
- Hi-Res Audio: Supports Hi-Res Audio for a better audio experience
Practical Implications: The A54 offers improved battery life, a newer OS with longer software support, and versatile cameras. Better suited for users who prioritise longer battery life, software updates, and social media usage with different lenses.
Significant Trade-offs:
- S21: Smaller battery, potentially shorter software support and lacks dedicated wide-angle lens.
- A54: Lower performance for demanding tasks, lacks a telephoto lens, weaker screen protection, and missing brightness information.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Gamers: Demanding users that need high performance and a smooth experience
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: Users who require great visibility in bright sunlight and need a phone that is suitable in all kinds of conditions
- Photographers: Users who value zoom capabilities and photo performance.
- Power Users: People who use a lot of apps and need fast performance, wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
Specific Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Playing graphics-intensive games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile at higher settings.
- Taking professional-looking photos with excellent zoom capabilities.
- Recording 8K video for high-quality footage.
- Using the phone in direct sunlight without struggling to see the screen.
- Using the phone as a mobile battery to charge other wireless devices.
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy A54:
- Casual Users: Users who prioritize long battery life, and a newer operating system with longer support
- Social Media Enthusiasts: Users who take many selfies, videos and other images using all the available camera lenses.
- Everyday Users: Users who prefer a balance of features and software support, and dont need very powerful processing performance
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users that need a versatile phone on a budget
Specific Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A54:
- Using the phone for an entire day without worrying about running out of battery.
- Taking lots of varied pictures and videos for social media using different camera lenses.
- Having the latest Android features and software updates for years.
- Reliable performance for everyday apps, streaming content, and browsing the web.
- Wanting the additional protection of an eSIM as well as physical SIM options.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, being an older flagship, may offer a good value in the used market for its performance and camera capabilities.
- The Samsung Galaxy A54 provides a balance of modern features and long-term software support, making it a good value for budget-conscious buyers.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize performance for gaming and demanding tasks, or do you prioritize battery life and long-term software updates?
- Is excellent camera zoom and photo quality more important to you, or do you value a more versatile camera setup with dedicated wide and macro lenses?
- Do you need a brighter screen for outdoor use, or do you primarily use your phone indoors?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High-Performance User: If you need top-tier performance, excellent photo capabilities and do not need long battery life or the latest software features, choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
- Scenario 2: Battery-Conscious User: If you need a phone that will last all day, has more versatile cameras, and longer software support, choose the Samsung Galaxy A54.
- Scenario 3: Balanced User: If you need a phone that balances performance with the latest features, a versatile camera, good battery, and longer software support choose the Samsung Galaxy A54.
- Scenario 4: Photographer User: If you are more into taking detailed photos using a high quality camera, while also having advanced features and zoom, choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. My main reasons are:
- Superior Performance: I prioritize performance for a snappy and smooth user experience. The S21’s Exynos 2100 chipset and Mali-G78 MP14 GPU are significantly more powerful than the A54's counterparts, ensuring better performance for demanding apps and games.
- Brighter Display: I often use my phone outdoors, and the 1300 nits of brightness on the S21 would be a huge advantage for visibility, especially in sunlight.
- Camera Capabilities: I value the S21's better photo performance, more advanced features like optical zoom, RAW, and 8K video recording and prefer the DXOMark score.
While the A54 offers newer software, longer battery life and more versatile cameras, I value the raw performance and the great display on the S21. The wireless charging capabilities of the S21 are also a strong selling point for me. I would rather trade those features for better performance and a better display.
