Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy A54
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Samsung Galaxy A54 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 158.2 × 76.7 × 8.2 mm | S21+ is taller, A54 is wider and thicker. S21+ may feel slightly more elongated; A54 may feel more compact in hand. |
| Weight | 200g | 202g | Virtually identical weight; both feel substantial. No real difference in carrying feel. |
| Build Quality | Gorilla Glass Victus (screen) | Gorilla Glass 5 (screen) | S21+ has better scratch and shatter resistance for the display. Will likely handle accidental drops better. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Samsung Galaxy A54 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.4" | S21+ has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. A54 slightly more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Minimal resolution difference; both offer sharp visuals for daily use. |
| PPI | 394 | 403 | Negligible difference. Both are sharp; no practical difference in clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant, high-contrast displays with deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21+ has significantly higher brightness, vastly superior for outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Samsung Galaxy A54 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) | S21+ has a more powerful chipset; faster app loading, better multitasking and smoother performance overall. |
| Antutu Score | 749,100 | 578,600 | S21+ provides a noticeably snappier experience. Superior gaming performance and less lag during heavy use. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G68 MP5 | S21+ offers better graphics rendering for demanding games and graphics-intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Samsung Galaxy A54 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm, Sony IMX555 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", 1.0µm, Sony IMX766 | A54 captures more detailed images due to higher resolution and larger sensor. Better for cropping and capturing more light for night photos. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm, Samsung Bright S5KGW2 | N/A | S21+ has a dedicated telephoto for optical zoom and portraits. Better zoom clarity. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm, Sony IMX374 | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 0.8µm, Sony IMX616 | A54 captures more detailed selfies due to higher resolution and larger sensor. |
| Wide Angle | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm, Sony IMX563 | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, Samsung S5K3L6 | S21+ has a dedicated ultrawide camera. A54 has a dedicated wide angle lens and an additional macro lens, offering greater versatility. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 5MP, f/2.4 | A54 can take detailed close-up shots with the Macro lens, while the S21+ lacks this dedicated capability |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | S21+ can record higher resolution videos, ideal for professional use. Both phones have video stabilization. |
| DxOMark | Main 111 / Photo 118 / Video 89 | Main 107 / Photo 106 / Video 115 | S21+ has better photo quality, A54 has significantly better video performance. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Samsung Galaxy A54 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | A54 has a slightly larger battery. Marginally better battery life for all day use. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | 25W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | Both support 25W fast charging for quick top-ups. Minor difference between battery chemistries. |
| Features | Wireless Charging 15W, Reverse Charging, No charger in-box | Non-removable | S21+ offers wireless and reverse wireless charging. A54 lacks wireless and reverse charging. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: More powerful chipset and GPU lead to faster overall performance and smoother gaming.
- Brighter Display: Much higher brightness ensures excellent visibility outdoors in bright sunlight.
- Advanced Camera Features: Offers 8K video recording, optical zoom, and a telephoto lens for better quality pictures at distances.
- Wireless Charging: Includes wireless and reverse wireless charging options.
Samsung Galaxy A54 Advantages:
- Newer Software: Ships with a newer version of Android and is likely to receive longer software support.
- Better Main & Selfie Cameras: Higher resolution main and selfie cameras capture more detail.
- Better Video Performance: Better video recording capabilities
- Larger Battery: Slightly larger battery for potentially longer battery life.
- Versatile Cameras: Wide angle and macro lens provide additional creative options.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Supports the latest version of Bluetooth for enhanced connectivity.
Trade-offs:
- S21+: Older software, lacks macro lens, lower video scores, lower resolution cameras.
- A54: Slower performance, lower outdoor visibility, lacks wireless charging and zoom features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal Users:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize speed and responsiveness for gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Outdoor Users: Individuals who frequently use their phone in bright sunlight and need a bright, easily readable display.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those seeking optical zoom and higher video resolution for more advanced photo and video capabilities.
- Wireless Charging Fans: Users who appreciate the convenience of wireless and reverse wireless charging.
Samsung Galaxy A54 Ideal Users:
- Value-Conscious Shoppers: Users looking for a capable phone with a good camera and a modern feature set, without the need for top-tier performance.
- Casual Photographers: Those who prefer versatile cameras and detailed selfies for everyday photo captures.
- Battery Life Seekers: Users who prioritize longer battery life over ultimate performance.
- Software Updaters: People who want the newest Android software and future software updates.
Specific Use Cases:
- S21+:
- Playing graphically intensive games.
- Filming professional video content.
- Navigating and viewing content in sunny outdoor environments.
- A54:
- Daily social media, browsing, and casual photography.
- Taking wide angle landscape shots and close-up macro photos.
- Prolonged use without frequent charging.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance to you? If you prioritize speed for gaming and heavy tasks, the S21+ is better. If you prefer moderate performance, the A54 will likely be sufficient.
- How much do you value outdoor visibility? If bright outdoor use is common, the S21+ is a clear choice. Otherwise, the A54's display will be fine.
- What camera features do you value most? If you want telephoto and 8k video capabilities, then the S21+ is better, but for more versatile options including wide angle and macro the A54 is more suitable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Heavy Mobile Gaming): Choose the S21+ for its superior performance and better graphics handling.
- Scenario 2 (Outdoor Photography): The S21+ wins for its brighter display and optical zoom, although the A54's main sensor is better.
- Scenario 3 (All-day Battery and Casual Use): The A54 edges out due to its slightly better battery life and the main sensor for camera.
- Scenario 4 (Future-Proofing): A54 comes with newer OS and future updates support.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. While the A54 offers a more modern software and versatile camera system, the S21+ has significant advantages in areas that are more important to my usage. Specifically, the much brighter display is a huge plus for outdoor use, and I value the additional performance that the S21+ offers. Additionally, the additional telephoto zoom feature is useful to me. Although, the lack of a macro lens on the S21+ is a negative, it does not outweigh the benefits of a brighter display and better processor. While the A54 has the advantage of a newer OS, the S21+'s advantages suit my use cases better.
