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If you’ve got your eyes on a phone upgrade, it’s worth comparing Samsung Galaxy A54 vs S21 to see whether the A54 is worth it.
The Samsung Galaxy A54 was released in the US on April 6th. This comes several months after the S23 series made a considerable splash. In comparison to the flagship series, the A54 comes to the market as Samsung’s mid-range alternative and successor to the Samsung Galaxy A53.
So, how does it shape up to Samsung’s slightly older S21 model? Released over two years ago, the S21 remains a fairly capable device, in part thanks to its Snapdragon 888 processor. The question of whether the A54 is worth the upgrade will depend on the current phone you have, and what you value most in a smartphone.
To simplify things, we’ll be comparing the specs, design, features and price of both phones. This will hopefully give you a good overview of both, allowing you to make a more informed decision.
So let’s get into it – here are the key differences and similarities between the Samsung Galaxy A54 and Galaxy S21.
Samsung Galaxy A54 vs S21 – specs comparison
| Specs | Samsung Galaxy A54 | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
| Display | 6.4 inch Super AMOLED | 6.2 inch AMOLED |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340p | 1080 x 2400p |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Chip | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
| RAM | 6GB, 8GB | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB | 128GB |
| Rear cameras | 50MP, 12MP ultrawide, 5MP macro | 64 MP telephoto, 10MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide |
| Front camera | 32MP | 10MP |
| Battery size | 5,000mAh | 4,000mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired | 25W wired, 15W wireless |
The major difference to touch on that influences the performance of other features like battery life is the difference in chip processors. The Samsung Galaxy A54 has been built on Samsung’s new Exynos 1380 chipset. It succeeds the Exynos 1280 processor used in the A53, boasting an all-round better performance.
However, compared directly to the S21’s Snapdragon 888 processor, you’ll find it fails to outperform the older chipset thanks to its higher memory and upload speed. This is particularly relevant if you’re a fan of mobile gaming, as the Snapdragon 888 boasts an overall higher boost clock.
However, the A54 does well to match the S21’s refresh rate of 120Hz. If you’re unfamiliar with refresh rates, it basically refers to the number of times the display blinks in a second. While you absolutely do not need a 120Hz refresh rate, gamers might find it helpful for mobile games like Call of Duty. The fact that the A54 boasts a larger battery size is better suited to support such a high refresh rate.
Below we’ll go explain the key specs mentioned in the table in a little more detail.
Samsung Galaxy A54 vs S21 – battery comparison
As we briefly mentioned, the Galaxy A54 comes out on top with a battery size of 5,000, compared to the S21’s 4,000mAh.
This roughly translates to around 2.5 days of usage from the A54 before the battery runs out, compared to around 1.5 days from the S21.
This might be a dealbreaker for Android users who prime battery life with utmost importance. If this sounds like you, it might be worth checking out the Oppo Find X5 which delivers strongly for battery life and camera quality.
Samsung Galaxy A54 vs S21 – display
The A54 boasts a great display thanks to its Super AMOLED panel capable of delivering vivid colors, deep blacks, and wide viewing angles. Unlike its predecessor, it also benefits from the Vision Booster feature that we first saw with Samsung’s S22 series.
In comparison, the S21 has a slightly smaller AMOLED display, though you’ll find the difference in resolution largely superficial.
Samsung claims its A54 delivers up to 2,500 nit brightness, compared to the S21’s 1,200. This means the A54 comes out on top for using your phone in direct sunlight and brighter environments.
Overall though, both displays offer good value for every day use.
Samsung Galaxy A54 vs S21 – camera
Overall, we’d say that the A54 has the edge when it comes to camera quality. As we’ve mentioned in the specs table, the A54’s 50MP camera delivers bright and colorful photographs without filtering out the details.
You also get an impressive 32MP selfie camera that makes the A54 well suited for those who regularly make video calls. Especially when compared to the S21’s very average 10MP selfie camera.
After covering the dazzling specs of the S23 Ultra, it’s fair to say that the camera abilities of smartphones have moved on a lot in the last few years. For this reason, the A54 is probably the way to go if taking photos is important to you.
Samsung Galaxy A54 vs S21 – design
The standout feature of the A54 is its Gorilla Glass 5 feature on the front and back, giving this mid-range phone a premium feel. The S21 meanwhile features a ‘glasstic’ rear with a matte finish. While it doesn’t feel cheap, we still definitely prefer the A54.
In terms of color, the A54 comes in ‘Awesome Violet’ and ‘Awesome Graphite’ which look great, while the S21 comes in ‘Phantom Violet’, ‘Phantom Pink’, ‘Phantom White’ and ‘Phantom Gray’. Ultimately, your choice will come down to personal preference.
Samsung Galaxy A54 vs S21 – value for money
Without a doubt, the Galaxy A54 is one of the best mid-range phones you can buy in 2023. With Android 10, combined with a responsive OLED display, there’s a lot that makes this phone a worthy purchase. It covers all the major bases without costing over $500.
Given that S21 is almost halfway through its life span of receiving Android devices, we can’t help but lean towards the A54 as the more valuable investment. Moreover, unless you opt for a renewed S21 model, it looks like you’ll be paying a similar price for an older model.
Buy Now:
Samsung Galaxy S21 Fe 5G phone, 128GB, Phantom White – $599 via Amazon
Spigen Liquid Air Armor case for Samsung Galaxy A54
Final word
Overall, both phones offer a pretty good performance-to-price ratio, through Samsung’s latest Galaxy A54 definitely has the edge.
Your final choice should largely be determined by what phone you have now. It’s definitely not a good idea to go for the S21 if you currently have an S20, since it doesn’t represent an obvious improvement regarding the specs and features.
Overall, we’d recommend going for the A54 over the S21 if you’d like to future-proof your phone.
Frequently asked questions
Should I still buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 in 2023?
If you want your phone to last for more than two years, you’re better off opting for a more recently released phone. Though the S21 will receive between 2-3 more years of Android updates, after this period, it will be outdated and more vulnerable to security hacks. For peace of mind, you should definitely check out the Galaxy A54 instead.
Does Samsung Galaxy A54 have a headphone jack?
No, the A54 does not have a headphone jack, sadly following in the path of its older siblings, including the S21.
