Samsung Galaxy S23 FE vs. Galaxy A54: Nearly flagship or midrange grasp?

• Samsung Galaxy S23 FE

  Excessive efficiency, lifelike worth

  After skipping a year, Samsung’s flagship-lite offering returns with the Galaxy S23 FE. It is got loads of display camouflage shriek, a extremely efficient processor, and a surprising contingent of the excessive-cease aspects that made the preliminary S23 lineup so wonderful.

  Mavens

  • Stunning display camouflage quality
  • Unheard of Snapdragon SoC
  • Quality cameras with 3X optical zoom

  Cons

  • Battery life will most certainly be higher
  • Peaceable priced nicely above the midrange

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  Samsung Galaxy A54 5G

  All-around midranger

  $400 $450 Attach $50

  Gargantuan upgrades over its predecessor manufacture the Samsung Galaxy A54 one in every of the correct midrange telephones you would possibly perchance perchance presumably moreover buy this day. Whereas it makes some predictable sacrifices when compared to the S23+ and even the S23 FE, it assessments your entire boxes for parents who address substantial smartphones but don’t seem like substantial picky.

  Mavens

  • Grand-improved efficiency over the A53
  • Characteristically substantial Samsung display camouflage
  • Has the legendary microSD card slot

  Cons

  • Exynos SoC tends to drag sizzling
  • Middling camera efficiency

The newly launched Samsung Galaxy S23 FE borrows the fabricate a part of the wonderful Galaxy S23+, but omits about a of the excessive-cease aspects to reach a grand more palatable worth. By inequity, the Galaxy A54 makes about a considerable strides over its predecessor, the A53, to compete for the title of this day’s supreme midrange smartphone. Whereas they each bask in their faults, one’s nearly particular to meet any one who loves excessive-quality Samsung telephones with top class display camouflage quality, a user-pleasant interface, and the financial savings that come from averting the excessive-cease flagship market.

Sign, availability, and specs

Two years after the Galaxy S21 Fan Edition, the S23 FE confirmed up on October 5 of this year with a listing worth of $600 and an official commence date of October 26. For $60 more, you would possibly perchance perchance presumably moreover make stronger from 128 to 256 GB of storage. Even when these are the correct two hardware configurations accessible, there are some relaxing colors to desire between. Assorted than the considerably underwhelming Cream and Graphite, you would possibly perchance perchance presumably moreover make a selection for Mint or a standout Purple.

Maybe the most popular commence in Samsung’s prolonged-operating midrange A sequence, the Galaxy A54, modified into before the entire lot listed at $450 but now ships for $400 today from Samsung and numerous third-birthday party outlets. And when you glimpse around for deals, you would possibly perchance perchance presumably moreover in most cases accumulate it even more cost-effective. Undergo in tips, though, that Samsung supreme launched the 128 GB mannequin within the US, so in command for you 256 GB of storage, you would possibly perchance perchance well bask in to import one from a third-birthday party retailer like Amazon. And whereas it is supreme offered domestically in Graphite and the appropriately named Awesome Violet, you would possibly perchance perchance presumably moreover accumulate your palms on a sexy Lime or White model if, once every other time, you would possibly perchance perchance presumably moreover presumably be bright to head for an global mannequin.

• 	Samsung Galaxy S23 FE	Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
  SoC	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1	Samsung Exynos 1380
  RAM	8GB	6GB, 8GB
  Storage	128GB or 256GB	128GB, 256GB
  Battery	4,500mAh	5,000mAh
  Ports	USB-C	USB-C
  Working Machine	Android 13 with One UI 5.1	Android 13 with One UI 5.1
  Front camera	10MP (F/2.4)	32MP f/2.2
  Rear camera	50MP (F/1.8) considerable, 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 8 MP, f/2.4 telephoto with 3x optical zoom	50MP f/1.8 (considerable), 12MP f/2.2 (ultrawide), 5MP f/2.4 (macro)
  Connectivity	5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3	Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, LTE, 5G (sub-6GHz)
  Colours	Mint, Purple, Cream, Graphite	Lime, Graphite, Violet, White
  Weight	209 grams	202 g
  Payment tempo	25W, 15W wireless	25W wired
  IP Rating	IP68	IP67

They’re rather about a, but compose not glimpse prefer it

The last few years bask in viewed Samsung switch gradually in opposition to a stark, minimalist construct not dissimilar from popular electronics leaders like Apple and its ubiquitous iPhone. From a visual standpoint, each the March 2023 Galaxy A54 and October 2023 S23 FE glimpse almost equal. Even their dimensions and weights match nearly completely.

They each use the sturdy (if not precisely slicing-edge) Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on all sides, but the S23 FE sports activities an aluminum frame when compared to the A54’s plastic. The supreme marginally significant bodily construct contrast is that the S23 FE sports activities IP68 security from filth and water, whereas the A54 is rated to moral IP67 (even though it just isn’t in truth helpful to take a look at out either certification on a frequent foundation without a waterproof case). So, when you would possibly perchance perchance presumably moreover presumably be enraged about which one looks higher, compose not be. They’re each stunning devices with loads of useable display camouflage shriek and a handy, reasonably sized fabricate part.

Two substantial shows, but one’s a diminutive higher

Widely notion to be the correct OLED display camouflage manufacturer, Samsung knocked it out of the park with the S23 FE and A54. The S23 FE uses a more subtle Dynamic AMOLED know-how with in actuality ideal motion handling and an adaptive refresh charge of 60 to 120 hertz. Plus, its 1,450-nit peak brightness makes it easy to search, even in explain daylight hours.

The A54 would not rather reach the equal heights, as its display camouflage operates at either 60 or 120 hertz and not utilizing a in-between. It is moreover not rather as gleaming, but its 1,000-nit ranking’s smooth nothing to sneeze at. When put next to the A53 (which the A54 improves upon by on the subject of each measure), it boasts more saturated colors and better HDR efficiency.

It is probably going you’ll perchance presumably stare a lifelike contrast when you had each telephones facet by facet, but it indubitably’s a safe wager that midrange smartphone followers will address either one, although the A54’s display camouflage would not rather pop like the S23 FE’s.

Technically, the equal plan

What’s there to express about Samsung’s OneUI Android implementation that hasn’t already been stated? It is as intuitive as any working machine in years, plus vitality users and day after day buyers address its customization alternate choices and extremely efficient constructed-in tools. It does come with a substantial different of pre-installed apps that not all americans needs, but you would possibly perchance perchance presumably moreover decrease bloatware set up all over the preliminary setup, and it is a long way simple to take hang of away apps you compose not want.

The A54 and S23 FE supply equal interfaces since they drag on equal plan. Also, assuming the continued yearly Android update sample, they’ll each accumulate four years of OS updates, ending with Android 17 (or no topic it finally ends up being known as by that time). Whereas their plan and interface are technically the equal, they compose not rather express the equal user expertise as a result of hardware internal, which is largely the most glaring contrast between the 2.

A immense contrast in efficiency

The gulf in efficiency between the S23 FE and A54 comes as no shock. No topic its flaws, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 within the S23 FE is one heck of an SoC. Essentially, it topped the benchmark charts nearly across the board upon commence. Sadly, on the different hand, the FE would not accumulate the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 featured within the entire-fledged S23 household, but you would possibly perchance perchance presumably be not easy-pressed to push the Gen 1 your entire manner to its limits.

At this point within the SoC dialogue, it is worth mentioning Samsung’s market segmentation relating to smartphone processors. The company has been pushing its hang Exynos chipset for years and has even used it in staunch flagship smartphones in most popular years. It is an reasonably priced talking point because, frankly, even the excessive-cease Exynos 2200 can not match up with the main Snapdragon chipsets when it involves efficiency, effectivity, and thermal perspectives. In this case, the Exynos 2200 is supreme associated when you would possibly perchance perchance presumably moreover presumably be procuring an S23 FE from initiate air the US. You can moreover for plug inquire of peak efficiency and not utilizing a stuttering or slowdowns from a US S23 FE.

With all that in tips, it is no shocker that the Exynos 1380 all the diagram by strategy of the Galaxy A54 can not withhold a candle when it involves pure efficiency. Right here’s most noticeable when putting in and loading plan, taking half in video games, and navigating numerous home windows and apps whereas multitasking.

Unlike the Exynos 2200, the 1380 would not tell to be a flagship processor and just isn’t the least bit times priced like one, either. And then there would possibly perchance be the different caveat: Whereas you happen to would perchance perchance presumably moreover presumably be not already rotten by utilizing a slicing-edge flagship tool with the correct internals and snappiest interface, you would possibly perchance perchance presumably moreover not even stare the A54’s comparatively slack efficiency.

That’s in explain inequity to the Exynos 1280 within the relieve of 2022’s Galaxy A53, which led to a downright frustrating expertise at times. The 1380 just isn’t the least bit times precisely worlds faster, but it indubitably does supply 20% and 40% jumps in single- and multi-threaded benchmark sorting out. Our palms-on expertise with the A54 wasn’t on the subject of as tender as navigating the S23 FE, but it indubitably wasn’t a chore, and handy resource-intensive operations like taking photography were in most cases responsive ample to withhold us pleased. Peaceable, there just isn’t any denying that raw efficiency devices these two telephones apart more than the rest else.

True battery life, but not ideal

In spite of the entire lot that Exynos slander, we bask in to present credit where credit’s due. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 will most certainly be awfully hasty, but it indubitably’s not precisely stellar when it involves thermal or vitality effectivity. It would not drag as sizzling as the worldwide S23 FE’s Exynos 2200, but it indubitably does bask in a indispensable quantity of electrical energy.

We’re smooth operating assessments and crunching numbers to accumulate out staunch-world S23 FE battery life, but the Galaxy S22+ affords correct insight into what to inquire of. Its equal combination of a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC and 4,500mAh cell resulted within the S22+’s fairly disappointing battery life.

With care, you will most certainly be succesful to seemingly accumulate a diagram to eke a complete day trot back and forth of the S23 FE, but heavy use and handy resource-intensive apps would perchance perchance presumably moreover manufacture it more seemingly you would possibly perchance perchance well bask in to present it a battery prime-up one day ahead of bedtime. Happily, we bask in moreover viewed battery life enhancements on our prolonged-time interval S22 take a look at devices as Samsung continues refining its Android implementation, so we’re cautiously optimistic that the S23 FE just isn’t going to be marred by a short battery life.

Whereas the A54’s Exynos 1380 would perchance perchance presumably moreover not beat the S23 FE in a coast, this would possibly perchance perchance perchance well moreover procure up in a marathon. Not supreme does it draw much less vitality (since it is moral not as hasty), but it indubitably’s paired with an even bigger 5,000mAh battery that’s not easy to empty over the course of a single day. That’s one particular plus for budget-minded smartphone users who compose not are making an attempt to hassle staying on prime of basically the most popular excessive-cease hasty charging know-how. And since it would perchance perchance presumably moreover not want as many periodic battery prime-ups, you nearly indubitably would perchance perchance presumably moreover not tips its lack of wireless charging give a boost to.

Merely passable cameras, or developed optical zoom?

Samsung’s imaging plan has traditionally delivered some much less-than-ideal experiences, but we’re happy to document that it is made a ton of development all over the last couple of years. It is not rather on the level of, narrate, Google’s imaging skills, but Samsung’s shortcomings are barely noticeable initiate air of facet-by-facet comparisons with heavy-hitting camera telephones like the beloved Google Pixel 8.

It is probably going you’ll perchance supreme stare minor differences in daylight photography and videos when it involves the S23 FE and A54. Both telephones use on the subject of equal 50MP considerable sensors with pixel binning for crisp photography with beautiful saturation and consistent white steadiness. In each cases, the 12MP ultrawide lens is precious for excessive-FOV photos but produces noticeably much less detailed outcomes. To accumulate basically the most out of the predominant and ultrawide lenses, vitality users will bask in to know that the Skilled Mode potential that you just can manually alter a host of settings, equivalent to ISO and shutter tempo.

Night time image fascinated about the Galaxy A54

The supreme camera differences are within the third lens. The S23 FE’s telephoto lens would perchance perchance presumably moreover supreme capture 8 MP, but it indubitably moreover affords 3X optical zoom. By comparability, the A54’s 5MP “macro” lens would perchance perchance presumably moreover as nicely not be there. No topic our supreme efforts, we never in truth got fulfilling outcomes.

In the end, in a attention-grabbing turn of events, the selfie camera comparability affords an even reminder that specs compose not continuously teach your entire story. The uncommonly excessive-resolution 32MP selfie camera on the A54 produces substantial-having a leer selfies, but basically, they’re not grand higher than what the S23 FE’s 10MP selfie camera captures. Whereas neither is de facto prime-of-the-line, they’re each completely honest accurate-attempting for taking snapshots of yourself, your mates, and your environment.

Which is apt for you?

Objectively talking, the S23 FE is the next phone than the Galaxy A54. Understandably, the near-flagship mannequin clearly outperforms the midrange risk (battery life excluded), but the A54’s no budge, and its supreme shrink back (the raw efficiency) just isn’t the least bit times a dealbreaker for all americans.

The staunch kicker is that you just would possibly perchance perchance presumably moreover accumulate your palms on the A54 for moral $400 or even much less when you would possibly perchance perchance presumably moreover accumulate an excellent good deal. On the different hand, the S23 FE prices $600 and would perchance perchance presumably moreover not ogle any substantial worth cuts for rather some time. As prolonged as you would possibly perchance perchance presumably moreover presumably be not pointless set apart of dwelling on wireless charging, optical zoom, or an ultra-fast interface, the much less costly Galaxy A54 is the higher different. It is even got a microSD card slot!

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Samsung Galaxy A54 5G

A midrange winner

Monumental plan, beautiful photography, and a low worth

$400 $450 Attach $50

With the equal mid-measurement fabricate part as the S23+ and S23 FE, the Galaxy A54 is an immensely precious phone held relieve supreme by middling processor efficiency. No topic its midrange SoC, it delivers a substantial Android expertise when you would possibly perchance perchance presumably moreover presumably be not too stressful, and its battery life is a substantial plus.

That stated, you would possibly perchance perchance presumably moreover accumulate the S23 FE’s superior camera setup, higher processing vitality, and moderately higher display camouflage nicely worth the extra $200. Rob into consideration that when you adore this fabricate part but want one thing in truth excessive-cease, the next step up is the $1,000 S23+.

For the reason that S23 FE delivers a identical expertise to the honest flagship Galaxy telephones, its $600 worth worth is rightfully interesting. Within the cease, you will most certainly be succesful to almost indubitably bask in with the S23 FE. Plus, its vastly higher efficiency over the A54 manner it will proceed to operate without problems at the same time because it reaches and even passes the cease of its four-year Android update lifespan.