Galaxy A54 • Unlocked vs Galaxy S21 5G • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy A54 (2023) and the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (2021) represent two distinct offerings within Samsung's smartphone portfolio. While both devices provide a comprehensive Android experience with Samsung's One UI, they cater to different user priorities. The Galaxy A54, a more recent mid-range device, emphasizes extended software support and battery endurance, whereas the Galaxy S21 5G, a former flagship, focuses on high-end performance and advanced camera capabilities.

When evaluating the long-term usability of these smartphones, their release timelines and software support policies are key considerations.

• Software Longevity: The Galaxy A54, released in March 2023, benefits from Samsung's commitment to four major Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates. This means it is expected to receive updates up to Android 17 and security patches until early 2028, offering a longer period of official software support. The Galaxy S21 5G, launched in January 2021 with Android 11, has already received its major OS updates, and its security update period is nearing its conclusion.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy A54 features Gorilla Glass 5 on both its front and back, along with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. The Galaxy S21 5G, while having a plastic back, boasts Gorilla Glass Victus on its front and a slightly higher IP68 rating, indicating enhanced protection against water immersion.
• Repairability: Both devices are generally designed with internal layouts that allow for common repairs, such as screen or battery replacements, to be performed by qualified technicians.

The performance of a smartphone is central to the daily user experience, influencing everything from app responsiveness to multitasking efficiency.

• System Responsiveness: The Galaxy S21 5G, equipped with a former flagship-grade processor, excels at handling demanding applications and intensive multitasking with notable smoothness. It provides a highly responsive experience for users engaging in mobile gaming or heavy productivity tasks. The Galaxy A54 is optimized for efficient performance during everyday activities like browsing, social media, and streaming, though some users have reported occasional stutters with animations, particularly under heavy One UI usage.
• Battery Endurance: The Galaxy A54 features a larger 5000 mAh battery, which often allows it to last through a full day of heavy use, with many users reporting 1.5 days or more of moderate usage. The Galaxy S21 5G has a 4000 mAh battery, which, while capable, may require more frequent charging for heavy users due to its smaller capacity and more powerful internal components.
• Storage and Memory: The Galaxy A54 offers storage options up to 256GB and includes a microSD card slot for expandable storage, providing flexibility for users with large media libraries. The Galaxy S21 5G also offers up to 256GB of internal storage but lacks a microSD card slot, meaning its storage capacity is fixed.

The display is a primary point of interaction, and both devices offer vibrant viewing experiences with distinct characteristics.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy A54 features a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display, delivering rich colors and deep blacks with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels. The Galaxy S21 5G has a slightly smaller 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, also providing a detailed and vivid visual experience.
• Brightness and Smoothness: Both smartphones offer a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations. The Galaxy A54 reaches a peak brightness of 1000 nits, while the Galaxy S21 5G can achieve up to 1300 nits of peak brightness, which can result in better visibility in bright outdoor conditions. The S21 5G's Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology also allows for an adaptive refresh rate, which can dynamically adjust to save power.
• Viewing Experience: The A54's slightly larger screen provides a more expansive canvas for media consumption, while the S21 5G's higher peak brightness and adaptive refresh rate contribute to a potentially more immersive and power-efficient visual experience, particularly for HDR content.

The camera systems on both devices offer different strengths, catering to various photography and videography needs.

• Rear Camera Capabilities: The Galaxy A54 features a triple rear camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. It generally produces good daylight photos with vibrant colors, and its main camera performs decently in low-light conditions. The Galaxy S21 5G also has a triple camera system, comprising a 12MP main lens with OIS, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 64MP telephoto lens with 3x hybrid optical zoom. Its camera system, particularly the telephoto lens, is noted for excellent detail and versatility, performing well across various lighting conditions.
• Video Recording Quality: The Galaxy A54 supports video recording up to 4K resolution at 30 frames per second. The Galaxy S21 5G offers more advanced video capabilities, including recording at up to 8K resolution at 24 frames per second or 4K at 60 frames per second, providing more options for high-resolution video content creation.
• Front Camera and Audio: For selfies and video calls, the Galaxy A54 is equipped with a 32MP front-facing camera, while the Galaxy S21 5G features a 10MP front camera. Both devices include stereo speakers, with the Galaxy A54 offering loud and clear audio, and the Galaxy S21 5G featuring Dolby Atmos support and a noise-canceling microphone for an enhanced audio experience.