Galaxy A54 • Unlocked vs Galaxy S23+ • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy A54 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus are two distinct smartphones from Samsung's 2023 lineup, catering to different user expectations. The Galaxy A54, released in March 2023, is positioned as a feature-rich device for everyday use, while the Galaxy S23 Plus, launched in February 2023, offers a more advanced experience with enhanced performance and camera capabilities. Both run on the Android operating system, providing a familiar software environment, but they diverge significantly in their core hardware and overall user experience.

When considering the longevity of these devices, both the Galaxy A54 and the Galaxy S23 Plus benefit from Samsung's commitment to software support, though their initial release timelines place them in slightly different positions.

• Software Support: Both models are promised four major Android OS updates and five years of security patches from their respective launch dates. The Galaxy A54, released in March 2023, launched with Android 13 and is expected to receive updates up to Android 17. The Galaxy S23 Plus, released in February 2023, also launched with Android 13 and will similarly receive updates up to Android 17, ensuring a comparable duration of software relevance.
• Repairability: The Galaxy A54 has a repairability score of 8.4 under French environmental legislation, indicating a design that is relatively easier to service. The Galaxy S23 Plus, a more complex flagship device, has a slightly lower repairability score of 8.2.
• Practical Lifespan: Given their robust software support and build quality, both devices are designed for a practical lifespan of several years. Users can expect reliable performance and security updates for an extended period, making them suitable for long-term ownership.

The performance distinction between the Galaxy A54 and the Galaxy S23 Plus is notable, reflecting their different market segments and hardware configurations.

• Everyday Responsiveness: The Galaxy A54 handles daily tasks and common applications smoothly, providing a responsive experience for general usage and light gaming. The Galaxy S23 Plus, with its more advanced internal components, offers a significantly more fluid and powerful experience, excelling in demanding applications, intensive multitasking, and high-fidelity gaming.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy A54 features a 5000 mAh battery, often lasting a full day with moderate to heavy use, and some users report up to 1.5 days of usage. The Galaxy S23 Plus, equipped with a 4700 mAh battery, also delivers excellent battery life, with reports of easily lasting two days with normal use and strong performance in web browsing and video streaming tests.
• Storage and Multitasking: The Galaxy A54 offers 128GB or 256GB of internal storage and includes a microSD card slot for expansion up to 1TB, providing flexibility for users with large media libraries. The Galaxy S23 Plus comes with 256GB or 512GB of storage but does not offer expandable storage. Both devices are equipped with sufficient RAM to manage multiple applications concurrently, though the S23 Plus generally provides a more seamless multitasking experience due to its more powerful processor.

Both smartphones offer vibrant displays, but there are key differences in their technology and capabilities that impact the viewing experience.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy A54 features a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display, providing deep blacks and vibrant colors with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels. The Galaxy S23 Plus boasts a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, offering similar clarity with a 2340 x 1080 pixel resolution, but with enhanced color accuracy and dynamic range.
• Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: The Galaxy A54's display reaches a peak brightness of 1000 nits, which is sufficient for most outdoor conditions. The Galaxy S23 Plus significantly surpasses this with a peak brightness of 1750 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright sunlight.
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: Both devices feature a 120Hz refresh rate, contributing to smooth scrolling and fluid animations. The Galaxy A54 maintains a consistent 120Hz, while the Galaxy S23 Plus offers an adaptive refresh rate that can scale from 48Hz to 120Hz, optimizing for both smoothness and power efficiency.

The camera systems on the Galaxy A54 and Galaxy S23 Plus are designed to capture quality images and videos, but they differ in their advanced features and overall photographic versatility.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy A54 includes a triple-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. The Galaxy S23 Plus also features a triple-camera system, comprising a 50MP main sensor with OIS, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy A54 delivers good color reproduction and decent low-light performance with its main camera, though some users note occasional oversaturation and focus issues with macro shots. The Galaxy S23 Plus generally produces high-quality images with natural colors and improved detail, particularly benefiting from its dedicated telephoto lens for enhanced zoom capabilities and better low-light processing.
• Video Recording and Audio: Both phones are capable of recording 4K video. The Galaxy S23 Plus offers improved video stabilization and more natural color rendition in videos compared to its predecessor, and can record 8K video at 30fps. Both devices feature stereo speakers for a good media consumption experience, and their microphones are suitable for calls and recording.