Galaxy A54 • Unlocked vs iPhone SE (2020) • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy A54, released in March 2023, and the iPhone SE 2020, launched in April 2020, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality. While the Galaxy A54 operates on Android and offers a modern, expansive display with a versatile camera system, the iPhone SE 2020 runs on iOS, featuring a compact form factor and a powerful processor for its release era. These devices cater to different user preferences, primarily differing in their operating systems, display technology, and overall design philosophy.

The longevity of a smartphone is significantly influenced by its release timeline and the manufacturer's commitment to software updates.

• Release and Software Support: The Galaxy A54, launched in March 2023, benefits from Samsung's policy of providing four major Android OS updates and five years of security updates, extending its software support until early 2028. This ensures a prolonged period of new features and security enhancements. In contrast, the iPhone SE 2020, released in April 2020, typically receives 5-6 years of major iOS updates. As of early 2026, its major OS update cycle is nearing its conclusion or has recently ended, though it may still receive security patches for a period.
• Physical Durability: Both devices carry an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating protection against immersion in up to 1 meter of fresh water for 30 minutes. The Galaxy A54 features Gorilla Glass 5 on both its front and back, providing a degree of scratch and drop protection. The iPhone SE 2020 also uses glass for its front and back, complemented by an aluminum frame.
• Practical Lifespan: Users prioritizing extended software longevity and access to the latest operating system features will find the Galaxy A54 offers a longer guaranteed support window. For those comfortable with an older operating system version, the iPhone SE 2020 remains a functional device, though its software feature set will become static sooner.

Evaluating performance involves looking beyond raw specifications to understand how each device handles daily tasks and demanding applications.

• Processing Power: The iPhone SE 2020 is equipped with a powerful processor that, for its release year, delivered flagship-level performance, allowing it to handle demanding applications and multitasking smoothly. The Galaxy A54 features a capable mid-range processor that provides sufficient power for everyday web browsing, social media, and light gaming. While the iPhone SE 2020's older flagship-grade chip can still be very responsive, the Galaxy A54's newer processor is optimized for its current Android ecosystem.
• Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy A54 typically comes with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, facilitating efficient multitasking and app switching. It offers 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, with the added benefit of expandable storage up to 1TB via a microSD card. The iPhone SE 2020 comes with 3GB of RAM and storage options of 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB, without expandable storage.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy A54 houses a larger 5000 mAh battery, which generally allows for a full day of moderate to heavy use. The iPhone SE 2020, with its 1821 mAh battery, often requires more frequent charging, especially for users with high usage patterns.

The visual experience is a key differentiator, with both devices offering distinct display technologies and sizes.

• Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy A54 features a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display, known for its vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. The iPhone SE 2020 utilizes a smaller 4.7-inch Retina IPS LCD, which provides accurate colors and good viewing angles, though it does not offer the same contrast levels as an OLED panel.
• Refresh Rate and Clarity: The Galaxy A54 boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, contributing to smoother scrolling and a more fluid visual experience. Its resolution is 1080 x 2340 pixels, offering clear and sharp images. The iPhone SE 2020 has a standard 60Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 750 x 1334 pixels, which is sufficient for its screen size but less sharp than the A54.
• Brightness and Viewing Experience: Both displays offer adequate brightness for indoor use, with the Galaxy A54's Super AMOLED panel generally providing better visibility in bright outdoor conditions. The larger screen of the A54 is well-suited for media consumption and multitasking, while the SE 2020's compact screen is ideal for one-handed use and portability.

Camera capabilities vary significantly between these two smartphones, impacting the type of photography and videography users can achieve.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy A54 features a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. This configuration allows for a range of photographic styles, from wide landscapes to detailed close-ups. The iPhone SE 2020 has a single 12MP main camera with OIS. While it lacks the versatility of multiple lenses, its computational photography, powered by its processor, enables features like Portrait Mode for subjects.
• Photography Performance: In good lighting, the Galaxy A54 produces vibrant images, though some users note occasional oversaturation. Its main camera performs decently in low-light conditions thanks to OIS. The iPhone SE 2020 also performs well in bright conditions, delivering natural colors and good dynamic range. However, it lacks a dedicated Night Mode, which can limit its performance in very low-light environments.
• Video Recording and Front Camera: Both phones are capable of recording 4K video, with the iPhone SE 2020 supporting up to 4K at 60fps, offering excellent video stabilization. The Galaxy A54 records 4K at 30fps. For selfies, the Galaxy A54 has a 32MP front camera, while the iPhone SE 2020 features a 7MP front camera, both capable of good results in adequate lighting.