Not much has changed with Samsung’s Galaxy A54 5G smartphone since its predecessor, the Galaxy A53 5G. That's good because it was already a great midrange phone with quite a lot of top-end features, from a bright AMOLED screen to lengthy software updates. You can also say it's not good, because this new model doesn't push the needle.
And yet it's really hard to complain about the lack of advancements with this Android smartphone. In the US, there's a dearth of feature-packed midrange and budget phones: You'd be amazed at the kind of hardware you can get elsewhere in the world for a few hundred bucks. Still, what Samsung offers here is a compelling, well-rounded package you'll be able to keep using for several years, unlike many other sub-$450 phones that end software support after one to two.
Samsung has been working on creating a cohesive design strategy for all of its smartphones. That means, yes, its $1,000 smartphone doesn't look all that different from its phones less than half the price. This might irk high rollers, but it's great news for anyone with a tight budget! The A54 even comes in a lovely-looking Awesome Violet, though I tested the drab Awesome Graphite color (not as awesome).
It has an aluminum frame with Gorilla Glass 5 on the front and back, so you'll want to snag a case, as both sides have the same opportunity to suffer a crack in the event of an accidental drop. Most budget and midrange phones stick with a plasticky backplate, which offers more durability, though you might like the more luxe feel of glass. I prefer something like the Pixel 6A's design, which is a plastic composite that still feels super fancy; the best of both worlds.
Holding this 6.4-inch screen is reasonably comfy. There are times when I need to shuffle it in my hand to reach the top of the screen (note: I have large hands), but I don't have any major complaints. The in-display fingerprint sensor at the bottom of the screen isn't as responsive as what you'll find on pricier phones, but it was never frustratingly slow.
The best part is hands-down the AMOLED screen. This panel nets you inky blacks and punchy colors. The resolution is sharp, but the screen brightness is what impresses the most. It can go up to 1,000 nits! What does that mean? Lo and behold, even the wrath of the sun couldn't stop me from comfortably reading the display. Sure, the colors get a little washed out when it's at its peak brightness, but it's a small price to pay for the pleasure of not having to squint.
Did I mention it's a 120-Hz screen as well? As you scroll through an app like Instagram or Reddit, the frames you see on the screen ratchet up to 120 per second. Phones used to be stuck at 60 Hz, so by seeing double the frames, you're getting a more fluid experience overall. It's nice!