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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If a better camera is your priority, the Galaxy S21 has slightly higher overall camera quality, as well as offering a telephoto lens for longer-range photos. However, if battery life is more important to you, the Galaxy A54 lasts longer on a single charge. The A54 also has a slightly larger screen, which could be better for viewing media or browsing the web, but it is a bit heavier than the S21. Both phones have OLED displays with high refresh rates, but the S21's screen is a bit more vivid. They operate on the same system, so software preferences won't be a factor. If cost is a significant concern, consider that the Galaxy A54 is generally more expensive than the Galaxy S21. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A54
- Very good battery life
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21
- Good for taking photos
- Fair for recording videos
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
6.2
7.2
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A54 has only fair overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 boasts better selfie quality and superior photo software experience compared to the Samsung Galaxy A54, which reflects a more advanced camera system. While both the Galaxy A54 and S21 have good camera versatility, the S21 excels in low light performance for both photos and videos, which is crucial for capturing quality images in various lighting conditions.
Photo Quality
6.4
7.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21 takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A54 takes only fair photos.
The Samsung Galaxy A54 provides a fair selfie experience, which is less favorable compared to the good selfie quality of the Samsung Galaxy S21, indicating that the S21 might be a better fit for those who prioritize front-facing camera performance. Additionally, the Galaxy S21 has a very good photos software experience that enhances image quality, dynamic range, and low light performance compared to the good rating of the Galaxy A54.
Video Quality
5.3
6.6
The Samsung Galaxy S21 takes only fair videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A54 takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy A54 has lower performance in terms of video stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, also impacting its video resolution and frame rate capabilities. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S21 offers better video stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, alongside superior video resolution and frame rate, which contribute to its overall better video quality.
Battery
8.9 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy A54 has 8.9 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$450
$145
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Samsung Galaxy A54 has a price of $450 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 costs $145.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy A54 has a screen size of 6.4 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 is 6.2 inches.
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How the Samsung Galaxy A54 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy A54 | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$450 | $145 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 24, 2023 | January 29, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.4" | 6.2" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 403 | 421 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | E1380 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.4/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8.9 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.23" x 3.02" | 5.97" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.13 oz | 5.96 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)25, 41, 66, 71 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Awesome Violet, Awesome Graphite | Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | No | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy A54
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Dig into reviews and images
The Verge
Allison Johnson | April 2023
"As far as midrange phones go, the A54 has all the right stuff: a big 6.4-inch screen, very good battery life, a durable build to withstand water and dust, and a support policy promising security updates for five years. If you squint at that spec list, you can almost see a thousand-dollar flagship phone. Almost."
Samsung Galaxy S21
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Central
Huseman Joe | February 2022
"The Galaxy S21 delivers the flagship Samsung experience in a phone that's much more pocketable (and affordable) than the top-end S21 Ultra.The triple-camera system is incredibly capable, Samsung's One UI 3.1 software is chock-full of features and settings to mess with, and I've not once missed having expandable storage."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy A54 or the Samsung Galaxy S21
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
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Recommendations made
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About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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