The Android mid-range smartphone category is extremely competitive, with Samsung’s latest, the Galaxy A54 5G, joining a long list that includes devices like the Google Pixel 6a. The Galaxy A54 5G is the only one of the two new Galaxy A series smartphones that will be sold in the United States, while the more affordable Galaxy A34 is reserved for other global markets. This isn’t surprising since it follows the same pattern as Samsung’s mid-rangers from 2022, with only the Galaxy A53 available in North America.
The Pixel 6a is one of the most popular mid-range smartphones in this part of the world despite facing stiff competition. The 6a retains the hallmarks of the affordable series by keeping some of the features of its flagship namesake, while featuring a few compromises, like a plastic build, to keep the price low. The phone also has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance instead of the IP68 rating of the Pixel 6 devices. Compared to Samsung’s smartphone, the Galaxy A54 has a more premium build, with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on the front and back. The Samsung mid-ranger has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance as well.
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Galaxy A54 5G Vs. Pixel 6a: Display, Performance, & Cameras
The Pixel 6a is the smaller of the two phones, with a 6.1-inch FHD+ OLED display and a 60Hz refresh rate. It also has a centered punch hole for the selfie camera and Gorilla Glass 3 for protection against scratches and drops. On the other hand, the Galaxy A54 has a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED screen and a 120Hz refresh rate. Powering the Samsung device is the Exynos 1380, which trails in terms of performance behind the Pixel 6a’s Tensor chipset in terms of performance. Both smartphones have 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. However, the Galaxy A54 has a memory card slot for storage expansion and is available with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB of storage in markets outside the U.S.
The Galaxy A54 comes with a 50MP primary rear camera, a 12MP ultrawide shooter, and a 5MP macro lens, while the Pixel 6a has a 12MP main sensor and a 12MP ultrawide unit. The former also has a 32MP front-facing camera compared to the latter’s 8MP unit. The Pixel 6a has one of the best cameras on a mid-range smartphone, but Samsung’s camera prowess should shine through with the Galaxy A54 too. While the Pixel 6a has Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi-Fi 6E, the Galaxy A54 supports Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6. Both phones have NFC support, an in-display fingerprint scanner, and stereo speakers.
Galaxy A54 5G Vs. Pixel 6a: Battery, Software, & Price
The Galaxy A54 continues Samsung’s tradition of launching mid-range smartphones with 5,000mAh batteries. It supports 25W fast charging, but buyers have to purchase a compatible charger to enjoy faster charging since one isn’t included in the box. In contrast, the Pixel 6a has a smaller 4,410mAh battery, chargers slower at 18W, and also doesn’t come with a power brick. The Pixel 6a launched with Android 12 but has been upgraded to Android 13, which is one of three OS upgrades it will receive. Meanwhile, the Galaxy A54 gets better software support with four OS upgrades. Both phones will get five years of security patches, though.
The Pixel 6a launched for $449 but frequently gets discounted to as low as $299, with available colorways including Chalk, Charcoal, and Sage. On the other hand, the Galaxy A54 also has a $449 price tag and is sold in Awesome Graphite and Awesome Violet. The Galaxy A54 is the better choice for those who want a phone with a larger and sharp display and a higher refresh rate, and a battery that can provide up to two days of moderate usage. It’s also a newer phone and will get better software support, so users can hold on to the phone longer. For those who don’t mind the 60Hz display, the Pixel 6a offers better performance and has excellent cameras. And at its discounted price of $299, the Galaxy A54 5G doesn’t stand a chance.
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