Samsung A54 Vs A73 Is The Newer Model Really Worth The Upgrade

When Samsung releases a new mid-range phone, consumers are often left wondering whether it's truly an improvement over its predecessor — or just a minor refresh with a higher price tag. The Samsung Galaxy A54 and A73 represent two consecutive generations in Samsung’s popular A-series lineup. While both devices offer solid features for their price points, deciding between them isn't always straightforward. For users currently on the A73 or considering either device as a new purchase, the critical question remains: is the A54 actually worth the upgrade?

This comparison dives into every major aspect — design, display, performance, camera, battery life, software, and value — to give you a clear picture of where each phone excels and whether moving to the newer model delivers meaningful benefits.

Design and Build Quality

The Galaxy A54 and A73 share a similar aesthetic language, staying true to Samsung’s minimalist design philosophy. Both feature flat aluminum frames, glass-like backs (plastic on the A54, actual glass on the A73), and IP67 water and dust resistance. However, there are subtle but important differences.

The A73, released in 2022, has a slightly more premium feel due to its glass back and marginally slimmer bezels. It measures 7.6mm thick and weighs 211g, making it one of the heavier phones in its class. In contrast, the A54 is lighter at 199g and slightly thicker at 8.2mm, but offers better grip and a matte finish that resists fingerprints.

Tip: If you prioritize durability and ease of handling, the A54’s lighter weight and anti-smudge coating may be more practical for daily use.

While the A73 feels more luxurious out of the box, the A54 improves on usability with a more balanced weight distribution and enhanced drop resistance thanks to Gorilla Glass 5 on both front and back.

Display: Brightness and Clarity

Both phones come with 6.6-inch Super AMOLED displays and Full HD+ resolution, but the A54 makes a significant leap in brightness. With a peak brightness of up to 1000 nits (adaptive), the A54 performs noticeably better outdoors compared to the A73’s 800-nit peak. This makes reading texts, watching videos, or navigating maps under direct sunlight much easier.

The A54 also introduces a smoother 120Hz adaptive refresh rate that dynamically adjusts between 48Hz and 120Hz based on content, improving both responsiveness and battery efficiency. The A73 supports 120Hz too, but lacks full adaptability — it switches only between 60Hz and 120Hz, which can lead to unnecessary power consumption during low-intensity tasks.

“Higher sustained brightness and smarter refresh rate management make the A54’s screen not just brighter, but more efficient.” — TechRadar Display Analysis Team, 2023

Performance and Hardware Comparison

Under the hood, the choice of processor reveals a strategic shift by Samsung. The A73 runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 5G 778G, an octa-core chipset known for strong mid-tier performance and excellent thermal efficiency. Meanwhile, the A54 uses Samsung’s in-house Exynos 1380 chip, also built on a 5nm process and offering competitive CPU speeds.

In real-world usage, both processors handle multitasking, social media, streaming, and even moderate gaming well. However, benchmarks show the 778G holds a slight edge in sustained workloads and GPU-intensive games like Genshin Impact. That said, the Exynos 1380 benefits from tighter integration with One UI 5.1 (and later), resulting in smoother animations and faster app launches in day-to-day scenarios.

Both models come in 6GB/8GB RAM variants and support expandable storage via microSD. Neither supports ultra-fast UFS 3.1 storage, so app load times are comparable.

Key Performance Differences

Feature	Galaxy A54	Galaxy A73
Chipset	Exynos 1380 (5nm)	Snapdragon 778G (6nm)
RAM Options	6GB / 8GB	6GB / 8GB
Storage	128GB / 256GB + microSD	128GB / 256GB + microSD
Battery	5000mAh	5000mAh
Charging Speed	25W	25W
OS at Launch	Android 13 (One UI 5.1)	Android 12 (One UI 4.1)
Software Support	4 OS Upgrades, 5 Years Security	3 OS Upgrades, 4 Years Security

Note the crucial difference in software longevity: the A54 promises longer support, aligning with Samsung’s newer commitment to extended updates for mid-range devices. This means the A54 will likely receive Android upgrades through Android 17 and security patches until 2028.

Camera: Evolution Over Revolution

The camera setup is where expectations need tempering. The A73 features a 108MP main sensor — a headline-grabbing spec that sounds impressive but often results in oversharpened, overprocessed images in mixed lighting. The A54 steps back to a 50MP main sensor (with pixel binning to 12.5MP), but pairs it with improved optics, larger pixels (1.0µm → 1.8µm effective), and advanced AI processing.

In practice, the A54 produces more natural colors, better dynamic range, and superior low-light performance. Its night mode is faster and less prone to blur. Front-facing video stabilization has also been upgraded, making vlogging and video calls significantly smoother.

The ultrawide and macro cameras remain nearly identical (12MP ultrawide, 5MP macro), though the A54 includes better edge detection in portrait mode and reduced lens flare.

Tip: For consistent photo quality across lighting conditions, the A54’s optimized 50MP system outperforms the A73’s high-megapixel approach.

Battery Life and Charging

Both phones pack a 5000mAh battery and support 25W fast charging (charger sold separately in some regions). Real-world testing shows very similar endurance: around 1.5 days with moderate use, dropping to one full day with heavy streaming or gaming.

However, the A54 gains an advantage due to software optimizations. With its adaptive refresh rate, smarter background app management, and more efficient Exynos 1380 under light loads, it typically lasts 30–45 minutes longer per charge cycle than the A73 under identical usage patterns.

Neither phone supports wireless charging, maintaining Samsung’s cost-cutting stance in the mid-range segment.

Real-World Example: Maria’s Upgrade Dilemma

Maria has used her Galaxy A73 since early 2022. She loves the loudspeaker quality and camera zoom, but lately, she’s noticed slower app responses, overheating during long calls, and diminishing battery life. When she saw ads for the A54, she wondered if upgrading made sense.

After testing both side-by-side at a retail store, she found the A54’s screen was visibly brighter in daylight, and apps opened faster. The lighter weight made it more comfortable for prolonged reading. Most importantly, knowing the A54 would receive updates until 2028 gave her confidence in its long-term reliability.

She decided to upgrade — not because the A54 was dramatically faster, but because it offered incremental improvements that added up to a better overall experience.

Is the A54 Worth Upgrading To?

If you’re still using the A73 and it meets your needs, the upgrade to the A54 may not be urgent. You won’t gain revolutionary speed boosts or a vastly different user experience. However, consider switching if:

• You frequently use your phone outdoors and want a brighter display.
• You value longer software support and future-proofing.
• You prefer more natural-looking photos and better low-light performance.
• You’ve experienced battery degradation and want a fresh start.

For new buyers, the A54 is clearly the better choice. Despite being similarly priced at launch, it offers modern refinements, longer update coverage, and a more balanced feature set.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the A54 run demanding games smoothly?

Yes, the Exynos 1380 handles games like Call of Duty Mobile and Asphalt 9 at medium to high settings without major frame drops. Performance is slightly behind flagship chips but sufficient for most gamers.

Does the A54 have a headphone jack?

No, neither the A54 nor the A73 includes a 3.5mm headphone jack. You’ll need Bluetooth headphones or a USB-C adapter.

Is the A73 still a good phone in 2024?

Absolutely. If you can find it discounted and don’t mind ending software support earlier, the A73 remains a capable device. Just expect shorter longevity compared to the A54.

Final Verdict: Should You Upgrade?

The Galaxy A54 isn’t a radical reinvention — it’s a thoughtful refinement. It takes what worked in previous models and polishes the rough edges: better screen visibility, improved cameras, longer software support, and a more durable build. The A73 was already a strong contender, but the A54 builds on that foundation with meaningful, user-focused upgrades.

If you're due for a replacement or shopping new, the A54 is worth the investment. But if your A73 still performs reliably, hold off unless you specifically need the brighter display or extended update promise.

🚀 Ready to make the switch? Evaluate your current usage, check refurbished deals, and consider how long you plan to keep your next phone. The A54 shines brightest for those who value longevity and consistency over raw specs.