Samsung A54 Vs S21 Is The S21 Still Worth It Or Is The A54 The Better Buy

Choosing between the Samsung Galaxy A54 and the Galaxy S21 isn't just about price—it's about value. The S21 launched as a premium flagship in 2021, while the A54 arrived in 2023 as a mid-range contender with flagship-inspired features. Today, both sit in overlapping price ranges on the secondhand and refurbished markets, making the decision harder than ever. Should you go for the proven performance of the older flagship, or embrace the modern refinements of the newer mid-tier model?

This breakdown compares real-world usability, longevity, camera quality, software support, and overall ownership experience to help you decide which phone truly delivers more for your money.

Design and Build: Premium Feel vs Practical Durability

The Galaxy S21 sports a sleek, minimalist design with a metal frame and plastic back, giving it a lightweight yet premium feel. Its contoured camera housing blends into the frame, creating a distinctive look. At 169g, it’s light enough for one-handed use but lacks IP68 water resistance—a surprising omission for a former flagship.

In contrast, the A54 uses a matte plastic build with subtle texture that resists fingerprints and improves grip. It’s slightly heavier at 202g, but that extra heft comes with IP67 dust and water resistance—meaning it can survive brief submersion. For users who prioritize durability over prestige, this is a major win.

Tip: If you frequently use your phone outdoors or near water, the A54’s IP67 rating offers meaningful protection the S21 lacks.

Display Quality: Brightness and Longevity

Both phones feature excellent AMOLED panels, but they differ in key areas. The S21 has a 6.2-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. Colors are vibrant, blacks are deep, and outdoor visibility is strong thanks to high peak brightness (up to 1300 nits).

The A54 matches the 120Hz refresh rate and uses a similar 6.4-inch FHD+ AMOLED panel. However, its peak brightness caps around 1000 nits, making it less ideal under direct sunlight. That said, Samsung tuned the A54’s display for longer lifespan, reducing burn-in risk through pixel-shifting technology and adaptive dimming.

If you're a heavy media consumer or spend time outdoors, the S21’s brighter screen may be preferable. But if you plan to keep your phone for three years or more, the A54’s display longevity enhancements could pay off.

Performance Comparison: Flagship Chip vs Modern Efficiency

The S21 runs on the Exynos 2100 (or Snapdragon 888 in some regions), a true flagship chipset from 2021. In its prime, it delivered top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and AI workloads. However, the Exynos 2100 was criticized for thermal throttling and higher power consumption, especially during sustained loads.

The A54 uses the Exynos 1380, a mid-range chip built on a more efficient 5nm process. While not as powerful in raw benchmarks, it handles everyday tasks smoothly—web browsing, social apps, video streaming—with lower heat output and better battery efficiency.

In practice, the S21 still outperforms the A54 in CPU-heavy tasks and high-end gaming. But unless you’re pushing mobile gaming limits or editing 4K video daily, the difference is rarely noticeable. For most users, the A54 feels snappy and responsive.

“Flagship chips age faster due to aggressive clock speeds and heat generation. Mid-range processors like the Exynos 1380 often provide smoother long-term experiences.” — David Kim, Mobile Hardware Analyst at TechPulse Asia

Camera Capabilities: Which Takes Better Photos?

The S21 features a triple rear setup: 12MP main (f/1.8), 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2), and a 64MP telephoto (f/2.0) with 3x hybrid zoom. Its computational photography engine, powered by the flagship processor, produces sharp, well-balanced images in daylight and decent low-light shots with minimal noise.

The A54 drops the telephoto lens, replacing it with a simpler triple system: 50MP main (f/1.8), 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2), and a 5MP macro (f/2.4). No optical zoom, but the main sensor benefits from OIS and improved night mode algorithms. In head-to-head tests, the A54 often matches or exceeds the S21 in natural lighting, particularly in dynamic range and skin tone accuracy.

Low-light performance is where the gap narrows. The S21’s larger processing pipeline allows for faster multi-frame stacking, resulting in cleaner night shots. However, the A54’s updated software and dedicated Night Mode make it surprisingly capable after dark.

Real-World Example: Travel Photography Test

Lena, a digital nomad based in Thailand, tested both phones during a week-long trip across Chiang Mai and Phuket. She shot landscapes, street food, and sunset beach scenes. While she appreciated the S21’s 3x zoom for distant temple details, she found the A54 produced more consistent colors across varied lighting conditions. “The S21 sometimes oversharpened skies,” she noted, “but the A54 just worked—no tweaking needed.”

Battery Life and Charging: Endurance vs Speed

The A54 packs a 5000mAh battery, significantly larger than the S21’s 4000mAh unit. Paired with a more efficient chipset, this translates to noticeably longer endurance. Users report 1.5 to 2 days of moderate use on the A54, compared to a full day (or less) on the S21 under similar conditions.

Charging speed favors the S21, which supports 25W fast charging (though no charger included). The A54 maxes out at 25W too, but many regional variants ship with only 15W support. Neither supports wireless charging, a cost-cutting measure on both models.

Feature	Samsung S21	Samsung A54
Battery Capacity	4000 mAh	5000 mAh
Fast Charging	25W	15W–25W (varies by region)
Wireless Charging	No	No
Estimated Daily Use	1 day	1.5–2 days

Tip: If you travel frequently or dislike daily charging, the A54’s larger battery offers tangible convenience.

Software Support and Future-Proofing

This is where the A54 pulls decisively ahead. Samsung promises four major Android OS updates and five years of security patches for the A54—meaning it will receive updates until at least 2028.

The S21, despite being a flagship, only received three OS upgrades (from Android 11 to Android 14). Security updates continue until 2025, but after that, it will be left behind. Given today’s emphasis on digital security and app compatibility, having active software support matters.

For long-term ownership, the A54 is clearly the safer bet. Even if the S21 feels faster now, outdated software can lead to app incompatibility, reduced performance, and security risks down the line.

Value Verdict: Who Should Buy Which?

The answer depends on your priorities.

• Choose the S21 if: You find it deeply discounted (under $300), want slightly better camera zoom, prefer a compact size, and don’t mind shorter software support.
• Choose the A54 if: You plan to keep your phone for 3+ years, value battery life and durability, want longer update coverage, and prioritize consistent daily performance over peak speed.

On paper, the S21 seems superior. In practice, the A54 delivers a more balanced, sustainable experience. Unless you’re a power user chasing every frame per second, the A54 is the smarter long-term investment.

Quick Decision Checklist

1. Do you need more than 3 years of software updates? → A54
2. Is battery life critical? → A54
3. Do you shoot often with zoom? → S21
4. Are you buying new or refurbished under $300? → S21 might be a steal
5. Do you use your phone near water or in harsh conditions? → A54 (IP67)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the A54 really last as long as the S21?

Yes—and in some ways, longer. The A54 benefits from newer materials, better battery capacity, and extended software support. While the S21 had premium internals initially, aging batteries and discontinued updates limit its lifespan.

Is the lack of a telephoto lens a dealbreaker on the A54?

For casual users, no. Most \"zoom\" shots on phones use digital cropping anyway. The A54’s 50MP main sensor allows good digital zoom up to 2x without quality loss. Only enthusiasts needing 3x+ optical clarity will miss the S21’s telephoto.

Does the S21 feel outdated in 2024?

Not entirely. It still runs apps smoothly and has a great display. But signs of age show in battery degradation, occasional lag in UI transitions, and missing features like IP68. It’s functional, but not future-proof.

Final Thoughts: The Right Phone for Your Lifestyle

The Galaxy S21 was a landmark device in Samsung’s history—the last flagship to skip microSD and include a headphone jack (in some models). But time has moved on. The A54 represents a shift in Samsung’s strategy: delivering near-flagship experiences at accessible prices, with an emphasis on sustainability and longevity.

If you’re buying today, the A54 is generally the better choice. It’s newer, lasts longer between charges, receives updates for years to come, and holds up well in real-world use. The S21 remains a viable option only if found at a steep discount and you accept its limitations.

🚀 Ready to make your move? Check current prices on certified refurbished units and compare warranty options. Your next phone should earn its place in your pocket—not just impress on paper.