Samsung Galaxy A53 5G: excelling in the Mid-range segment

Introducing the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G: Key Details

Price:

– Samsung Galaxy A53 5G (6GB/128GB): $449 / €449 / £399

– Samsung Galaxy A53 5G (8GB/256GB): $559 / €509

The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is the successor to the popular Galaxy A52 5G and Galaxy A52s from 2021 (excluding the US launch of the latter). While not drastically different from its predecessors, Samsung has made several refinements to its beloved Galaxy A device. Most notably, it now comes at a $50 lower price point. The 6GB RAM and 128GB storage variant can be yours for just $449. There’s also an enhanced version with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, although it may be harder to find in certain markets. Regardless of the model you choose, you can expand your storage using the microSD card slot.

Display and Design:

– 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display, matching the previous Galaxy A52 5G

– Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate

– Gorilla Glass 5 protection for the display, while the back panel is plastic

– IP67 certification for water and dust resistance

Battery and Cameras:

– Upgraded 5,000mAh battery compared to its predecessor

– 25W wired USB Power Delivery charging

– Camera setup remains unchanged, featuring a 64MP primary lens, 12MP ultrawide lens, 5MP macro lens, and 5MP depth lens

Performance and Accessories:

– Minor improvements to the battery and processor

– No charger included in the box, only a USB-C cable and SIM ejector tool

– Available in various colors, including Awesome White, Awesome Black, Awesome Blue, and Awesome Peach

Comparison to Other Devices:

– Competes with strong mid-range options like the upcoming Google Pixel 6a, offering a similar overall experience at a comparable price

– Both devices boast impressive cameras, long-lasting batteries, and industry-leading update commitments

– Priced just $150 lower than the outstanding Google Pixel 7, or a mere $40 difference for the larger storage variant of the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

– For those deciding between Android and iOS, the iPhone SE (2022) from Apple’s lineup offers a similar device, although it falls short on hardware, benefiting from the A15 Bionic chip for impressive performance

Availability:

– The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is readily available at major retailers, including Amazon and Best Buy

Has there been any change in the design?

The design of the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G remains largely unchanged. It closely resembles its predecessor, with only minor differences in size. However, this lack of change is not necessarily a drawback, especially considering that the device is still quite modern compared to its main competitor, the iPhone SE (2022). The placement of ports, buttons, and cameras follows the familiar pattern, making it easy to pick up and use. The only questionable aspect is the positioning of the microphone, which is wedged between the left-sided SIM tray and USB-C port on the bottom edge. One must be cautious when using an ejector tool near it.

Even the back panel of the Galaxy A53 5G, made of matte plastic, feels reminiscent of the previous year’s model. While it may not have the premium feel of glass, it is resistant to bothersome fingerprint smudges and comes in four attractive colors: Black, White, Blue, and Peach. The plastic seamlessly extends into the camera housing, which is slightly raised but maintains a minimalist aesthetic.

Although the Galaxy A53 5G has a tall form factor, this is expected due to its large display. It is a few millimeters taller than the Galaxy S21 FE and slightly larger than the Pixel 6. With a width of 74.8mm, it is on par with Google’s affordable flagship. The device feels solid in hand with its weight of 189g, without being overly heavy. It retains a similar thickness to the previous model, but the metal side rails give it a premium feel, aligning it with Samsung’s high-end Galaxy S22 family. Samsung has made efforts to flatten the edges of their phones for improved ergonomics, making this larger device feel more comfortable to hold.

The phone features an impressive 6.5-inch Super AMOLED panel, identical to the one found on the previous Galaxy A52 5G. This “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” approach proves successful, as the display offers a sharp Full HD+ resolution, a smooth 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and a peak brightness of up to 800 nits. Throughout testing, the display remained at 120Hz, rarely dropping to 60Hz, despite its adaptive nature. There is also an option to lock the display at 60Hz in the Motion Smoothness menu to conserve battery life, although battery performance was generally not a concern.

Thin bezels surround the display on all sides, except for slightly thicker ones at the top and bottom. The only interruption comes from the small punch hole selfie camera, which is easy to ignore when watching your favorite shows. It may slightly obstruct the picture if you zoom in to fill the display, but Samsung’s default video playback hides the camera within a black bar. The Galaxy A53 5G’s selfie camera also has a subtle silver ring around it, which is no more noticeable than the edge of a screen protector.

One of the notable changes in the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is the absence of a headphone jack. As with many budget devices, the headphone jack is slowly being phased out, presumably to make room for additional battery capacity (more details on that later). Nevertheless, the overall build quality and durability remain unchanged, as this is still a well-crafted phone.

How does the camera perform on the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G?

As previously mentioned, Samsung has not made any significant changes to the camera compared to the Galaxy A52 5G, which is a good thing. It continues to be one of the best budget camera setups available, delivering excellent image quality across the board. The 64MP primary sensor captures impressive

 photos, and the device offers a wide range of shooting modes to showcase your creativity. By default, it produces 16MP images, but it’s easy to switch back to full-resolution shots. Additionally, there is a 12MP ultrawide sensor with a 123-degree field of view, a 5MP macro lens, and a 5MP depth sensor to complete the camera setup.

In most situations, I found myself relying on the primary and ultrawide sensors, but the macro lens is capable of capturing decent close-up shots. It surpasses the 2MP options commonly found on many budget phones.

There are plenty of shooting modes to explore, including a unique option called “Fun.” This mode functions like a Snapchat filter, allowing you to identify a nearby face and apply various filters. While its usefulness outside of Snapchat may be limited, it can provide some fun moments, especially when entertaining children without the need to share your selfies elsewhere.