Not fairly flagship
The Galaxy A54 could also be a step down from Samsung’s flagship S-series, however it comes with loads of flagship options, akin to a 120Hz AMOLED show, quick charging, and an IP score for water and dirt resistance. All this for half the value of an everyday flagship.
ForAMOLED show25W wired chargingIP67 water and dirt resistanceGorilla Glass 5Up to 8GB of RAMSoftware promiseAgainstExynos chipset struggles a bitCameras wrestle with publicity and portrait mode
A strong cellphone
The Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) is probably not essentially the most highly effective available on the market, however the Snapdragon chip holds its personal very nicely. Plus, the 50MP main digicam takes some good pictures, and there isn’t any beating a built-in stylus pen.
ForSurprisingly respectable main digicamSnapdragon chip performs wellBuilt-in stylusVery loud speakersSide-mounted fingerprint sensorAgainstNo IP scoreSoftware assist remains to be lackingUnderwhelming low-light performanceLCD and never AMOLED
When it involves low-cost and funds Android telephones, Motorola is normally king. However, Samsung has its hand in nearly each value level, difficult Motorola alongside the best way. Looking nearer on the high finish of their mid-range lineups this 12 months is the Galaxy A54 and Moto G Stylus 5G (2023), two very tempting telephones for customers trying to avoid wasting cash.Samsung’s A-series is widespread, particularly the A5x fashions, as they provide near-flagship specs at roughly half the value. It’s like having a watered-down Galaxy S23. Meanwhile, Motorola’s Stylus line is widespread as one of many few longstanding choices with a built-in stylus pen that does not make you spend over $1000 to get it.Both these telephones sit slightly below their respective OEMs’ flagship lineups. So how do they examine? And which one must you purchase?Samsung Galaxy A54 5G vs. Moto G Stylus 5G (2023): DesignWhy you possibly can belief Android Central
Our knowledgeable reviewers spend hours testing and evaluating services so you possibly can select the very best for you. Find out extra about how we take a look at.(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)The designs of those telephones are fairly totally different, however each fall into the identical design language as their flagship counterparts. For occasion, the Galaxy A54 seems to be actually an identical to the Galaxy S23. Both function a flat again panel with three protruding digicam lenses, which could warrant throwing on a Galaxy A54 case to maintain them protected. Even extra so, the again panel is definitely fabricated from glass, which is generally reserved for extra flagship telephones, which will certainly warrant a case.The entrance additionally seems to be almost the identical, though the bezels across the A54 are barely thicker. The A54 additionally has some pretty vibrant shade choices.The Moto G Stylus 5G takes the design of the Motorola Edge Plus (2023) and tones it down slightly. Unlike the A54, the again is constituted of plastic as a substitute of glass, however it has a extra frosted texture in comparison with the shiny sheen of Samsung’s cellphone. This might preserve it from cracking when you ever drop it, however the materials nonetheless feels a bit cheaper. And whereas the A54 may look like the extra premium cellphone, the Stylus remains to be a handsome cellphone.Motorola’s cellphone can also be bigger, with a 6.6-inch show, versus the 6.4-inch panel on the A54, in case measurement is one thing so that you can take into account.Image 1 of two(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)One large distinction between the 2 telephones is their safety. The A54 sports activities Gorilla Glass 5 to guard the show, whereas Motorola makes no point out of such safety. Additionally, the Galaxy has an IP67 water and dirt resistance score, which suggests the cellphone can deal with spills and even being submerged. Motorola simply has a water-repellent coating on the Stylus, which ought to shield it from mild spills and rain, however nothing too complete.Basically, you will undoubtedly wish to spend money on a Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) case and/or display screen protector. It can also assist add some aptitude to the cellphone because it is available in fewer shade choices than the Galaxy.Samsung Galaxy A54 5G vs. Moto G Stylus 5G (2023): Hardware & specs(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)When it involves efficiency, these telephones could also be comparable, however one cellphone might have the higher hand. The Galaxy A54 5G is powered by the Exynos 1380, and Samsung’s in-house chips do not have the very best fame. Users are inclined to favor Snapdragon chipsets, significantly with regards to the very best Samsung telephones, as Qualcomm’s chips normally present higher efficiency. That stated, efficiency on the A54 is about what you’d count on from a mid-range cellphone.The A54 can play video games nicely when you keep on with medium settings and visuals. Unfortunately, the slower storage could cause some issues loading property with video games like Fortnite.Now, when you’re on the lookout for a Snapdragon processor, the Moto G Stylus 5G 2023 may be your pace, actually. In my testing, the cellphone performs surprisingly nicely, because of the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chip. Based on efficiency alone when finishing varied duties, you may assume it is a flagship cellphone. That’s doubtless as a result of 6GB of RAM, which helps preserve apps in verify. Although it is price noting that the Moto is available in a 4GB variant as nicely, whereas the Galaxy has 6GB and 8GB variants, placing the A54 extra in flagship territory.It’s solely whenever you begin gaming on the Moto that you will discover you possibly can’t fairly hit the highest-quality graphics with out sacrificing efficiency. Honkai Star Rail performs nicely in medium settings, and whereas you may get away with excessive settings, your gameplay expertise will not be phenomenal.Swipe to scroll horizontallyCategoryMoto G Stylus 5G (2023)Samsung Galaxy A54 5GOSAndroid 13 (My UX)Android 13 (One UI 5)Display6.6-inch FHD+ (2400 x 1080), LCD, 120Hz (LTPS)6.4-inch FHD+ (2340 x 1080), AMOLED, 120Hz, Gorilla Glass 5ChipsetSnapdragon 6 Gen 1Exynos 1380Storage128GB/256GB, expandable128GB/256GB, expandableMemory4GB/6GB6GB/8GB RAM, expandableWater ResistanceWater-repellentIP67Battery & Charging5,000mAh, 20W wired charging5,000mAh, 25W wired chargingConnectivity5G (sub-6), Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi (2.4GHz & 5GHz)5G (sub-6), Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6NFC✔✔SecuritySide-mounted fingerprint sensor, face unlockIn-display fingerprint sensor, face unlockDimensions162.83 x 73.77 x 9.19mm158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2mmWeight202g202gColorsCosmic Black, Rose ChampagneLime, Violet, Black, WhiteBoth telephones have Full HD+ 120Hz shows, however the Galaxy A54 has the higher hand with an AMOLED panel, which may produce higher distinction and extra inky blacks.Fortunately, each telephones are available 128 or 256GB storage variants, and each assist exterior storage, that means you possibly can pop in a microSD card to maneuver recordsdata and media round.(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)Where the Moto G Stylus has a bonus is its built-in stylus. Just a fast click on from the underside to pop the stylus out, and you’ll instantly begin jotting down notes on the show. It’s not as superior as Samsung’s S Pen, however some folks like having a bodily stylus to get issues carried out, and the A54 does not even assist the S Pen.Battery life is definitely fairly comparable between the 2 telephones. The 5000mAh batteries can most likely get you as a lot as two days on a single cost, relying in your use. Charging can also be fairly comparable between the gadgets, though the A54 has a slight benefit with 25W wired over the Stylus’ 20W. Neither cellphone helps wi-fi charging.Samsung Galaxy A54 5G vs. Moto G Stylus 5G (2023): Software(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)Both telephones run Android 13 out of the field, however the experiences shall be fairly totally different. The Galaxy A54 makes use of Samsung’s One UI 5.1 pores and skin, which does not have the very best fame. That stated, there are numerous individuals who like and even favor Samsung’s UI over others, just like the Pixel UI or “stock” Android.The Moto G Stylus 5G runs My UX, which is basically an identical to the Pixel UI, save for some Moto prospers. Those typically embody a collection of gestures that Motorola is understood for, like chopping the cellphone twice to activate the flashlight or twisting it twice to activate the digicam. They’re typically helpful and one thing we want extra Android OEMs would do.Like on Pixels, the UI tends to tackle a bubbly look, akin to the big toggles for the fast settings menu. Meanwhile, One UI takes on a extra condensed search for lots of its UI components. Aside from gestures, Motorola provides its personal set of customizations, however they’re pretty par for the course. Meanwhile, Samsung provides lots of those self same customizations however takes issues up a notch with Good Lock, giving customers a deeper degree of choices to make the cellphone really yours.(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Aside from the totally different UI, Samsung has a significantly better software program promise. Despite being a mid-range cellphone, Samsung will provide the A54 4 OS upgrades and 5 years of safety updates. Meanwhile, Motorola will solely give the Stylus 5G one OS improve and three years of updates.If you are going for longevity, the Galaxy is the best way to go.Samsung Galaxy A54 5G vs. Moto G Stylus 5G (2023): Cameras(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)With mid-range telephones, you possibly can’t actually count on the very best digicam efficiency except you are coping with a Google smartphone just like the Pixel 7a. That stated, photographs from these two telephones aren’t dangerous, even when they are not essentially the very best.The Galaxy A54 has a powerful digicam setup with a 50MP extensive sensor, 12MP ultrawide, and a macro sensor. Motorola has an identical 50MP main sensor, however the ultrawide is a little bit of a downgrade at 8MP. That stated, it additionally features as a macro and depth digicam, which may give it the higher hand when taking very close-up pictures or portrait photographs.You can see from the Galaxy A54 samples beneath that the cellphone takes good pictures in well-lit conditions and even in low mild. However, the cellphone has some points with white stability and publicity.Image 1 of 5(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)As for the Stylus 5G, it takes pleasing photographs with sufficient vibrancy and saturation. It begins to wrestle with ultrawide pictures, significantly at evening, and low-light pictures are typically okay at greatest. That stated, macro pictures are pretty spectacular, and it appears to do a barely higher job with portrait pictures that the Galaxy A54 5G.Image 1 of 6(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)Samsung Galaxy A54 5G vs. Moto G Stylus 5G (2023): Which must you purchase?(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)The Galaxy A54 5G and Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) each cater to comparable audiences on the lookout for flagship experiences in cheaper smartphones. Both work fairly nicely in on a regular basis use and are adequate to play your favourite video games from time to time whereas retaining all-day battery life (after which some). The Motorola cellphone has a bit extra of a productiveness focus, because of the built-in stylus pen, however it’s actually simply an additional accent than one thing that is completely integral to the expertise of utilizing the cellphone.When imaging and efficiency, I might most likely counsel the Motorola, as I discovered myself fairly impressed with the Snapdragon chipset beneath. However, Samsung has the higher hand in lots of areas, akin to sturdiness, software program assist, and the AMOLED show.If you are trying to go along with the cheaper possibility, the Stylus is an effective cellphone to go along with at $399. But it is most likely price it to simply spend the additional $50 to get the added advantages that include the Galaxy A54. That stated, I do not assume you possibly can actually go fallacious with both possibility, as they’re among the greatest low-cost Android telephones you should purchase right now.
Premium mid-range
There’s so much to love concerning the Galaxy A54 5G, from the A23-like design to the flagship-range specs and the sub-flagship value. For lower than $500, you get a stunning 120Hz AMOLED show, water resistance, and quick charging.
A mighty pen
The Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) is the most suitable choice for a cellphone with a built-in stylus pen when you do not wish to spend greater than $1000. It comes with a speedy Snapdragon processor, a 120Hz show, and a reasonably good 50MP digicam.
ForSurprisingly respectable main digicamSnapdragon chip performs wellBuilt-in stylusVery loud speakersSide-mounted fingerprint sensorAgainstNo IP scoreSoftware assist remains to be lackingUnderwhelming low-light performanceLCD and never AMOLED