Whereas flagship smartphones appear to get many of the consideration, the mid-range market has made big strides over the previous couple of years, because of advances in know-how and higher help for long-term software program updates. After spending just a few weeks with the brand new Samsung Galaxy A53 5G, it’s clear I may proceed to totally perform with a mid-range cellphone and save lots of of {dollars} over what I spend now on flagships.
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Samsung’s latest public dedication to software program upgrades, together with for the Galaxy A53 5G, is a major motive to contemplate the A53 5G over a Google Pixel 5A 5G. Samsung is providing one yr extra help than Google, and it has already confirmed over the previous couple of years that it’s critical about well timed Android safety updates. I’m personally not a fan of Google’s Pixel {hardware} as a result of machine failure, bugs, and substandard mobile reception. Alternatively, Samsung telephones have a few of the finest reception of any cellphone, superior software program options are included as a part of OneUI, and Samsung provides a near-flagship expertise for a similar worth.
Execs
- Inexpensive worth
- Strong battery life
- Dependable mobile efficiency
- Pretty show
- Good digicam outcomes
Cons
- Occasional efficiency lag
Whereas Samsung’s flagship telephones are double the value of the A53 5G, the S21 FE is simply $150 extra. For that worth enhance, you get a greater processor, extra cameras, and Samsung DeX whilst you do quit a microSD card slot. The A53 is a good possibility at lower than $500, and I might personally select it over the Google Pixel 5a, TCL 20 Professionaland different sub-$500 mid-range telephones. There are another nice choices, however the Samsung’s dedication to software program help is one thing that different smartphones on this worth vary can’t provide.
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Samsung Galaxy A53 5G {hardware}
The Samsung Galaxy A53 has a manageable dimension with a flat 6.5-inch Infinity-O AMOLED show. One thing a bit uncommon on a sub-$450 cellphone is the help for a display screen refresh price as much as 120 Hz so you possibly can expertise clean scrolling on the cellphone. A middle hole-punch, 32MP front-facing digicam is positioned within the show with satisfactory minimal bezels on all 4 sides so you possibly can maintain and use the cellphone with ease.
A shiny black plastic edge encases the cellphone with energy and quantity buttons on the best, a USB-C port, speaker, and mic on the underside, and a mic opening on the highest. There is no such thing as a 3.5mm headphone jack, however there’s a microSD card slot in with the SIM card tray on the underside.
The again has a stunning matte end within the Superior Black colour scheme. Fingerprint smudges will seem on the again panel, however they wipe off simply too. A easy Samsung branding can be situated on the again. 4 digicam openings and a flashlight are discovered on the again within the higher left nook. The again panel transitions seamlessly up from the flat again and across the cameras, giving it a chic, completed look. Samsung labels this design function as Ambient Edge.
Beginning on the high left and dealing down in a column, Samsung supplies a 12MP ultra-wide digicam, 64MP important digicam, and a 5MP depth sensor. We discover a 5MP macro digicam with the LED flash beneath it to the best. The digicam efficiency has been strong, and I significantly like that the depth sensor helps portrait mode photographs with out having to face again far-off from the topic. Macro photographs additionally look nice from the Galaxy A53.
The Samsung Galaxy A53 has a big 5000 mAh battery and when mixed with the Samsung processor getting two days of battery life out of the cellphone is a probable end result. Wi-fi charging shouldn’t be supported, however 25W quick charging is with the best charger. Notice that there isn’t a charger included within the field with the Galaxy A53, one other approach Samsung was in a position to avoid wasting cash.
5G is supported, together with help for mmWave, and in my testing, I used to be capable of expertise rock strong mobile efficiency and quick obtain/add speeds. Samsung leads on this space, and if staying linked in poor protection areas is necessary to you, then it is best to think about a Samsung cellphone.
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G specs
- Processor: Samsung Exynos 1280
- Most important show: 6.5-inch, 2400 x 1080 pixels decision, Tremendous AMOLED Infinity-O with 120Hz refresh price
- Working system: Android 12 with OneUI 4.1
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage: 128GB inside storage with microSD card slot
- Cameras: 12MP ultra-wide f/2.2, 64MP f/1.8 broad angle, 5MP f/2.4 depth sensor, and 5MP f/2.4 macro digicam. 32MP f/2.2 front-facing digicam.
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS/Galileo/GLONASS, NFC
- Sensors: Accelerometer, Barometer, Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Corridor Sensor, Proximity Sensor, RGB Mild Sensor
- Mud/water resistance: IP67 score
- Battery: 5000mAh non-removable with quick charging help.
- Dimensions: 159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1mm and 189 grams
- Shade: Superior Black
The cellphone additionally has twin stereo audio system that sound surprisingly nice with excellent quantity and readability. That is a kind of areas that’s normally compromised on a mid-range cellphone. These specs present a really succesful possibility with some features which might be not often used, akin to ultra-wideband and Wi-Fi 6, lacking from the record when in comparison with the newest flagship.
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Samsung Galaxy A53 5G software program
The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G launches with Android 12 and Samsung One UI 4.1. The April 1, 2022, Android safety replace is current on our overview unit. Samsung’s new software program improve coverage means you’ll possible obtain as much as 4 working system upgrades and 5 years of safety updates. The corporate has a confirmed observe file of standard safety updates, and I look ahead to experiencing prolonged help for Samsung’s telephones.
I personally discover worth in some Samsung apps, akin to Web, Calendar, Gallery, Samsung Notes, and Samsung Well being. They’re put in by default and provide a barely completely different expertise than customary Google apps. Microsoft apps, together with Workplace, OneDrive, Outlook, and LinkedIn, are additionally put in on the A53 5G by default.
With Samsung Calendar, you possibly can have Google Calendar, Outlook, and different calendar providers all seem on one consolidated calendar interface. Web supplies a greater general looking expertise than Google Chrome. The Samsung Gallery helps you to shortly and simply create a customized collage whereas Google Images places the images the place Google desires to place them.
The digicam software program is probably the most important app from Samsung on the A53. There are a ton of settings, choices, and modes so that you can discover. Taking pictures modes embrace enjoyable, single take, portrait, evening, photograph, video, professional, professional video, meals, panorama, tremendous slow-mo, slow-motion, hyper-lapse, and macro. That is the primary time I’ve seen the enjoyable mode on a Samsung cellphone, and it seems to usher in results from Snapchat Lenses. If there are modes that you just use typically, then faucet and maintain on the mode and drag it into the short entry menu in order that you do not have to first faucet on the Extra choice to view all the modes.
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Filters, facet ratios, timers, flash settings, scene optimizer, and way more are designed that can assist you seize the very best content material potential with the Galaxy A53. You may toggle on shot recommendations to assist information you, and this can be a nice possibility for serving to you discover ways to finest use the cellphone’s cameras.
Each day experiences and conclusions
Once I noticed the announcement for the Galaxy A53, I didn’t get that excited since I didn’t count on a sub-$450 Samsung cellphone was price contemplating. After just a few weeks of utilizing the cellphone, I now query why I am spending twice the value, and extra, for the newest flagships. Granted, photograph high quality is best with the high-end flagships, however I am simply capturing and sharing images with household and mates as an newbie. I’ve restricted photograph abilities and am not going to win any photograph contests, so I do not actually care about having the last word shooter in my hand.
Whereas the show’s excessive refresh price is implausible, I do see a little bit of lag in content material showing on the show and when switching apps every so often. It actually solely bothers me if I leap over to a flagship and may see the variations, however for the low $450 worth, it’s clearly an appropriate compromise and one that almost all of householders are unlikely to note.
One perform that bothers me on my iPhone 13 Professional Max is that I’ve to face 20 toes away from somebody to get a great portrait shot outdoors. The depth sensor on the Galaxy A53 helps staying near the topic to seize first rate portrait photographs. As well as, there are a number of capturing modes that can assist you get inventive with pictures, even if you’re not knowledgeable.
If you’re wanting to avoid wasting cash on a smartphone and wish an possibility that can assist you to get work executed and have enjoyable, then the Samsung A53 5G is price your consideration. The consolation in realizing you possibly can rely on years of software program updates is a serious profit and one thing that units Samsung aside within the mid-range market. Succesful specs, expandable storage, and high-quality building make this a cellphone that ought to carry out nicely for years.