The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is your way into Galaxy phone ownership without splurge on an expensive (but admittedly luxurious) phone like the Galaxy S22 Ultra. The newly released smartphone is priced at $450 which is far more affordable, and we think it is shaping up to offer good value.
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Let’s take a look at how the Galaxy A53 5G offers this value to help you decide whether to choose this phone or not. Then, finally, we will talk about the one area in which the Galaxy A53 is losing in comparison to the competition.
Low Price
Despite the new processor and other hardware improvements, the Galaxy A53 5G is cheaper than its predecessor, the Galaxy A52 5G. You pay $450 for a new phone, compared to $500 for the older model, or 399 compared to 450 in the UK. While most manufacturers strive to keep the same price with new models, it is rare to see a price drop. This is part of why we consider the A53 5G to be good value, even after a short period of use.
years of software support
You’ll spend less buying the new Galaxy A53 5G than before, and for that low price, you’ll also get longer software support this time around. Samsung has committed to providing four years of Android updates and five years of security updates to the Galaxy A53 5G, which is a year longer than the Galaxy A52 5G. This is the same software update commitment that you get when you buy the Galaxy S22 series phone.
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what does this mean? Software updates add new features, they keep the visual design fresh and up to date, and also provide significant security improvements. The longer they are guaranteed to be on your phone, the longer it will last as it will keep pace with the latest models. Just because you’re not buying a $1,000 phone doesn’t mean you should accept anything less than good, long-term software support, and Samsung recognizes that.
updated camera
While the camera hardware isn’t all that different from the older model, Samsung has said that the sensors are new, despite having the same megapixel count. Just like with the Galaxy S22 Ultra, Samsung has used its software capability to boost the cameras, including low-light performance. Adding optical image stabilization (OIS) will really help here, resulting in sharper images and videos taken at night.
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Samsung has also given an upgrade to the app, in which AI Bokeh enhances the portrait mode and the automatic adjustment mode of the editing suite. There’s a good chance Samsung’s Object Eraser mode will be available in the photo editor app, along with the fun Single Take feature included.
large capacity battery
The Galaxy A53 5G packs a 5,000mAh capacity battery, while the Galaxy A52 5G packs a 4,500mAh battery. More capacity doesn’t always mean longer battery life, especially if the technology inside the phone is more power intensive than before, but that’s not the case here. Samsung has used its new Exynos 1280 processor for the A53 5G, which is built using a 5nm process and should translate to better power efficiency.
There has been no change to the screen for the new model as well, so the Galaxy A53 5G’s battery should provide slightly longer usage than before. Don’t expect a week or anything, but at least two days of moderate usage is easily achievable with this setup. We won’t know for sure until we’ve tried the phone for a long time, but on paper it’s a good combination.
Cool Cases and Pre-Order Bonuses
If you pre-order the Galaxy A53 5G through Samsung’s own store, you get a free pair of Samsung Galaxy Buds Live true wireless headphones. While not for everyone, they are a capable alternative to Apple’s AirPods 3, especially when they add a degree of noise cancellation despite being technically “open”. I use them a lot for video calls, and they are great, plus I feel very comfortable wearing them. The inclusion of a $170 pair of headphones with the phone only adds to the price.
Also, it looks like Samsung will be making its own cool silicone case for the Galaxy A53 5G along with the strap accessory. Although it is not available on Samsung’s website at the time of writing, the images were shared along with official press materials. The case is protective, but it’s your chance to swap out the strap part that makes it fun. It adds color, convenience and a way to really personalize your phone.
Galaxy A53 needs fast charging
There is a real emphasis on value with the Galaxy A53 5G. It’s cheaper and has longer software support than the previous model, advanced technology, and a nice pre-order bonus. However, it lacks in one key area compared to some of its strongest competition.
The 25-watt charging system is a feature that holds the Galaxy A53 5G behind, and the otherwise strong price takes a hit because of it. Expect it to take no more than 70 minutes to fully charge, and only if you use a compatible fast charger. OnePlus, Realme and Xiaomi all have phones with extremely fast charging – sometimes more than twice as fast as Samsung’s – for the same price as the A53 5G. Once you figure out the feature of fully charging the battery while you snack, it changes the way you use your phone. Samsung is far behind in terms of fast charging.
If your use of the phone doesn’t call for convenient fast charging, the lack of it won’t be a problem, but if you’re just coming from a phone with seriously quick charging speeds, it’s something we think You will miss The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is available for pre-order now for $450 or 399, and deliveries are expected to begin on April 1.
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