Galaxy A54 Vs Galaxy S24 Ultra

Galaxy A54
Galaxy A54
Starting at

Refurbished price:178.00

Versus €527.33 new

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Galaxy S24 Ultra
Galaxy S24 Ultra
Starting at

Refurbished price:540.00

Versus €1,589.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A54, released in March 2023, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, launched in January 2024, represent distinct tiers within Samsung's smartphone lineup. While both operate on the Android platform, the S24 Ultra is positioned as a premium flagship device, offering advanced features and top-tier performance, whereas the A54 serves as a capable mid-range option. The primary differentiators lie in their processing power, camera systems, and overall build quality.

Scores

Durability

The expected practical lifespan of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical durability.

  • Release Timeline & OS Support: The Galaxy A54, released in March 2023, typically receives 4 major OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates from its launch. The Galaxy S24 Ultra, launched in January 2024, benefits from a longer commitment of 7 years of OS updates and 7 years of security updates. This means the S24 Ultra will receive software support for a significantly longer period.
  • Software Longevity: Users prioritizing extended software support will find the S24 Ultra offers a longer period of receiving the latest Android versions and security patches, ensuring the device remains current and secure for more years. The A54, while still offering substantial support, will reach its end-of-life for major OS updates sooner.
  • Durability & Repairability: The Galaxy A54 features Gorilla Glass 5 on both its front and back, with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. The S24 Ultra elevates durability with Gorilla Glass Armor on the front, a titanium frame, and an IP68 rating, offering enhanced protection against drops and water immersion. Both devices are designed with a certain level of repairability in mind, though the S24 Ultra's more complex internal design might present greater challenges for repairs.

Year of Release

2023

2024

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance varies significantly between these two devices, impacting how smoothly they handle demanding applications and multitasking.

  • Processing Capabilities: The Galaxy A54 is equipped with a processor that handles everyday tasks, social media, and moderate gaming smoothly. Users will experience responsive navigation and app loading for typical daily usage. The Galaxy S24 Ultra, on the other hand, features a top-tier processor designed for intensive tasks, offering exceptional speed and efficiency for demanding applications, advanced gaming, and complex computations.
  • Multitasking & Responsiveness: The A54 provides a capable experience for multitasking with several apps open, though very heavy usage might show occasional slowdowns. The S24 Ultra excels in this area, allowing users to seamlessly switch between numerous applications and run resource-intensive programs without noticeable lag, maintaining a consistently fluid and responsive user experience.
  • Storage Options: The Galaxy A54 is available with 128 GB or 256 GB of internal storage and supports expandable storage via a microSD card up to 1 TB. The Galaxy S24 Ultra offers larger internal storage options, typically starting from 256 GB and going up to 1 TB, but it does not support expandable storage.
  • Battery Behavior: Both devices feature a 5000 mAh battery. The Galaxy A54 generally provides reliable battery life for over a day of typical use. The S24 Ultra, despite having the same battery capacity, often demonstrates extended endurance, with users reporting it can last significantly longer even with heavy use, partly due to its more efficient processor and adaptive display technology.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The display experience differs considerably, with the S24 Ultra offering a more advanced visual interface.

  • Display Technology & Resolution: The Galaxy A54 features a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, providing vibrant colors and deep blacks suitable for everyday viewing. The Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a larger 6.8-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display with a higher resolution of 1440 x 3120 pixels, resulting in sharper images and more detailed content.
  • Brightness & Outdoor Visibility: The A54's display reaches a peak brightness of 1000 nits, offering good visibility in most outdoor conditions. The S24 Ultra significantly surpasses this with a peak brightness of 2600 nits, ensuring excellent readability even in direct sunlight.
  • Refresh Rate & Smoothness: Both devices feature a 120Hz refresh rate, contributing to smooth scrolling and fluid animations. However, the S24 Ultra's LTPO technology allows for an adaptive refresh rate that can scale down to 1Hz, optimizing power consumption while maintaining smoothness when needed.
  • Screen Size & Viewing Experience: The A54's 6.4-inch screen offers a comfortable viewing area for media consumption and general use. The S24 Ultra's larger 6.8-inch display provides a more expansive and immersive viewing experience, particularly beneficial for gaming, video editing, or productivity tasks.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1440 x 3120

Screen type

Super AMOLED

Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X

Audiovisual

The camera systems are a key area of distinction, with the S24 Ultra offering a more versatile and high-performance setup.

  • Main Camera Capabilities: The Galaxy A54 features a 50 MP main camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), capable of capturing detailed photos in various lighting conditions. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is equipped with a 200 MP main camera with OIS, delivering exceptionally high-resolution images with greater detail and improved low-light performance.
  • Versatility & Zoom: The A54 includes a 12 MP ultrawide and a 5 MP macro lens, offering a decent range for different photographic scenarios. The S24 Ultra provides a more comprehensive system with a 12 MP ultrawide, a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 50 MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, allowing for significant optical magnification and detailed distant shots.
  • Video Recording Quality: Both devices can record video at 4K resolution at 30 frames per second. The S24 Ultra further enhances video capabilities with features like 8K video recording at 30 frames per second and advanced stabilization, catering to users who require professional-grade video capture.
  • Audio Experience: Both phones offer stereo speakers for media consumption. The S24 Ultra generally provides a richer and louder audio output, enhancing the overall multimedia experience. Microphone quality for calls and recording is clear on both, but the S24 Ultra often benefits from more advanced noise reduction for clearer audio capture in varied environments.

Main camera

50 megapixels

200 megapixels

Front camera

32 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core specifications, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience of each device.

  • Connectivity & Ports: Both devices support 5G connectivity and modern Wi-Fi standards. The A54 supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, with a USB-C 2.0 port. The S24 Ultra supports the newer Wi-Fi 7 standard and Bluetooth 5.3, featuring a faster USB-C 3.2 port for quicker data transfers.
  • Biometric Security: The Galaxy A54 uses an optical under-display fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. The Galaxy S24 Ultra employs a more advanced ultrasonic under-display fingerprint sensor, which is generally faster and more secure. Both also offer face recognition.
  • Build Materials & Handling: The A54 features a glass front and back (Gorilla Glass 5) with a plastic frame, weighing 202 grams. The S24 Ultra has a more premium construction with Gorilla Glass Armor on the front, a titanium frame, and a glass back, weighing 232 grams. The S24 Ultra also integrates the S Pen stylus, offering additional functionality for note-taking and drawing.
  • Dimensions & Ergonomics: The A54 measures 158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm, offering a comfortable grip for many users. The S24 Ultra is larger at 162.3 x 79 x 8.6 mm, which might require two-handed operation for some, but provides a larger screen canvas.

Weight

202 g

232 g

Screen size (in)

6.4

6.8

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

User feedback often highlights the Galaxy A54 as a reliable and well-rounded device for its segment, praised for its vibrant display, decent camera performance for everyday use, and solid battery life. Common criticisms sometimes point to its processor not being as powerful as flagship alternatives, leading to a less snappy experience in very demanding scenarios. Users generally appreciate its balance of features for its positioning.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra consistently receives acclaim for its exceptional camera system, particularly its zoom capabilities and high-resolution main sensor, as well as its powerful performance that handles any task with ease. Its extended software support and bright, immersive display are also frequently lauded. Some users note its large size and weight as factors requiring adjustment.

Users prioritizing a long-lasting device with top-tier performance, advanced camera features, and the latest software updates for many years may find the Galaxy S24 Ultra well-suited to their needs. Its integrated S Pen also caters to those who value precision input and productivity. Conversely, users seeking a capable smartphone for daily tasks, social media, and casual photography, who also appreciate a slightly more compact form factor and expandable storage, may lean toward the Galaxy A54. Both devices offer a quality-assured refurbished option, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers.

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