Using wireless headphones is the simplest way to listen to audio on the Galaxy A54. There are still many wireless headphones and wireless earbuds that are priced similarly to wired options, even though they can be more expensive than cable options. Low-light photography has improved compared to last year’s A53 with a larger sensor and improved OIS, but it’s still not quite up there with the best around. Images are relatively detailed overall, and there are decent amounts of light captured, but they can still look a little dark and flat compared to what I was seeing in the moment. When it comes to entertainment, the screen supports HDR10 and HDR10+, yet HDR works with YouTube but not Netflix (although this might just require Netflix to whitelist this particular handset for HDR streaming). Frustratingly there’s no Dolby Vision, because Samsung insists on going its own way when it comes to HDR formats. When it comes to software, the phone ships with Samsung’s latest OneUI 5.1 based on Android 13. It’s very much the usual affair with Samsung’s signature UI design and heavy reliance on Samsung-branded apps, but with small new features like the ability to use certain Snapchat filters within the native Camera app thanks to a new partnership between the two companies. Battery life Unlike the camera bump that was found on the A53 range, Samsung has taken a design flourish from its flagship S23 handsets, the floating camera array, and has used this for the A54 range.

The Samsung Galaxy A54 is a decent all-rounder with a hint of a truly premium build thanks to a glass rear and an updated design that brings it pretty close to the flagship Galaxy S23 range. IP67 support, in particular, is notable at this price point.Whatever the reason for this omission — whether it's a technical, logistical, or cost-related issue — or a mere market trend devised to sell wireless earbuds, the fact remains that the Galaxy A54 and A34 don't have a 3.5mm headphone port. Thankfully, they more than make up it through other features and improvements across hardware, software, and design.

The 5MP macro lens is the most niche of the collection, and something I don’t think many people will use more than once with a fixed focus that makes it difficult to capture anything of note. The fact that the macro shooting mode is found in the ‘More’ section of the camera app, rather than one of the main shooting modes, says a lot about how Samsung views it. Charging isn’t quite up there either, especially when powering such a large-capacity battery, capping out at just 25W – and you don’t get a charger in the box either. That means that even once you’ve sourced a charger, the process is slow, reaching just 41% in half an hour of charging, with a full charge taking 1 hour and 33 minutes. For people who are still using wired headphones, you can still use them with the Galaxy A54 through a 3.5mm to USB-C dongle adaptor. Unfortunately, dongles like these aren’t the most convenient way to use wired headphones since they can be a little buggy. Additionally, you won’t be able to use wired charging while the headphones are taking up the USB-C port. It’s not the optimal way to listen to audio on the Galaxy A54, but it can be a last resort if need be. The Galaxy A14 is another low-cost phone that does contain the 3.5mm headphone port if you’re seeking for a current Samsung smartphone that does. There are a few other options available for listening to audio content on the Galaxy A54, so it’s not the worst case scenario for wired headphone users who are considering or have recently acquired the device. Options for further audio listening on the Galaxy A54Thankfully that time has yet to come, and as far as the brand new Galaxy A52 and Galaxy A72 are concerned, they each feature a standard 3.5mm audio port for your wired earbuds / headphones needs. Of course, they also take advantage of Bluetooth 5.0 so you'll be able to pair either one of these devices with whatever wireless headphones or Galaxy earbuds you desire. The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G design is similar to the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G, but its camera housing layout has changed a bit, and it looks much cleaner now. Power and volume buttons are on the right edge although, unlike some handsets, the power button doesn’t double as a fingerprint reader. Instead, there’s one built into the screen, which is actually easiest to reach with your thumb (or your pointer finger on the other hand). The Samsung Galaxy A54 has a lot going for it, but as the new high-end of the Galaxy A series it’s creeping closer to the Galaxy S series in terms of features and pricing – especially if you’re prepared to look at the previous generation of S series handsets. You could be forgiven for dubbing the A54 the S23a. Unlike the Galaxy A34 which has ditched Samsung’s own processor for a MediaTek equivalent, Samsung’s Galaxy A54 sports an upgraded Exynos 1380 chipset – the latest one in the company’s roster having been revealed just a few weeks prior to the phone’s announcement.