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Samsung’s mid-range phone sport is, traditionally, lovely vulnerable. So is Apple’s, to be truthful, leaving it to Google and the Chinese smartphone giants to fill within the gaps.
When I first noticed the Galaxy A53 I had my hopes that Samsung had became a nook, providing a stability of specifications, options, and classy design that no longer best bests Apple’s newest iPhone SE, however generally is a authentic rival to the most productive of Xiaomi, Oppo, and Honor.
I don’t thoughts preserving my palms up and admitting I used to be flawed. Well, partly. I believe the Galaxy A53 is a greater phone than Apple’s SE, and there’s an terrible lot about it that I love: an ideal design, superb device fortify, waterproofing, and succesful cameras.
But it’s let down via desperately disappointing efficiency that’s if truth be told worse than its rapid predecessor, the Galaxy A52s – so that you will have to almost definitely purchase that as an alternative.
Design and construct
- Simple however sexy design
- Range of colors
- IP67 mud and water-resistance
One of the most productive issues in regards to the Galaxy A53 is its design. Most mid-range telephones glance both simple or downright unpleasant, however Samsung has made an effort to make this glance the section.
Available in black, white, peach, or blue, that is constructed from plastic, however doesn’t attempt to disguise it. Instead Samsung embraces the fabric with a easy matt end that curves as much as meet the rear digicam module – a design aptitude in the past noticed within the considerably costlier Oppo Find X5 Pro.
On the entrance, the admittedly massive 6.5in display is surrounded via a black bezel that’s narrow – regardless that no longer the slimmest. It’s interrupted best via a small central punch-hole selfie digicam.
One of probably the most distinctive parts of the A53 – given its worth – is an IP67 mud and water-resistance ranking. This is a degree of coverage that no longer even each and every flagship phone promises, and it’s an actual rarity at this worth. If you need that peace of thoughts whilst you’re for your phone within the bathtub, that is one among only a few Android telephones that provide it.
And whilst the phone’s rear is plastic, the exhibit is safe via Gorilla Glass 5, which will have to upload a degree of safety from drops and scratches too.
Overall, the design right here feels easy, however by no means simple. It’s understated and engaging, with care taken to make this appear and feel like a slightly top class software, albeit by itself phrases.
Display and audio
- 6.5in AMOLED display
- 120Hz refresh fee
- Stereo audio system
As we flip to the phone’s display, it’s nonetheless all just right information. This 6.5in Full HD+ panel could also be a bit of massive for some tastes, regardless that actually it’s about standard in measurement for Android at the moment.
What’s no longer standard is using a 120Hz AMOLED panel. Like the IP ranking, this isn’t unprecedented for the cost, however it’s certainly odd, and puts the A53’s display within the higher echelon of mid-rangers.
This is a shiny, sexy display able to superb color differ and easy scrolling. Thanks to the AMOLED tech used, it additionally packs in an under-display fingerprint scanner – which goes lovely properly, if a marginally slowly.
Audio could also be spectacular, with stereo sound delivered via the incorporated audio system. This is every other oddity on the worth, and at the side of the display this may occasionally make the A53 a tempting choice for somebody who sits on their phone looking at motion pictures or enjoying video games.
Of route, there’s no headphone jack, however each USB-C and wi-fi headphones are supported.
Specs and function
- Samsung’s personal Exynos 1280 chip
- Slow, laggy, and often freezes
- 5G fortify
This is the crux of the subject: there’s no longer a lot just right I will be able to say in regards to the efficiency of the Galaxy A53.
While ultimate yr’s A52 and A52s each used mid-range Snapdragon 7-series chips from Qualcomm, for the A53 Samsung has opted to make use of its personal new Exynos 1280 chipset.
This used to be no longer a good suggestion.
Benchmarks are unimpressive: whilst the A53 somewhat edges the A52, particularly in gaming benchmarks, it lags properly in the back of the A52s, itself launched simply six months in the past. Looking out of doors Samsung, efficiency is an in depth fit for the Poco X4 Pro and OnePlus Nord CE 2 – each considerably inexpensive telephones – however conveniently in the back of the OnePlus Nord 2 from ultimate yr, which is a greater fit for it on worth. It wouldn’t also be truthful to match to the iPhone SE, which makes use of the similar chip as Apple’s present flagship iPhone 13 differ.
Artificial benchmark rankings don’t inform the entire tale regardless that. I reviewed the Nord CE 2 myself, and whilst its benchmarks are on a par with the A53’s, the OnePlus didn’t function part the stuttering, lag, or slowdown that I’ve suffered thru at the A53.
This phone is gradual, whether or not you’re the use of one app or looking to multitask. RAM appears to be the primary factor: in spite of my evaluate pattern boasting 6GB of reminiscence the phone struggles to stay a couple of apps working immediately, and from time to time it’s frozen even if I’m simply the use of Chrome.
It makes the phone irritating to make use of, with the type of enjoy I’d be frustrated via on a phone part this worth.
Performance would possibly range relying available on the market. While in the USA and UK the phone ships with 6GB of RAM as usual, somewhere else you’ll be able to purchase it with 4GB (don’t) or 8GB. Similarly, garage is 128GB on my type however 256GB could also be an choice the place you reside. In both case, garage can also be expanded via as much as 1TB by means of microSD card.
It’s no longer all dangerous. 5G is supported, as is NFC for card bills and Bluetooth 5.1. The Wi-Fi 6 fortify in its predecessor has been dropped for the former gen model, regardless that it’s not likely that you’ve a Wi-Fi 6 router to take merit anyway.
Camera
- Impressive 64Mp major digicam
- Alright ultrawide and macro
- Great 32Mp selfie digicam
Samsung has necessarily left the digicam setup unchanged from the A52 and A52s, regardless that with such a lot of recent smartphone pictures treated computationally, the trade in chipset may nonetheless have an affect on picture high quality.
There’s no actual motive for fear regardless that. The major 64Mp digicam is able to actually shiny, punchy pictures in just right gentle, and because of a large f/1.8 aperture and optical symbol stabilisation it holds its personal in dimmer prerequisites too, conserving element and distinction properly.
Quality surely drops when it will get actually darkish, and that is nonetheless the place flagship telephones pull aside from the pack. But I’d be stunned to look many telephones at this worth do a lot better than the A53 has.
That 64Mp major sensor is flanked via 3 extra: an 8Mp ultrawide, 5Mp macro, and 5Mp intensity sensor. The latter merely is helping with portrait pictures, whilst the primary two are inevitably situational, however don’t do badly. The ultrawide specifically takes extra colourful, vibrant pictures than I’d be expecting from opponents, regardless that there’s a undeniable drop intimately in comparison to the primary digicam.
On the entrance, the 32Mp selfie digicam is a marvel spotlight. Selfies pack in numerous element and nice color differ, even in difficult lighting fixtures. I’ve taken worse selfies on telephones two times this worth, and this digicam is an actual power for the phone.
As for video, you’ll be able to shoot at as much as [email protected] from both the entrance or rear digicam, and the OIS at the rear lens helps to keep issues great and solid when recording off the primary digicam.
Battery and charging
- Over at some point’s battery
- Slow 25W stressed charging
- No charger incorporated
The A53 impresses on natural battery lifestyles, with a beneficiant 5000mAh mobile. I’ve discovered the phone conveniently lasts a complete day, and lightweight customers will almost definitely in finding it might stretch to 2.
In my case, I’ve discovered the phone is regularly nonetheless above 50% battery by the point I am getting to mattress, and is excited to ship a number of hours of screen-on time all over the day.
Charging is much less thrilling, however that’s as true for Samsung’s costliest telephones as it’s for this one actually.
Wired charging is restricted to 25W speeds – resolutely gradual via trendy Android requirements, even amongst reasonable telephones. Samsung additionally does not come with a charger with the phone, so you will have to purchase your individual. Using a third-party 65W charger (so conveniently sooner than the phone’s max) I best reached 26% rate after thirty mins plugged in, that means this may occasionally want topping up in a single day more often than not.
There’s no fortify at enthusiastic about wi-fi charging. That’s standard for the cost, however value bringing up for the reason that this one space the place the iPhone SE excels.
Software and updates
- Android 12 with One UI 4.1
- Four years of Android updates promised
Let’s finish on a excessive be aware – and the primary actual reason why to go for this phone over the former A52s.
The Galaxy A53 ships with Android 12, the newest model of the Google OS, working Samsung’s One UI 4.1 pores and skin on best.
You’ll get Google’s up to date privateness controls – together with icons and signals when the microphone and digicam activate – in conjunction with Samsung’s implementation of the Material You instrument which pulls UI color palettes out of your wallpaper.
Of route, I’ve my considerations that the device is actually what’s at fault for the phone’s middling efficiency. Samsung’s heavy interface can on occasion be gradual even on high-end gadgets, and the sluggishness shifting across the phone and opening apps can virtually surely be defined partly via the One UI device layer.
At least that suggests issues may get well. Samsung has promised that the A53 will obtain 4 Android model updates – from Android 13 (with One UI 5) thru 16 – in conjunction with a 5th yr of safety patches. This is similar replace promise it gives for its costliest telephones, and is unprecedented at this worth for Android. In truth, this can be a higher device fortify ensure than introduced via somebody apart from Apple.
That makes the A53 a very good selection in the event you’re in search of an inexpensive phone that can be supported within the lengthy term. The best possibility is that a few of the ones updates finally end up worsening the already iffy efficiency – regardless that this can be a gamble, as Samsung may similarly use patches to optimise the phone and beef up the way it runs.
Price and availability
At £399/$449/€449, the Galaxy A53 is firmly mid-range. You can select it up from Samsung’s online store, Amazon, or maximum tech shops – or primary networks together with T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T in the USA; or Vodafone, O2, EE, or Three in the United Kingdom. If you might be tempted, we have rounded up the most productive Galaxy A53 offers we will in finding that can assist you purchase it at the most productive worth.
Its transparent opponents in Europe and Asia are the superb OnePlus Nord 2, the inexpensive Poco X4 Pro, and the somewhat pricier Realme GT 2. The Pixel 6a may also be a compelling choice as soon as it launches in July, and Apple’s iPhone SE sits at a related worth international.
With flagship-style options like an IP67 ranking and OIS at the major digicam, the Galaxy A53 gives lots that its closest Android opponents don’t – and the trendy design and superb exhibit give it a transparent edge over the clunky, outdated iPhone SE. Unfortunately all the ones telephones will ship smoother efficiency than Samsung’s.
Verdict
The Galaxy A53 actually best has one flaw, however it’s the sort of giant person who it makes the phone tough to wholeheartedly suggest.
Performance is gradual, with stuttering and freezing commonplace even all over gentle use. At this worth, a phone will have to run higher.
That’s a disgrace, as a result of Samsung has nailed it somewhere else. The A53 seems nice, it’s well-built, the digicam and exhibit are one of the best at this worth, and the device fortify is bested best via Apple.
With a extra robust processor and smoother device the A53 can be a no brainer. But as it’s, this may occasionally best be an choice for the affected person.
Specs
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G: Specs
- Android 12 with One UI 4.1
- 6.5in AMOLED, 2400 x 1080, 120Hz, 20:9 ratio
- Exynos 1280 chipset
- 4/6/8GB RAM
- 128/256GB of garage (expandable by means of microSD)
- 64Mp f/1.8 OIS major digicam
- 12Mp f/2.2 ultrawide
- 5Mp f/2.4 macro
- 5Mp f/2.4 intensity sensor
- 32Mp f/2.2 selfie digicam
- Dual-SIM/microSD
- Stereo audio system
- NFC
- GPS
- Bluetooth 5.1
- Wi-Fi 5
- Under-display fingerprint sensor
- 5000mAh battery
- 25W stressed charging
- USB-C charging port
- 159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1mm
- 189g
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