Galaxy A53 5G evaluation | ZDNet

Whereas flagship smartphones appear to get many of the consideration, the mid-range market has made large strides over the previous couple of years, because of advances in expertise and higher help for long-term software program updates. After spending a number of 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 a whole bunch of {dollars} over what I spend now on flagships.

Samsung’s current public dedication to software program upgrades, together with for the Galaxy A53 5G, is a major purpose to think about 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 severe about well timed Android safety updates. I’m personally not a fan of Google’s Pixel {hardware} attributable to machine failure, bugs, and substandard mobile reception. However, Samsung telephones have a number 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 value.

Whereas Samsung’s flagship telephones are double the worth of the A53 5G, the S21 FE is simply $150 extra. For that value improve, you get a greater processor, extra cameras, and Samsung DeX when you do quit a microSD card slot. The A53 is a superb choice at lower than $500, and I’d 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 value vary can not provide.

Additionally: Greatest Samsung cellphone: Discover a brand new Galaxy

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 charge as much as 120 Hz so you may expertise clean scrolling on the cellphone. A middle hole-punch, 32MP front-facing digicam is positioned within the show with sufficient minimal bezels on all 4 sides so you may maintain and use the cellphone with ease.

A shiny black plastic edge encases the cellphone with energy and quantity buttons on the suitable, a USB-C port, speaker, and mic on the underside, and a mic opening on the highest. There isn’t any 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 coloration 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 sublime, completed look. Samsung labels this design function as Ambient Edge.

Beginning on the high left and dealing down in a column, Samsung gives a 12MP ultra-wide digicam, 64MP most important digicam, and a 5MP depth sensor. We discover a 5MP macro digicam with the LED flash under it to the suitable. The digicam efficiency has been stable, and I significantly like that the depth sensor helps portrait mode photographs with out having to face again distant 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 possible end result. Wi-fi charging will not be supported, however 25W quick charging is with the suitable charger. Word that there isn’t a charger included within the field with the Galaxy A53, one other method 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 in a position to expertise rock stable mobile efficiency and quick obtain/add speeds. Samsung leads on this space, and if staying linked in poor protection areas is essential to you, then it’s best to contemplate a Samsung cellphone.

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G specs

• Processor: Samsung Exynos 1280
• Foremost show: 6.5-inch, 2400 x 1080 pixels decision, Tremendous AMOLED Infinity-O with 120Hz refresh charge
• Working system: Android 12 with OneUI 4.1
• RAM: 6GB
• Storage: 128GB inner storage with microSD card slot
• Cameras: 12MP ultra-wide f/2.2, 64MP f/1.8 vast 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 ranking
• Battery: 5000mAh non-removable with quick charging help.
• Dimensions: 159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1mm and 189 grams
• Coloration: 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 often compromised on a mid-range cellphone. These specs present a really succesful choice with some capabilities which can be not often used, reminiscent of ultra-wideband and Wi-Fi 6, lacking from the listing when in comparison with the most recent flagship.

Additionally: Galaxy S21 FE 5G evaluation: Flagship specs, wonderful reception and Samsung goodies

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 evaluation unit. Samsung’s new software program improve coverage means you’ll seemingly obtain as much as 4 working system upgrades and 5 years of safety updates. The corporate has a confirmed observe document of normal safety updates, and I look ahead to experiencing prolonged help for Samsung’s telephones.

I personally discover worth in some Samsung apps, reminiscent of Web, Calendar, Gallery, Samsung Notes, and Samsung Well being. They’re put in by default and provide a barely totally 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 may have Google Calendar, Outlook, and different calendar providers all seem on one consolidated calendar interface. Web gives a greater total searching expertise than Google Chrome. The Samsung Gallery enables you to shortly and simply create a customized collage whereas Google Images places the pictures 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, night time, picture, 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 appears to usher in results from Snapchat Lenses. If there are modes that you simply use usually, 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 the entire modes.

Additionally: Galaxy S22 Extremely evaluation: Any extra excellent, and it might be an iPhone 13 Professional Max

Filters, side ratios, timers, flash settings, scene optimizer, and far more are designed that will help you seize the perfect content material doable with the Galaxy A53. You’ll be able to toggle on shot ideas to assist information you, and it is a nice choice for serving to you learn 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 anticipate a sub-$450 Samsung cellphone was price contemplating. After a number of weeks of utilizing the cellphone, I now query why I am spending twice the worth, and extra, for the most recent flagships. Granted, picture high quality is healthier with the high-end flagships, however I am simply capturing and sharing pictures with household and mates as an beginner. I’ve restricted picture abilities and am not going to win any picture contests, so I do not actually care about having the last word shooter in my hand.

Whereas the show’s excessive refresh charge is improbable, I do see a little bit of lag in content material showing on the show and when switching apps infrequently. It actually solely bothers me if I leap over to a flagship and may see the variations, however for the low $450 value, 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 superb portrait shot exterior. 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 taking pictures modes that will help you get artistic with images, even if you’re not knowledgeable.

If you’re trying to avoid wasting cash on a smartphone and wish an choice that may provide help to get work completed and have enjoyable, then the Samsung A53 5G is price your consideration. The consolation in understanding you may depend 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 development make this a cellphone that ought to carry out properly for years.