Samsung A54 phone review - Solid all-rounder with big flaws

Discussion in 'hardware' started by Mrkvonic, Nov 27, 2023.

  1. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    Do sit down, because today, you get a pretty long, detailed, thorough review of the Samsung A54 mid-range smartphone, covering reasons for purchase, specifications, first-time setup and data migration from an existing Android device, privacy-focused configuration and tweaking, problems with default apps, permissions and requirement for Samsung account, security updates, everyday usage and performance, problems using Play Store - ads and difficulty finding right software, ergonomics - weight, feel, audio quality, and screen scratching, camera quality, charging speed, battery life, some other considerations and observations, and more. Have fun.

    https://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/samsung-a54-review.html


    Cheers,
    Mrk
     
  2. Joxx

    Joxx Registered Member

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    What a long article for a... phone. Interesting though. :)
     
  3. Victek

    Victek Registered Member

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    Nice review, and much of it is applicable to android phones generally. Regarding the iPhone, have you used one? My significant other has one and I have been called upon for tech support from time to time. The Apple OS is enough to drive any Windows user out of his ever loving mind.
     
  4. garioch7

    garioch7 Registered Member

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    @Victek

    No, I have never used any Apple Products. My brother had an iPhone for years but switched to Samsung about six years ago. He has not looked back. My brother is very ecumenical, though. His primary computer is a Mac.

    From what I have read and heard, Apple prices are premium, and they lock down their products, restricting user choices and allowing only their approved apps to be installed. I like the more "open" architecture of Windows and Android.

    Just my two cents. Have a great day.

    Regards,
    Phil
     
  5. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    Samsung A54, one month later, fresh impressions

    I've written a follow-up review of the Samsung A54 mid-range smartphone after one month of use, covering privacy baseline and broken apps due to missing persmissions, ignored permissions, battery life, camera quality, numerous annoyances with virtual keyboard, suggestions, RCS messages, Bixby, nearby devices, personalized shared data, trackers, and third-party apps, poor search in Play Store, some other observations, and more. Take a look.

    https://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/samsung-a54-report-1.html


    Cheers,
    Mrk
     
  6. longshots

    longshots Registered Member

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    An ever increasing trend in many areas, but you should not have been surprised with a Samsung product being difficult to set up.
    The Samsung Ecosystem that floods every product they make has cemented my decision to never buy any of their products again.
     
  7. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    Samsung A54, three months later, second impression

    Today, we have a review and report 2 of Samsung A54 mid-range smartphone long-term usage, covering look & feel, ergonomics - audio, video and camera, battery life, everyday functionality, various apps, additional tweaks, deep sleep, other observations, and more. Take a look.

    https://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/samsung-a54-report-2.html


    Cheers,
    Mrk
     
  8. chrisretusn

    chrisretusn Registered Member

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    Nice set of reviews. I have used Samsung Smart Phones since 2012. My first was an S4 a step up from my Nokia 3530. Next when the S4 started to malfunction was a S7-edge, my wife decide for me that it was time for a new phone, the totally functional cover, was ugly she says. Not cool with that, eventually I got around to using it, my S7 was started to act up. The new phone was an A71. I been using it for a couple of years now and have gotten used to it. I'm sill working out things, like finally figuring out how to change the number from SIM1 to SIM2 when sending a SMS, it was right up from with the S7. The A71 is a lot like your A54, a lot of the same issues. I have no plans for "upgrading" right now, the phone works. I really don't know if I will stick with Samsung or go with another brand. Guess I will make that call when the time comes.
     
  9. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    Samsung A54 long-term usage report 3 - One UI 6.0, Android 14

    Let us commence to start the week with a review and report 3 of the Samsung A54 mid-range smartphone long-term usage, including major version upgrade to One UI 6.0 (Android 14), look and feel, settings and permissions, new features, new privacy controls, Auto Blocker, additional cleaning and removal of apps, battery life, some other observations, and more. Enjoy.

    https://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/samsung-a54-report-3.html


    Cheers,
    Mrk
     
  10. Bertazzoni

    Bertazzoni Registered Member

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    Always entertaining and informative reading. :thumb:
     
  11. chrisretusn

    chrisretusn Registered Member

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    Nice review. My Samsung A71 is still at One UI 5.1, last updated Oct 3, 2023. I have never really cared for this One UI. It's annoying when UI One randomly appears on a reboot, delaying the use on the phone until it done.

    Perhaps my phone is past it's self life and I wont see UI 6.0. I am moderately happy with this phone, so will continue to use it until it's no long useful.
     
  12. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    It's funny that 15 years ago, we were excited for new stuff, and now we shun it like some disease.
    You know an update will mess something up.
    Mrk
     
  13. pegas

    pegas Registered Member

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    I wouldn't generalize it. I dare to call myself as an update hunter. :) I always install all updates regardless of SW or HW, from various devices, to smart home stuff, to systems in cars, just anywhere there's an update, I install it. And in the decades I've been doing it this approach has absolutely brought me more benefits than problems, in fact I've only had a few, mostly with Windows.
     
  14. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    Well, then I salute your luck :)
    Mrk
     
  15. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    Samsung A54 long-term usage report 4

    Here's a review and report 4 of my Samsung A54 mid-range smartphone long-term usage, including fix for broken thumbnails in Gallery, annoying applications and settings, problems with display brightness, performance, heating, battery life, and more. Enjoy, try to.

    https://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/samsung-a54-report-4.html


    Cheers,
    Mrk
     
  16. n8chavez

    n8chavez Registered Member

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    Anyone else waiting for the "Samsung A54 long-term usage report 478904545"? No one? Just me? K.
     
  17. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    Is this sarcasm or genuine appreciation for the series?
    Mrk
     
  18. n8chavez

    n8chavez Registered Member

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    Appreciation. I love Samsung phones. I have the s23u myself, and while I don't use your A54, I do like the general software portions.
     
  19. chrisretusn

    chrisretusn Registered Member

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    Enjoy your reports. I'm a long term Samsung user, my first was an S4, an "upgrade" from a Nokia 3530 (which still works). My next was an S7-edge, now I have an A71. For me and my usage of the phone I am happy with it. I does has some issues but for me are livable. Just yesterday my phone informed of some new featureso_O Really, my last update was April 1. You post about nearby share reminded me of this. This was one of the "new" features. Strange this has been around for a while. I don't use it. I am not sure what triggered this new feature "tour".

    I use Gaming Hub, yet ever update to it, decreases the usefulness of it. They latest update puts my games (five of them) at the bottom in a small window. The rest of the screen is recommend, trending, instant plays other useless stuff. The app used to put focus on my games. Was a nice place to has easy access to my games.
     
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