Whereas flagship smartphones appear to get many of the consideration, the mid-range market has made big strides over the previous couple of years, because of advances in know-how and higher assist for long-term software program updates. After spending a couple of weeks with the brand new Samsung Galaxy A53 5G, it’s clear I might proceed to completely perform with a mid-range cellphone and save a whole lot of {dollars} over what I spend now on flagships.

Samsung’s latest public commitment to software program upgrades, together with for the Galaxy A53 5G, is a big cause to think about the A53 5G over a Google Pixel 5A 5G. Samsung is providing one yr extra assist 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} resulting from gadget failure, bugs, and substandard mobile reception. However, Samsung telephones have a number of the greatest 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 value of the A53 5G, the S21 FE is simply $150 extra. For that value enhance, you get a greater processor, extra cameras, and Samsung DeX when you do quit a microSD card slot. The A53 is a superb possibility at lower than $500, and I’d personally select it over the Google Pixel 5a, TCL 20 Proand different sub-$500 mid-range telephones. There are another nice choices, however the Samsung’s dedication to software program assist is one thing that different smartphones on this value vary can not provide.

Additionally: Best Samsung phone: Explore a 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 assist for a display screen refresh price as much as 120 Hz so you’ll be able to expertise easy scrolling on the cellphone. A middle hole-punch, 32MP front-facing digital camera is positioned within the show with satisfactory minimal bezels on all 4 sides so you’ll be able to maintain and use the cellphone with ease.

A shiny black plastic edge encases the cellphone with energy and quantity buttons on the correct, a USB-C port, speaker, and mic on the underside, and a mic opening on the highest. There isn’t a 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 colour 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 digital camera 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 chic, completed look. Samsung labels this design characteristic as Ambient Edge.

Beginning on the prime left and dealing down in a column, Samsung supplies a 12MP ultra-wide digital camera, 64MP foremost digital camera, and a 5MP depth sensor. We discover a 5MP macro digital camera with the LED flash under it to the correct. The digital camera efficiency has been stable, and I notably like that the depth sensor helps portrait mode pictures with out having to face again far-off from the topic. Macro pictures 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 probable end result. Wi-fi charging isn’t supported, however 25W quick charging is with the correct charger. Be aware that there isn’t a charger included within the field with the Galaxy A53, one other means Samsung was in a position to avoid wasting cash.

5G is supported, together with assist for mmWave, and in my testing, I used to be capable of expertise rock stable mobile efficiency and quick obtain/add speeds. Samsung leads on this space, and if staying related in poor protection areas is necessary to you, then you must take into account a Samsung cellphone.

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G specs

• Processor: Samsung Exynos 1280
• Primary show: 6.5-inch, 2400 x 1080 pixels decision, Tremendous AMOLED Infinity-O with 120Hz refresh price
• 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 extensive angle, 5MP f/2.4 depth sensor, and 5MP f/2.4 macro digital camera. 32MP f/2.2 front-facing digital camera.
• 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 score
• Battery: 5000mAh non-removable with quick charging assist.
• 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 type of areas that’s often compromised on a mid-range cellphone. These specs present a really succesful possibility with some features which can be hardly ever used, reminiscent of ultra-wideband and Wi-Fi 6, lacking from the checklist when in comparison with the most recent flagship.

Additionally: Galaxy S21 FE 5G review: Flagship specs, excellent 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 assessment unit. Samsung’s new software upgrade policy 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 stay up for experiencing prolonged assist 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 completely 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’ll be able to have Google Calendar, Outlook, and different calendar companies all seem on one consolidated calendar interface. Web supplies a greater general searching expertise than Google Chrome. The Samsung Gallery helps you to shortly and simply create a customized collage whereas Google Photographs places the pictures the place Google desires to place them.

The digital camera software program is essentially the most vital app from Samsung on the A53. There are a ton of settings, choices, and modes so that you can discover. Capturing modes embody enjoyable, single take, portrait, night time, photograph, 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 be like 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 fast entry menu in order that you do not have to first faucet on the Extra choice to view all the modes.

Additionally: Galaxy S22 Ultra review: Any more perfect, and it’d be an iPhone 13 Pro Max

Filters, side ratios, timers, flash settings, scene optimizer, and far more are designed that can assist you seize the perfect content material potential with the Galaxy A53. You may toggle on shot ideas to assist information you, and this can be a nice possibility for serving to you learn to greatest use the cellphone’s cameras.

Every 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 value contemplating. After a couple of weeks of utilizing the cellphone, I now query why I am spending twice the value, and extra, for the most recent flagships. Granted, photograph high quality is best with the high-end flagships, however I am simply capturing and sharing pictures with household and pals as an beginner. I’ve restricted photograph expertise and am not going to win any photograph contests, so I do not actually care about having the final word shooter in my hand.

Whereas the show’s excessive refresh price is implausible, I do see a little bit of lag in content material showing on the show and when switching apps every so often. 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 a suitable compromise and one that almost all of householders are unlikely to note.

One perform that bothers me on my iPhone 13 Pro Max is that I’ve to face 20 toes away from somebody to get an excellent portrait shot outdoors. The depth sensor on the Galaxy A53 helps staying near the topic to seize first rate portrait pictures. As well as, there are a number of capturing modes that can assist you get inventive with pictures, even in case you are not an expert.

If you’re trying to avoid wasting cash on a smartphone and wish an possibility that may provide help to get work achieved and have enjoyable, then the Samsung A53 5G is value your consideration. The consolation in understanding you’ll be able to depend on years of software program updates is a significant profit and one thing that units Samsung aside within the mid-range market. Succesful specs, expandable storage, and high-quality building make this a cellphone that ought to carry out properly for years.