Despite the fact that the Galaxy S and the Galaxy Z are the two ranges of smartphones that demonstrate the full potential of Samsung, the South Korean manufacturer also has an interesting catalog of mid-range mobiles, known as Galaxy A. These stand out for their balanced performance, striking design and extra features. Some of them even inherited from the Galaxy S22. One of the most important models in this family—at least to date—is the Galaxy A53.
This new smartphone from Samsung is, a priori, convincing. If we take a look at its main features, we see that the terminal is equipped with an octa-core processor and 6 GB of RAM, a 120 Hz screen, the latest version of Android, a quad main camera and a huge battery. Yes, they are very common features in mid-range smartphones – we already know how boring mobile phones can be – but Samsung offers some somewhat different features that, in fact, I review throughout the analysis.
However, there is one aspect that must be taken into account even before knowing what your screen is like, how it performs in design or if your cameras offer good results. It’s about the price. The Galaxy A 53 goes on sale for 450 euros in its version with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal memory. For this cost, I can’t help but think that there are smartphones from Xiaomi (such as the Poco X3 Pro) or Realme (the Realme GT, for example) that are even cheaper and with similar or higher specifications.
Now, is there any area in this Samsung smartphone that justifies its price or invites you to opt for this option over any other smartphone? Or is it better to put this model aside and share a Xiaomi?
Design and screen: a matter of colors
Samsung seems to focus this Galaxy A53 on the young public, and proof of this is their appearance. The smartphone has a continuous design with respect to the Galaxy A52, with slightly rounded edges, a screen with hardly any frames and a selfie camera in the upper area, and a polycarbonate rear with a large photographic module.
Precisely, what I like the most about the design of the Samsung Galaxy A53 is on its back, and they are the very successful pastel tones that the company has included in the different variants. The model we have received in hypertextual to perform this analysis is blue, a color that is also present in its predecessor. It is a very striking tone, which inevitably makes you turn the terminal to see it in more detail and which also forces you to carry it without a cover or, at most, with a transparent cover.
The blue of the back, on the other hand, combines very well with those frames – also made of polycarbonate – in a bright tone. Special mention to the orange tone in which it is also available. Again, very successful.
The front, as I have mentioned, hardly has frames, so its 6.5-inch screen is the protagonist. It is a Super AMOLED panel with Full HD + resolution and a refresh rate of 120 Hz, a higher update than that found in its predecessor. The rate is also adaptive. In other words, depending on some factors, such as the content displayed on the screen or the battery level, the system is capable of varying that frequency automatically.
beyond the specifications, the screen of the Galaxy A53 is very good. It does not reach the level of, for example, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, but it does meet the level of detail, sharpness and interpretation of colors, which, in my opinion, are excellent. Its brightness, around 800 nits, is also enough to be able to view content in broad daylight.
How is the Samsung Galaxy A53 in terms of performance and autonomy?
Regarding performance, the Samsung Galaxy A53 is equipped with a exynos 1280 processor and it is accompanied with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage. It’s a compelling setup, especially when performing day-to-day tasks like social media browsing, occasional gaming, and so on. In more demanding tasks it also performs well, although it is common to see a bit of slowdown, probably caused by poor software optimization, but nothing to worry about.
Software that, by the way, has the latest version of Android available: Android 12, as well as the most recent customization layer from the manufacturer: One UI 4.1. In my opinion, it is a beautiful and very intuitive interface. It also offers different customization options and allows the user to choose which apps he wants to install or not on the smartphonewhich avoids the tedious bloatware that we commonly see in mid-range mobiles.
Another very important software detail is the long period of updates that the South Korean company offers. Specifically, up to four operating system updates. In other words, if the Samsung Galaxy A53 currently has Android 12, it can receive up to Android 16. Excellent news if we take into account that these smartphones barely reach two years of updates.
What about the battery? The Galaxy A53 has 5,000 mAh, a capacity that allows you to enjoy the smartphone throughout the day without any concern and with very intensive use. If you tweak a few settings or use more moderately, you’ll likely get a day and a half with no issues. Negative point, yes, for the load. Not because of its speed (25w), but because the smartphone does not include a charger in the box. Although it is true that many smartphones incorporate this adapter, most mid-range mobiles from other manufacturers do include it.
So are your cameras
Samsung has not skimped on cameras in the Galaxy A53. This model has a quad main lens with a very standard configuration in the mid-range. Is the next.
- primary sensor of 64 megapixels with f/1.8 aperture.
- 123º ultra wide angle camera, resolution 13 megapixels and f/2.2 aperture.
- depth of field sensor 5 megapixels with f/2.4 aperture for photographs with portrait mode or bohek effect.
- macro sensing 5 megapixels with f/2.4 aperture for close-range photography.
The truth is that, in terms of results, the main camera of the Galaxy A53 performs quite well. At the level of detail, it is convincing. Also in terms of sharpness and colors, although in some cases too saturated for my taste, especially those natural ones, such as the greens of the trees. One detail that I really liked about the camera is that it controls the exposure very well when there is good lighting. It manages to capture the main element of the image without overexposing the colors of the skies or those more illuminated areas.
Indoor maintains these good results, although with a little more noise and a somewhat considerable loss of detail, but not alarming. the same thing happens in low light conditions, as in night scenes. Those illuminated areas capture a good color and correct detail, but in the darkest areas the loss of quality is noticeable a bit. Fortunately, this is something that night mode can correct in many scenarios.
According to the ultra wide angle camera, the results are remarkable, but without being outstanding. In other words, it maintains a process similar to what we see in the main lens, with those colors so characteristic of Samsung mobile cameras, but with less detail. It is something usual in this type of lenses. cameras support, both of 5 megapixels and dedicated to photography in portrait and macro mode, are quite results. In my opinion, yes, two sensors that offer very little use.
The Samsung Galaxy A53 has a problem: its price
The results in its different areas prove it: the Samsung Galaxy A53 is a very good smartphone. It offers a balance in all its features, beyond the small negative points that we find, for example, in the battery section or in the cameras. In fact, I would dare to say that it is one of the best mid-range smartphones that we can find today. If it wasn’t, yes, for its price.
448.99 euros is too much for a mobile with these characteristics. It complies in all its sections, yes, but not for this price. Above all, considering that smartphones with specifications that are even higher (better processor, faster charging, more powerful camera configuration…), can be purchased at a lower cost. An example is the Poco X3 Pro (399 euros at Amazon) or the Realme GT (about 380 euros). In fact, for 80 euros more it is possible to purchase the Galaxy S21 FE, which surpasses the Galaxy A53 in performance, screen and camera.
Considering its competition, the Galaxy A53 not a good alternative. At least not with this price. And not even for those extras it offers, such as IP67 certification. A considerable reduction that places it around 300 euros would allow it to become not only an option to consider, but also the definitive choice. It is not something impossible. In fact, the Galaxy S21 FE, whose starting price was 759 euros, can now be purchased for around 530 euros, and has only been on the market for a few months.
Therefore, if your budget is around 500 euros and you have thought of the Galaxy A53 as a candidate option, better buy a Xiaomi. If you have found an interesting offer of this smartphoneeither through a distributor or through your operator, and you have accessed this review to see how it behaves in its different sections and check if it is really worth it before buying it: go ahead, the Galaxy A53 is a very balanced mobile.