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
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.
@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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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 features 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.
Samsung A54 long-term usage report 5 Here's a review and report 4 of my Samsung A54 mid-range smartphone long-term usage, including One UI 6.1 update, preserved privacy and security baseline, everyday usage, some responsiveness issues with several apps, broken system search, difficulty finding right software in Google Play, battery life, and more. Enjoy. https://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/samsung-a54-report-5.html Cheers, Mrk
I currently have and use a Samsung J3, roughly 7+ years old. Even though it has less Samsung crap than your model, there's no way I'll buy another one. My next phone will be a Pixel. Thank you for your reviews because they helped me with my decision.
Samsung A54 smartphone review, a year later Mr. Grumpy reporting for duty. And there's a good reason, too! This be a review and report 6 of my Samsung A54 mid-range smartphone long-term usage, including overall impression after one year, new updates with separate focus on Android, Samsung and Google Play patches, Gemini AI nonsense in Messages, new privacy annoyances, search engine selection, tons of fresh bugs and usability problems, and more. Well, there you go, take a look. https://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/samsung-a54-report-6.html Cheers, Mrk
Hey Mr Grumpy, darn good review. I've got a A71, past it's prime as far as updates go. At least the ones with new features that mess with your phone. Last update was April 1, 2024, Patch level February 1, 2024. A fitting April update. My wife on the other hand has a S21, still getting updates, one today in fact. Navigating the settings is a lot different the mine A71. Took me a while to figure out how to turn of that crazy google search bar.
Samsung A54 report 7, the gift that keeps on not giving Oh, look, it's Mr. Grumpy again! And what does he have for us? A fresh review and report no.7 of his Samsung A54 mid-range smartphone long-term usage, including new findings and annoyances, Theft Protection and reduced battery life, Message Bubbles nonsense, aggressive Play Store permissions, Game Hub reactivating itself, pointless and intrusive system search, display brightness issues, overall battery life, improved low-light-level camera shots, some other observations, and more. Enjoy. Maybe. https://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/samsung-a54-report-7.html Cheers, Mrk
Good report.The best part for me is finding a few more things to turn off, that I was not aware off or that I was aware of, thought I turned off, but maybe I didn't. On Bluetooth, I use it for head phones. When not in use Bluetooth is off.
