Galaxy A53 5G overview | ZDNET

Whereas flagship smartphones appear to get a lot of the consideration, the mid-range market has made large strides over the previous couple of years, because of advances in expertise and higher assist 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 completely perform with a mid-range telephone and save lots of of {dollars} over what I spend now on flagships.

Additionally: The perfect Samsung telephones: Discover a brand new Galaxy

Samsung’s latest public dedication to software program upgrades, together with for the Galaxy A53 5G, is a big cause to contemplate the A53 5G over a Google Pixel 5A 5G. Samsung is providing one 12 months 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} because of machine failure, bugs, and substandard mobile reception. Alternatively, Samsung telephones have a few of the greatest reception of any telephone, superior software program options are included as a part of OneUI, and Samsung affords 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 enhance, you get a greater processor, extra cameras, and Samsung DeX when you do quit a microSD card slot. The A53 is a good possibility at lower than $500, and I might 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 assist is one thing that different smartphones on this value vary can not provide.

Additionally: Greatest Samsung telephone: 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 telephone is the assist for a display refresh price as much as 120 Hz so you’ll be able to expertise clean scrolling on the telephone. A middle hole-punch, 32MP front-facing digicam is positioned within the show with sufficient minimal bezels on all 4 sides so you’ll be able to maintain and use the telephone with ease.

A shiny black plastic edge encases the telephone with energy and quantity buttons on the proper, 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 beautiful 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 prime left and dealing down in a column, Samsung gives a 12MP ultra-wide digicam, 64MP foremost digicam, and a 5MP depth sensor. We discover a 5MP macro digicam with the LED flash beneath it to the proper. The digicam efficiency has been strong, 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 telephone is a probable consequence. Wi-fi charging is just not supported, however 25W quick charging is with the proper charger. Observe that there isn’t any 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 assist for mmWave, and in my testing, I used to be in a position to expertise rock strong mobile efficiency and quick obtain/add speeds. Samsung leads on this space, and if staying related in poor protection areas is vital to you, then it is best to contemplate a Samsung telephone.

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G specs

• Processor: Samsung Exynos 1280
• Major 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 large 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 Gentle Sensor
• Mud/water resistance: IP67 ranking
• Battery: 5000mAh non-removable with quick charging assist.
• Dimensions: 159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1mm and 189 grams
• Colour: Superior Black

The telephone 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 telephone. These specs present a really succesful possibility with some capabilities which can be not often used, similar to ultra-wideband and Wi-Fi 6, lacking from the listing when in comparison with the newest flagship.

Additionally: Galaxy S21 FE 5G overview: Flagship specs, glorious 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 overview unit. Samsung’s new software program improve coverage means you’ll doubtless obtain as much as 4 working system upgrades and 5 years of safety updates. The corporate has a confirmed observe file of standard safety updates, and I stay up for experiencing prolonged assist for Samsung’s telephones.

I personally discover worth in some Samsung apps, similar to Web, Calendar, Gallery, Samsung Notes, and Samsung Well being. They’re put in by default and provide a barely totally different expertise than commonplace 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 providers all seem on one consolidated calendar interface. Web gives a greater total looking expertise than Google Chrome. The Samsung Gallery allows you to shortly and simply create a customized collage whereas Google Images places the images the place Google needs to place them.

The digicam software program is probably 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 embrace enjoyable, single take, portrait, evening, 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 telephone, and it appears to herald results from Snapchat Lenses. If there are modes that you just 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 Extremely overview: Any extra good, and it might be an iPhone 13 Professional Max

Filters, side ratios, timers, flash settings, scene optimizer, and rather more are designed that will help you seize the very best content material potential with the Galaxy A53. You may toggle on shot solutions to assist information you, and it is a nice possibility for serving to you learn to greatest use the telephone’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 telephone was price contemplating. After a number of weeks of utilizing the telephone, I now query why I am spending twice the worth, and extra, for the newest flagships. Granted, picture high quality is best with the high-end flagships, however I am simply capturing and sharing images with household and associates as an beginner. I’ve restricted picture expertise 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 price is improbable, I do see a little bit of lag in content material showing on the show and when switching apps once in a while. It actually solely bothers me if I bounce 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 portrait shot exterior. The depth sensor on the Galaxy A53 helps staying near the topic to seize respectable portrait photographs. As well as, there are a number of capturing modes that will help you get inventive with pictures, even in case you are not an expert.

In case you are wanting 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 price your consideration. The consolation in figuring out 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 telephone that ought to carry out effectively for years.