Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is crowned as one of the best phones that Samsung has launched in its mid- range : the A series. After using this smartphone as a mobile phone for two weeks, in this review we will learn a little more about all its features.
In case you didn’t know about its existence, the Galaxy A series is a family of mid-range phones with relatively affordable prices. They cannot be considered cheap phones, in any case, but by cutting some features the value for money is excellent .
What is most striking about the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is its powerful four-lens camera , dominated by a 64 MP main camera that takes totally sharp and professional photos.
Another of the strong points of this mobile is, without a doubt, the 6.5-inch screen with Super AMOLED technology and 120 Hz refresh rate. In addition, it has good autonomy, with a 5,000 mAh battery and 25 W fast charge. .
The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is priced at €449 if you buy it with 128 GB , rising to €509 if you want to have it with 256 GB .
The accessory package is quite sparse. The white USB C cable and the tool to open the dual nano SIM compartment are included in its box. Therefore, the part of the charger will have to be paid for by you .
Table of Contents
The Super AMOLED screen, the jewel in the crown
Samsung is unrivaled when it comes to wow its users, being the leading brand when it comes to color and brightness themes.
In the Galaxy A53 5G, these features come hand in hand with a screen with Super AMOLED technology, which emphasizes great contrasts and perfectly defined colors .
In addition, its FullHD + resolution is everything it promises: wonderful. And it’s more than enough to fully enjoy any content, whether it’s playing Candy Crush or browsing Instagram, thanks to its powerful color and brightness.
By focusing on one of the most important issues, brightness, we can ensure its effectiveness . It adjusts perfectly to the light received at all times, increasing rapidly outdoors and reducing indoors.
The reading mode could be said to be much more correct than in other phones of the brand, causing a greater sense of relief. However, you can always balance the tones through the mobile configuration settings.
The screen of the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is 6.5 inches (and 159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1 mm in dimensions), which places it within the average of today’s huge smartphones. Additionally, the panel supports up to 120Hz refresh rate .
Four cameras, the best of the Galaxy A53 53
The Samsung company has solved one of the main problems of its phones. Despite using the best sensors, its image processing placed the quality of the photographs well below average in its different ranges.
However, this has been corrected both in the Galaxy S family (high range) and in the Galaxy A (mid range). Next, we break down all the “pros” and “cons” of its four cameras:
The main camera has 64 MP and is very efficient. Sharpness is always present, accurately detailing both elements and colors. One of its keys, and perhaps the most surprising, is the ability to show contrasts , typical of the high ranges.
Here we leave you some photos as an example , such as the following taken with the main 64 MP sensor :
It is also important to know that Samsung always bets on oversaturation in its images. This is something that not everyone will like, especially those who come from the iPhone and its warm tones.
This is the reason why the portrait mode has striking results , as always on Samsung devices, but with the definition and contrast by flag. It also has a magical blur effect (the Bokeh effect), perhaps a bit exaggerated, but that we can adapt to our liking.
The main sensor works well in low light , supported by optical stabilization. As it happens in practically all phones, night photos always lose quality. The automatic night mode makes the strong contrast still present, but the definition drops a bit.
You will see it in the image that we attach in night mode :
Now we will talk about the rest of the cameras. As for the wide angle , the truth is that it impresses as soon as it is opened due to its amplitude , and the results obtained in good light are quite incredible.
However, it is also a fact that photos lose definition . Something noticeable if you take the same photo with the main camera and then with the wide angle lens, but, even so, it is a more than correct lens. Using it at night is also not the best option, although it can be considered acceptable.
Next, we leave you a couple of images taken with a wide angle :
As for the auxiliary cameras, the macro sensor and the depth sensor are of little use due to their inconspicuous results.
The macro function requires good focus and patience to take the picture. However, close-up photos, whether of an object, animal, or person, perform better with the main sensor .
Example of photography made with macro :
In addition, the camera application allows us to apply a digital zoom of up to x10 , showing a shortcut with the increase of x2. Logically, the loss of quality increases as the zoom increases, but up to x4 a good result is obtained .
Example of images zoomed x2 using the main sensor:
Next, we leave you a brief summary with the characteristics of its four rear cameras :
- 64 MP : main sensor with f/1.8 aperture and optical stabilization.
- 12 MP : ultra wide angle secondary sensor with f / 2.2 aperture.
- 5 MP : macro lens with f/2.4 aperture.
- 5 MP : depth lens with f/2.4 aperture.
One of the most rewarding surprises comes from the front camera : the famous selfies. We all know that these types of photos come out better the more light there is, but in Samsung Galaxy A53 5G they have very positive results as well. The 32 MP lens is located in the center of the screen.
Indoors, using natural light and portrait effect, the result is this:
This is how the front camera behaves outdoors :
The improvement in processing is noticeable in both normal photos and portraits, but also in videos . In addition, thanks to optical stabilization , we can achieve very good results even if we have a horrible pulse.
Added to all this is a curious “Fun Mode” with filters from the Snapchat social network , included without the need to download the application. You will also see the “Edit” option in the Gallery app, with the classic settings to retouch, delete objects and more tools.
Image example with Fun Mode :
Playful and elegant design in pastel tones
One of the first things that identify the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is its appearance. It is a mobile that could be considered thin, with a thickness of 8.1 mm , and a fairly light weight of only 189 grams .
The camera module is located in the left area and is perfectly concealed . It has a small elevation of a few millimeters with respect to the back cover, but without the lenses themselves protruding. Many brands still do not take care of this aspect, important at the design level.
As for the colors, the difference is visible on the back of the smartphone. You can choose between two very attractive pastel shades, sky blue and peach , or go for the traditional black and white . The only drawback of the sky blue tone, the one we have tested, is that without a cover it collects fingerprints too much and does not hide dirt at all.
Next, we show an image with the four models of the Galaxy A53 5G:
Its silver sides are striking , adding elegance to the design . The right side integrates the volume and lock / power buttons, although we must say that this mobile turns off and on by default in a curious way.
The left side is free of buttons, since the rest of the functions are located on the lower edge. From left to right: cover with tray for dual nano SIM, USB type C port and speaker. And the classic hole to insert the headphone jack? It doesn’t exist .
Indeed, with the 3.5 mm mini jack port you will not be able to continue enjoying your favorite headphones as before. You have two options: get yourself some new headphones or buy an adapter. The good news is that Samsung is giving away some Galaxy Buds 2, valued at €149 , for the purchase of the Galaxy A53 5G.
Another strong point in terms of design is its resistance to shocks or other factors . It has IP67 protection , which means that it is resistant to dust and immersion in fresh water for up to 30 minutes and without exceeding a depth of one meter.
In addition, the screen incorporates Gorilla Glass 5, a chemically reinforced glass that makes smartphones somewhat more resistant. Although it is better not to tempt fate.
The corresponding fingerprint sensor is integrated into the screen , unlike other devices where the fingerprint must be placed on a side button or another button at the bottom of the screen. This function is very comfortable and agile. Be patient at first, it is true that when adding your fingerprint it will take a few minutes to configure it because it requires several finger positions.
At the sound level, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G exceeds expectations . The speaker, located on the bottom edge, sounds quite loud and clear on all its notes, including the bass. The last power levels, especially the maximum volume, have nothing to envy to some external speakers.
5,000 mAh battery and 25 W fast charge
Samsung announces that the Galaxy A53 5G can last up to two days without being plugged in.
From our experience, we have needed to charge the smartphone shortly after getting through the first day . Although this will depend, as always, on the use given and the content that each user has consumed.
The positive part is that the fast charge of 25 W means that it does not have to be kept plugged in for more than 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach its 5,000 mAh .
However, 25 watts is a level of power that is well below the market standard, considering these price ranges. For example, the Realme 8 Pro has a fast charge of 50 W and its price is below €300.
Also, remember that the charger is not included in the package , you will only find the USB C cable. Do not expect any case to protect the phone, nor the typical pre-installed screen protectors. All this will run, if you want to have it, out of your pocket.
Good Exynos 1280 processor performance
The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G relies on an Exynos 1280 processor, which without reaching the level of the Qualcomm Snapdragon, also offers great performance and excellent quality .
It is robust enough to support any application of the digital age, from the acclaimed Instagram filters to online multiplayer games. The video games do not have great graphic displays or colorful details, but it works very well.
Next, we break down the hardware of the mobile:
- Exynos 1280 with 8 cores : 2 x ARM Cortex-A78 CPU clocked at 2.4 GHz + 6 x ARM Cortex-A55 CPU clocked at 2 GHz, manufactured at 5nm.
- ARM Mali-G68P as graphics processor.
- 6 GB of RAM.
- 128 GB or 256 GB of internal storage.
Since the Galaxy A53’s name includes the 5G name behind it, it’s no surprise that the Exynos 1280 processor features a 5G modem . It also offers several connectivity features such as Bluetooth 5.2, WiFi 6 (ax) and GPS + GLONASS , the latter being an alternative to GPS created by Russia.
Infinite settings, functions and tools
The Galaxy A53 5G has its own customization layer , developed by Samsung, which is called One UI 4.1. It offers countless adjustments, tools and solutions to everyday problems that may arise.
You will find practically everything you can think of. For example, you can choose or customize the chromatic harmony of the mobile according to the wallpaper you choose, and you can also generate stickers and emojis with the AR Emoji world , something that iPhone users have boasted so much about.
Regarding gestures to control the terminal , it is important to know that, if you only press the typical lock/power button , it will not show you the options of “Turn off”, “Restart” or “Emergency mode”. This will appear when you press the Lock/Power Button + Volume Down Button.
Another curiosity lies in the much -used screenshots , which are made by combining the same buttons (lock/power + volume down button) but with a quick touch , without having to hold down for a second.
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G, technical sheet
The features of the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G are very powerful, approaching in many aspects more to the high range than to the one that corresponds to it, the mid-range. Next, we detail its main specifications:
- Screen: 6.5 inches with Super AMOLED technology, Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection, Full HD+ resolution and 120 Hz refresh rate.
- Processor: Samsung Exynos 1280 8-core.
- RAM memory: 6 GB + extra virtual RAM.
- Internal storage: 128 or 256 GB + possibility of expansion up to 1 TB via MicroSD card.
- Rear camera: main 64 MP f/1.8 with optical stabilization + 12 MP with ultra wide angle f/2.2 + 5 MP macro f/2.4 + 5 MP depth f/2.4.
- Front camera: 32 MP with focal aperture f / 2.2.
- Connectivity: 4G LTE, 5G, WiFi 6 (802.11), Bluetooth 5.1, NFC, GPS + GLONASS.
- Ports and sensors: USB type C, on-screen fingerprint sensor, face unlock, IP67 water and dust protection, ambient light and proximity sensor.
- Battery: 5,000 mAh with fast charge up to 25 W.
- Operating system: Android 12 with the Samsung One UI 4 customization layer.
- SIM : Dual nano SIM.
- Dimensions : 159.6 × 74.8 × 8.1mm.
- Weight : 189 grams.
- Color : Sky blue, peach, black and white.
- Price : €449 (128 GB) or €509 (256 GB).
Buy: Samsung Galaxy A53 5G (Fnac)
Buy: Samsung Galaxy A53 5G (Amazon)
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G: conclusions
The new Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is a slightly improved variant of the previous one. A highly recommended smartphone, with a powerful value for money and with everything you need to overshadow the high-end.
Compared to its predecessor (Samsung Galaxy A52 5G), the autonomy of the phone is greater in the new model , going from 4,500 to 5,000 mAh. Technically, it has been reduced a bit in physical size, but it maintains the diagonal of the screen and the 189 grams of weight.
The most notable features of this mid-range phone are the excellent 64 MP camera , the remarkable Super AMOLED screen with fingerprint sensor and the more than acceptable fast charge at 25 W.
On the other hand, the performance of the phone is quite good, with a high refresh rate of 120 Hz. The design draws a lot of attention for its cheerful character and its two possible pastel shades (sky blue and peach), in addition to the silver sides.
The handicaps of the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G fall on the macro lens , which goes quite unnoticed, as in most mid-range smartphones. It should also be noted that the wide angle is very powerful, but with a clear loss of definition.
It is a mistake that the charger is not included in the package . The previous model, Galaxy A52 5G, contained a 15W Samsung Adaptive Fast Charge charger in its boxes. And one more drawback is added: it does not have its own headphone input , as its predecessor also had.
The version with 128 GB of internal storage costs €449 in Spain, while the 256 GB model goes up to €509 . If it seems scarce to you, you also have the possibility of expanding the storage space up to 1 TB by means of a MicroSD card.
Strengths of the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G in our review
- High quality in the main camera of 64 MP.
- Great image processing.
- Super AMOLED screen with integrated fingerprint sensor.
- Fast charging at 25W.
- Very balanced device with sufficiently powerful performance.
- There is a good quality price relation.
Weak points of the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G in our review
- Powerful wide angle but with a clear loss of definition.
- Auxiliary cameras (macro and depth sensor) of little use.
- Base charger part not included.
- 6GB RAM only ok.
Our assessment
- Layout: 8
- Display: 9
- Hardware: 7
- Autonomy: 7
- Camera: 9
- Software: 8
- Price: 8
- Overall score: 8
