Samsung Galaxy F54 5G: A top specs phone under Rs 30,000 but with fast charging still a miss

• The Samsung Galaxy F54 5G is available in a solitary storage variant featuring 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, priced at Rs. 27,999.
• It can be purchased in two attractive colour options: Meteor Blue and Stardust Silver.
• The device features a triple camera setup at the back.

Samsung has already been in the news with its flagship Galaxy S23 series smartphones this year. However, it isn't content with just dominating the top-tier market. Earlier in March, Samsung introduced the mid-range Galaxy F14 5G, signaling its commitment to delivering excellence across various price segments. Building upon this momentum, Samsung has now unveiled the Galaxy F54 5G on June 6. The device comes with a price tag of Rs 27,999 and is the latest addition to the Galaxy F series, which has seen three successful releases since 2020.

The phone boasts of an Exynos processor, a durable battery, a remarkable 108 MP camera, and a glossy design. These specifications seem impressive at first glance but the true test lies in its real-world performance. Our objective in this review is to comprehensively assess its capabilities and determine whether it truly delivers on its enticing features.

Price & Availability In India

The Samsung Galaxy F54 5G is available in a solitary storage variant featuring 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, priced at Rs. 27,999. It can be purchased in two attractive colour options: Meteor Blue and Stardust Silver. The device will be sold exclusively through Flipkart, Samsung.com and at select retail stores.

Samsung Galaxy F54 5G Specs

Pros

• Screen and display
• Reliable 108 MP primary camera
• Lightweight design

Cons

• No charger inside the box
• Slow charging
• Average processing performance

Design

Samsung has chosen to stick to a conventional design approach for the Galaxy F54 5G, and while it may not be groundbreaking, it's still a decent look. With a thickness of 8.4 mm and weighing 199 grams, the phone feels light and comfortable to hold. However, it should be noted that the shiny plastic back can be quite slippery, so it's advisable to use a case for added grip.

The phone is available in two colour options: Meteor Blue and Stardust Silver. During my review, I had the opportunity to try out the Meteor Blue variant, which I personally liked. At the bottom, you'll find a USB Type-C port, a single speaker, two microphones, and a hybrid SIM slot that allows for either two SIM cards or one SIM card and a memory card. The power button, located on the right side, also serves as a physical fingerprint scanner. While the fingerprint scanner works well, it's a disappointment that a phone in this price range doesn't offer an in-display fingerprint scanner. Additionally, it's worth noting that the phone lacks a headphone jack.

On the front, there's a centered punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera and minimal bezels that are barely noticeable. The smartphone features flat edges, giving it a sleek appearance. With a thickness of 8.4mm and weighing 199 grams, it feels lightweight and slim in hand. However, it's important to mention that the blue panel tends to attract fingerprints and smudges easily.

Display

The Galaxy F54 5G boasts a 6.7-inch full-HD Super AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, a brightness of 800 nits, and Gorilla Glass 5 protection. Samsung's expertise in delivering exceptional displays is evident, as this screen is sharp, vibrant, and offers excellent viewing angles. The colours are punchy, and the dynamic range is impressive. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures an immersive and smooth scrolling and gaming experience.

I had a great overall experience while watching content on apps like YouTube and Netflix. The visuals look impactful and appropriately sized, especially when viewed in full-screen mode. Even under direct sunlight, the display remains clear due to the option of switching to peak brightness levels. Additionally, the Galaxy F54 5G offers features like adaptive brightness, eye comfort shield, motion smoothness, and various display modes to enhance the viewing experience further.

Performance

Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy F54 5G is equipped with the Exynos 1380 chipset, offering a seamless performance. Paired with up to 8GB of RAM and a Mali G68 MP5 GPU, the device effortlessly handles daily tasks without any issues. Even with multiple apps running in the background, the phone remains smooth and lag-free. It excels in terms of stability, as there are no app crashes or instances of the device hanging when switching between apps. With up to 256GB of onboard storage, the Galaxy F54 5G provides ample space to store your files and media.

The gaming performance is also commendable. You can enjoy heavy-duty games like Asphalt 9 in high-definition graphics and smooth frame rates for extended periods of up to half an hour without any noticeable interruptions. However, beyond that timeframe, the device tends to heat up while the game continues to run.

One aspect that left me slightly disappointed is the sound quality of the Samsung Galaxy F54 5G. The single bottom-firing speaker does an adequate job, but it falls short of delivering a fuller, more immersive soundscape that could have been achieved with a dual-speaker setup. Considering the price point, it would have been desirable for Samsung to include such a feature.

On the connectivity front, the phone supports dual-5G, Wi-Fi calling, Bluetooth 5.3, and Wi-Fi 6. During my testing, I used Jio, Airtel, and Vi SIM cards, and I must say that the network reception and call clarity were excellent. The device performed well in maintaining strong signals and providing clear communication during calls.

Camera

Samsung Galaxy F54 5G boasts a triple camera configuration at the back with 108MP primary sensor featuring Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) technology. This powerful sensor captures stunning images in daylight, characterized by exceptional clarity, sharpness, and vibrant colours. The images exhibit a natural look with minimal artificial enhancement, while the fine details are beautifully preserved. The 108MP sensor also performs decently in low-light conditions, delivering satisfactory results.

The device includes an 8MP ultra wide angle camera that offers a wide field of view and produces detailed and clear shots during the daytime. In low-light scenarios, the performance slightly declines, which is understandable. However, it still manages to capture usable images. The third lens in the setup is a 2MP macro sensor, but its functionality is limited, serving primarily to increase the number of lenses rather than delivering significant photography capabilities.

Furthermore, the Samsung Galaxy F54 5G offers a Fun Mode with 16 built-in lens effects, allowing users to explore their creativity with various artistic styles. Additionally, the device features a single-take mode that enables capturing four videos and four photos simultaneously with a single shot, expanding creative possibilities.

On the front, there is a 32MP selfie camera that delivers decent selfies both in daylight and low-light conditions. It maintains focus on the subject, presenting natural-looking skin tones. The front camera also performs well for group selfies, capturing a wide field of view and preserving ample detail.

Battery

The Samsung Galaxy F54 5G is equipped with a massive 6000mAh battery. This sizable battery provides ample power to sustain moderate usage for a day and a half. However, if your activities involve extended gaming sessions, video editing, or prolonged content consumption, you'll need to charge it once every day.

The smartphone supports 25W wired fast charging, which takes approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes to fully recharge the battery from 0 to 100%. While the charging speed may be slower and the charging time longer, the larger battery capacity is intended to compensate for this.

Additionally, it's worth noting that the phone does not include an adapter in the box, so you will need to use your existing one or purchase one separately if you don't already own it.

Should you buy it?

The Samsung Galaxy F54 5G is a versatile smartphone with very few drawbacks. It boasts a premium appearance, offers an exceptional software experience, and performs quite well with the newly-launched Exynos 1380 chipset. However, there are a couple of downsides worth mentioning. Firstly, the plastic back, although it exudes a premium look, might not be the most fitting choice considering its price tag of nearly Rs 30,000. Secondly, the battery charging speed is on the slower side, taking close to two hours for a full charge.

Despite these minor shortcomings, the Galaxy F54 5G presents itself as a strong overall package. It shines with its excellent camera performance, capturing impressive shots, and its vibrant display, which will surely appeal to social media enthusiasts. Additionally, its mammoth battery capacity ensures extended usage without frequent charging.