The Galaxy A series from Samsung is popular for a reason: the smartphones always offer a lot of value for a modest price. You can read whether that is also the case with the latest Samsung Galaxy A smartphones in this Samsung Galaxy A53 review.
Samsung Galaxy A53
Recommended retail price From € 359,-
Colors Pink, Blue, Black, White
OS Android 12 (OneUI 4.1)
Screen 6.5″ AMOLED (2400 x 1080, 120 Hz)
Processor 2.4GHz octa-core (Exynos 1280)
RAM 6GB
Storage 128GB
Battery 5,000 mAh
Camera 64, 12.5, 2 megapixel (rear), 32 megapixel (front)
Connectivity 5G, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, NFC
Format 16 x 7.5 x 0.8 cm
Weight 189 grams
Other splash-proof
Website www.samsung.com 7 Score 70 
- Pros
- Price quality
- Camera
- Update Support
- battery life
- Negatives
- To upload
- unnecessary lenses
- Performance variable
- bloatware
If you are looking for an affordable smartphone, you can be sure that a smartphone will show up in the search results in the Samsung Galaxy A series. That’s not only because Samsung is a popular and trusted brand, but also because it has another important asset over Chinese smartphone brands in the same price range: update support.
A new model of the Samsung Galaxy A53 will last at least five years thanks to security updates and can expect at least four Android version updates. Brands such as OnePlus, Motorola, Xiaomi (including sub-brands Redmi and Poco), TCL and Oppo do not dare to offer that. These manufacturers try to please the user with a multitude of smartphones with impressive specifications for a competitive price, such as fast chipsets and a back that is full of as many camera lenses as possible…
Only software is often a cry with the cap on: no version updates, a few (slowly rolled out) security updates and an Android skin full of dubious apps and services.
Samsung’s tactics are more focused on the software, not on the specs lists. A tactic that works, as the brand is still very popular when it comes to smartphones. Both budget devices and high-end smartphones. Because good software makes the difference: in terms of camera area and lifespan (thanks to the updates).
Galaxy A52 or Galaxy A53?
With a (recommended) price tag of 359 euros, the Samsung Galaxy A53 is an accessible smartphone, just like its predecessors. The Samsung Galaxy A52 and Galaxy A52s. There are some peculiar differences to note compared to the predecessor.
First of all, the stated minimum update support has been slightly extended: four Android updates and five years of security updates. The screen panel has also improved somewhat, as has the camera. The battery has also received a major, nice upgrade.
However, the device does not seem to have improved in all ways. The audio port has to make way, there is no adapter in the box. The smooth Snapdragon chipset has also been replaced by a somewhat less performing Exynos chipset of its own making. A strange choice and when you set it up you already notice that the device shows a stutter here and there. The chipset does support 5G, but not WiFi 6.
A few quirky choices make the Samsung Galaxy A53 a smarter choice than the Galaxy A52 or A52s.
Hardware
The Galaxy A53 has a nice size, thanks to a screen with a diameter of 6.5 inches. Although the back and edges are made of plastic, the device does not feel cheap. The screen has decent image quality when it comes to color reproduction, brightness and refresh rate. The refresh rate is up to 120 hertz, but not dynamic. To extend the battery life, you can choose 60 hertz. As you may be used to from Samsung smartphones, there is a camera hole in the screen at the top of the device and a fingerprint scanner below the screen.
The Exynos chipset is not the fastest and 6GB of RAM is not enough, but it is sufficient for all necessary apps and games. The battery life is fine, in practice we got through about a day and a half with a full battery. In terms of charging options, it is a bit disappointing: no fast charging, no wireless charging and no adapter.
Cameras
In terms of cameras, Samsung probably let itself be distracted by the competition, who often opt for quantity of lenses over quality of the photos and videos. The Galaxy A53 has four lenses on the back. In addition to the regular lens, there is also a wide-angle lens, zoom lens and macro lens.
However, the lenses with which you zoom in are of such dubious quality that it is better not to use them in practice. The two five-megapixel lenses can’t handle low light or backlighting at all, making photos gritty and obscure. In short, worthless. It may explain why the macro functionality is hidden deep in the camera settings.
It is the wide-angle lens and regular lens that you better fall back on. The former also has some trouble with backlighting and low light, but manages to capture more detail. Useful for landscape photography, for example. If you use the wide-angle lens for an object that is close, there will be some curvature.
The regular lens holds its own for the price range in which the smartphone is located and makes the difference compared to cameras from competitors and the Galaxy A52, especially in the aforementioned difficult lighting conditions.
Camera lenses from left to right: wide angle, regular, zoom, macro.
Software: Android 12 with OneUI
When it comes to support, you’re in the right place with the Galaxy A52. The software skin offers a lot of functionality and looks recognizable. However, there is something to criticize about the pre-installed apps. Bloatware from Microsoft, Facebook and Booking.com, in addition to numerous Samsung services and Bixby. Even the settings window hides the unnecessary McAfee virus scanner.
What’s worse is that during the setup, countless ‘recommended’ apps are offered, such as useless games and a second (!) equally unnecessary virus scanner. This kind of practice has no place on a device that belongs to you.
Also read: How to remove unwanted apps from your Samsung Galaxy phone
Alternatives to the Samsung Galaxy A53
Because of the support and better camera, I can recommend the Galaxy A53 over competitors like OnePlus’ Nord series and other Chinese brands like Motorola, Oppo and Xiaomi (including sub-brands Poco and Redmi). A step forward has also been taken compared to the Galaxy A52, although the chipset seems to perform a bit more stable.
The iPhone SE also does not know how to match the Galaxy A53, although the iPhone will receive some longer update support and the chipset runs a lot smoother, it is a significant step backwards at Apple in terms of camera, screen and especially battery life.
Conclusion: Buy Samsung Galaxy A53?
The Samsung Galaxy A53 is a safe choice if you are looking for a new smartphone. The update support and camera are positive. The other camera lenses are somewhat redundant and the performance is nothing to write home about. Furthermore, the smartphone has a pleasant size, screen and battery life.
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