Samsung recently unveiled the Galaxy A54 5G in Kenya in a pomp and color event replacing its most treasured A53 5G model. While the device doesn’t boast any groundbreaking advancements, it offers an impressive package of features that make it a reliable midrange phone. The Kenyan market is currently rich in budget and midrange smartphones with top-tier features, which makes the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G stand out even more.

Samsung has a cohesive design strategy for all of its smartphones, which means the Ksh100,000 models don’t look too different from the phones that cost less than half that price. The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G comes in a lovely Awesome Violet color, but the color we tested was the drab Awesome Graphite. The phone has an aluminum frame with Gorilla Glass 5 on the front and back, which means you’ll need a case to prevent cracks in case of accidental drops. Unlike other budget and midrange phones with a plasticky backplate, the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G’s glass backplate offers a more luxurious feel.

The 6.4-inch AMOLED screen is the best part of the phone, providing inky blacks and punchy colors. The screen brightness is also impressive, as it can go up to 1,000 nits, making it easy to read even under the brightest sunlight. The phone’s 120-Hz screen provides a more fluid experience while scrolling through apps like Instagram and Reddit.

The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G stands out from other half-priced smartphones because of its software support cycle. It comes with four major OS Android upgrades, which means it will get Android 17 in 2027. Samsung’s promise of five years of security updates is reassuring, knowing that the phone will receive new features, critical bug fixes, and security patches for years to come. The phone’s IP67 rating ensures it can withstand accidental drops in the pool or rain.

The phone’s Exynos 1380 processor with 6 gigabytes of RAM is powerful enough to provide a smooth experience while browsing apps or playing games. However, moving back and forth between multiple apps may cause some sluggishness, but it’s only occasional. The camera can also be slow to launch. The battery life is excellent, and the 5,000-mAh cell can last up to two full days with light use. However, heavy use throughout the day may lead to 30% battery life by bedtime, which is not as impressive as some Motorola budget phones.

The phone comes with 128 gigabytes of storage, but you can expand the space with a microSD slot if needed. It also comes equipped with has an NFC sensor. While the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G does not have any groundbreaking features, it provides a well-rounded package of top-tier features that can last several years, making it a great midrange smartphone. The device is currently retailing in Kenya from Ksh54,000