Samsung Galaxy A53 5G review: a good deal gets better

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How do you make a good phone? If you're a member of the SAMSUNG group, you can swap in a house-made processor, increase the battery capacity, ditch the in-box charger, and lower the price by $50. If you follow the recipe, you will get the $449 phone.

The rule of not fixing what wasn't broken was followed by the company. The cameras, screen, and design are the same as last year. Even with the switch from a Snapdragon processor to an Exynos one, performance is the same. Losing the charging brick is a disappointment, but it was going to happen eventually.

The software support policy has improved even better than the minor spec upgrades. Five years of security and platform updates will be given to the A53 5G. That's as long as the phones are supported by the company. Don't expect to get frequent updates toward the end of its lifespan, but getting any kind of update five years after launch is fantastic for a mid-range device.

Some of the software complaints have been addressed by the company. The A53 5G ships with a newer version of the OneUI, which is a little more convenient to use. It is still a device from a company that desperately wants you to live in its world with its own app store, virtual assistant, and constellation of pre-downloaded apps.

If you're happy living in the world of SAMSUNG, and you don't mind putting up with it, then you'll get an excellent return on your investment.

The first phone to be sold in the US with an Exynos chip is the A53 5G. The chips that are used in international versions of the phones have shown up in recent Wearables. In the US, it has been all of the two companies. The A33 5G and A53 5G are the first devices to use this particular processor. It has more than you will find on most other phones, with 6GB of RAM.

The A52 5G seems to be on par with this performance. Sometimes, when using them side by side, there is a slightly longer lag after tapping on the search bar before the keyboard pops up. The A52 will open an app quicker than the A53. I would call it a toss-up between the two. I use a phone that is within the normal range for a phone of that type, and nothing I couldn't live with. There will be some stutters when there is a lot happening on screen. Even after a few years of software updates, I would expect the performance to hold up.

If you buy a unlocked phone in the US, you will have 128GB of storage. If you run out of space after a few years, there is a microSD slot for additional storage.

The A53 5G has a good level of detail with a good resolution. It can be difficult to see in bright outdoor conditions, but it is a rich, vibrant display and the fast refresh rate keeps things looking smooth. It is the best phone screen you can get at this price point.

There is an in-display fingerprint scanning device. I believe that it is the same one used in the A52 5G. I feel like I'm getting fewer prompts to re-try because I'm having an easier time with it. Maybe the software got better. I might have more patience now. Who can tell? It's slower than the very best optical fingerprint sensors in flagships, but it's generally accurate and quick enough not to cause any major frustration day to day.

Dust and water resistance are rare in this class. The A53 5G should be able to handle splashes, spills, and water submersion. If you have ever seen a phone die a watery death after an accidental drop in a body of water, then you know how valuable water resistance is.

The upgrade from a 4,500mAh battery to a 5,000mAh capacity is one of the key improvements. If you're a light user or on the internet most of the time, then that's a fair claim, as the new battery will get you through two full days of use. I can get through a full day, even if I only watch a few videos and spend most of my time on 5G. I only got to charge the phone at 2PM after I downloaded Genshin Impact, but I did push it hard. Light users can get through two days on a charge, but if you are a moderate or heavy user, it might be best to take a break overnight.

The A53's box doesn't include a charging brick, nor does it include ausb-C cable. The A52 included a headphone jack, but it's gone because good things must end. I wish these features hadn't trickled down to the A53.

If you buy the A53 through AT&T, T-Mobile, or unlocked, you will get a version of the device that is compatible only with low- and mid-band 5G. It's fine, but it's hard to find MMWave. The version of the phone that is sold through the company is more expensive.

If you buy your phone through the company, you will likely be paying for it on your monthly bill, rather than at the full retail price. If you have the option of buying the unlocked phone, you can save yourself $50 and just buy it without the wireless service. If you miss it, your wireless plan might not include it at all.

The camera system of the A53 5G is the same as that of the A51. It is a welcome feature in the middle class. You are more likely to get a sharp shot in moderate lighting conditions. There is also a 12-megapixel ultrawide, along with 5-megapixel macro and depth sensors.

Good quality photos will be in bright light. The main camera has a night mode that brings out a good amount of detail if your subject isn't moving much. Portrait mode photos are not as impressive as they could be, especially when there is plenty of light. The standard camera has a wider view, which is the only option for portraits here.

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There are 4K / 30p, 30 and 60p video recording options. Video clips look good; the camera does a good job of focusing in low light. It is best suited for bright outdoor light, but there is additional stabilization available in 30p mode. The clips look dark and noisy with this feature.

It is a camera system that is good for the price. You would get better from a flagship, but it does an adequate job. The A53 doesn't measure up to the leader in the class. The colors are a little less saturated and the portraits look a little better. There are good reasons to go for the Samsung over the Pixel 5A, but if you're after pure camera quality, the 5A is still the best option.

The A53 5G's hardware is pretty much what you would expect from a $450 phone. I can find some things that I don't like in the software of the company.

When you start using your phone, you'll get a bunch of apps downloaded from it. You can not download a lot of these during setup. You will have an extra app store and voice assistant on your phone, even if you don't want them. I learned that Bixby has a tendency to mishear certain radio DJs saying their own names. This is a very Pacific Northwest problem, but I was already annoyed with Bixby, and this hasn't helped things.

The ads at the top of the weather app have been removed since OneUI 3.0. If you want to live your life without an extra account, you can hide all of the superfluous apps in a folder, and use the phone without ever creating a account. If you ever decide to change the style of your phone, you'll need a SAMSUNG account to do it. Lose some and win some.

Photo by Allison Johnson / The Verge

If you live in the US and want to spend less than $500 on a phone, you should look at the A53 5G. The only other phone that can be compared to is the Google Pixel 5A, but it is likely to be replaced soon and has a shorter shelf life at this point. If you want to subsidize it with your wireless plan, it's not sold through any carriers.

The other option would be to spend more and get the Pixel 6. It's a fantastic device with an excellent camera and lovely software, and it's for $599, which is a lot of money. It's more expensive than before, with an extra $150. If you don't mind getting the very best image quality and you like the new version of the phone, then there isn't a compelling case for spending the extra money.

The A-series budget phones are among the best options in their price brackets. The A53 5G is the best of the A-series. If you take care of it, it will last into the next four or five years. The A52 was a good buy for $50 more, and the A53 will give you an even better return on your investment, even if you have to bring your own charge now.

Allison Johnson is a photographer.

Every smart device now requires you to agree to a series of terms and conditions before you can use it. It is impossible for us to read and analyze all of these agreements. We started counting how many times you have to agree to use devices when we review them.

You have to agree to use the A53 5G.

• Samsung’s Terms and conditions
• Samsung’s Privacy Policy
• Google Terms of Service (including Privacy Policy)
• Google Play Terms of Service
• Automatic installs (including from Google, Samsung, and your carrier)

The following agreements are not mandatory.

• Back up to Google Drive: “Your backup includes apps, app data, call history, contacts, device settings (including Wi-Fi passwords and permissions), and SMS.”
• Use location: “Google may collect location data periodically and use this data in an anonymous way to improve location accuracy and location-based services.”
• Allow scanning: “Allow apps and services to scan for Wi-Fi networks and nearby devices at any time, even when Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is off.”
• Send usage and diagnostic data: “Help improve your Android device experience by automatically sending diagnostic, device and app usage data to Google.”

Permissions will be asked to allow for phone, calendar, call logs, contacts, files and media, location and physical activity.

If you agree, you will be able to access the assistant with "Hey Google."

There are at least four optional agreements.