Galaxy A54 Vs Galaxy Z Fold4

Galaxy A54
Galaxy A54
Starting at

Refurbished price:£119.00

Versus £499.00 new

See options
Galaxy Z Fold4
Galaxy Z Fold4
Starting at

Refurbished price:£352.00

Versus £1,889.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A54, released in March 2023, and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, launched in August 2022, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality. While both operate on the Android platform, the primary differentiator lies in their form factor: the A54 offers a traditional, flat-screen experience, whereas the Z Fold4 introduces an innovative foldable design that transforms from a compact phone into a larger, tablet-like display. These fundamental differences cater to varied user preferences and usage scenarios.

Scores

Durability

These devices offer different timelines for software support and physical durability, influencing their practical lifespan.

  • Software Updates: The Galaxy A54, released later, is expected to receive major Android OS updates for four generations and security updates for five years from its launch. The Galaxy Z Fold4, released earlier, is also projected to receive four major OS updates and five years of security updates, meaning its support period will conclude slightly sooner than the A54's.
  • Physical Durability: The A54 features Gorilla Glass 5 on both its front and back, along with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. The Z Fold4 incorporates more robust Gorilla Glass Victus+ on its cover screen and back, an Armor Aluminum frame, and an IPX8 rating for water resistance, though it lacks dust resistance due to its folding mechanism. The Z Fold4's internal folding screen is protected by a flexible plastic layer.
  • Repairability: Traditional smartphones like the A54 generally offer more straightforward repair processes for common components. The Z Fold4's complex folding design and dual-screen setup can make repairs more intricate.

Year of Release

2023

2022

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

Yes

Performance

The performance capabilities of these two devices are tailored for different usage patterns, reflecting their respective hardware and memory configurations.

  • Everyday Responsiveness: The Galaxy A54 handles daily tasks such as browsing, social media, and light gaming smoothly, providing a responsive experience for most users. The Galaxy Z Fold4, with its more advanced internal components, delivers a significantly more powerful experience, allowing for seamless multitasking, demanding applications, and high-performance gaming without noticeable slowdowns.
  • Multitasking and Storage: The A54 typically comes with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB, with expandable storage via microSD card. The Z Fold4 offers a more generous 12GB of RAM and internal storage options ranging from 256GB to 1TB, without expandable storage, which benefits users who frequently switch between many applications or store large files.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy A54 is equipped with a 5000 mAh battery, which generally provides extended usage throughout a day for most users. The Galaxy Z Fold4 has a 4400 mAh battery, and while its power-efficient processor helps, the larger, dual-screen setup can lead to more frequent charging for heavy users who utilize the main display extensively.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The display experience is a primary differentiator, with the Z Fold4 offering a unique dual-screen setup compared to the A54's single panel.

  • Display Technology and Size: Both devices feature vibrant AMOLED displays, known for deep blacks and excellent contrast. The A54 has a single 6.4-inch Super AMOLED screen. The Z Fold4 boasts a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X cover screen and a large 7.6-inch Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display, offering a significantly larger viewing area when unfolded.
  • Clarity and Smoothness: The A54's display offers a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels) and a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring sharp visuals and fluid scrolling. The Z Fold4's cover screen has a resolution of 904 x 2316 pixels, while its main foldable screen features a higher resolution of 1812 x 2176 pixels, both with a 120Hz refresh rate, providing an immersive and smooth visual experience, especially on the larger internal display.
  • Brightness and Viewing Experience: Both displays offer good brightness levels for outdoor visibility. The A54's single, flat screen provides a consistent viewing experience, while the Z Fold4's large internal screen is particularly well-suited for media consumption, reading, and productivity tasks, offering an expansive canvas.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1812 x 2176

Screen type

Super AMOLED

Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Audiovisual

Both smartphones offer capable camera systems, but the Z Fold4 provides more versatility with its additional lenses and advanced features.

  • Main Camera Performance: Both the Galaxy A54 and Z Fold4 feature a 50-megapixel main camera with optical image stabilization, delivering clear and detailed photos in good lighting conditions and performing well in everyday photography scenarios.
  • Versatility and Zoom: The A54 includes a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens and a 5-megapixel macro lens for varied shots. The Z Fold4, however, offers a more comprehensive system with a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens capable of 3x optical zoom, providing greater flexibility for capturing distant subjects without significant loss of detail.
  • Front Cameras and Video: For selfies and video calls, the A54 has a 32-megapixel front camera. The Z Fold4 features a 10-megapixel camera on its cover screen and a unique 4-megapixel under-display camera on its main foldable screen, which is less visible but offers a different experience. Both devices are capable of recording high-quality video, with the Z Fold4 supporting up to 8K resolution at 24fps.

Main camera

50 megapixels

50 megapixels

Front camera

32 megapixels

4 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements distinguish these two Samsung smartphones, impacting daily usability and interaction.

  • Connectivity and Ports: The Galaxy A54 supports 5G and Wi-Fi 6, along with Bluetooth 5.3 and a USB-C 2.0 port. The Galaxy Z Fold4 offers slightly more advanced connectivity with 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and a faster USB-C 3.2 port, which can be beneficial for quicker data transfers. Neither device includes a 3.5mm headphone jack.
  • Biometric Security: The A54 uses an under-display optical fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. The Z Fold4 integrates its fingerprint sensor into the side power button, which can be convenient for quick access whether the device is folded or unfolded.
  • Dimensions, Weight, and Build: The A54 has dimensions of 158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm and weighs 202 grams, offering a traditional smartphone feel. The Z Fold4 is heavier at 263 grams and has different dimensions when folded (155.1 x 67.1 x 14.2-15.8 mm) and unfolded (155.1 x 130.1 x 6.3 mm), reflecting its complex foldable design and premium build materials like Armor Aluminum. The Z Fold4 also supports the S Pen on its main display, enhancing its productivity capabilities.

Weight

202 g

263 g

Screen size (in)

6.4

7.6

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Choosing between the Galaxy A54 and the Galaxy Z Fold4 largely depends on individual priorities and how a user intends to interact with their device. The Galaxy A54 is frequently praised for its balanced performance, solid camera capabilities, and extended software support, making it a reliable choice for users seeking a traditional smartphone experience. Some users note its plastic frame, but generally find it a robust and practical daily driver.

The Galaxy Z Fold4, on the other hand, is celebrated for its innovative foldable design, offering unparalleled multitasking capabilities and an immersive media experience on its large internal screen. Users appreciate its powerful performance and versatile camera system. Common discussions often revolve around its weight and the perceived durability of the folding screen, though many find the benefits of the large display outweigh these considerations.

Users prioritizing a straightforward, dependable smartphone with good all-around features and a longer-lasting battery may prefer the Galaxy A54. Its traditional form factor and robust software support make it a practical choice for everyday communication and media consumption. Conversely, users who require a larger screen for productivity, extensive multitasking, or an immersive media experience, and are drawn to innovative technology, will find the Galaxy Z Fold4 well-suited to their needs. Its powerful internal components and unique design cater to those who push the boundaries of mobile device usage. Both devices are available as quality-assured refurbished options, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers.

See all articles

Our recent comparisons