Samsung Galaxy A34 vs. Galaxy A54: Which should you buy?

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 31 March 2023

If you're after a more affordable Samsung smartphone, the manufacturer's new A-series devices are now available. At the top of the A-series are the Galaxy A34 and the Galaxy A54, representing the more "premium" side of the midrange, and making the least compromises when compared to its far pricier S series devices.

The Galaxy A34 and Galaxy A54 have a lot of similarities, but there are also key differences you'll need to consider. If you're on the fence, we'll run through everything you need to know.

First, here are their specs:

Samsung Galaxy A34 vs. Galaxy A54

	Galaxy A34 5G	Galaxy A54 5G
Display	6.6-inch flat with notch	6.4-inch flat with hole-punch
Resolution	1080p+ with 120Hz	1080p+ with 120Hz
Rear Cameras	48MP + 8MP + 5MP	50MP + 12MP + 5MP
Front Camera	13MP	32MP
Processor	Dimensity 1080	Exynos 1380
Storage	128GB	128GB
RAM	6GB	6GB
Water-Resistance	IP67	IP67
Battery	5,000mAh	5,000mAh
5G	Yes	Yes
Price	$599	$699

Samsung Galaxy A34 vs. Galaxy A34 Price

Price is naturally a difference between the Galaxy A34 and Galaxy A54, with the former being the more affordable phone. You'll pay $599 for the Galaxy A34 or $699 for the Galaxy A54.

Alternatively, the A34 is available on plans from Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and Southern Phone, while the A54 is available on plans from Telstra and Optus.

On a plan with Telstra, Optus and Vodafone you will have the choice to repay your phone over a 24- or 36-month period, while with Southern Phone you can only pay over 24 months. Choosing a 24-month plan is a good option if you want to own your phone outright fast, whereas paying your phone off over 36 months will help you keep your monthly plan fees lower.

Here's how much each device will cost on a plan over 24 and 36 months.

#1	Optus	Optus $60 Optus Choice Plus Plan 100GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 24 mths device payments Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply. $63.93/mth Min. cost $637.32 Out of stock	$63.93/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $637.32	Out of stock
#2	Optus	Optus $69 Optus Promo Plan 360GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 24 mths device payments Deal: Upgrade & Protect included when you add a phone on a payment plan. Plus, get up to $10/mth SubHub credit for 12 mths. T&Cs apply. $93.93/mth Min. cost $667.32 Out of stock	$93.93/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $667.32	Out of stock
#3	Optus	Optus $70 Optus Choice Plus Plan 240GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 24 mths device payments $94.93/mth Min. cost $668.32 Out of stock	$94.93/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $668.32	Out of stock
#4	Optus	Optus $90 Optus Choice Plus Plan 480GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 24 mths device payments SubHub: Receive up to $20/mth SubHub credit when you have an active SubHub account with subs greater than $0. T&Cs apply $114.93/mth Min. cost $688.32 Out of stock	$114.93/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $688.32	Out of stock

#1	Optus	Optus $60 Optus Choice Plus Plan 100GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply. $55.62/mth Min. cost $637.32 Out of stock	$55.62/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $637.32	Out of stock
#2	Optus	Optus $69 Optus Promo Plan 360GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments Deal: Upgrade & Protect included when you add a phone on a payment plan. Plus, get up to $10/mth SubHub credit for 12 mths. T&Cs apply. $85.62/mth Min. cost $667.32 Out of stock	$85.62/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $667.32	Out of stock
#3	Optus	Optus $70 Optus Choice Plus Plan 240GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments $86.62/mth Min. cost $668.32 Out of stock	$86.62/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $668.32	Out of stock
#4	Optus	Optus $90 Optus Choice Plus Plan 480GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments SubHub: Receive up to $20/mth SubHub credit when you have an active SubHub account with subs greater than $0. T&Cs apply $106.62/mth Min. cost $688.32 Out of stock	$106.62/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $688.32	Out of stock

Samsung Galaxy A54

24-month plans
36-month plans

Samsung Galaxy A34 vs. Galaxy A54 camera

The Galaxy A34 and Galaxy A54 have reasonably different camera configurations. On the Galaxy A34 you'll find a 48MP primary lens, 8MP ultra-wide lens, 5MP macro lens, and 13MP selfie camera. Meanwhile, the Galaxy A54 has a 50MP primary lens, 12MP ultra-wide lens, 5MP macro lens, and 32MP selfie camera.

We'd expect both phones to perform similarly in good lighting, but the Galaxy A54 to have the edge in low-light environments. However, we'll need to wait until we get hands-on with the phones to test this.

Samsung Galaxy A34 vs. Galaxy A54 design

The Galaxy A34 and Galaxy A54 are cut from a similar cloth with a few differences. Both have plastic backs, IP67 water-resistance (which means they can survive depths of up to one metre for as long as 30 minutes), and 120Hz displays, just like Samsung's Galaxy S23 family.

The Galaxy A34 is the larger of the pair, with a 6.6-inch display featuring a notch for the selfie camera. The Galaxy A54 is a little smaller, measuring in at 6.4-inches with a hole-punch selfie camera.

You also have different colour options to choose from. Both are available in black or "Awesome Graphite", but you can also get the Galaxy A34 in "Awesome Lime" and the Galaxy A54 in "Awesome Violet".

Samsung Galaxy A34 vs. Galaxy A54 performance

The Galaxy A54 is powered by Samsung's in-house Exynos 1380 processor while the Galaxy A34 uses a Mediatek Dimensity 1080. Performance between the two should be reasonably similar, but we'll need to wait until we've had some hands-on time with the phones to know for sure.

Processor aside, you'll get 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage no matter which you pick.

Both the Galaxy A34 and Galaxy A54 will get four major operating system updates and five years of security updates, which is unrivalled when it comes to Android devices and quite generous for mid-tier phones.

Samsung Galaxy A34 vs. Galaxy A54 battery

The Galaxy A34 and Galaxy A54 both have a 5,000mAh battery. It's hard to gauge battery life from a spec sheet, but when we tested the Galaxy A53 last year, we comfortably got a full day per charge. This was the equivalent of between four and five hours of screen time with 5G on, or around seven hours of screen time on WiFi and 4G.

Should I buy the Galaxy A34 or the Galaxy A54?

Without hands-on time, it's too early to tell whether the Galaxy A34 or Galaxy A54 are the better buy - especially given how similar the pair are. The Galaxy A54 looks a little more modern thanks to its hole-punch display, but conversely, the slightly larger 6.6-inch display on the Galaxy A34 is great if you'd prefer a bigger phone.

We'll circle back with our full recommendations after we've tested the Galaxy A34 and Galaxy A54.

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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