If you're looking to buy a sub-$500 Samsung phone, chances are you will land on the Galaxy A54 5G. But even though it is a decent mid-range device, as long as you manage some expectations, there is an alternative to it you might not have considered.
The alternative could be to buy a Certified Re-Newed Galaxy S22 from Samsung USA's official CRN (Certified Re-Newed) online store. A base Galaxy S22 model with 128GB of storage would set you back only $45 extra, but you'd get a lot more phone in return.
More specifically, the Galaxy S22 has a smaller 6.1-inch screen compared to the Galaxy A54's 6.4-inch panel/ But the Galaxy S22 is superior in more or less every aspect, from build quality and cameras to raw performance and the software experience.
Galaxy S22 review | Galaxy A54 5G review
Galaxy S22 is a great phone for less than $500
The Galaxy S22 and Galaxy A54 will receive four OS upgrades each throughout their lifetime, so, at least on paper, the Galaxy A54 has better firmware support as it shipped with Android 13 rather than Android 12. However, in practice, the Galaxy S22 will probably get timelier updates than the A54. The latter phone also has expandable storage and a bigger battery.
On the other hand, living with the Galaxy S22 for a few years will be a much more pleasant experience. The phone simply performs better across the board, in the general UI or demanding 3D apps, and its camera experience is vastly superior. It also offers features like wireless and reverse wireless charging, and Samsung DeX, which lets you turn your phone into a desktop computer.
But the Galaxy S22 also has a higher chance of surviving for a few more years thanks to its tough armor aluminum frame and solid construction. It's one of the most resilient phones we've ever used, and it's not even technically a rugged device. It's just well-built.
If you're planning to spend upward of $500 on a mid-range phone, we advise you to at least consider buying a Certified Re-Newed high-end phone from Samsung instead. It might be worth it.
