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Review: Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
Released: 4/21/2022
Author: Judy Jones, Top Tech Tidbits Reader
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My Impressions And Experience
I purchased the Samsung A53 mid-range phone in early April, and am, thus far, extremely satisfied with it, especially its price point in the four-hundred dollar range. It is as close as one can come to flagship quality, without paying flagship prices.
The A53 5G has a larger 5,000mAh battery than earlier similar mid-range devices. The Exynos 1280 chipset is also new.
Upon unboxing, one will find a white USB Type-C to Type-C cable, a SIM ejector tool and some leaflets, nothing more.
Although having a plastic back, its mat finish molds into the camera edges the way a glass back might, but if you like the smoothness of glass in your hand, a fancy, smooth, TPU slim case should fill the bill. The phone has heft to it, and feels good in the hand.
Another reason I chose it over any of the Samsung flagships, is because Samsung stopped including expandable memory (an SD card slot) in their 2021 flagshipss, just confirming to me that phone manufacturers can't get everything right for everyone.
Although there is no headphone jack, a Bluetooth adapter easily solves this problem for those who prefer wired headphones.
The other plus is the smaller size in width, only about three inches across, for those with smaller hands.
The volume and power buttons are all on the right side, decreasing the accidental thumb-press of a button when grasping the phone.
To me, the dual speakers sound amazing, and far outclass even my S21 Plus dual speakers, and is a joy watching my classic TV lists via Youtube.
This device works wonderfully with TalkBack, Google Speech Services, Vocalizer, and Commentary screen readers. It connects seamlessly with my braille display via BrailleBack with Bluetooth 5.1. I understand the BRLTTY app can also be used, although personally have not yet tried that app.
Samsung's latest TTS version is now 3.1.02.97, and the US voices have greatly improved over time. The version's update arrival depends on if the device one buys is already unlocked and/or carrier implementation.
The only thing I would like to see is a stronger haptic intensity in the device to use with explore by touch navigation, but this is a personal preference only. To me, haptic intensity feedback for a blind user is akin to screen contrast for a sighted person, and is subject to user preference and comfort.
Samsung will be giving this device updates into 2026, assuring several years of secure and up-to-date service.
Phone Specs:
Body: 159.6x74.8x8.1mm, 189g; plastic body, glass front; IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 mins).
Display: 6.50" Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM), 1080x2400px resolution, 20:9 aspect ratio, 405ppi.
Chipset: Exynos 1280 (5 nm): Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55); Mali-G68.
Memory: 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM; microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot).
OS/Software: Android 12, One UI 4.1.
Rear camera: Wide (main): 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm, 1/1.7X", 0.8ch5m, PDAF, OIS; Ultra wide angle: 12 MP, f/2.2, 123-degree, 1.12ch5m; Macro: 5 MP, f/2.4; Depth: 5 MP, f/2.4.
Front camera: 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8ch5m.
Video capture: Rear camera: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS; Front camera: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps.
Battery: 5000mAh; Fast charging 25W.
Misc: Fingerprint reader (under display, optical); Virtual proximity sensing.
