Smartphones & Tablets | October 18, 2023
| Xiaomi 13T | Samsung Galaxy A54 | |
| Screen | 6.67 inches of AMOLED technology, 20:9 format, Full HD+ resolution of 2,712 x 1,220 pixels, 144 Hz refresh rate, 480 Hz sampling rate, maximum brightness of 1,200 nits and peak of 2,600 nits and Dolby Vision certification and HDR10+ | 6.4 inches with Super AMOLED technology, Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection, 20:9 format, Full HD+ resolution and 120 Hz refresh rate |
| Main camera | – Primary sensor with 50 megapixel Leica lens with f/1.9 focal aperture with optical image stabilization – Secondary sensor with 50 megapixel Leica telephoto lens with f/1.9 focal aperture equivalent to 50 millimeter lens – Tertiary sensor with wide-angle Leica lens 12 megapixels with f/2.0 focal aperture equivalent to a 15 millimeter lens | – 50 megapixel main sensor and f/1.8 focal aperture with optical image stabilization – Secondary sensor with 12 megapixel wide-angle lens and f/2.2 focal aperture – Tertiary sensor with 5 megapixel macro lens and f/2.4 focal aperture |
| Selfie camera | 20 megapixel main sensor with f/2.2 focal aperture | 32 megapixel main sensor with f/2.2 focal aperture |
| Internal memory | 256 GB UFS 3.1 type | 128 and 256 GB of type UFS 2.2 |
| Extension | No extension available | Through micro SD cards up to 1 TB |
| Processor and RAM memory | Mediatek Dimensity 8200 Ultra 8 GB RAM | Samsung Exynos 1380 8GB RAM |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh with 67W fast charging (charger included in the box) AdaptiveCharge technology, which learns and adapts to each user’s charging habits to extend battery life | 5,000 mAh with 25W fast charging (charger not included in the box) Full charge in more than an hour |
| OS | Android 13 under MIUI 14 | Android 13 under Samsung One UI 5.0 |
| Connections | 5G, 4G LTE, dual-band WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, GPS + GLONASS, NFC for mobile payments and USB type C | 4G LTE, 5G SA and NSA, dual-band WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS + GLONASS, NFC and USB type C |
| SIM | Dual nano SIM | Dual nano SIM |
| Design | Glass and metal construction Colors: black, alpine blue and meadow green IP68 water and dust protection | Glass and polycarbonate finish Colors: black, white, blue and lavender IP67 water and dust protection |
| Dimensions and weight | 162.2 x 75.7 x 8.49 millimeters and 197 grams | 158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 millimeters and 202 grams |
| Featured Features | Fingerprint sensor on the screen, 67W fast charging, stereo sound with dual speakers with Dolby certification, photography filters designed by Leica, Xiaomi ProFocus and ProCut… | Fingerprint sensor under the screen, NFC for mobile payments, 25W fast charging, face unlock via software, IP67 water and dust protection, stereo sound with Dolby Atmos certification… |
| Release date | Available | Available |
| Price | From 660 euros | From 500 euros |
Xiaomi has finally unveiled its 13T series as a response to Samsung in the mid-range segment. This new offering from Xiaomi strengthens almost all the areas that needed improvement compared to the previous generation, the Xiaomi 12T. In this competition, we have interesting models from the South Korean brand, such as the Samsung A54. Both are in a similar price range, at least at the time of their release. But which one is worth buying in the second half of the year? To answer this question, we have analyzed all the differences between Xiaomi 13T vs Samsung Galaxy A54.
The prices mentioned in the article may vary over time, so we are analyzing the differences as of the publication date. Furthermore, specifications may vary depending on the market.
Samsung Galaxy A54 vs Xiaomi 13T, Xiaomi 13T vs A54, which one is better in their price range? That’s what we will try to evaluate throughout this article by analyzing their technical differences and what they mean for day-to-day use.
It was expected, considering the size of the screen of each. In terms of design, the Samsung Galaxy A54 opts for a radically different design language compared to Xiaomi, with a design approach similar to the Galaxy S23. Its construction is more ergonomic, featuring rounded edges, in contrast to the somewhat more square design of the Xiaomi 13T.
Speaking of dimensions, these differ significantly between the two models, with the first being more compact in almost every aspect; specifically, 4 millimeters shorter, 1 millimeter narrower, and 0.3 millimeters thinner. However, its weight is slightly higher, exceeding 200 grams compared to Xiaomi’s 197 grams.
Regarding materials, both devices are constructed with metal and polycarbonate, and they feature the well-known Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. In this regard, the main difference between the Xiaomi 13T and its opponent is the IP68 certification, which grants it some resistance to dust and water. Remember that Samsung’s model comes with an IP67 rating, offering less resistance to immersion.
Moreover, both devices feature dual speakers in a similar arrangement and are compatible with Dolby Atmos technology. Neither of them has a 3.5mm headphone jack, although the Samsung Galaxy A54 boasts a microSD card tray. Additionally, the fingerprint sensor is under the display on both devices.
Now, let’s talk about the displays, where the differences between the Xiaomi 13T vs Samsung Galaxy A54 become even more pronounced. In general terms, both models have similar specifications: an AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution, measuring 6.67 and 6.4 inches, respectively. One of the notable improvements in Xiaomi’s offering is the refresh rate, which reaches 144Hz compared to the A54’s 120Hz. Furthermore, the touch sampling rate reaches up to 480Hz on the Xiaomi 13T, compared to the A54’s 240Hz.
The second improvement is related to brightness. The Samsung A54 offers up to 1,000 nits of brightness, while the Xiaomi 13T reaches a maximum brightness of 1,200 nits, with a peak of up to 2,600 nits for HDR content. Both panels support HDR10 for more accurate content reproduction, as well as HDR10+ on the 13T. Dolby Vision certification is reserved, once again, for Xiaomi’s model, with a technical proposition more similar to a high-end phone.
Now, let’s talk about performance. The Xiaomi 13T is equipped with the new MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultra, while the Galaxy A54 uses a processor from the same company, the Exynos 1380. Performance differences in terms of single-core and multi-core tasks favor MediaTek’s chip by over 40% and 50%, respectively. But that’s not all; Xiaomi’s proposition is expected to offer better energy efficiency, as it is manufactured on a 4-nanometer process, compared to the A54’s 5-nanometer process.
In terms of memory and storage, both variants are available in very similar configurations, starting from 8GB of RAM. Storage technology differs, with the Xiaomi 13T being faster; UFS 3.1 compared to version 2.2 on the A54. This affects the device’s long-term performance, as well as read and write times. In terms of storage capacity, the options available leave us with a single version of the Xiaomi 13T with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and two versions of the Samsung Galaxy A54 with 128GB and 256GB of storage, both with 8GB of RAM.
What about connectivity? Both devices support the latest technologies, including 5G SA and NSA, NFC for mobile payments, dual GPS, and Wi-Fi 6, among others. It’s worth noting that the Chinese brand has opted for Bluetooth 5.4, compared to the A54’s version 5.3.
The latest innovation that comes with this new generation is related to software support. Currently, both run on Android 13, and both companies have promised to offer up to four years of updates. Good news for everyone.
Cameras are an important highlight this year, at least for Xiaomi. Interestingly, the company has opted for a camera setup inherited from its high-end models. But let’s start with the basics. The Xiaomi 13T features three 50, 50, and 12-megapixel sensors, including telephoto and wide-angle lenses, all co-engineered with Leica. The equivalent focal lengths in a traditional camera lens are 24, 50, and 12 millimeters, according to the information provided by the company.
As for the Samsung Galaxy A54, the main camera is 50 megapixels, and the other sensors with wide-angle and macro lenses are 8 and 5 megapixels. In addition to this, the sensor is smaller than that of the Xiaomi 13T, measuring 1/1.67 inches compared to its rival’s 1/1.54 inches. Both devices feature optical stabilization, but the newer one offers compatibility with 10-bit LOG high dynamic range format and can record in HDR10+. Furthermore, the collaboration with Leica has allowed the inclusion of various camera and video modes with the brand’s distinctive style.
Lastly, the front camera on the Samsung Galaxy A54 is superior, with a 32-megapixel sensor and an f/2.2 aperture compared to Xiaomi’s 20 megapixels. It is also capable of recording in 4K at 30 FPS, while the latter is limited to 1080p at 30 FPS.
Regarding battery and charging, both models have similar specifications on paper but differ in charging power. For this new generation, both companies have opted for a 5,000 mAh battery once again. Despite these similarities, we must consider that the processor’s energy efficiency could favor the less powerful model. In any case, the differences in real-world battery life could be negligible.
Focusing on charging power, the Xiaomi 13T features 67W fast charging, promising to complete a full charge in less than an hour. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy A54 uses a 25W charging system, which is a step back compared to the former. It also does not include a charger in the box, something its counterpart can boast about.
Now that we know all the differences between the Xiaomi 13T vs Samsung Galaxy A54, it’s time to draw our own conclusions. The more affordable model can be found for less than 340 euros, a much lower price than the initial 500 euros it was sold for. Xiaomi’s new generation starts at 660 euros. The question we should ask ourselves is this: Is it worth paying more than 300 euros for the more expensive model? The answer is no.
While it’s true that Xiaomi offers a much more comprehensive package, its price puts it in competition with other more interesting models, such as the Samsung Galaxy S23 or others from the same brand. It’s advisable, in any case, to wait for its price to drop over the next few months. At a price of 500 euros, it would be a highly recommended purchase, especially considering the announced support for updates for at least four years.
