Unifying the design of the Galaxy S and A series sets a new bar for mid-rangers

Well, I don’t remember which Samsung phone I picked for the above photo. Is it the latest Galaxy S23 Main? Or maybe The new Galaxy A54 is mid-range Or even the budget-friendly Galaxy A34?

Unlike last year’s models, it’s almost impossible to tell precisely which Galaxy model we’re looking at, even with a serious look. While it’s perhaps not the most groundbreaking change to the Galaxy A series ever, it’s a significant win not only for customers at the affordable end of the market but also for brand awareness for Samsung.

build materials and not “confuse” consumers aside; There’s never been a good reason why affordable phones should look good on a budget. Glassic backs have long opened the door to phones that look premium without the costs (and feel) associated with the most expensive models. The common design language up and down the price ladder doesn’t diminish Samsung’s brand value either. In fact, it reinforces the message that you aren’t downgraded to a second-rate customer just for buying on a budget. You’re buying a Samsung phone, after all, so why can’t they be the same?

Sony has understood this reasonably well, with a joint look covering the Xperia 1, 5 and 10 models recently. Apple, of course, guarantees an instantly recognizable look across its portfolio, from iPhone 14 Pro Max down to a little iPhone SE 3. But few others establish this connection.

Speaking of, Samsung’s latest redesign actually advances Apple’s budget offering all at once. The 2022 iPhone SE 3 is unmistakably Apple, but it’s the Apple of 2017, right down to the bulky bezels and outdated button fingerprint scanner. If you want an affordable iPhone, then you have to settle for an older look. Meanwhile, Samsung Galaxy A54 and A34 customers are getting their hands on an updated design.

This is not to say that Samsung hasn’t had to make compromises somewhere. The triple camera system, for example, hides what will almost certainly turn out to be a mostly useless 5MP macro camera in place of the S series’ telephoto lens. The screen bezels are still up front on the chunky side, there’s no wireless charging or a metal frame, and sure The lower slats are buried inside. But these are all compromises we’d expect to keep prices down, and they certainly don’t just apply to Samsung’s A series.

What’s more important is that the Galaxy A54 and A34 don’t just look like a central part of Samsung’s ecosystem; They benefit from the same attention to detail and core user experience as the S series, too.

Both new Galaxy A models come with Samsung phones One user interface 5 (Based on Android 13) out of the box. Gone are the days of dated software and carrying out dated features when shopping on a budget. Phones also qualify for Samsung devices Pledge to update the Android flagship From four major Android upgrades and five years of security patches. This is just as good as all of Samsung’s flagship phones for a fraction of the price.

So the unified design language across the Galaxy A and S ranges isn’t just about looks. It confirms that Samsung wants to create a more consistent and cohesive experience across its entire smartphone portfolio. We’ll have to wait until we review the phones to see if this intention comes to fruition, but this certainly feels like a long-overdue step forward.