SAMSUNG Galaxy A53 5G (SM-A536E/DS) Dual SIM,128 GB 6GB RAM, Factory Unlocked GSM, International Version – No Warranty – (Awesome Black)

Phone is just meh. I did not have too high of expectations given the price, but figured it can’t be that bad. For general use this is a great bargain. Screen is bright and everything works well through a variety of scenarios. My biggest gripe is the camera’s performance (speed, not quality) when comparing to Apple’s & Pixel’s. If you have kids, pets etc. where you wish to capture the moment this may be a LARGE source of frustration. It’s to the point for me where I only use the phone for still images, and chase the kids around with a dedicated camera to document memories. Phone performance when taxed (wireless android auto, etc.) makes it easy to tell this isn’t a flagship chip under the hood, though it still gets the task done. For all of these complaints, it is still a great everyday device with stellar battery life. Two months in and I’m still finishing day 2 with about 20% battery left (I average 4.5 hours of screen time per day, and navigate & stream music through wireless android auto for approx. 45 minutes daily). Rooting was also a breeze and nice to ditch all the bloatware and free up some resources.

As promised. The one I purchased is the unlocked international version A53 5G model (SM-A536E-DS). This is to replace my A51 of the same model line. I am with US T-Mobile and use a GSM-based network in the country I plan to use the 2nd SIM. So, my following comments are for T-Mobile and cannot speak for other network. Samsung made this clear that it will only work for GSM based network, not for CDMA (i.e., Verizon) based network. You need to verify this. It is, however, a bit confusing, that the vendor included a note in the package stating the above fact (see picture). But it included “AT&T” on the list (see markup in the photo). As far as I know, AT&T is the same as T-Mobile, both are GSM based network. So, I think, it meant to say “Verizon”. Bad for the vendor, who don’t seem to even know what they are selling!!I bought it primarily for the Dual Sim Dual Standby capability, in addition to other good things provided by the A-xx model line by Samsung, such as a larger battery, decent screen size and brightness/resolution, and a Samsung-promised 4 year OS upgrade. For $320, you cannot beat the offer with a Samsung’s brand supports. To begin the use, I used Samsung Smart Switch App in transferring my A51 to the new A53. It did a very decent job on transferring App, photos, data files, messages, as well as other key phone settings. But you will have to reset each notification sound as it is different (if your previous selection is not available for the new phone). Also it took quite a while (over 40 minutes in the first stage) to download all the data via a WIFI network (mine has a download speed rated at 350 MB). If you have a slow wifi it will take even longer I assume. I suggest you leave the screen on at all time during the transfer so that you can react to the prompts from time to time to complete the switch, Because some of the Apps involve password approval or 2nd authentication, it is not possible to just leave it to the program to do the job. Overall, it took almost an hour to get everything done. Even so, some of the App-based data files and cloud-based info download took more time to download (depending on file server of that App). So, you will need to be a bit patient. But overall it did a good job. The international version promise DSDS, but that means you will not be able to install the microSD card (it has only two slots either for two SIMs, or one SIM and one microSD). This is unfortunately a downgrade from A51 because A51 actually has three slots in the SIM cassette, two for SIMs and one for microSD!! After the switch I already used up about 50% of the internal 128GB memory as pictures from the old phone are all transferred to the new phone. If you take 4K video a lot, then you need to consider the fact of using the DSDS without the microSD (the spec says A53 can take a 1TB microSD card). I see quite a few comments about not able to make calls or having trouble with the old SIM (as the phone is not unlocked??). I have no such issues at all for both A51 and A53. Both are true plug-and-play without a hitch, no need for a new SIM. Remember to reset the sound profile – otherwise it is confusing as you can have trouble making quick response to various notification sounds. I did a bit of photographing around the house. A53 has a better chipset than A51 and it is very fast by my A51 standard for taking still photos and A53 fit my needs for taking indoor photo or mixed lighting conditions without any issues. The newer AI camera is very capable in deciding the exposure for taking the best picture under mixed light exposure. I am happy.So, in the first 24 hours, everything works as promised. Last notes: it came in Spanish (probably manufactured primarily for Latin America??) so you will need to make switch to your preferred language the first thing you do. A nice surprise it that within 2 hours after finishing the “switch”, it asks me to upgrade from Android 12 to Android 13 with the new security patch of 1/1/2023. BTW, my A51 came in with Android 10 and is has since been successfully upgraded to Android 13. I am so delighted that Samsung kept this promise on OS upgrade and security patch. I therefore expect the continuing use of both phones without worrying about the OS obsolete!! Thumbs up for Samsung.I will try giving an update after I return from the trip to tell you how the DSDS works on this model. But with the experience from A51 DSDS, I do not see it is a problem,

As promised. The one I purchased is the unlocked international version A53 5G model (SM-A536E-DS). This is to replace my A51 of the same model line. I am with US T-Mobile and use a GSM-based network in the country I plan to use the 2nd SIM. So, my following comments are for T-Mobile and cannot speak for other network. Samsung made this clear that it will only work for GSM based network, not for CDMA (i.e., Verizon) based network. You need to verify this. It is, however, a bit confusing, that the vendor included a note in the package stating the above fact (see picture). But it included “AT&T” on the list (see markup in the photo). As far as I know, AT&T is the same as T-Mobile, both are GSM based network. So, I think, it meant to say “Verizon”. Bad for the vendor, who don’t seem to even know what they are selling!!I bought it primarily for the Dual Sim Dual Standby capability, in addition to other good things provided by the A-xx model line by Samsung, such as a larger battery, decent screen size and brightness/resolution, and a Samsung-promised 4 year OS upgrade. For $320, you cannot beat the offer with a Samsung’s brand supports. To begin the use, I used Samsung Smart Switch App in transferring my A51 to the new A53. It did a very decent job on transferring App, photos, data files, messages, as well as other key phone settings. But you will have to reset each notification sound as it is different (if your previous selection is not available for the new phone). Also it took quite a while (over 40 minutes in the first stage) to download all the data via a WIFI network (mine has a download speed rated at 350 MB). If you have a slow wifi it will take even longer I assume. I suggest you leave the screen on at all time during the transfer so that you can react to the prompts from time to time to complete the switch, Because some of the Apps involve password approval or 2nd authentication, it is not possible to just leave it to the program to do the job. Overall, it took almost an hour to get everything done. Even so, some of the App-based data files and cloud-based info download took more time to download (depending on file server of that App). So, you will need to be a bit patient. But overall it did a good job. The international version promise DSDS, but that means you will not be able to install the microSD card (it has only two slots either for two SIMs, or one SIM and one microSD). This is unfortunately a downgrade from A51 because A51 actually has three slots in the SIM cassette, two for SIMs and one for microSD!! After the switch I already used up about 50% of the internal 128GB memory as pictures from the old phone are all transferred to the new phone. If you take 4K video a lot, then you need to consider the fact of using the DSDS without the microSD (the spec says A53 can take a 1TB microSD card). I see quite a few comments about not able to make calls or having trouble with the old SIM (as the phone is not unlocked??). I have no such issues at all for both A51 and A53. Both are true plug-and-play without a hitch, no need for a new SIM. Remember to reset the sound profile – otherwise it is confusing as you can have trouble making quick response to various notification sounds. I did a bit of photographing around the house. A53 has a better chipset than A51 and it is very fast by my A51 standard for taking still photos and A53 fit my needs for taking indoor photo or mixed lighting conditions without any issues. The newer AI camera is very capable in deciding the exposure for taking the best picture under mixed light exposure. I am happy.So, in the first 24 hours, everything works as promised. Last notes: it came in Spanish (probably manufactured primarily for Latin America??) so you will need to make switch to your preferred language the first thing you do. A nice surprise it that within 2 hours after finishing the “switch”, it asks me to upgrade from Android 12 to Android 13 with the new security patch of 1/1/2023. BTW, my A51 came in with Android 10 and is has since been successfully upgraded to Android 13. I am so delighted that Samsung kept this promise on OS upgrade and security patch. I therefore expect the continuing use of both phones without worrying about the OS obsolete!! Thumbs up for Samsung.I will try giving an update after I return from the trip to tell you how the DSDS works on this model. But with the experience from A51 DSDS, I do not see it is a problem,

Good. My dad is from Jamaica and he wanted a new phone he loved it

loaded with bloatware. Nice phone, however it comes preloaded with Samsung bloatware on top of the android bloatware. Worse is that you need to use ADB just to get rid of half of it because it can’t be installed. But at least Samsung isn’t a Chinese owned company with back-doors built in to spy on you (although android already does that themselves).The fingerprint reader is a little flaky, sometimes I have to try more than once to get it to work. I don’t trust facial recognition, so I won’t comment on that.

Phone. Doesn’t cone with charging cable

The phone was defective and wouldn’t make calls or send texts. He sold me a defective phone that didn’t work. I bought 3 different Sim cards 2 phone cases . Two different phone IT technicians from Verizon and AT&T tried to make the phone work with the Sim cards but it wouldn’t and now he’s saying I returned it back damaged which isn’t true. I never got to even use the phone. I mailed back in the original box by UPS just as I received with 2 labels as requested. Then he said he didn’t have the pin, I gave him that. He never said anything about the phone being damaged then because it wasn’t. He only refunded me $42.90 on a $389.00 phone . He said he kept the rest for a restocking fee which isn’t my responsibility and when I confronted him now he’s trying to say I sent back dated which is false. I couldn’t even open the jpg pics he sent me. If the pics is damaged it’s not the one I purchased and returned just as I received. I do have a Supervisor named Bosh helping me to try and get my full refund, but this seller is being dishonest. I’ve been a long time customer with Amazon and never had the hassle I’ve experienced with Integron Technologies.