Motorola Moto G 5G vs Samsung Galaxy M52 5G - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date December 7, 2020 October 3, 2021
Release Year 2020 2021

Physical

Volume 125.14 cm³ 92.83 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.16 "/g 3.87 "/g
Weight 212 g 173 g
Height 166.1 mm 164.2 mm
Width 76.1 mm 76.4 mm
Thickness 9.9 mm 7.4 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Frosted Silver
  • Volcanic Gray
  • White
  • Icy Blue
  • Blazing Black

Display

Screen Size 6.7 " 6.7 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 85.7 % 86.4 %
Pixel Density 393 PPI 393 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 111.38 mAh/in² 111.38 mAh/in²
Battery Density 39.96 mAh/cm³ 53.86 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 619 Adreno 642L

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 10 11
Maximum OS Version 13

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureMotorola Moto G 5GSamsung Galaxy M52 5GPractical Impact
Dimensions166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm164.2 × 76.4 × 7.4 mmM52 5G is slightly shorter and significantly thinner, making it more pocketable and comfortable to hold for extended periods.
Weight212g173gM52 5G is significantly lighter, reducing hand fatigue during prolonged use.
Build MaterialUnknownCorning Gorilla Glass 5M52 5G offers superior screen scratch and impact protection.

Display

FeatureMotorola Moto G 5GSamsung Galaxy M52 5GPractical Impact
Size6.7"6.7"Both have the same screen size, offering similar viewing real estate.
Resolution1080x24001080x2400Both have the same sharpness, displaying similar detail levels.
PPI393393Both offer identical pixel density, thus similar sharpness
TechnologyIPS LCDAMOLEDM52 5G's AMOLED provides deeper blacks, higher contrast, more vibrant colours, and better viewing angles, enhancing the multimedia experience.
Refresh Rate60Hz120HzM52 5G's 120Hz provides much smoother animations and scrolling, improving the overall user interface fluidity.
Brightness0 nits800 nitsM52 5G's higher brightness greatly enhances outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight.

Performance

FeatureMotorola Moto G 5GSamsung Galaxy M52 5GPractical Impact
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8 nm)Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G (6 nm)M52 5G's newer, more efficient chipset delivers better performance, faster processing speeds, and enhanced power efficiency.
AnTuTu Score390,000589,200M52 5G offers significantly better performance in demanding tasks like gaming and multitasking.
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 642LM52 5G has a more powerful GPU, providing better graphics performance, crucial for gaming and demanding applications.

Camera

FeatureMotorola Moto G 5GSamsung Galaxy M52 5GPractical Impact
Standard Camera48MP, f/1.7, 0.80µm pixels64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.97" sensor, 0.80µm pixelsM52 5G captures more detailed images due to higher megapixel count. Moto G 5G has a slightly wider aperture (f/1.7) which allows more light but slightly smaller sensor resulting in similar low light performance overall.
Selfie Camera16MP, f/2.2, 1.00µm pixels32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" sensor, 0.80µm pixelsM52 5G takes higher resolution selfies with more detail, however pixel size of the Moto G is bigger which can result in better low light performance.
Wide Angle Lens8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixelsNot presentMoto G 5G is more versatile, allowing capture of wide landscapes or group photos without cropping.
Portrait Mode (depth)Not present5MP, f/2.4M52 5G captures portrait images with more background blur, offering a more professional look.
Macro Lens2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixelsNot presentMoto G 5G allows for capturing detailed close-up photos of small objects.
Wide Angle + MacroNot present13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" sensor, 1.12µm pixelsM52 5G lets users capture wide landscapes with macro details, offering a unique shot capability.
Video Recording4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@60fps with EIS, Slow-motion: 60 fps4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, Slow-motion: 240 fpsM52 5G captures more cinematic slow-motion videos, while both offer 4K recording for high quality videos. Both with EIS for stable recording.

Battery

FeatureMotorola Moto G 5GSamsung Galaxy M52 5GPractical Impact
Capacity5000mAh5000mAhBoth have the same battery size, offering similar all-day battery life for typical usage.
Charging20W Fast Charging25W Fast ChargingM52 5G charges slightly faster, reducing downtime waiting for the phone to charge.

Software

FeatureMotorola Moto G 5GSamsung Galaxy M52 5GPractical Impact
OSAndroid 10Android 11M52 5G has a newer operating system out of the box. The M52 can upgrade to Android 13, while the Moto G remains at Android 10.

Connectivity

FeatureMotorola Moto G 5GSamsung Galaxy M52 5GPractical Impact
Wi-Fi802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-band, Hotspot, Direct, Display802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6), Dual-band, Hotspot, Direct, DisplayM52 5G offers faster, more reliable wireless internet, especially in crowded network environments, with better range and lower latency.
Bluetooth5.1 LE, A2DP, EDR, LE5.0, A2DP, AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, MAP, PAN, OPP, PBAP/PAB, HOGPMotorola has a newer version of bluetooth, while the Samsung has more audio profiles and additional functionality for connectivity with accessories and other devices.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, GalileoGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GalileoM52 5G uses more satellite systems for more accurate and reliable location tracking, especially in challenging environments.
SIMDual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM)Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM)Both offer dual sim functionality.

Storage

FeatureMotorola Moto G 5GSamsung Galaxy M52 5GPractical Impact
Internal64 GB or 128 GB128 GBM52 5G offers 128GB of storage, Motorola Moto G 5G has 64 GB or 128 GB variants.
RAM4 GB or 6 GB6 GB or 8 GBM52 5G has higher RAM options, enabling smoother multitasking.
ExpandableNoNoBoth phones do not offer expandable storage.

Audio

FeatureMotorola Moto G 5GSamsung Galaxy M52 5GPractical Impact
Quality2 microphonesDolby Atmos, 2 microphonesM52 5G offers enhanced audio experience with Dolby Atmos, providing more immersive sound.

Security

FeatureMotorola Moto G 5GSamsung Galaxy M52 5GPractical Impact
Fingerprint SensorRear-mountedSide-mountedM52 5G side mounted is faster and more convenient in certain usage scenarios.

Sensors

FeatureMotorola Moto G 5GSamsung Galaxy M52 5GPractical Impact
SensorsFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, GyroscopeFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, GeomagneticBoth phones share the same core sensor package, while Motorola adds a Compass and Samsung a Geomagnetic sensor.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Motorola Moto G 5G Advantages:

  • Wide Angle Lens: The inclusion of a dedicated wide-angle lens offers more versatility in capturing expansive landscapes or group photos.
  • Macro Lens: A dedicated macro lens enables the capture of detailed close-up shots of small objects, which might not be possible on the Samsung M52 5G.
  • Bluetooth 5.1: Newer bluetooth version with better energy management.
  • Compass: Inclusion of compass sensor, helpful in navigation and augmented reality apps

Samsung Galaxy M52 5G Advantages:

  • Superior Display: AMOLED with 120Hz refresh rate and higher brightness offers a significantly better visual experience with vibrant colours, deep blacks, smoother animations, and better outdoor visibility.
  • Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 778G chipset provides a noticeable boost in performance, making the M52 5G faster and more responsive in everyday tasks and gaming.
  • Better Main and Front Camera: The higher-resolution cameras (64MP main, 32MP selfie) capture more detail and provide a generally better photography experience.
  • Faster Charging: 25W charging provides slightly quicker battery top-ups.
  • Newer Android OS: Ships with a newer version of Android, offering better compatibility with apps and access to latest features, with Android 13 upgrade.
  • Wi-Fi 6 Support: Offers faster and more reliable Wi-Fi, especially in congested areas.
  • Lighter and Thinner Design: The thinner and lighter design makes the M52 5G more comfortable to hold and carry around.
  • Additional Sensors: Geomagnetic sensor which is helpful in certain applications.
  • Dolby Atmos: Offers an enhanced audio experience.

Trade-offs:

  • The Motorola Moto G 5G offers a slightly wider aperture on its main camera and features a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens, while the Samsung Galaxy M52 5G omits these features while including a Portrait (depth) and ultrawide/macro lens and has more resolution on its main camera.
  • The Motorola Moto G 5G is heavier and bulkier, which may make it less comfortable for extended use.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Motorola Moto G 5G Ideal User:

  • Budget-Conscious Users: Users seeking an affordable 5G phone with a large screen.
  • Users who value versatile camera system: Users who want a dedicated wide angle lens and a macro lens.
  • Users needing accurate navigation: Inclusion of a compass makes it a good choice for navigation.

Specific Use Cases:

  • Casual browsing and social media.
  • Basic photography, particularly if wide-angle and macro are important.
  • Everyday navigation in the city using its compass.

Samsung Galaxy M52 5G Ideal User:

  • Multimedia Enthusiasts: Users who consume a lot of video content and want a high-quality display experience.
  • Performance-Oriented Users: Gamers or those who perform demanding tasks and need smooth and responsive performance.
  • Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a higher-quality main and selfie camera with more details in the images they capture, including bokeh effects.
  • Users valuing a sleek and premium experience: Users looking for a thin and light phone with modern features.

Specific Use Cases:

  • Gaming, video streaming, and media consumption.
  • Photography, including portrait mode shots with good background blur.
  • Mobile professionals who multitask.
  • Users who want faster Wi-Fi.

Price-to-Value Ratio:

The Samsung Galaxy M52 5G generally offers a better price-to-value ratio if its advanced features like display, performance, camera, and connectivity are important to the user. While the Moto G 5G offers better value for a lower price range, especially with its versatile camera setup and compass, the M52 is a better investment for someone who is willing to pay more for a more modern and better performing device.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. How important is display quality? If you value vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth animations, the AMOLED display of the M52 5G is crucial.
  2. How critical is performance? For demanding tasks like gaming or multitasking, the Snapdragon 778G in the M52 5G is a significant upgrade.
  3. How often will you be using the camera and which camera features do you value most? The M52 5G offers better main and selfie cameras, while the Moto G 5G has dedicated wide-angle and macro lenses, offering versatility.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Budget is the primary concern, but user still wants 5G Go with Motorola Moto G 5G. It provides a large screen, decent battery, and 5G capabilities at a more affordable price point with a wide-angle and macro lens.
  • User values performance, wants to game, and consumes a lot of media: The Samsung Galaxy M52 5G is the better choice with its smoother display, more powerful processor, and better overall user experience.
  • User values a versatile camera setup: The Motorola Moto G 5G is more suited with its dedicated wide angle and macro lenses.

My Choice

If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy M52 5G. Here's why:

  1. Superior Display: The AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate is a huge advantage for me. I spend a lot of time watching videos and browsing social media, and the M52 5G would offer a much better visual experience. The higher brightness is also important for outdoor visibility.
  2. Better Performance: The Snapdragon 778G is a significant upgrade, providing a smoother and faster experience in daily use, as well as for the occasional gaming.
  3. Better Main and Selfie Camera Quality: Though I do value the wide-angle and macro of the Moto G, the higher resolution main and selfie cameras of the M52 5G would provide much better image quality in regular use.
  4. Sleeker Design: The thinner and lighter design of the M52 5G makes it a more comfortable device to carry and use.
  5. Newer Android Version: A newer Android version with an option to upgrade is always preferred for better app compatibility and access to the latest features.

While the Motorola Moto G 5G has its merits, particularly in its price and versatile camera features, the overall package of the Samsung Galaxy M52 5G better suits my needs. The improved display, performance, camera quality, and overall user experience outweigh the advantages offered by the Moto G 5G. The M52 5G delivers a more modern and high-performance experience, making it a better long-term investment for my use case.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.