Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9R vs. Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | OnePlus 9R is slightly taller; both have similar width and thickness, minimal difference in hand feel. |
| Weight | 189g | 189g | Identical weight, both feel similarly substantial in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.5" | Very slight difference in size; likely unnoticeable for most users. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Same sharpness and clarity; indistinguishable in typical usage. |
| PPI | 402 | 405 | Virtually identical pixel density; equally sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks and great contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 800 nits | Samsung A52s has significantly brighter display; much better outdoor visibility under bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | OnePlus 9R has a more powerful chipset, resulting in faster app loading and smoother performance in demanding tasks like gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 821,600 | 570,752 | OnePlus 9R is noticeably faster in benchmarks, translating to a more responsive experience overall. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 642L | OnePlus 9R’s GPU delivers superior graphics performance, especially in gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Both should offer similar battery life under comparable usage. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging, Li-Polymer | 25W fast charging, Li-Ion | OnePlus 9R charges much faster, enabling significantly quicker top-ups. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Rear | 48MP, f/1.7, 1/2", Sony IMX586 | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", Sony IMX682 | Samsung A52s captures more detailed photos with higher resolution and larger sensor; OnePlus 9R benefits from wider aperture in low-light conditions. |
| Selfie | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" Sony IMX471 | 32MP, f/2.0 | Samsung A52s takes more detailed selfies and has wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09", Sony IMX481 | 12MP, f/2.2 | OnePlus 9R captures wider shots with slightly more detail. |
| Depth | 2MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.4 | Samsung A52s has better depth sensing for portrait mode. |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.4 | Both offer similar macro capabilities. |
| Video | 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps, HDR, EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, EIS | OnePlus 9R offers more versatile video recording with higher frame rates at 4K and 1080p with HDR and also slow motion. |
| Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, OIS, PDAF, RAW | Digital zoom, OIS, PDAF | OnePlus 9R offers 4K Video and the ability to capture RAW images. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10, max 13 | Android 11, max 14 | Samsung A52s 5G comes with a newer version of Android and can be upgraded to newer version. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, MiMO | Wi-Fi 6 | Both offer the latest Wi-Fi standards; OnePlus 9R supports MiMO which can improve wireless performance in some scenarios. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, LE, APT-x, LDAC, AAC | 5.0, A2DP, AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, MAP, PAN, OPP, PBAP/PAB, HOGP | OnePlus 9R has the newer Bluetooth version with better audio codecs support; Samsung A52s offers a wider range of Bluetooth profiles. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | OnePlus 9R offers more accurate and faster location tracking with dual-band GPS. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support Dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both offer similar storage options. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 6/8 GB | OnePlus 9R offers more RAM, improving multitasking and app performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation Microphone | Dolby Atmos | OnePlus 9R offers immersive audio experience and enhanced calling experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer similar basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Samsung A52s 5G has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic, Ultrasonic Proximity Virtual | Both offer comprehensive sensor suites. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 and Adreno 650 offer significantly better performance in benchmarks and real-world usage. This translates to faster app loading, smoother gaming, and better overall responsiveness.
- Faster Charging: 65W charging dramatically reduces charging times compared to the 25W of the A52s 5G, which is helpful for users on the go.
- Better Video Recording: Offers higher frame rate at 4K and 1080p resolutions, also has HDR recording options.
- More RAM Options: Offers up to 12 GB of RAM, providing better multitasking capabilities.
- Enhanced Audio: Stereo speakers and noise-canceling microphone enhances audio immersion and call quality.
- More Accurate GPS: Supports dual band GPS for enhanced accuracy.
- Wi-Fi MiMO: potentially better wireless connection in specific scenarios
- Bluetooth 5.1: newer version of bluetooth with better audio codecs support
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G Advantages:
- Brighter Display: 800 nits of brightness ensures better outdoor visibility, a crucial factor for users who use their phone in bright sunlight.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 64MP sensor captures more detailed photos in most lighting conditions.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 32MP selfie camera captures more detailed photos and has a wider aperture.
- Better Depth Camera: 5MP depth sensor offers better portrait mode compared to 2MP of OnePlus 9R.
- Newer Android Version: Ships with a newer version of Android, offers a more up-to-date software experience out of the box.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides better protection against scratches and damage.
- Wider Bluetooth Profile Support: Supports a wider range of Bluetooth profiles, offering better compatibility with different devices.
- Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Includes additional sensors like Hall and Geomagnetic which can be important for some applications.
Trade-offs:
- The OnePlus 9R sacrifices some camera quality and display brightness for performance and charging speed.
- The Samsung A52s 5G offers a slightly better display and camera system, but lags behind in processing power and charging speed.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9R:
- Ideal Users: Gamers, power users, and those who prioritize performance, speed and faster charging.
- Use Cases:
- Playing graphic-intensive games with smooth frame rates.
- Multitasking between demanding apps without slowdown.
- Quickly charging the phone during short breaks.
- Recording high quality videos
- Value: Good value for users who need high performance and don't prioritize advanced camera features.
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G:
- Ideal Users: Casual users, photographers, and those who value a better display and more detailed cameras.
- Use Cases:
- Taking photos and videos in various lighting conditions.
- Consuming content and using the phone outdoors.
- Using Bluetooth devices with enhanced compatibility.
- Enjoying an updated software experience.
- Value: Provides good value for users who prioritize a better display and camera system at a mid-range price point.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize performance or camera quality? If performance is your priority, the OnePlus 9R is the better choice. If camera quality is a must, go for the A52s 5G.
- Do you often use your phone outdoors in bright sunlight? If yes, the Samsung A52s 5G's display is significantly better due to its higher brightness.
- How important is fast charging for you? If you need super-fast charging, the OnePlus 9R’s 65W charging is a big advantage.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Gaming): Choose the OnePlus 9R. Its faster processor and GPU provide a significantly better gaming experience.
- Scenario 2 (Outdoor Use): Choose the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G. Its brighter display is much easier to see in sunlight.
- Scenario 3 (Photography): Choose the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G. Its higher resolution sensors and larger main camera sensor captures more detailed photos.
- Scenario 4 (Balanced Use): Choose the OnePlus 9R if you want a good balance between performance and features, but prefer the faster charging speeds.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the OnePlus 9R. While I acknowledge the Samsung A52s 5G has a better display for outdoor use and a higher resolution camera, the performance difference is a much more significant factor for me. The Snapdragon 870, coupled with 12 GB of RAM, will ensure a significantly smoother and more responsive experience for all my tasks, especially mobile gaming. The faster 65W charging is also very appealing as it provides flexibility for on the go users.
