Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A52 5G vs. Blackview A96
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Blackview A96 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 161.8 × 74.2 × 8.6 mm | Very similar size. The Blackview is slightly taller and a tiny bit wider. Minimal difference in hand feel. |
| Weight | 189g | 193.9g | Virtually identical weight, negligible difference when carrying. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.5" | Identical screen size; no difference in screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same level of sharpness; no visible difference in clarity. |
| PPI | 407 | 405 | Very similar pixel density; no discernible difference in sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Significant: AMOLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, especially for media consumption and dark mode usage. Better power efficiency for darker themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness. This may be a data error. Will likely be an area of difference if real values were available. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 typically has a slight edge in gaming and general performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 384,853 | 423,393 | The Blackview A96 has a higher benchmark score indicating potentially better overall speed. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Different GPUs; performance difference depends on specific tasks. Both adequate for most uses. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4380mAh | Both have similar battery capacity; expect comparable battery life for moderate use. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 18W fast charging | The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable, QC2.0 and AFC | Non-removable | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G supports QuickCharge 2.0 and Adaptive Fast Charging, a plus for faster charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP f/1.8, 1/1.7", IMX682 | 48MP f/1.6, 1/2", S5KGM2 | Samsung has higher resolution and a larger sensor, typically leading to better image quality in various conditions and with finer details. The Blackview has a wider aperture that would be better in low light conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP f/2.2, 1/2.8", IMX616 | 16MP 1/3", Hynix HI-1634 | Samsung has higher resolution and larger sensor; will likely yield better selfies. Blackview has larger pixel size which may improve low light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP f/2.2, 1/3.1", S5K3L6 | 8MP f/2.4 | Samsung has better resolution and aperture for wider shots. |
| Portrait Mode | 5MP f/2.4 | None | Samsung offers a dedicated depth sensor for enhanced portrait mode effects; Blackview has no dedicated depth camera. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Samsung offers higher resolution for close-up shots. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@60 with EIS | 1440p@30fps | Samsung supports higher resolution and frame rate with EIS, a plus for video recording quality; Blackview video recording lacks stabilization. |
| Features | OIS, 4K, Night Mode | PDAF, Front Flash | Samsung has optical image stabilization for clearer photos, especially in low light. Blackview has PDAF for quicker focus and a front flash for better selfies in poor lighting. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradeable to 14 | Android 13 | Blackview has a newer base operating system, but the Samsung is upgradable to a newer version of Android. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac | Both support the same Wi-Fi standards; no significant difference. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.0 | Samsung has additional Bluetooth features: EDR, HID, LE, ANT+ which could be helpful in specific use cases. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | Samsung has better GPS accuracy due to the inclusion of the Galileo satellite system. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM functionality; no difference. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 256GB | Blackview offers a standard of 256GB of storage. Samsung has a 128GB option which is likely cheaper but less storage. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 8GB or 12GB | Blackview has higher RAM capacity, which is better for heavy multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos/Dolby Digital Plus | Stereo Speakers | Samsung has better audio quality through Dolby support. The Blackview offers stereo speakers which enhance the sound experience for media consumption. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint | The side-mounted fingerprint sensor on the Blackview is often faster and more ergonomic. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Samsung offers superior screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass. The Blackview's screen protection is unknown. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G additionally features: Hall, Geomagnetic; Blackview A96 additionally features: Compass; Comprehensive sensor suite suitable for advanced features and gaming |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology offers significantly better visual quality than the IPS LCD on the Blackview.
- Better Main Camera: Higher resolution and larger sensor for better detail and low-light performance.
- Enhanced Video Recording: 4K recording at 30fps with EIS for high quality video capturing.
- Optical Image Stabilization: OIS for clearer photos and videos, especially in shaky conditions.
- Faster Charging: 25W fast charging is considerably faster than the 18W on the Blackview.
- Better GPS: Includes Galileo satellite system for improved location accuracy.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos and Digital Plus for superior audio quality.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
- More Advanced Bluetooth: Includes EDR, HID, LE, and ANT+.
- Additional Sensors: Includes Hall and Geomagnetic sensors.
- Additional Camera features: Quadruple camera setup, Night Mode
Blackview A96 Advantages:
- Marginally Better Performance: Higher AnTuTu score and a newer chipset for slightly better performance in benchmarks.
- Higher RAM: 8GB or 12GB RAM options for better multitasking and gaming.
- Newer OS out of the Box: Comes with Android 13 compared to the A52 which was shipped with Android 11.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Convenient and faster unlocking.
- Wider Camera Aperture: May perform better in low-light conditions.
- Front Flash: Could be useful for better selfies in dark environments.
- Additional Sensors: Includes Compass.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung A52 5G has a superior display, camera system, audio, and better GPS accuracy, but with a slightly older chipset and less RAM (in base config) as well as a less advanced fingerprint sensor.
- The Blackview A96 offers more RAM, a faster fingerprint sensor, a newer base OS and a higher benchmark score, but compromises on display quality, camera capabilities (especially video) and lacks features like OIS and Dolby Atmos.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Ideal User:
- Media Consumers: Users who prioritize display quality for watching videos, browsing, and gaming.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Individuals who value a good main camera and appreciate OIS for sharper photos and videos.
- Frequent Travelers: Users who need reliable GPS with the Galileo system.
Audio Lovers: Those who will benefit from the Dolby Atmos and Digital Plus for enhanced spatial audio.
Specific Use Cases:
- Enjoying movies, streaming, and playing video games on a vibrant screen.
- Capturing quality photos and videos in various lighting conditions.
- Navigating in new places.
- Listening to music on high quality headphones.
Blackview A96 Ideal User:
- Gamers & Power Users: Users who need more RAM for heavy multitasking and demanding mobile games.
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who prioritize performance within a specific price range.
Users who don't mind less-advanced camera features: Users who require great value at the expense of flagship-level features.
Specific Use Cases:
- Playing games that require higher RAM.
- Running multiple apps simultaneously.
- Working while on the go.
- Selfie focused users in darker environments.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G will likely be priced higher due to its superior screen and camera. If these are not critical, the Blackview A96 provides better value for users seeking high performance and RAM at lower cost.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Display Quality Priority: Do you prioritize display quality, vibrancy, and viewing experience? If yes, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is the better choice.
- Performance Requirements: Do you need the absolute best performance for demanding games and heavy multitasking? The Blackview A96 provides more RAM and slightly better performance.
- Camera Focus: Do you value optical image stabilization, 4K video, and a more versatile camera system? The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is the winner here.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: A user primarily watches movies and YouTube videos. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A52 5G due to the superior AMOLED display.
- Scenario 2: A user plays a lot of graphics-intensive mobile games. Recommendation: Blackview A96 for the higher RAM and slightly better performance.
- Scenario 3: A user needs a phone for daily use, taking occasional photos. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A52 5G with better overall camera system.
- Scenario 4: A user is on a tight budget and needs the best performance for the money. Recommendation: Blackview A96 due to its price-to-value ratio.
My Choice and Why
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G. While the Blackview A96 offers a slightly higher benchmark score and higher RAM, the overall user experience is, in my opinion, better on the A52. The AMOLED display is a game-changer for media consumption, and the camera setup provides better performance, especially with its optical image stabilization and higher quality video recording. The additional software features, such as Dolby Atmos, alongside better GPS, make the A52 a more compelling option for my needs. Although I value the higher RAM on the A96, I am prepared to trade the additional performance for superior video quality and image stabilization, which in my view, is worth more in daily usage. The A52 does come with an older OS out of the box, however it is upgradable to Android 14 which mitigates this disadvantage.
