Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A52 5G vs. Honor Magic V3
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Honor Magic V3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Honor Magic V3 offers a larger screen that folds for portability, while the A52 5G has a traditional design. |
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 156.6 × 145.3 × 4.35 mm (unfolded) | A52 5G is taller and thicker; Magic V3 is much wider when unfolded. |
| Weight | 189g | 226g | A52 5G is lighter and more comfortable for long use. Magic V3 is heavier due to its folding mechanism and larger display. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 7.92" | Magic V3 has a significantly larger display ideal for media consumption and multitasking; A52 5G offers a more compact size. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 2156x2344 | Magic V3 delivers sharper visuals with higher pixel density, whereas A52 5G has a respectable resolution. |
| PPI | 407 | 402 | Both phones have very similar pixel density |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unknown | A52 5G's AMOLED offers vibrant colors and deep blacks. Honor Magic V3's display technology is not listed. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 5000 nits | Magic V3 offers dramatically better outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Magic V3 has a much more powerful chip, offering significantly faster app loading, better gaming, and overall smoother performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 384,853 | 2,220,000 | Magic V3 demonstrates much higher performance in benchmarks, ideal for intensive tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 750 | Magic V3 has a more powerful GPU, providing superior gaming and graphics capabilities. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5150mAh | Magic V3 has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging, 50W Wireless Charging | Magic V3 charges significantly faster and also supports wireless charging. |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | No significant difference. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", Sony IMX682 | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/1.55", Omnivision OV50E | A52 5G has higher resolution; Magic V3 has a wider aperture and larger sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX616 | 20MP, f/2.2, Unknown sensor | A52 5G has higher selfie camera resolution. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 50MP, f/3.0, 1/2.5", Omnivision OV50C | Magic V3 includes a telephoto lens for zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", Samsung S5K3L6 | N/A | A52 5G has a wide-angle lens for expanded field of view. |
| Portrait Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | A52 5G offers dedicated depth sensing for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | A52 5G offers dedicated macro lens |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 40MP, f/2.2, Unknown Sensor | Magic V3 offers a combination of wide-angle and macro |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@60fps with EIS | 4K@60fps with OIS, EIS, 1080p@60fps with OIS, EIS | Magic V3 offers higher quality video recording with both OIS and EIS. |
| DxoMark | N/A | 137 Mobile, 137 Photo, 135 Video | Honor Magic V3 has a very good DxOMark Score. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 14 | Magic V3 ships with a more recent Android OS version. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | Magic V3 supports WiFi 6 (802.11ax) for faster wireless speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | Magic V3 has a newer version of Bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), QZSS (L1 + L5) | Magic V3 provides support for more satellite systems for higher location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM / eSIM) | Magic V3 supports eSIM for flexible carrier usage. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 256/512/1024GB | Magic V3 offers more internal storage options. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 12/16GB | Magic V3 has more RAM, improving multitasking and performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | DTS / DTS X, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Magic V3 offers enhanced surround sound, better call clarity, more immersive sound. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Magic V3's side-mounted sensor is faster and more convenient. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | A52 5G has known screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Magic V3 includes additional Compass sensor for enhanced navigation. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: The A52 5G is significantly lighter and easier to handle, especially for one-handed use.
- Established Display Technology: AMOLED provides a rich viewing experience, although we do not know the display tech of the Honor Magic V3.
- More Camera Lenses: Has dedicated macro, depth and wide angle sensors.
- Affordable: Likely to be significantly more affordable compared to the foldable Honor Magic V3.
- Known Screen Protection: Has Gorilla Glass 5 screen protection.
Honor Magic V3 Advantages:
- Foldable Design and Larger Display: The foldable design offers a significantly larger screen for immersive media consumption and multitasking.
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset provides a massive performance leap for demanding apps and games.
- Higher Display Brightness: Offers dramatically better outdoor visibility.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: Significantly faster 66W wired charging and 50W wireless charging for quick power-ups.
- Telephoto Lens: Has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoom capabilities.
- More Advanced Audio: Offers better audio quality with DTS / DTS X.
- eSIM Support: eSIM capabilities allow for greater flexibility in carrier selection.
- Significantly Higher DXoMark Score: Honor Magic V3's camera is very good.
- Newer Software: Ships with a newer version of Android 14.
- More Storage and RAM: Offers more options for internal storage and RAM.
- More Sensors: Features an extra compass sensor.
- Better Video Recording Quality: Superior 4K@60fps video with OIS and EIS.
Trade-offs:
- The A52 5G trades performance and a larger display for a more compact and potentially lower price.
- The Magic V3 trades portability and a higher price for a larger display, significantly superior performance, and advanced features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users seeking a capable and reliable smartphone with good screen and camera quality.
- Users who prioritize comfort and portability in a device.
- Users who prefer a standard smartphone form factor and are not interested in foldable devices.
- Users who take a lot of general photos, using macro, depth and wide-angle lenses.
- Users who want a smartphone with a known screen protection.
Use Cases:
- Daily social media, web browsing, and email usage.
- Casual gaming and media consumption.
- Photography in good lighting conditions.
- Everyday commuting and carrying.
Honor Magic V3 Ideal User:
- Power users who require top-tier performance for demanding apps, multitasking, and gaming.
- Media enthusiasts who value a large, immersive display for watching movies and videos.
- Multitaskers who want a large screen for productivity tasks.
- Users who need advanced camera capabilities, especially zoom capabilities.
- Users who want the latest technologies in a smartphone with premium features.
- Users who are willing to pay more for a foldable design and advanced features.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming, especially graphic-intensive games.
- Professional photo and video editing.
- Multitasking with multiple apps simultaneously.
- Consuming a lot of video content in high quality.
- On-the-go productivity with document editing and email.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The A52 5G is likely to be more affordable.
- Do you prefer a standard or foldable phone? The Magic V3 is a foldable design, impacting its size and weight.
- How important is top-tier performance and gaming to you? The Magic V3 offers significantly more powerful performance.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User: If budget is the primary concern and you want a reliable phone, choose the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer/Power User: If you prioritize performance and the latest tech, choose the Honor Magic V3.
- Scenario 3: Media Consumption and Multitasking: If you want a large immersive screen with powerful hardware, choose the Honor Magic V3.
- Scenario 4: Portability and Everyday Use: If you value a compact and lighter phone, choose the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G.
What I would choose and why
If I had to choose between these two devices, I would pick the Honor Magic V3. The reason for this choice is primarily because of the significant performance difference offered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, which would provide a smoother and faster user experience for all tasks. The larger, high-brightness display is also a huge draw for media consumption and multitasking. While the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is a good phone for general use, my priorities lean towards a high-performing device with a cutting-edge design, even if it means a higher price tag and a larger, heavier device. The addition of the telephoto lens, better video recording capabilities, faster charging and the advanced audio capabilities of the Magic V3 make it the superior device for my personal needs. Finally, I am intrigued by the foldable design and would like to experience it for myself. While the Galaxy A52 5G is a more affordable and portable option, it does not match the performance and feature set of the Honor Magic V3, which is why I'd go with the Magic V3.
