Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A52 5G vs. Honor Magic4 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-19 | 2022-04-09 | The Honor Magic4 Pro is a newer device, potentially offering more up-to-date features and software support. |
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 163.6 × 74.7 × 9.1 mm | Honor is taller and thicker, making it less pocketable for some. A52 5G may be more comfortable in hand for extended use. |
| Weight | 189g | 209g | A52 5G is significantly lighter, potentially more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.81" | Honor Magic4 Pro offers a more immersive viewing experience due to the larger screen. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1312x2848 | Honor Magic4 Pro provides sharper, clearer images with higher pixel density; better for detailed content consumption. |
| Pixel Density | 407 ppi | 460 ppi | The display of Honor Magic4 Pro is sharper, rendering text and images with more detail and clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Similar display technologies; both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. No significant difference in daily use. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. No practical advantage to either device. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1000 nits | Honor Magic4 Pro is significantly brighter, offering much better outdoor visibility and readability under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Honor Magic4 Pro has a far more powerful processor, leading to noticeably faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and enhanced gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 384,853 | 945,832 | Honor Magic4 Pro provides significantly superior performance, allowing for a better overall user experience, especially in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 730 | Honor Magic4 Pro's GPU offers a much better gaming and graphics performance for demanding applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4600mAh | Similar battery capacity, expected similar battery life under normal use. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 100W fast charging | Honor Magic4 Pro charges much faster, significantly reducing charging time. |
| Battery Features | QC2.0, AFC | Reverse charging, 100W Wireless charging | Honor offers wireless charging and reverse charging, significantly more feature-rich |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56", 1.0µm | A52 5G has higher resolution but Honor has a larger sensor and larger pixel size, potentially better low light performance. |
| Telephoto Camera | None | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.7µm | Honor Magic4 Pro includes a telephoto lens for optical zoom. Samsung A52 5G lacks telephoto capabilities |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 12MP, f/2.4 | Samsung has much higher resolution, but Honor has an unknown sensor model. Practical impact is difficult to assess without further information. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", 1.12µm | None | Samsung has a dedicated wide angle camera for capturing wider scenes. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | None | 0.3MP | Honor Magic4 Pro has a ToF sensor, assisting with depth mapping and potentially improved portrait mode. |
| Portrait Mode | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | None | A52 5G has a dedicated depth sensor, likely offering a more precise portrait mode than the Honor Magic4 Pro. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | None | A52 5G has a dedicated macro lens for close up photography. |
| Wide Angle+Macro | None | 50MP, f/2.2 | Honor Magic4 Pro has a wide-angle lens that also works as a macro lens. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps with EIS | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS | Both offer quality video recording, however the Honor Magic4 Pro offers HDR recording and faster slow-motion capabilities. |
| DxOMark | Not tested | 126 (Mobile), 132 (Photo), 117 (Video) | Honor Magic4 Pro has been evaluated by DxOMark, providing an objective indication of camera performance. |
| Camera Features | Numerous | Numerous, + Optical zoom, Continuous AF, Laser AF, RAW | Honor includes additional features like laser auto focus, optical zoom, and RAW capture, appealing to photography enthusiasts. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 12 | Honor Magic4 Pro comes with a slightly newer OS out of the box, A52 5G will have to upgrade but can reach a later version of Android. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) | Honor has newer WiFi, faster speeds and more efficient connectivity in congested networks |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Honor uses a newer version, potentially better range and energy efficiency, and supports better audio codecs. |
| 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), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Honor has more accurate positioning thanks to additional systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB | Honor offers more storage. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 8 GB or 12 GB | Honor has more RAM, providing smoother multitasking and performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so choose a storage option that meets your needs. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers | Honor has a slight edge with DTS audio. Both offer enhanced sound quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones have similar basic fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Samsung offers a known standard of screen protection, while the Honor screen's protection is unknown |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Both provide similar basic sensors but Honor offers compass and gravity sensors for enhanced functionality and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and more compact: More comfortable to hold and carry.
- Dedicated Wide Angle Lens: Offers a dedicated lens for capturing more expansive images.
- Dedicated Portrait and Macro Lenses: For more specialized photography.
- Known Screen Protection: Offers a specified screen protection, providing better security for everyday use.
- Available in lower storage variants: Potentially more affordable if less storage is needed.
Honor Magic4 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Far faster processor and GPU for better gaming and multitasking.
- Brighter Display: Significantly better visibility in bright outdoor conditions.
- Faster Charging: Dramatically reduces the time required to charge the phone.
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Charging: More convenient charging options.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers optical zoom capabilities.
- Better Audio: Enhanced surround sound system.
- Newer Bluetooth and Wi-Fi: Better connectivity performance.
- More Accurate GPS: Additional satellite systems provide more precise location data.
- Higher DxOMark scores: Higher rated camera performance.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung A52 5G: Lacks the processing power and features of the Honor Magic4 Pro, its camera is potentially less versatile, and screen less vibrant.
- Honor Magic4 Pro: Is heavier, larger and more expensive, with the screen protection unknown, potentially making it more vulnerable to damage. Also lacks dedicated macro and depth sensors.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious buyers: Seeking a reliable, mid-range device with decent everyday performance.
- Users who value comfort and portability: Prefer a lighter and more compact device.
- Users who need dedicated macro and wide-angle lenses: Users who are specifically interested in those types of photography.
Users with basic needs: Those who primarily use their phone for social media, communication, and casual browsing.
- Use Cases: General daily use, social media, casual photography, and users who value comfort and portability.
Honor Magic4 Pro Ideal User:
- Power users: Gamers, professionals, or anyone who demands top performance and multitasking capabilities.
- Photography enthusiasts: Seeking a versatile camera system with telephoto zoom.
- Users needing long battery life and fast charging: Individuals who need reliable all-day performance with quick charging.
- Users who need a bright, clear display: Individuals who use their phones outdoors a lot.
Tech Enthusiasts: Those who prefer the latest technologies.
- Use Cases: Demanding games, professional photography, video editing, and users who value high performance and premium features.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G offers good value for its price, providing a solid experience for general use.
- The Honor Magic4 Pro is more expensive but offers a premium experience, justifying the higher cost for users who need top-tier performance and advanced features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What are your primary uses for a smartphone? (e.g., gaming, photography, social media, basic communication).
- How important is performance, especially gaming and multitasking capabilities?
- What is your budget, and are you willing to pay more for premium features?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious & Basic Use - Choose the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G. It offers a balanced experience for daily tasks at a more affordable price.
- Scenario 2: Demanding Performance & Advanced Features - Choose the Honor Magic4 Pro. It provides superior performance, a brighter display, faster charging, and a more versatile camera system.
- Scenario 3: Balance between Performance and Features - If not pressed on budget and looking for the best value, the Honor Magic4 Pro offers a better overall experience with premium features despite the drawbacks of screen protection.
What I would choose and why:
Personally, I would choose the Honor Magic4 Pro. While the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is a solid phone, the Honor Magic4 Pro is simply superior in almost every key aspect that matters to me: performance, display, battery charging, and camera. The much faster processor and better display quality would make my daily usage significantly smoother and more enjoyable. I prioritize a high quality experience over other factors. I also appreciate the faster charging and the presence of a telephoto lens. I am not particularly worried about the lack of dedicated macro and depth sensors since the wide-angle and main cameras can do most of the work, and the unknown screen protection can be mitigated with a case and screen protector. I am willing to pay the extra for a premium experience.
