Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A52 5G vs. Huawei nova 9
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Huawei nova 9 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm | 160 x 73.7 x 7.8 mm | A52 5G is slightly wider and thicker; nova 9 is more compact and may feel better in hand for some. |
| Weight | 189g | 175g | Huawei nova 9 is 14g lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.57" | Negligible difference; both provide ample screen real estate for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Very similar sharpness; both suitable for HD content. The difference is minor and not visible to the naked eye. |
| Pixel Density | 407 PPI | 392 PPI | Virtually indistinguishable; both provide a crisp display experience. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good viewing angles. Minor differences are not visible to the naked eye. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations; a better experience than 60hz standard screens |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Unable to compare. This data is not available. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750G 5G (8nm) | Snapdragon 778G 4G (6nm) | nova 9's chipset is more powerful; offers better gaming, snappier app loading. |
| AnTuTu Score | 384,853 | 578,555 | nova 9 provides significantly better performance for demanding apps/games. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 642L | nova 9's GPU provides better graphical capabilities for demanding games. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 64MP | 50MP | A52 5G captures more detailed images on paper, but real-world image quality depends on more than just megapixels. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.9 | A52 5G's wider aperture might be slightly better in low light (though differences are small). |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.7" | 1/1.56" | nova 9’s larger sensor may capture more light, leading to better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 32MP | 32MP | Both capture detailed selfies, but real-world quality depends on processing. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.0 | nova 9's wider aperture may provide marginally better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Res | 13MP | 8MP | A52 5G has a higher resolution wide-angle camera, potentially capturing more detail. |
| Portrait Mode Res | 5MP | 2MP | A52 5G has a higher resolution portrait camera |
| Macro Lens Res | 5MP | 2MP | A52 5G has a higher resolution macro camera |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@30fps with EIS, 1080p@60fps with EIS; Yes; Slow-motion: Yes, 120 fps | 720p@960fps with EIS; No; Slow-motion: No, 30 fps | A52 5G offers higher video resolution and a better slow motion experience, while the nova 9 has higher slow-motion frame rate but lower quality. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 4300 mAh | A52 5G has slightly larger battery for potentially longer battery life (small real-world difference). |
| Charging | 25W | 66W | Huawei nova 9 charges significantly faster; huge difference in practical terms. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | (unspecified) | A52 5G runs a full version of Android with guaranteed updates, Huawei uses something else, not specified. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (ac) | Wi-Fi 6 (ax) | Huawei nova 9 has a newer Wi-Fi standard for faster speeds and better performance on crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Huawei nova 9 offers a slightly newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Huawei nova 9 supports more satellite systems, better location tracking in challenging environments. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | Dual SIM (Micro + Nano) | minor difference in SIM card usage, both phones support dual sim. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Similar storage options; both offer enough for most users. Neither support expandable storage. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8GB | Huawei offers more ram for a smoother multitasking experience. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Basic audio features | A52 5G has better audio quality for a better media consumption. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint sensor | basic | basic | Both have a fingerprint reader that provides adequate security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | A52 5G has better screen protection compared to the nova 9. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The A52 5G has additional Hall and Geomagnetic sensors while nova 9 features compass and gravity sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Advantages:
- Full Android Experience: Runs Android with guaranteed updates, meaning you get a more consistent and familiar experience.
- Better Video Recording: Supports 4K video recording and better slow-motion features, which are better for content creators.
- Enhanced Audio: Features Dolby Atmos and Digital Plus, for better media consumption, compared to basic audio in the Huawei.
- Better Screen protection: Gorilla Glass 5 provides better protection from scratches and minor falls compared to the unknown protection of the nova 9.
Huawei nova 9 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset provides significantly higher performance (50% higher AnTuTu) for gaming, multitasking, and overall responsiveness.
- Faster Charging: 66W charging is much quicker than the 25W on the Samsung, great for users always on the go.
- More modern WiFi: Supports WiFi 6 which offers faster speeds, lower latency, better performance in crowded networks.
- Better Main Camera Sensor: Larger sensor size for better low-light performance and potentially better overall image quality.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.2 offers some minor speed and security advantages.
Trade-offs:
- The A52 5G has better video recording quality and supports 5G networks, but the nova 9 offers superior processing power for apps and games.
- The A52 5G has better audio quality and a more comprehensive Android experience but the nova 9 has faster charging speeds.
- The A52 5G has a bigger battery but the nova 9 has a larger sensor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G:
- Ideal User: Everyday users, content creators, those who prefer a full Android experience, and people who enjoy consuming media.
- Use Cases:
- Shooting high-quality videos and photos for social media
- Regular social media browsing and app usage
- Enjoying movies and videos with enhanced audio.
- Users that value consistent updates.
- Users that like to use two sims at once.
- Price-to-value: The price-to-value is good, but there are better options on the market for performance.
Huawei nova 9:
- Ideal User: Gamers, power users who prioritize performance, and people who need fast charging.
- Use Cases:
- Playing demanding mobile games
- Multitasking between apps
- Quickly charging their phone throughout the day.
- Users who value the best performance available for mobile.
- Price-to-value: The price-to-value is good, there are better options for camera and video, but not for performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Ask:
- How important is gaming and raw performance to you? (If performance is a top priority, the nova 9 is the better option).
- Do you value a consistent and full Android experience with long-term updates? (If yes, the A52 5G is a more sensible choice).
- How important are fast charging speeds and battery life? (If fast charging is a priority, the nova 9 wins; otherwise both perform similarly in battery life).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You're a gamer and need top performance. Recommendation: Huawei nova 9.
- Scenario 2: You're an average user who wants a solid all-around phone with Android updates and decent video recording. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A52 5G.
- Scenario 3: You need fast charging, and a great camera sensor in a phone. Recommendation: Huawei nova 9.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would choose the Huawei Nova 9.
Explanation:
While the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G offers a more familiar Android experience and better video recording, the Huawei Nova 9's superior performance with the Snapdragon 778G 4G chip is more appealing to me. As someone who frequently uses demanding apps, games, and prefers a snappy user experience, the performance difference is substantial. The faster charging is a major plus too, making the nova 9 more convenient for daily use.
While the A52 5G's better video recording is a consideration, I do not create content often. The improved camera sensor on the nova 9, coupled with better performance is the winning point.
The lack of information on the OS for the nova 9 is a concern, but I still think the raw performance and faster charging speed are worth the risk.
