Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A52 5G vs. Huawei nova 9 SE
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Huawei nova 9 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 164.6 × 75.6 × 7.9 mm | Huawei is taller by 4.7mm, Samsung is thicker by 0.5mm. Both are very similar. |
| Weight | 189g | 191g | Both have a very similar weight, meaning neither feels significantly heavier or lighter. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.78" | Huawei offers a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2388 | Both have similar Full HD+ resolution; differences are practically unnoticeable. |
| Pixel Density | 407 PPI | 387 PPI | Samsung has a slightly sharper screen due to higher pixel density, which can make text and images appear clearer. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Samsung's AMOLED offers superior blacks, contrast, and color vibrancy, which is better for media consumption and battery saving with dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Samsung has a smoother scrolling and animation experience due to a higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have an unknown peak brightness, making it impossible to compare in this aspect. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Samsung has a more powerful chipset, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 384,853 | 248,000 | Samsung significantly outperforms Huawei in benchmarks, reflecting better performance in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 610 | Samsung’s GPU offers superior graphics performance, ideal for gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4000mAh | Samsung's larger battery provides longer usage between charges. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 66W fast charging | Huawei charges much faster, allowing for shorter charging times. |
| Features | Non-removable, QC2.0, AFC | Non-removable, Reverse charging | Samsung offers QC2.0 and AFC while Huawei offers reverse charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP f/1.8, 1/1.7" | 108MP f/1.9, 1/1.52" | Huawei has higher resolution, and a larger sensor while Samsung has a wider aperture. Low light might be slightly better in the A52 5G. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP f/2.2, 1/2.8" | 16MP f/2.2 | Samsung offers more detail in selfies because of the higher resolution. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP f/2.2, 1/3.1" | None | Samsung offers a dedicated ultrawide camera for capturing landscape or group photos. |
| Portrait Lens | 5MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Samsung captures higher quality depth information. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Samsung captures higher quality macro shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 8MP f/2.2 | Huawei has an ultrawide+macro lens. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS | 1080p@30fps with EIS | Samsung provides higher quality video due to 4k, better for video recording. |
| Features | OIS, 4K video | PDAF, RAW, 4K video | Samsung has OIS for video stabilisation, Huawei provides more manual control in photography with RAW capture and PDAF. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgrade to 14 | Android 11, no further upgrades | Samsung has longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (ac) | Wi-Fi 6 (ax) | Huawei has the latest WiFi standard (WiFi 6) for faster and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE, A2DP, EDR, HID, ANT+ | 5.0, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Samsung's Bluetooth has a wider range of profiles while Huawei has more codecs, improving wireless audio quality. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, BeiDou(B1) | Huawei has BeiDou B1 for improved location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both have identical storage options, meaning storage will not be a factor in deciding between the two models. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 6/8 GB | Both have identical RAM options making them equivalent in terms of multitasking capabilities. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither device offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Basic Features | Samsung has a more enhanced audio experience with Dolby tech. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Huawei’s side-mounted sensor is generally considered to be more convenient and faster, offering a more seamless user experience than basic sensors |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Samsung offers a more protected screen against scratches and drops. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate offers a much better viewing experience (deeper blacks, better contrast, smoother scrolling).
- Better Performance: The Snapdragon 750G and Adreno 619 provide significantly better overall performance in apps, multitasking, and gaming.
- Larger Battery: A 4500mAh battery offers slightly longer battery life.
- Better Front Camera: The 32MP front camera provides more detail and higher quality for selfies.
- More versatile Camera System: Includes a dedicated Wide Angle lens and a higher-quality portrait lens and macro lens.
- Longer Software Support: Guaranteed upgrades up to Android 14.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus enhance the audio experience.
- Better screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 screen protection
Huawei nova 9 SE Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 66W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Newer WiFi Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) support provides faster and more efficient wireless networking.
- Reverse Charging: Can be used to charge other devices.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: The 108MP main camera captures more detailed images in well-lit conditions.
- More advanced Fingerprint Sensor: The side-mounted fingerprint sensor may provide more convenience.
- More manual camera controls: RAW Capture and PDAF offer more control for photography enthusiasts.
- Ultrawide and Macro lens: It provides both in one lens.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Samsung A52 5G: Slower charging speed compared to Huawei.
- Huawei nova 9 SE: Inferior display quality, slower performance in apps, and less versatile camera system.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Ideal User:
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: People who watch a lot of videos, browse social media, or play mobile games will benefit from the superior display and performance.
- Photography Lovers: Those who prioritize image quality, versatile camera systems, and good quality selfies.
- General Users: Users who appreciate a smooth, reliable, and well-rounded smartphone experience with good battery life.
Specific Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A52 5G:
- Watching movies and videos on the go with vibrant colors and smooth motion.
- Playing graphics-intensive mobile games without lag.
- Taking detailed and clear photos and videos in different lighting conditions.
- Multitasking between apps seamlessly.
Huawei nova 9 SE Ideal User:
- Users on a Budget: Those looking for a budget-friendly option but still want fast charging and a decent camera.
- Social Media Users: Those who take a lot of photos and videos and quickly share them.
- Users in need of reverse charging: Those who want to be able to charge other devices using their phone.
Specific Use Cases for Huawei nova 9 SE:
- Quickly charging the phone before leaving the house.
- Sharing pictures and videos on social media on a regular basis.
- Occasional mobile gaming at lower settings.
- Using the phone as a portable power bank.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Samsung Galaxy A52 5G: Offers a higher price for a premium display, better performance, and enhanced software support.
- Huawei nova 9 SE: Provides decent features at a lower price point, making it an attractive budget option.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality for you? If a vibrant and smooth display is essential, the Samsung A52 5G is superior.
- Do you prioritize performance over everything else? If faster performance is crucial for your daily tasks and gaming, the Samsung A52 5G should be your choice.
- How important is charging speed? If quick charging is a must, the Huawei nova 9 SE is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: The Gamer: A heavy gamer who enjoys high-quality graphics and smooth performance will benefit greatly from the Samsung A52 5G. The phone's superior GPU and higher refresh rate provide the most immersive gaming experience.
- Scenario 2: The Social Media Influencer: A user who takes lots of photos for their social media account will have the best results with the Samsung A52 5G due to the higher quality main camera, the versatile lenses, the higher quality front camera, and OIS.
- Scenario 3: The Commuter: A commuter who needs a phone that charges quickly and lasts throughout the day will find the Huawei nova 9 SE more practical due to its fast charging and reverse charging.
- Scenario 4: The Budget-Conscious User: A person that wants to get good value for their money and wants a good overall phone experience at a lower price point will be better served with the Huawei Nova 9 SE.
What I Would Choose and Why
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would select the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G.
Here's why:
- Display Quality: The AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate is a significant advantage. The viewing experience is substantially better, and this makes a big difference for daily usage such as watching videos, browsing the internet, and gaming.
- Performance: The Snapdragon 750G offers a noticeable performance boost over the Snapdragon 680. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better performance in games.
- Software Support: Having guaranteed software updates up to Android 14 ensures that the phone will stay up to date with the latest features and security patches for a longer period of time.
- Versatile Camera System: While the Huawei has a higher megapixel sensor in its main camera, I value the versatility provided by the A52 5G's dedicated wide-angle lens and portrait lens. The front-facing camera is also better on the Samsung.
- Overall Experience: The combination of a superior display, better performance, longer software support, and a versatile camera system on the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G provides a more enjoyable and consistent overall user experience.
While the Huawei nova 9 SE has advantages like faster charging, Wi-Fi 6, and a higher resolution main camera, I feel that the Samsung A52 5G offers a better all-around package for my typical use case, which includes media consumption, gaming, and photography. The slightly larger battery and enhanced audio quality further solidify my decision.
