Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A52 5G vs. Motorola Edge 30
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Motorola Edge 30 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm | 159.4 x 74.2 x 6.8 mm | The Edge 30 is thinner and slightly narrower, potentially more comfortable in hand, and has smaller volume, making it more pocketable. |
| Weight | 189g | 155g | The Edge 30 is significantly lighter, which will make it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.5" | Both offer the same screen real estate for content consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Both have the same display sharpness, resulting in equal clarity in texts and images. |
| PPI | 407 | 405 | The difference in pixel density is negligible; both offer sharp visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both deliver vibrant colors and deep blacks, resulting in excellent viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | The Edge 30's 144Hz refresh rate provides slightly smoother animations, which is particularly noticeable when scrolling through feeds or gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have the same peak brightness, which is currently not available. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | The Edge 30 has a more powerful and efficient chipset, resulting in faster app loading, better multitasking, and smoother gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 384,853 | 609,900 | The Edge 30 has significantly higher benchmark scores, indicating better overall performance, particularly in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 642L | The Edge 30 has a more powerful GPU, leading to better graphics performance, and smoother gameplay. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 4020 mAh | The A52 5G has a larger battery, which could provide slightly longer battery life for a given workload. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | The Edge 30 will charge faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable, QC2.0 and AFC. | Non-removable | The A52 5G has additional charging protocols, but both have non-removable batteries |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", Sony IMX682, 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", OV50A, 1.00µm | The A52 5G has a higher resolution but Edge 30 has a larger sensor and bigger pixels, resulting in better low-light performance and dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX616, 0.8µm | 32MP, f/2.25, 1/3.14", Samsung JD1, 0.7µm | The A52 5G's front camera has a slightly wider aperture and larger sensor, which might lead to better low light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", Samsung S5K3L6, 1.12µm | N/A | The A52 5G has a dedicated wide-angle lens, which can be useful for group photos and expansive landscapes. |
| Portrait Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | The A52 5G has higher resolution, but the Edge 30 has larger pixels which is good for low light conditions. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | N/A | The A52 5G has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, not available on the Edge 30 |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1, 0.64µm | The Edge 30 uses the ultrawide lens for macro shots which is more versatile. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 4K@30fps with HDR, EIS and 960 fps slow motion | Both offer 4K video recording but Edge 30 offers better HDR and slow motion options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 14) | Android 12 (up to 13) | The Edge 30 launched with a newer OS version but will have one less major Android update compared to the A52 5G |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | The Edge 30 supports the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard, which can result in faster wireless speeds and improved performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | The Edge 30 has a more modern Bluetooth standard which can result in more stable connections and more compatible codecs for improved audio quality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 128/256 GB | Both phones offer the same storage options, catering to different needs. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 6/8 GB | Both offer the same RAM options, good for multitasking and gaming |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for microSD card expansion, meaning you're limited to the onboard storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Edge 30 offers better audio with stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones have similar fingerprint sensors, good for quick and convenient unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | The A52 5G has better screen protection against scratches and minor impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Motorola Edge 30 offers a digital compass but lacks the Hall and Geomagnetic sensor that the A52 5G has. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 4500 mAh battery may offer slightly longer battery life compared to the Edge 30.
- Dedicated Wide Angle and Macro Lenses: Offers more camera versatility with dedicated lenses for wide-angle and macro shots, rather than using the same ultrawide for both as Edge 30 does.
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass 5 provides better scratch and impact resistance.
- More Software Updates: Android 14 is available on this phone whereas Edge 30 will only get updates up to Android 13
Motorola Edge 30 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 778G+ chipset provides much better processing power and graphics performance, resulting in a smoother and faster experience.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging will refill the battery quicker than A52's 25W.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 144Hz display refresh rate offers smoother animations compared to the A52 5G's 120Hz.
- Newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Supports more recent standards providing faster and more stable connections.
- More Compact and Lighter Design: The Edge 30 is thinner and lighter, which makes it more ergonomic to handle and carry.
- Better main camera sensor Has a larger sensor and pixels for better overall quality in normal and low light conditions.
- Better video recording: Has better slow motion options, better stabilization and HDR.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Galaxy A52 5G has better camera versatility due to the dedicated lenses, but is not as powerful as the Edge 30 in overall performance.
- The Motorola Edge 30 sacrifices a slightly smaller battery capacity for better performance, faster charging, and a smoother display.
- The Galaxy A52 5G may have better battery life, but the charging is slower than the Edge 30's.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G:
- Ideal User: Casual users who prioritize camera versatility, longer battery life, and screen protection. Good for users who don't need the absolute highest performance.
- Use Cases: Everyday photography, social media browsing, watching videos, light gaming, and users who need a long-lasting phone for all day use.
- Price-to-Value: May offer a more budget-friendly option compared to the Edge 30, suitable for value-conscious buyers needing a feature rich device with a good camera system.
Motorola Edge 30:
- Ideal User: Performance-focused users who prioritize a smooth, responsive experience, fast charging, and are into mobile gaming.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, demanding app use, multitasking, video editing, and users who appreciate a smooth and fast user interface.
- Price-to-Value: Provides a strong performance per dollar ratio in the mid-range segment, ideal for users that value overall performance over all else.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Needs: Do you prioritize absolute performance and smooth animations, or are you satisfied with good performance?
- Camera Requirements: Do you need the versatility of dedicated wide angle and macro lenses, or will you be happy with a single very good main sensor?
- Battery Life vs Charging Speed: Do you prioritize longer battery life or faster charging speed and overall speed?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If you're a mobile gamer or someone who uses demanding apps, the Motorola Edge 30 is the clear winner.
- Scenario 2: If you are looking for an all around phone with good camera versatility and slightly better battery life, and do not need the peak performance the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G might be a better option.
- Scenario 3: If you want a very light and thin phone and a faster user experience, and will be plugged in often, the Motorola Edge 30 is the way to go.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would personally pick the Motorola Edge 30.
My reasons are primarily centered around performance. The Snapdragon 778G+ offers a significant performance advantage that would make the overall user experience much smoother and faster. The 144Hz refresh rate is also a noticeable improvement for scrolling and gaming. While I appreciate the A52 5G's dedicated wide and macro lenses and larger battery, the performance and fast charging of the Edge 30 are simply more appealing to my needs. I also tend to favor a lighter and more ergonomic phone, which makes the Edge 30 the better fit for my daily usage. Though the Samsung A52 5G has an additional major software update, I find the Edge 30 to still be superior to my overall needs and preferences.
