1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Motorola Moto G04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 163.5 × 74.5 × 8 mm | The Moto G04s is slightly taller and thinner. The A52 5G is slightly thicker and wider. Differences likely negligible for most users |
| Weight | 189g | 178.8g | The Moto G04s is noticeably lighter (10.2g), potentially more comfortable for extended use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.56" | Negligibly different; both are standard display sizes |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1612 | The A52 5G has a significantly sharper display, making text and images look clearer |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 407 | 269 | The A52 5G has a noticeably sharper display with more detail |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The A52 5G offers superior color accuracy, contrast, and deeper blacks, resulting in a more vibrant display, particularly in direct sunlight. It also offers better energy efficiency. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The A52 5G has smoother animations and scrolling, which can be noticeable to some users. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is unknown, so practical impact is unclear. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | The Snapdragon 750G in the A52 5G is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 384,853 | 220,000 | The A52 5G offers superior overall performance |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G57 MP1 | The Adreno 619 in the A52 5G provides better graphics rendering performance for gaming and intensive applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 50MP | The A52 5G captures images with slightly higher detail. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.7" | 1/2.76" | The A52 5G's larger sensor typically allows it to capture more light, resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.00 µm | Moto G04s's bigger pixel size may gather more light, but the smaller sensor size negates that advantage. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 32MP | 5MP | The A52 5G captures much higher-resolution selfies with more detail. |
| Wide-Angle Camera | 13MP | None | The A52 5G offers more versatility with the addition of a wide-angle lens for group shots or landscape photography |
| Additional Cameras | 5MP Depth, 5MP Macro | None | The A52 5G offers more versatility, especially for creative photography |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | The A52 5G can record higher-resolution video for better clarity and detail. |
| Camera Features | More features including 4K video, quad camera, Ultra stable video, Manual focus, Night Mode | More features including Optical zoom, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), Continuous shooting | Both phones offer a comprehensive set of features, but offer different strengths |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | The Moto G04s has a larger battery, likely providing longer battery life per charge |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | The A52 5G charges faster, reducing downtime |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 14 | The Moto G04s runs the latest Android version out of the box. The A52 5G has a guaranteed upgrade path to Android 14 |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Similar Wi-Fi standards; both phones offer dual-band support |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 | Both have Bluetooth 5.0 with A2DP and LE; A52 5G also has EDR, HID, and ANT+. These enhancements offer increased connection speeds and functionality. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | Both phones provide similar location services; Moto G04s includes SUPL, enhancing GPS responsiveness in urban or challenging environments. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both phones support dual SIM functionality |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB | Both phones have 256GB maximum internal storage, with different base options. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 4GB | The A52 5G offers more RAM, improving multitasking capabilities. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Atmos | The A52 5G provides slightly better audio experience with Dolby Digital Plus for an enhanced surround sound experience. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-mounted | Side-mounted sensors are generally considered more accessible and convenient to use |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | The A52 5G has more robust screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | The A52 5G features Hall and Geomagnetic sensors for advanced functionality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with higher resolution (1080x2400), 120Hz refresh rate offers a much better visual experience.
- Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 750G chipset provides far superior processing and graphics power.
- Better Camera System: Higher resolution main and selfie cameras, plus dedicated wide-angle, macro, and depth lenses offer versatility and quality.
- Faster Charging: The 25W fast charging allows for quicker battery top-ups.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus provides more immersive audio.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 is more resistant to scratches and breaks than Gorilla Glass 3
Practical Implications: The A52 5G excels in areas like media consumption (videos, games), photography, and general performance. It is the better choice if display quality and speed are critical.
Motorola Moto G04s Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers better battery life, potentially lasting a full day or more for most users.
- Newer Software: Runs Android 14 out of the box, although the A52 5G is upgradeable.
- Lighter Build: More comfortable for long periods of use.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Generally considered more convenient to use than a basic sensor.
Practical Implications: The Moto G04s is a good choice for users who prioritize battery life and the latest software version without needing top-tier performance and camera features.
Significant Trade-offs:
- A52 5G: Higher price and older software out of the box. It offers no expandable storage.
- Moto G04s: Much weaker performance, less impressive display, and a less versatile camera system. It also offers no expandable storage.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Ideal User:
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: People who watch videos, stream content, and play mobile games frequently will appreciate the superior display and performance.
- Photography Lovers: Users who value photo quality and versatility will find the camera system to be a strong advantage.
- Power Users: Users who multitask frequently and need a fast, responsive phone will appreciate the better processor and RAM.
- Users who prioritize a premium visual experience.
Specific Use Cases:
- Gaming: Enjoy smoother gameplay and higher detail graphics.
- Video Streaming: Experience content with better colors, sharpness, and smoother frame rates.
- Social Media: Capture higher-quality photos and videos for sharing.
Motorola Moto G04s Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users seeking a functional phone at a lower cost.
- Battery Life Prioritizers: People who need a phone that can last all day without frequent charging.
- Basic Smartphone Users: Those who primarily use their phone for calls, texting, and basic web browsing.
- Users looking for the most up-to-date Android OS out of the box.
Specific Use Cases:
- Everyday Communication: Reliable performance for calls, texts, and basic social media.
- Long Travel Days: Longer battery life reduces the need for frequent charging.
- Secondary Phone: Ideal as a secondary device for basic tasks.
Price-to-Value Ratio: The A52 5G provides much better value in terms of performance, display, and camera capabilities, but at a higher price. The Moto G04s offers great value for those focused on budget and battery life, with compromises in other areas.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? This will immediately narrow down your choices. The Moto G04s will be cheaper, but the A52 5G will be a better all-round device.
- What are your primary uses? Do you game? Watch lots of video? Or do you need a good camera? If yes, then A52 5G is the best fit. If you want longer battery life for basic communication, then Moto G04s will fit better.
- How important is display quality and performance? The A52 5G offers a premium visual experience with significantly better performance.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-conscious user needs basic communication with long battery life.
- Recommendation: The Motorola Moto G04s is the better choice due to its lower cost and large battery.
- Scenario 2: Multimedia user with budget for mid-range phone seeking good performance and display.
- Recommendation: The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G offers a vastly superior user experience in terms of display, performance, and camera quality.
- Scenario 3: User who prioritizes camera quality and creativity.
- Recommendation: The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G's comprehensive camera system, with its extra lenses and higher resolutions, is the best choice.
- Scenario 4: User who wants the newest version of Android OS out of the box.
- Recommendation: The Motorola Moto G04s, as the A52 5G would need to be upgraded manually.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G. While the Motorola Moto G04s offers a newer Android version and longer battery life, the A52 5G's superior display quality, performance, and camera system are much more important to me. The AMOLED display with its 120Hz refresh rate provides a much more enjoyable visual experience, and the Snapdragon 750G chipset would deliver smoother, faster performance for all types of tasks. The enhanced camera setup and faster charging are also significant advantages. While the A52 5G is older and costs more, I believe the overall user experience justifies the higher price tag. I also expect that the performance will keep me happy for a longer amount of time, making it the better choice for me, despite the older operating system.
