Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A52 5G vs. Motorola ThinkPhone
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Motorola ThinkPhone | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-19 | 2023-01-29 | ThinkPhone is nearly two years newer, benefiting from advancements in technology |
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 158.8 × 74.4 × 8.3 mm | Minor difference in size; both phones are similar in hand feel, but A52 5G is slightly taller |
| Weight | 189g | 188.5g | Virtually identical, negligible difference in hand-feel |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | Minimal difference in screen size, barely noticeable in daily use |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same level of clarity, same crispness |
| Pixel Density | 407 PPI | 399 PPI | Virtually identical sharpness, no discernible difference in everyday use |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both offer good contrast and vibrant colors, differences are nuanced and may not be apparent to the average user |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | ThinkPhone has slightly smoother scrolling and animation; noticeable for gamers and frequent phone users |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | ThinkPhone offers superior outdoor visibility, making it significantly better in bright sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | ThinkPhone’s chipset provides substantially faster performance for demanding tasks, smoother multitasking, and gaming |
| AnTuTu Score | 384,853 | 1,232,700 | ThinkPhone has much faster processing and significantly better gaming performance; A52 5G is comparatively slow |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 730 | ThinkPhone has a much more powerful GPU, delivering better gaming and graphics performance |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | ThinkPhone offers slightly longer battery life, noticeable for heavy users. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 68W Fast Charging | ThinkPhone charges much faster, saving significant time waiting |
| Features | Non-removable, QC2.0, AFC | Non-removable, 15W Wireless Charging | A52 5G offers QC2.0 and AFC. ThinkPhone offers wireless charging, which A52 5G lacks |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", Sony IMX682 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", Omnivision OV50A | ThinkPhone's larger sensor allows for better low-light performance despite lower resolution, better low light |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" Sony IMX616 | 32MP, f/2.45 | A52 5G has a slightly wider aperture for potentially better low-light selfies |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", Samsung S5K3L6 | Not available | A52 5G includes a dedicated wide-angle lens, offering more flexibility in photography |
| Portrait (Depth) | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | A52 5G has a higher resolution depth sensor, potentially better portrait mode |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | Not available | A52 5G includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots |
| Wide Angle + Macro | Not available | 13MP, f/2.4 | ThinkPhone offers a single wide angle lens that also serves as a macro lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p options | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps with HDR/EIS, 1080p options | ThinkPhone has superior video recording capabilities, including 8K resolution and HDR support, more options |
| Camera Features | OIS, EIS, Quad camera, Night mode | OIS, EIS, Triple camera, PDAF, RAW | ThinkPhone has Phase detection autofocus (PDAF) and can shoot in RAW for better editing, A52 5G has night mode |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 13 | ThinkPhone has a newer base OS out of the box, but the A52 5G can be updated up to Android 14 |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | ThinkPhone has a newer WiFi standard, providing faster and more stable connections |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 | ThinkPhone has a slightly newer Bluetooth version offering a bit more stable and efficient connection |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | Both have similar GPS capabilities, ThinkPhone adds SUPL support for faster GPS lock |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 256GB | Both have 256 GB maximum storage, the A52 5G comes with an option for 128 GB |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 8GB | Both have options with 8GB of RAM, both good for multitasking |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 mics | ThinkPhone has stereo speakers and two microphones offering enhanced spatial audio, better audio capture |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer fingerprint sensors, no difference |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | ThinkPhone offers significantly better screen protection against scratches and drops |
| Sensors | |||
| Other | Hall, Geomagnetic | None | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G comes with hall and geomagnetic sensors |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Advantages:
- Wide Angle and Macro Lenses: Offers dedicated lenses for wide-angle and macro photography, providing greater versatility.
- Slightly Better Selfie Camera Aperture: Its f/2.2 aperture on the front camera allows for potentially better low-light selfies.
- Dolby Digital Plus: Offers additional audio enhancing features
- Hall and Geomagnetic Sensors: Comes with more sensors for gaming.
Practical Implications: The A52 5G is a more versatile camera option with its wide-angle and macro lenses, with better selfie aperture for low light.
Motorola ThinkPhone Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset is a huge leap ahead, resulting in smoother multitasking, gaming, and application performance.
- Superior Display Brightness: Its display is much brighter, making it clearly visible outdoors, especially in bright sunlight.
- Faster Charging: The 68W fast charging drastically reduces charging times.
- Better Video Recording Capabilities: Shoots in 8K, offering significantly better video recording options.
- Newer Bluetooth and WiFi: Benefits from advancements in connectivity tech.
- Superior screen protection: Uses Gorilla Glass Victus which provides much better screen protection than Gorilla Glass 5.
- Stereo Speakers: For a more immersive audio experience.
- 15W wireless charging: Offers convenience in battery charging.
Practical Implications: The ThinkPhone offers a premium experience with flagship-level performance, a superior display, and faster charging; It is a better device for power users who desire premium video options.
Trade-offs:
- The ThinkPhone lacks dedicated macro and wide-angle lenses which the A52 5G has, though the combined wide angle/macro option may make up for this.
- The A52 5G has an inferior processor, a dim display, and slower charging which are a big compromise for performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy A52 5G:
- Budget-conscious users: Who prioritize a versatile camera setup over raw processing power.
- Casual users: Who mostly browse, use social media, and don't engage in intensive gaming.
- Users who need the wide angle and macro lenses.
Use Cases:
- Everyday photography, social media sharing, basic gaming, day to day tasking.
- A good option for budget-conscious users who would appreciate the extra camera features
- Users who spend a lot of time on their phone at home rather than on the go
Ideal User for Motorola ThinkPhone:
- Power users and gamers: Who demand the highest performance for intensive tasks and graphics-heavy games.
- Professional users: Who need a bright display for outdoor work and fast charging.
- Users who watch videos on their phone often: Who will appreciate the superior display and audio of the device
- Users who need to make videos with their phone: Would appreciate the 8K capabilities.
- Users who want the most modern connectivity standards and protection for their phone.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming, video recording, video consumption, professional use for those who need a better display
- A better option for mobile content creators.
- Users who want the most modern technology for their mobile devices.
Price-to-Value:
- The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G offers a more budget-friendly option, providing good value for the price, especially with the diverse camera set.
- The Motorola ThinkPhone comes at a higher price point but justifies it with flagship-level performance, a superior display, and modern features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my primary use for a smartphone? (Casual browsing, gaming, professional use)
- How important is camera versatility vs. processing power?
- What is my budget?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User with Budget Constraints
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A52 5G. It provides good value, a versatile camera setup, and a decent experience for everyday tasks.
- Scenario 2: Performance-Driven User/Gamer
- Recommendation: Motorola ThinkPhone. It offers superior processing power, gaming capabilities, and a bright display.
- Scenario 3: Content Creator
* **Recommendation:** Motorola ThinkPhone. It has better video capabilities, including 8K video and HDR support, making it ideal for content creation. - Scenario 4: User who wants the best value:
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A52 5G. It can handle most common tasks and has better camera options.
My Choice and Explanation
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Motorola ThinkPhone.
Here's why:
- Performance is King: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a significant upgrade over the Snapdragon 750G. I value the speed for app loading, multitasking, and smooth gaming. The increased power would also make the phone more future-proof in the long run, and it is worth the extra cost.
- Superior Display: The 1200 nits brightness of the ThinkPhone is a significant advantage for me as I often use my phone outdoors, and the smoother refresh rate is also a plus. I prefer a crisp display and would appreciate the difference it makes in daily use.
- Modern Features: The faster charging, wireless charging, and newer WiFi/Bluetooth standards make the ThinkPhone feel like a much more modern device that could last me longer.
- Video Quality: As someone who enjoys capturing memories, the superior video recording capabilities of the ThinkPhone are very important. The 8K and HDR modes would be a huge upgrade over the A52 5G's options.
- Better Build Quality: The Gorilla Glass Victus is a notable improvement and will give me more peace of mind when using the phone.
While I appreciate the additional cameras in the A52 5G, I believe the ThinkPhone's vastly superior performance, better display, and faster charging make it the better overall choice. The ThinkPhone feels like a premium device with top-tier performance, while the A52 5G feels like a budget-friendly device with a lot of compromises that would not satisfy me.
