Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A52 5G vs. Nokia G100
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Nokia G100 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 166.6 × 76.7 × 8.9 mm | Nokia G100 is noticeably larger, might be less comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 189g | 195.1g | Samsung A52 5G is slightly lighter, more comfortable for prolonged usage. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.52" | Virtually identical screen sizes. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | Samsung A52 5G has a much sharper display with more detail. |
| PPI | 407 | 269 | Samsung A52 5G offers significantly crisper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Samsung A52 5G has richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | Samsung A52 5G provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have identical brightness, but since both are specified as 0 nits, this is likely an omission in the data. Real-world experience may differ. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Samsung A52 5G is significantly faster for apps and gaming. |
| Antutu Score | 384,853 | 201,615 | Samsung A52 5G provides much better performance, less lag and smoother operation. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 610 | Samsung A52 5G handles graphically intensive tasks much better. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8 | 13MP, f/2.0 | Samsung A52 5G captures much more detailed photos, especially in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.4 | Samsung A52 5G takes much higher resolution and brighter selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Samsung A52 5G captures wider shots with better quality. |
| Portrait Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Samsung A52 5G offers better depth of field effects. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung A52 5G can take detailed close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | Samsung A52 5G records in higher quality, more detail video. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS | No stabilization | Samsung A52 5G has better stabilization, resulting in smoother video recordings. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Nokia G100 has a larger battery, likely offering slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | Samsung A52 5G charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | Samsung A52 5G has a more modern battery technology (Li-Polymer). |
| Software & Storage | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 12 | Nokia G100 comes with a slightly newer version of Android out of the box but Samsung has a guaranteed upgrade to Android 14. |
| Internal Storage | 128/256GB | 32/128GB | Samsung A52 5G offers more storage space. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 3/4GB | Samsung A52 5G provides smoother multitasking and performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers microSD card support. |
| Other | |||
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | 2 Microphones | Samsung A52 5G offers more enhanced audio quality, whereas the Nokia G100 has more microphones for clarity during phone calls. |
| Security | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Nokia G100 has a more convenient sensor location. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Samsung A52 5G has stronger scratch and impact resistance on the display. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | Samsung A52 5G provides more precise location data. |
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both support modern WiFi standards |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE with EDR, HID, ANT+ | 5.0 LE with A2DP | Samsung A52 5G provides greater connectivity options |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED screen with higher resolution, pixel density, and refresh rate makes for a much more enjoyable visual experience.
- Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 750G chipset provides significantly better performance for demanding apps and games.
- Better Cameras: The higher resolution main, selfie, and wide-angle cameras offer much better photo and video quality. The addition of a macro lens increases creative options.
- Faster Charging: 25W fast charging allows for significantly quicker battery refills.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos provides a better audio experience for media consumption.
- Better Build: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides superior screen protection
Nokia G100 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery may offer slightly longer battery life between charges.
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 12, although Samsung has a guaranteed upgrade to Android 14, so this is likely not a long-term advantage.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Provides more convenient access to the phone.
- Barometer: Includes a barometer which can provide atmospheric pressure information.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Nokia G100 sacrifices a high quality display and camera for longer battery life, and an arguably more convenient fingerprint sensor.
- The Samsung A52 5G has smaller battery size and does not include a barometer.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is ideal for:
- Media consumers: Those who watch videos, browse social media, and enjoy gaming on their phone.
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who value high-quality photos and videos with good low-light performance and versatility.
- Performance-focused users: Individuals who need a fast and responsive phone for multitasking and demanding apps.
- Users who want an overall high-end experience without paying top dollar.
Nokia G100 is ideal for:
- Budget-conscious users: Those looking for a more affordable smartphone with decent basic functionality.
- Users prioritizing battery life: People who need a phone that can last a full day on a single charge without worrying too much.
- Users who value the convenience of a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Specific Use Cases:
- Samsung A52 5G: Mobile gaming, vlogging, streaming video, capturing high quality social media content, mobile productivity with smooth multitasking, users who want future-proofed android with OS updates.
- Nokia G100: Basic daily use, long phone calls, travel use where battery life is paramount, simple picture taking, using apps that don't require powerful hardware.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is the better device, despite being older. It provides a significant bump in quality and performance for a higher price. The Nokia G100 is a more budget-oriented choice. It excels where battery life is a priority.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Media consumption, photography, social media, performance)
- How important is display quality? (Sharpness, color accuracy, refresh rate)
- How much do you prioritize battery life vs. fast charging?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Performance is key.
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A52 5G, it provides a noticeably better experience due to the faster chipset, better GPU, and smoother display.
Scenario 2: Battery life is most important.
- Recommendation: Nokia G100, the larger battery and slightly less performance-hungry screen is best for this use case.
Scenario 3: Balanced performance and features
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A52 5G, because it provides a good balance of performance, battery life, display quality and camera performance, despite its smaller battery size.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G. While it might be slightly older, the difference in display quality, performance, and camera capabilities are significant. The AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, the more powerful Snapdragon 750G, and the superior cameras make it a more enjoyable phone to use. The faster charging will also reduce the amount of time spent plugged in. I would sacrifice a little bit of extra battery life for the vastly improved performance and media experience the Samsung provides.
