1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Nokia G42 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 165 × 75.8 × 8.6 mm | Nokia G42 is slightly taller and thicker, potentially feeling larger in hand. |
| Weight | 189g | 193.8g | Negligible difference in weight; both feel similarly hefty. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.56" | Virtually identical screen sizes. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1612 | Samsung A52 5G has a much sharper display; text and images look clearer. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 407 | 269 | Samsung A52 5G display appears significantly sharper, especially noticeable when reading text or viewing detailed images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Samsung A52 5G has richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast. AMOLED also offers better power efficiency with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Samsung A52 5G has smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have identical peak brightness (although the value is missing). |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G | Samsung A52 5G's chipset is more powerful for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 384,853 | 380,000 | Both phones offer similar performance for everyday tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619 | Identical graphics processing performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Nokia G42 offers potentially longer battery life per charge. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 20W fast charging | Samsung A52 5G charges slightly faster. |
| Features | QC2.0, AFC, non-removable | No charger in box, non-removable | Samsung supports QuickCharge and Adaptive Fast Charge, Nokia requires a separate purchase of charger. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard (Rear) | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8 | Samsung A52 5G captures more detailed images in good lighting conditions, also with a larger sensor. |
| Selfie | 32MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Samsung A52 5G takes significantly sharper and higher-resolution selfies. Nokia has wider aperture for low light. |
| Wide Angle | 13MP, f/2.2 | None | Samsung A52 5G can capture wider scenes, Nokia lacks a wide lens. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Samsung A52 5G takes better portrait photos with more depth detail. |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Samsung A52 5G captures more detailed macro shots. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p options | 1080p@30fps | Samsung A52 5G supports much higher video resolution and stabilization. |
| Camera Features | 4K, OIS, etc. | Triple camera, basic features | Samsung has more advanced camera capabilities and stabilization. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 14) | Android 13 (upgradeable to 14) | Nokia G42 has a newer OS out of the box. Both will get Android 14. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Nokia G42 has faster and more efficient Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 | Nokia G42 has slightly newer Bluetooth, Samsung has more additional features. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Single SIM | Samsung A52 5G allows using two SIM cards simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB | Samsung offers a larger storage option. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 4GB or 6GB | Samsung A52 5G offers more RAM for better multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports external memory cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | 2 microphones | Samsung A52 5G provides a richer audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Nokia has more convenient fingerprint sensor for unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Samsung A52 5G provides better screen protection from scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both have a comprehensive sensor suite, with slight differences in available sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with higher resolution (1080x2400), better pixel density, and a 120Hz refresh rate, resulting in a noticeably sharper, more vibrant, and smoother visual experience.
- More Powerful Camera System: Higher resolution main (64MP vs 50MP) and selfie (32MP vs 8MP) cameras, with additional features like a wide-angle lens, 4K video recording, and optical image stabilization (OIS).
- Faster Charging: 25W fast charging compared to 20W for quicker charging times.
- More RAM: Comes with an 8 GB RAM variant, which means better multitasking.
- Dual SIM Support: Supports two sim cards at the same time.
- Enhanced Audio: Offers Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus for a more immersive audio experience.
- More Storage Option: comes with a 256 GB variant.
- Better Screen Protection: Has Corning Gorilla Glass 5 compared to Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
Nokia G42 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery, offering potentially longer battery life per charge.
- Newer Software: Runs on Android 13 out of the box, with the same upgradeability to Android 14.
- Newer WiFi: Supports Wi-Fi 6, offering faster and more efficient wireless network performance.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Potentially more convenient than the basic fingerprint sensor.
- Newer Bluetooth version: has a 5.1 version compared to 5.0.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung A52 5G sacrifices battery life for a superior display, camera, faster charging and additional features.
- Nokia G42 prioritizes battery life, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and a newer version of android out of the box and WiFi over overall camera quality and display technology.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G:
- Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize display quality, camera performance, and overall multimedia experience.
- Content creators and social media enthusiasts who need high-resolution images and videos.
- Users who watch videos and play graphic-intensive games often.
- Users who need better audio quality.
- Users who prefer quick charging.
- Use Cases:
- High-quality photo and video capture for social media.
- Streaming high-definition movies and shows.
- Playing visually intensive mobile games.
- Daily use with an emphasis on a premium display experience.
Nokia G42:
- Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize battery life and long-lasting performance over high-end features.
- Users who primarily use their phones for essential tasks and want a reliable device.
- Users who prefer newer software experience.
- Users who value a newer Wi-Fi for faster connections.
- Use Cases:
- Daily communication and browsing.
- Users with extended periods away from charging, or travel often.
- Users who want a very simple experience.
- Basic photography and social media sharing.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung A52 5G offers a better screen, camera, and faster charging at the cost of slightly worse battery life and a higher price.
- The Nokia G42 offers a longer battery and newer software and Wi-Fi at a lower price point while sacrificing display and camera quality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality to you? If you want the best possible visual experience for movies, games, and everyday use, the A52 5G is a better choice.
- Do you prioritize camera quality and features? If you are heavily invested in photography and/or videography, the A52 5G is the better option due to its more advanced camera hardware and software.
- How important is battery life? If you frequently are away from a charger for long periods, the Nokia G42 will provide more battery life.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Social Media Influencer – Choose the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G. Its superior camera system, high-quality display, and fast charging capabilities make it ideal for content creation and heavy social media use.
- Scenario 2: Heavy Traveler - Choose the Nokia G42. Its longer battery life, newer software and Wi-Fi will keep you connected.
- Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious User – Choose the Nokia G42, as it has a lower price while having good enough features for day-to-day activities and excellent battery life.
- Scenario 4: Multimedia Enthusiast - Choose the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G. The superior AMOLED display, richer audio with Dolby Atmos and faster charging capabilities are ideal for gaming, watching movies and general use.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G.
While the Nokia G42 offers some compelling advantages, particularly its longer battery life and newer software, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G provides a more well-rounded user experience, in my opinion. The superior AMOLED display with its higher resolution and refresh rate significantly enhances daily usage, from browsing the web to watching videos. The superior camera system allows for much better images and video recording, including 4K, and it has more camera features. While the battery is smaller, the 25W fast charging and slightly better performance is worth it for my needs. In the end, the overall quality of the screen, camera and performance outweighs the battery life difference and makes it the preferred choice.
