Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A52 5G vs. Nothing Phone (1)
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Nothing Phone (1) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 159.2 × 75.8 × 8.3 mm | Very similar size; negligible real-world difference in handling. |
| Weight | 189g | 193.5g | Both phones are lightweight with no noticeable differences in weight. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.55" | Visually identical display sizes; difference of .05" isn't noticeable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both screens offer same sharpness. |
| PPI | 407 | 402 | Negligible difference in pixel density; both offer sharp visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both screens offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, better gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | Nothing Phone (1)'s display is significantly brighter, providing better outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325-AE Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | Nothing Phone (1) offers faster processing, more efficient performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 384,853 | 624,253 | Nothing Phone (1) is significantly faster for gaming, multitasking and app performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 642L | Nothing Phone (1) has a better GPU, leading to smoother graphics in games and apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Similar battery life expected on average use. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | 33W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | Nothing Phone (1) charges quicker, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable, QC2.0 and AFC | Reverse charging, Non-removable, No charger in box, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 5W | Nothing Phone (1) offers wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, adding convenience. No charger in box for Nothing Phone (1). |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens Resolution | 64MP | 50MP | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G captures higher resolution images. |
| Standard Lens Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.88 | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G might slightly better in low-light conditions based on aperture. |
| Standard Lens Sensor Size | 1/1.7" | 1/1.56" | Nothing Phone (1) has slightly larger sensor, usually leading to better low-light performance. |
| Standard Lens Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.00 µm | Nothing Phone (1) has larger pixel size, generally better low-light and dynamic range performance. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 32MP | 16MP | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G offers higher resolution selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/2.8" | 1/3.13" | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G has a larger sensor for selfie capture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP (Dedicated) | Included in the "Wide Angle + Macro" (50MP) | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G has a separate wide-angle lens. |
| Portrait mode (depth) | 5MP (Dedicated) | None | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G has a dedicated depth sensor. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP (Dedicated) | None | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G has a dedicated macro lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 50MP (Combined) | Nothing Phone (1) uses one lens for both, potentially more versatile but not optimized for each use case. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@30fps with EIS, 1080p@60fps with EIS | 4K@30fps with HDR, EIS, 1080p@30fps with HDR, EIS, 1080p@60fps with HDR, EIS | Both support similar video recording; Nothing Phone (1) offers HDR recording |
| Features | 4K Video, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Night Mode | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Dual camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G has more cameras. Nothing Phone (1) has PDAF, continuous shooting, and RAW. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 12 (upgradable to 15) | Nothing Phone (1) offers a newer version of Android and has more upgrade potential. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6) | Nothing Phone (1) supports Wi-Fi 6, offering faster speeds and better performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.2 LE | Nothing Phone (1) has a newer Bluetooth version for better connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System | Nothing Phone (1) has superior GPS, for improved accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both support dual SIMs for more flexibility. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | Same internal storage options available. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 8 GB or 12 GB | Nothing Phone (1) has more RAM, better for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | No option for external storage, may be limiting for some users. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Nothing Phone (1) offers better speakers, but Samsung offers Dolby Atmos for superior audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both have fingerprint sensors for convenient unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Both screens offer similar protection against scratches. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Nothing Phone (1) has a compass sensor which offers better orientation detection and augmented reality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Advantages:
- More Camera Versatility: Dedicated wide-angle, macro, and depth lenses offer more creative photography options.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 32MP front camera captures detailed selfies.
- Audio: Offers Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus.
Nothing Phone (1) Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster chipset and GPU lead to better gaming and multitasking performance.
- Brighter Display: 1200 nits brightness offers excellent visibility in bright sunlight.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: 33W fast charging and wireless charging offer more convenience.
- Better Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6, newer Bluetooth version, and superior GPS for improved speed and accuracy.
- Better low light photography: larger main sensor pixel size and improved image processing.
- Newer OS: Ships with a more up-to-date version of Android and more potential for OS updates.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy A52 5G: Better camera versatility, but worse performance and outdoor visibility.
- Nothing Phone (1): Better overall performance, but less camera versatility. No charger in box.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G:
- Ideal User: Casual photographers who value a variety of lenses, budget-conscious users, and those who prefer the Samsung ecosystem.
- Use Cases: Social media enthusiasts who want detailed selfies, users who enjoy casual photography, and users who consume media and watch videos often.
- Price-to-Value: Good value for the price with a focus on camera features; However, performance might be lacking in demanding tasks.
Nothing Phone (1):
- Ideal User: Gamers, power users, users who prioritize performance, and those who value fast charging and better display quality.
- Use Cases: Playing graphically demanding games, multitasking across many apps, outdoor use in bright sunlight, users who prefer minimalistic design, and users who want faster charging.
- Price-to-Value: Offers superior performance and better display at the expense of dedicated secondary camera sensors.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize camera versatility or raw performance?
- Do you frequently use your phone in bright sunlight?
- Is faster charging or dedicated camera lenses more important to you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Casual Photography & Social Media: If you prioritize a variety of camera lenses and high-resolution selfies and like the Samsung ecosystem, the Galaxy A52 5G is suitable.
Scenario 2: Gaming & Performance: If you need smooth performance in demanding games, bright outdoor screen visibility, and wireless charging capabilities, the Nothing Phone (1) is the better choice.
Scenario 3: Balanced Use: If you want a well-rounded phone, but are happy to sacrifice some camera flexibility for better performance and a better screen, the Nothing Phone (1) is a better choice.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Nothing Phone (1). My reasoning is based on several factors:
- Performance: I prioritize smooth and responsive performance, particularly for multitasking and occasional gaming. The Snapdragon 778G+ offers a noticeable advantage over the Snapdragon 750G in terms of raw power.
- Display: The brighter screen (1200 nits vs 0 nits) of the Nothing Phone (1) is crucial for my use case, as I often use my phone outdoors.
- Charging: I appreciate the faster 33W charging and the wireless charging functionality on the Nothing Phone (1), which provides a lot of flexibility.
- Future Proofing: The Nothing Phone (1) benefits from a more recent Android version (12) and a better WiFi version (6) with better update potential, which makes it more appealing in the long run.
While the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G has an advantage in camera versatility (dedicated macro, wide-angle lenses), the overall performance and modern features of the Nothing Phone (1) outweigh this in my view. The Nothing Phone (1) better matches my needs as a regular user, emphasizing general performance and display quality.
