1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | 2021-03-19 | 2024-08-08 | OnePlus Nord 4 is significantly newer, likely having more up-to-date features and software support. |
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 162.6 × 75 × 8 mm | OnePlus Nord 4 is slightly taller and thinner; the A52 5G is marginally thicker, might affect in-hand feel. |
| Weight | 189g | 199.5g | Samsung A52 5G is a bit lighter, which might be more comfortable for extended holding. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass 5 front | Unknown | Samsung A52 5G has confirmed Gorilla Glass 5 for better scratch resistance; OnePlus Nord 4 protection is unknown, could be a concern. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.74" | OnePlus Nord 4 offers slightly more screen real estate, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1240x2772 | OnePlus Nord 4 has a sharper display, resulting in more detailed text and images. |
| PPI | 407 | 450 | OnePlus Nord 4 has slightly higher pixel density, making the display look a bit sharper and clearer. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2200 nits | OnePlus Nord 4 is vastly brighter, ensuring better visibility under direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm) | OnePlus Nord 4's newer, more efficient chipset offers significantly faster performance, better battery efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 384,853 | 1,366,982 | OnePlus Nord 4 provides much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 732 | OnePlus Nord 4's superior GPU ensures better graphics rendering, benefiting gaming and other graphically intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", IMX682 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2", LYT-600 | Samsung has slightly higher resolution main camera. Samsung has a larger sensor which is better for low light shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", IMX616 | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", IMX471 | Samsung A52 5G offers higher resolution for selfies. Samsung has wider aperture and larger sensor for better low light selfie shots. |
| Wide-Angle Camera | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", S5K3L6 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", IMX355 | Samsung A52 5G has higher resolution for wide-angle shots. OnePlus has slightly larger sensor for better low light wide angle shots. |
| Portrait Camera | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung A52 5G offers a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode. |
| Macro Camera | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung A52 5G has a macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, EIS, 120fps slow-mo | 4K@60fps, 1080p@120fps, EIS, 240fps slow-mo | OnePlus Nord 4 has more video recording options including 4K@60 and 1080p@120 and faster slow-motion speeds, offering more flexibility for videographers and creators. Both have EIS, for better video stabilization. |
| Features | Quadruple Camera, OIS, Ultra Stable Video, Manual Focus, Night Mode | Dual Camera, OIS, PDAF, Continuous Shooting | Samsung provides more camera modes, features and manual controls. OnePlus Nord 4 has faster autofocusing and continuous shooting capabilities. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5500mAh | OnePlus Nord 4's larger battery should provide significantly longer battery life, requiring less frequent charging. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | OnePlus Nord 4 can charge much faster, allowing users to quickly top up their battery. |
Software and Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (up to 14) | Android 14 (up to 18) | OnePlus Nord 4 has a more modern OS, will likely receive longer software updates and new features. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | OnePlus Nord 4 supports newer WiFi standard, offering faster speeds, lower latency, better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.4 | OnePlus Nord 4 has a newer version, offering better performance, stability and more features for wireless peripherals |
| GPS | Basic GPS | Advanced GPS | OnePlus Nord 4 offers more accurate GPS and better connectivity across multiple areas. |
| Storage | 128/256GB | 128/256/512GB | OnePlus Nord 4 offers more storage option for large files and media. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 8/12/16GB | OnePlus Nord 4 offers better performance in heavy multi-tasking, demanding games, and other intensive applications |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phones allow for expandable storage. |
Audio, Security and Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Both are similar in audio capabilities. Samsung A52 5G offers Dolby audio enhancements while OnePlus Nord 4 has stereo speakers. |
| Security | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic biometric security. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Gravity | Both offer the basic sensor capabilities. OnePlus Nord 4 also includes a gravity sensor. Samsung A52 5G also includes a Hall sensor, which allows for additional sensor based interactions with accessories like flip covers. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Advantages:
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 32MP front camera captures more detailed selfies.
- Dedicated Depth & Macro Lenses: Offers more versatile photography options with portrait and macro capabilities.
- Ultra Stable Video Mode: Provides enhanced video stabilization.
- Manual Focus: More manual control over focus settings for photography enthusiasts.
- Gorilla Glass 5 Protection: Has confirmed protection over the screen.
- Hall Sensor Includes a hall sensor for smart accessory features.
- Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus: Provides better audio for multimedia.
OnePlus Nord 4 Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: Much more powerful chipset and GPU leading to smoother operation and better gaming.
- Larger and Sharper Display: Better viewing experience with higher resolution, larger size and brightness.
- Much Better Battery Life: Significantly larger battery and more efficient chipset for longer usage times.
- Faster Charging: Rapid 100W charging, minimizes downtime.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 14 and will get more future software updates.
- Higher RAM Options: More RAM for better multitasking and heavy use.
- Newer Wifi and Bluetooth: Improved Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards.
- More Storage: Available storage options with 512 GB variant.
- More Versatile Video Recording: More video recording options including 4K@60 and 1080p@120 and faster slow-motion speeds.
- More Advanced GPS: Better GPS connectivity and location accuracy.
Trade-offs:
- A52 5G: Trade-off is in processing power and display brightness for better front facing camera quality and depth and macro sensor.
- Nord 4: Trade-off is in lack of dedicated macro and depth cameras for better performance, battery and overall user experience.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize selfie quality, versatile photography, and don't require cutting-edge performance.
- Use Cases: Casual social media users, individuals who take frequent selfies, those who appreciate macro photography, multimedia consumers.
- Price-to-Value: Good value for its camera features and robust build quality, but performance is less competitive.
OnePlus Nord 4:
- Ideal User: Power users, gamers, and anyone who needs a phone with fast performance, long battery life, a good display, and the latest software.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, heavy multitasking, video streaming, content creation, and daily productivity.
- Price-to-Value: Excellent value for its performance, display quality, battery, and future software support.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Do you prioritize performance and battery life, or camera versatility?
- Is a super-bright display important for outdoor use?
- How important are the latest software and connectivity features for you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Photography Enthusiast on a Budget
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
- Reasoning: It has a more versatile camera system, including macro and depth sensors, and is likely cheaper.
Scenario 2: Gamer/Power User
- Recommendation: OnePlus Nord 4
- Reasoning: Superior performance, smoother gameplay, longer battery life, and faster charging are crucial.
Scenario 3: Heavy Social Media User/Content Creator
- Recommendation: OnePlus Nord 4
- Reasoning: While the A52 5G has a better front facing camera and manual controls, the Nord 4 is far better for editing and posting content quickly, has a brighter display for viewing and is more powerful.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the OnePlus Nord 4.
Reasoning:
While the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G offers a more versatile camera system on paper, the OnePlus Nord 4 provides a significantly better overall experience due to its superior performance, display quality, and battery life. As someone who values fast performance and responsiveness, a bright display, and not having to worry about battery life throughout the day, the OnePlus Nord 4 is a clear winner.
The newer chipset, larger and brighter display, faster charging, and better battery make the Nord 4 a much more appealing option for my usage patterns. Although I would miss the macro and depth sensors on the Samsung, the trade-off is worth it for a much smoother and faster phone that is also future-proofed. The improvements in software support and connectivity further solidify my choice.
