1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Realme 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 161.7 × 73.9 × 8.2 mm | Realme 11 Pro is slightly taller and thinner, Samsung A52 5G is slightly wider. These are very minor size differences. |
| Weight | 189g | 183g | Realme 11 Pro is slightly lighter, which may feel more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Realme 11 Pro provides a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Visually identical sharpness and clarity. |
| PPI | 407 | 394 | Both offer very similar pixel density, negligible difference in sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both provide vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 950 nits | Realme 11 Pro has significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | Realme 11 Pro's newer chipset offers snappier performance in apps and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 384,853 | 540,800 | Realme 11 Pro scores considerably higher in benchmarks suggesting faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 MC4 | Realme 11 Pro's GPU generally performs better in gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Realme 11 Pro has a larger battery for potentially longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Realme 11 Pro charges much faster. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear (Main) | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7" | 100MP, f/1.75, 1/1.8" | Realme 11 Pro's main camera has higher resolution, but A52 5G has a slightly larger sensor, potentially better low light. |
| Front (Selfie) | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.1" | Samsung A52 5G's selfie camera offers higher resolution, wider aperture, and larger sensor - potentially better quality in general |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2 | None | Samsung A52 5G offers a dedicated wide-angle camera for more versatile photography. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung A52 5G has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode effects. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Samsung A52 5G macro lens captures more detail. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Both offer similar video quality, but Realme 11 Pro offers more slow-motion capabilities |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 13 (upgradable to 15) | Realme 11 Pro comes with a newer Android version out of the box and will receive one additional major OS update. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Realme 11 Pro has faster and more stable Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | Realme 11 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version for better audio quality and stability. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), QZSS (L1 + L5) | Realme 11 Pro supports more satellite systems for improved location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Realme 11 Pro has an option for 512GB, useful for media hoarders. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8/12 GB | Realme 11 Pro has more RAM option, better for heavy multitasking and demanding games. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Realme 11 Pro has stereo speakers for more immersive audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Samsung A52 5G has better screen scratch protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Samsung A52 5G has an additional Hall sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Advantages:
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution, wider aperture, and larger sensor on the front camera potentially result in superior selfie quality, especially in low light.
- Versatile Camera System: Features a dedicated wide-angle lens and a depth sensor for more photographic flexibility.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers superior protection against scratches and damage.
- Hall Sensor: Additional sensor can be used for more advanced features and gaming
Realme 11 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The newer Dimensity 7050 chipset provides significantly better processing power for smoother app usage and gaming.
- Brighter Display: The significantly higher brightness (950 nits) makes it much more usable in bright sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 67W charging dramatically reduces charging times.
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery offers longer battery life for extended use without needing a recharge.
- Newer Software: Comes with a newer version of Android (13) and will get one more update in the future.
- Faster Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Newer Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 offer faster and more stable connections.
- More Internal Storage Options: Can be configured with 512GB of internal storage
- Better Positioning: Supports more satellite systems for improved location accuracy
- Stereo Speakers: Offers better audio immersion compared to the single speaker on the Samsung
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G offers a more versatile camera system with a dedicated wide-angle and depth sensor, but falls behind in performance and display brightness.
- The Realme 11 Pro excels in performance, battery, and display brightness, but lacks the additional cameras and may not be ideal for those who prefer a more versatile camera. It also has an unknown screen protection.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Ideal User:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value versatile photography features, especially with the inclusion of a dedicated wide-angle and depth sensor.
- Selfie Lovers: Individuals who take a lot of selfies and want the best possible quality from the front-facing camera.
Users who like Hall sensor: People who enjoy games or other apps that use this sensor
Use Cases: Capturing group photos, portrait shots, close-up macro shots, and high-quality selfies, especially if you do not use the phone under bright sunlight often.
- Price-to-Value: May offer better value if found at a lower price point due to it being an older model.
Realme 11 Pro Ideal User:
- Power Users: Individuals who need a fast, smooth phone for gaming, multitasking, and heavy app usage.
- Media Consumers: Users who often watch videos or browse the web in bright outdoor conditions.
- Frequent Travelers: Users who benefit from long battery life and fast charging speeds.
Users who like great quality audio: Those who prefer to listen to audio using the phone's built-in speakers, as this phone offers stereo sound.
Use Cases: Gaming, streaming, browsing, using navigation apps in bright conditions, and heavy social media usage.
- Price-to-Value: Offers better value in terms of performance, battery, and display brightness relative to its launch price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is camera versatility? If you need a wide-angle lens and depth sensor, the Samsung A52 5G is better. If not, the Realme 11 Pro offers better overall camera performance with its main camera.
- How crucial is performance and battery? If you prioritize smooth performance, fast charging, and longer battery life, the Realme 11 Pro is the clear winner.
- How often do you use your phone in bright sunlight? The Realme 11 Pro's superior brightness makes it much more usable outdoors.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Casual User with emphasis on photography: If you're a casual user who loves taking photos, especially selfies and need a dedicated wide-angle lens, and value robust screen protection, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is a good choice if you find it at a lower price point.
Scenario 2: Performance and Media Enthusiast: If you are a media lover, game player, and want the best performance, the longest battery life, and the fastest charging speeds, the Realme 11 Pro is the better option. It also has much better display brightness, making it better for outdoor use.
- Scenario 3: Budget Conscious User: Consider the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G only if it's significantly cheaper, keeping in mind the performance and display brightness trade-offs.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Realme 11 Pro.
Reasons:
- Performance: The Realme 11 Pro's superior performance with the newer Dimensity 7050 chipset provides a much more fluid experience in day-to-day use and in gaming. This performance difference is significant enough to outweigh the benefits of the A52 5G's more versatile camera system.
- Display Brightness: The higher peak brightness (950 nits vs. an unknown value for the A52 5G) is a huge advantage for anyone who uses their phone outdoors regularly, making the screen readable in bright sunlight.
- Battery and Charging: The larger battery capacity, coupled with the significantly faster 67W charging, means I can use the phone longer without the worry of needing a recharge and when I do need to recharge, it will be done much faster.
- Newer Technology: The Realme 11 Pro has a newer OS version, better Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. These advantages provide a better experience for the user.
- Audio: The Realme 11 Pro has stereo speakers, which are better for consuming media with the device itself
- Value Proposition: The Realme 11 Pro provides a better value in terms of overall performance, display, battery and charging capability for the price point it is usually found at.
While the Samsung A52 5G offers a more versatile camera system and robust screen protection, the Realme 11 Pro's performance, display brightness, battery, and charging improvements make it the better phone overall for the user that I am.
