Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A52 5G vs. Realme 12 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm | 161.5 x 74 x 8.8 mm | Realme 12 Pro is slightly taller and thicker, but narrower; negligible real-world difference |
| Weight | 189g | 190g | Both are very similar in weight; negligible real-world difference |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Realme 12 Pro provides a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Both offer similar sharpness, negligible difference in clarity. |
| PPI | 407 | 394 | Both have similar pixel density; very sharp images for both phones. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 950 nits | Realme 12 Pro has a significantly brighter display, much better for outdoor visibility in direct sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm) | Realme 12 Pro's newer chip is more efficient and offers a substantial performance increase for gaming and demanding apps; Samsung's chipset is older and less efficient |
| AnTuTu Score | 384,853 | 574,000 | Realme 12 Pro offers much faster performance in everyday tasks and gaming due to better chipset. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 710 | Realme 12 Pro's GPU provides better graphics processing performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", Sony IMX682 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2", Sony IMX882 | Samsung has a higher resolution sensor and a slightly larger sensor size; The Samsung's larger sensor means better low light performance, but the actual image quality is dependent on the image processing |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX616 | 16MP, f/2.4, Unknown | Samsung has a higher resolution and wider aperture front camera, leading to better selfies, especially in low light; but the Realme 12 Pro's front camera is unknown |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP, f/2.0, 1/2.74", Sony IMX709 | Realme 12 Pro offers dedicated telephoto zoom, allowing for closer and lossless zoom, a feature missing on the A52 5G. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", Samsung S5K3L6 | None | Samsung A52 5G features a dedicated ultrawide lens for capturing wider scenes; Realme 12 Pro lacks this dedicated lens, so its ultrawide is not as specialized. |
| Portrait Mode | 5MP, f/2.4, Unknown | None | Samsung has a dedicated depth sensor for improved portrait mode with a good bokeh effect. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, Unknown | None | Samsung A52 5G features a dedicated macro lens for close up shots with small details. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX355 | Realme has a combined wide-angle and macro lens; the single lens provides functionality for both, whereas Samsung has two separate lenses. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps with EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps with EIS | Both offer similar video quality with EIS for stabilization. Realme 12 Pro offers a higher frame rate at 1080p for smoother slow-motion shots. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Realme 12 Pro has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Realme 12 Pro charges much faster, reducing the time spent plugged in. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 14) | Android 14 | Realme 12 Pro ships with a newer version of Android, potentially offering a more up-to-date experience, while the A52 5G is upgradeable to the same version. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Realme 12 Pro supports Wi-Fi 6, which can offer faster speeds on compatible networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Realme 12 Pro supports a more recent version of Bluetooth with more efficient performance and enhanced codecs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB | Realme 12 Pro offers more internal storage options, good for media hoarders and app enthusiasts. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB | Realme 12 Pro offers more RAM for better multitasking, switching between apps, running multiple apps simultaneously. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage, so choose storage configuration wisely. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Realme 12 Pro provides enhanced audio features for improved spatial audio, better quality playback, and clearer calls; Samsung A52 5G offers Dolby Digital Plus, while Realme has Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation, stereo speakers. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Samsung A52 5G uses superior screen protection |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Samsung A52 5G has Hall and Geomagnetic sensors, which could be relevant for certain advanced functions and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 12 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The newer Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chip provides significantly better performance in benchmarks, which translates to smoother app usage, faster gaming, and overall better responsiveness.
- Faster Charging: 67W fast charging is significantly faster than the 25W on the A52 5G, allowing for much quicker battery replenishment.
- Brighter Display: The 950 nits brightness on the Realme 12 Pro makes it much more usable outdoors in sunny conditions, which is a significant advantage in real-world use.
- Telephoto Camera: A dedicated telephoto lens offers optical zoom capabilities not found on the A52 5G, allowing for better photos when zooming in.
- More Storage/RAM: Higher storage and RAM options ensure future-proofing, more space, and smoother multitasking.
- Newer Bluetooth and WiFi: Supports a more recent version of Bluetooth and WiFi.
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Advantages:
- Better Front Camera: Higher resolution and wider aperture front-facing camera may offer higher quality selfies, especially in low-light.
- Wider Range of Cameras: Samsung A52 has a dedicated wide angle, macro and depth camera which may provide better results than Realme's combined sensors for those specific purposes.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers good screen protection.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung A52 5G has a slightly better front camera and more camera lenses for different purposes but has a less powerful chipset, slower charging, lower screen brightness, and less RAM and storage options.
- Realme 12 Pro sacrifices the dedicated ultrawide, macro and depth cameras but has much better performance, a brighter display, faster charging, better storage and RAM, and a dedicated telephoto zoom.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy A52 5G:
- Casual Photographers: Users who take a lot of selfies and like having a dedicated ultrawide and macro lens.
- Users on a tighter budget: The A52 5G is an older phone and should be more affordable.
- Users who prioritize brand: Samsung has a strong brand recognition.
Use Cases:
- Taking detailed selfies and sharing on social media.
- Capturing wide-angle shots of landscapes or group photos.
- Everyday use with less demanding tasks.
Ideal Users for Realme 12 Pro:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Gamers, power users, and anyone who needs a fast and responsive phone.
- Outdoor Users: Those who need good screen visibility in bright sunlight.
- Media Consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos and require large storage.
- Zoom Photographers: Users who want a good optical zoom.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and running resource-intensive apps.
- Outdoor photography and filming in bright daylight.
- Watching videos, browsing the internet, and multitasking.
- Taking zoomed-in shots with telephoto camera.
Price-to-Value:
- The Realme 12 Pro offers a better value for performance and features due to its powerful chipset, fast charging, and brighter display, although this might come at a higher price.
- The Samsung A52 5G could be a value buy if available at a significantly lower price for basic usage and photography enthusiasts.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my primary use case? (Gaming, Photography, Everyday, etc.)
- How important is performance and responsiveness? (Do you need a fast device, or is basic operation sufficient?)
- Is a brighter screen for outdoor use a necessity? (Do you frequently use your phone outdoors in bright sunlight?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Gamers and Performance Seekers: Choose the Realme 12 Pro due to its superior processing power, better GPU, and larger RAM.
- For Outdoor Users: Choose the Realme 12 Pro due to its significantly brighter screen, which offers much better outdoor visibility and readability.
- For Photography Enthusiasts on a Budget: The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G would be the choice due to its better front camera and additional cameras for different purposes.
- For General Use on a Budget: The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G could be a good option if available for a significantly lower price, satisfying basic everyday tasks.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Realme 12 Pro.
Reasoning:
My primary use case is a combination of productivity, media consumption, and some gaming. The Realme 12 Pro offers several compelling advantages that align with my needs:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset in the Realme 12 Pro provides a substantial performance upgrade. This means faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a better gaming experience, which are crucial for my workflow and leisure activities.
- Display Brightness: The 950 nits display is a must-have for me since I spend a lot of time outdoors. Being able to clearly see the screen in direct sunlight is a massive convenience.
- Charging Speed: The 67W fast charging is a game-changer. I value quick charging times so I can get back to using my phone, rather than waiting for hours to charge it.
- Future-Proofing: The larger storage and RAM on the Realme 12 Pro make it more future-proof, so the device will stay performant for a longer time.
- Telephoto Camera: While I enjoy taking photos, I appreciate the flexibility of an optical zoom lens for when I need to get closer to the subject without sacrificing image quality. The dedicated telephoto lens is a feature I will find much more use for than the additional macro lens.
While the Samsung A52 5G does offer better front camera specs, that difference is not as impactful for my use cases compared to the significant performance, display, and charging advantages of the Realme 12 Pro.
For me, the Realme 12 Pro provides a much better balance of key features that would greatly improve my daily user experience. The better performance, brighter display, fast charging, and dedicated telephoto camera make it a more compelling option despite the loss of the additional lenses.
