1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Realme 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-19 | 2024-01-29 | The Realme 12 Pro+ is significantly newer, meaning it benefits from newer technology. |
| 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, Samsung A52 5G is slightly wider, might affect one-handed use. |
| Weight | 189g | 196g | Samsung A52 5G is lighter, which might be more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Realme 12 Pro+ has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Practically identical sharpness and clarity. |
| PPI | 407 | 394 | Very similar pixel density, both displays will appear sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both displays offer vibrant colors, deep blacks and good contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness data is missing; impacts visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) | Realme 12 Pro+ chipset is newer and more efficient, leading to better performance and battery life. |
| AnTuTu Score | 384,853 | 603,400 | Realme 12 Pro+ has significantly higher performance, better for gaming and demanding apps. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 710 | Realme 12 Pro+ has a more powerful GPU, offering better graphics performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", 1.0µm | Samsung has higher resolution, Realme has larger sensor for better low-light photos. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/2.74", 0.8µm | Samsung has wider aperture, Realme has slightly larger sensor. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP, f/2.6, 1/2", 0.7µm | Realme has dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, a major advantage for photography. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", 1.12µm | None | Samsung has dedicated wide-angle lens. |
| Portrait Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | None | Samsung has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | None | Samsung has a dedicated macro lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4", 1.12µm | Realme has a combined wide angle and macro lens. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with EIS | 4K@30fps with EIS | Similar core video recording capabilities. |
| Slow Motion | 120 fps | 240 fps | Realme has higher slow-motion framerate for more detailed footage. |
| Features | OIS, Quadruple camera, Ultra stable video, Manual focus, Night Mode | OIS, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, RAW | Both phones feature OIS for image stabilization, but differ in additional features. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Realme has a larger battery, likely leading to longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W | 67W | Realme charges much faster, useful for quick top-ups. |
| Features | Non-removable, QC2.0 and AFC | Non-removable | Both share same battery type and non-removable design, Samsung has fast charging features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 14 | Realme comes with a newer Android version, meaning newer features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Realme supports the newer WiFi 6 standard, meaning faster speeds and better performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Realme has a newer Bluetooth version for better efficiency and connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Realme supports more satellite systems for potentially better accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both offer dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Realme offers a 512 GB option, which is useful for users who have large files and apps. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8/12 GB | Realme has more RAM, better for multitasking and heavy usage. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither device offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Realme has a more comprehensive audio package. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both use similar fingerprint tech for security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Samsung provides better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Both phones have similar sensor sets for common functionalities, Samsung has Hall Sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Advantages:
- Wider aperture selfie camera: (f/2.2 vs f/2.4) Allows for slightly better low-light selfies.
- Dedicated Wide-Angle Lens: Offers a wider field of view for landscape and group shots.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Lenses: Provides more options for specialized photography.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides better durability
- Hall sensor: It has a hall sensor, which is essential for use cases like flip covers.
Realme 12 Pro+ Advantages:
- Newer and More Powerful Chipset: Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 offers significantly better performance and efficiency.
- Higher AnTuTu Score: Demonstrates superior overall performance, suitable for demanding users.
- Larger Battery: (5000mAh vs 4500mAh) Offers better battery life.
- Faster Charging: 67W charging allows for quicker top-ups.
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens: Provides optical zoom capabilities, improving zoom quality.
- Newer Bluetooth and WiFi Standards: Offers better connectivity, faster speeds and lower latency.
- Better Audio features: Hi-Res Audio, noise cancellation, stereo speakers and 2 microphones.
- More RAM and Storage Options: Up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage provide more flexibility for heavy users.
- Newer Android Version: Android 14 offers the latest features, security updates, and usability enhancements.
- More Satellite GPS Systems: Provides better location accuracy.
- Higher slow-motion framerate: Allows for more detailed and smooth slow-motion footage.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Realme lacks dedicated wide-angle, macro and depth lenses.
- Samsung has an older chipset, slower charging and a smaller battery.
- Samsung lacks telephoto lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G:
- Ideal User:
- Users who value a versatile set of cameras, particularly those who enjoy using dedicated macro, portrait, and wide-angle lenses.
- Users who prefer a lighter phone with a more compact build.
- Users who prioritize good screen protection.
- Users who are less demanding in terms of processing power and gaming performance.
- Use Cases:
- Casual photography with various lens options, social media content creation.
- General daily use, browsing, and moderate app usage.
- Users who prefer a slightly lighter device for one-handed usage.
Realme 12 Pro+:
- Ideal User:
- Users who need a phone with strong performance for gaming and demanding apps.
- Users who prioritize battery life and fast charging.
- Users who value zoom photography capabilities.
- Users who require robust connectivity (Wi-Fi 6 and newer Bluetooth).
- Users who prefer better audio quality with noise cancellation.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming, heavy multitasking, and demanding app usage.
- Frequent travelers who need long battery life and fast charging.
- Users who value telephoto zoom for capturing distant objects.
- Users who rely heavily on wireless connectivity.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is gaming and performance to you?
- If performance is critical, the Realme 12 Pro+ is the better choice due to its superior chipset and higher AnTuTu score.
- Do you frequently use a zoom/telephoto lens for photography?
- If yes, then the Realme 12 Pro+ with its dedicated telephoto lens is the clear winner. If you use more wide angle, macro and depth lenses, the Samsung A52 5G is the better option.
- Do you value longer battery life and faster charging?
- If so, the Realme 12 Pro+ with a larger battery and 67W charging is the preferred option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer/Power User: If you play graphic-intensive games or run demanding applications, the Realme 12 Pro+ offers superior performance.
- Scenario 2: Photography Enthusiast (Wide lens): If you love taking wide-angle, macro and portrait shots, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is more versatile due to its dedicated lenses.
- Scenario 3: Casual User with Basic Needs: If your needs are basic (calls, social media, browsing), the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G could suffice, though the Realme is a better overall phone.
- Scenario 4: Need Long Battery and Fast Charging: If your priority is long battery and faster charging times, then the Realme 12 Pro+ is the clear choice.
My Choice:
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would go with the Realme 12 Pro+. While the Samsung A52 5G offers a more versatile camera system with its dedicated wide-angle, macro, and depth lenses, the Realme 12 Pro+ provides a significantly better overall experience due to its newer and more powerful chipset, better battery life, faster charging, and telephoto lens. The performance improvements are substantial, especially for users who engage in mobile gaming or other demanding tasks. Moreover, the inclusion of a telephoto lens, newer connectivity standards, and enhanced audio capabilities makes the Realme 12 Pro+ a better choice for future-proofing and overall usability. Although the lack of a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens is a drawback, the gains in performance, battery, and zoom capabilities outweigh these disadvantages for my use case and my personal preferences.
