1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Realme 12x | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm | 165.6 x 76.1 x 7.9 mm | Realme 12x is taller and slightly thinner, may feel less compact in hand. |
| Weight | 189g | 190g | Negligible difference; both feel similar in weight |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.67" | Realme 12x provides a slightly larger viewing area for media consumption, gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1604 | Samsung A52 5G has a much sharper, clearer display, leading to better text readability and image clarity. |
| PPI | 407 | 264 | Samsung A52 5G provides much finer detail in images and text, resulting in a much higher clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Samsung A52 5G offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. Better for viewing photos/videos, especially in darker environments. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, beneficial for gaming and general use. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Brightness data unavailable; difficult to assess screen visibility outdoors without this data. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750G (8 nm) | Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm) | Realme 12x's chipset scores slightly better in benchmarks indicating slightly faster performance for everyday tasks and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 384,853 | 442,599 | Realme 12x has a higher benchmark score, suggesting a slight edge in performance for gaming and demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Different GPUs; impact will vary by the specific game/application being used. The Realme 12x shows higher benchmark scores but real world performance depends on optimization. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Realme 12x is likely to offer longer battery life, particularly for heavy usage. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | Samsung A52 5G charges faster, reducing downtime for charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Samsung A52 5G offers more detailed photos, especially in well lit conditions due to its higher resolution sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.1 | Samsung A52 5G has a significantly higher resolution front camera for clearer selfies and video calls. Realme 12x has a negligibly wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2 | N/A | Samsung A52 5G offers greater versatility in photography, allowing for wide-angle shots. |
| Portrait Camera | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Samsung A52 5G has better detail in portrait mode, but both phones are relatively basic in this category. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Samsung A52 5G offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS | 1080p@30fps | Samsung A52 5G captures higher quality video with stabilization; better for content creators. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 14) | Android 14 | Realme 12x ships with a more recent version of Android but the A52 5G can be upgraded to it. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | Realme 12x offers more storage options, suitable for users with larger media libraries. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 12GB | Realme 12x offers superior multitasking capabilities and better performance for demanding apps/games due to more RAM. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos/Dolby Digital Plus | Hi-Res Audio/Stereo Speakers | Realme 12x has stereo speakers, which provides a better audio experience. A52 5G has more software based audio enhancements. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Realme 12x offers a more modern and potentially faster side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G provides better screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass 5. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Realme 12x offers a compass and magnetometer for more precise navigation. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with significantly higher resolution and PPI offers a much better viewing experience (vibrant colors, sharper text, better contrast).
- Better Camera System: Higher resolution main and selfie cameras, inclusion of a wide-angle lens, and better video recording capabilities (4K). This makes it more versatile for photography and videography.
- Faster Charging: 25W charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides better resistance to scratches and minor impacts.
- Extra Camera Features: Optical stabilization, 4k video and better low light features.
Realme 12x Advantages:
- Higher Performance: Slightly better benchmark scores indicate marginally better performance for demanding tasks/games, and newer chipset.
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery provides longer usage time, especially for users who heavily use their phones.
- More RAM: 12GB of RAM enables superior multitasking performance.
- Newer Android Version: Ships with Android 14, offering the latest software features.
- More Storage: Offers options with greater internal storage capacities.
- Improved Audio: Stereo speakers offers better audio experience.
- Faster Biometrics: Side mounted fingerprint sensor is more convenient.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung A52 5G: Sacrifices battery life, performance, and storage for a better camera, display, and charging speed.
- Realme 12x: Sacrifices display quality and camera versatility for improved battery life, performance, storage and lower price.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize display quality and camera performance for content consumption and photography.
- Use Cases:
- Frequent social media users who value high-quality photo and video capture.
- Users who watch a lot of videos/movies on their phone and appreciate the AMOLED screen's contrast and colors.
- Casual gamers who still prioritize higher screen quality and want good overall performance.
Realme 12x:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize battery life, multitasking and storage for gaming and heavy app usage.
- Use Cases:
- Users who need a long-lasting battery and can't always easily charge their phone.
- Mobile gamers who prioritize performance and RAM for smoother gameplay.
- Users with large media libraries who need more storage space.
- Users who want a lower priced phone.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What do I use my phone for most? (Media consumption, photography, gaming, general use)
- What is more important to me: display quality or battery life/performance?
- What is my budget and how much do I value the difference in cost?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: "I use my phone primarily for social media, taking photos, watching videos. Budget is not a primary concern."
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A52 5G. The superior display, better camera system, and faster charging justify the trade-offs in battery and performance.
- Scenario 2: "I play games often, need long battery life, and store a lot of files. I am budget conscious."
- Recommendation: Realme 12x. The larger battery, more RAM and higher internal storage capacity, and lower cost will offer better value.
- Scenario 3: "I want a balanced phone that can handle most tasks well, I don't have any specific major use-case".
- Recommendation: Depending on which aspect you value more, you can choose either. The Realme 12x offers more value for the money but the display and camera on the Samsung A52 5G is significantly better.
What I would choose and why:
Personally, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G. While the Realme 12x has a more powerful processor and a larger battery, I highly value the display quality and camera performance. The AMOLED screen with its higher resolution and vibrant colors makes a significant difference in my daily use, whether it's browsing social media, watching videos, or looking at photos. Also the camera features are much more versatile, providing good low light performance. While the battery life might not be as impressive as the Realme 12x, I am often around charging points so this is not a problem for me. The A52 5G provides a premium feel due to its high screen quality, something that I value a lot for my personal phone.
