Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A52 5G vs. Realme 8
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Realme 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | Realme 8 is slightly narrower and thinner, which might make it feel slightly more comfortable in hand for some users. |
| Weight | 189g | 177g | Realme 8 is slightly lighter, which could be preferable for long usage sessions. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.4" | The difference of 0.1" is barely noticeable; both screens offer similar screen space. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both displays offer the same sharpness and detail. |
| Pixel Density | 407 PPI | 411 PPI | The difference in pixel density is negligible; both screens will appear sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | Samsung A52 5G has smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experience; Realme 8 may appear less fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1000 nits | Realme 8 offers significantly better outdoor visibility, whereas the Samsung A52 5G's brightness specification is missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Helio G95 (12 nm) | Realme 8 has marginally better performance based on benchmarks, but in real-world usage, the difference is likely to be minimal. |
| AnTuTu Score | 384,853 | 409,874 | Realme 8 has a slightly higher benchmark score, indicating a bit more processing power; may be noticeable in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G76 MC4 | Both can handle most mobile games but the specific performance in various games may vary. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Realme 8 has a larger battery, potentially offering longer usage time between charges. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Realme 8 charges slightly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Charging Features | QC2.0, AFC | None | Samsung's charging features are an advantage for users with compatible chargers and power banks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP f/1.8, 1/1.7" Sensor | 64MP f/1.79, 1/2" Sensor | Samsung has larger sensor and slightly smaller aperture, but both can take good photos in various conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP f/2.2, 1/2.8" Sensor | 16MP f/2.45, 1/3.13" Sensor | Samsung captures more detail and has better low-light performance, due to larger sensor and wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle | 13MP f/2.2, 1/3.1" Sensor | 8MP f/2.25, Unknown Sensor | Samsung has a higher-resolution wide-angle camera. |
| Depth (Portrait) | 5MP f/2.4 | None | Samsung includes a dedicated depth sensor for enhanced portrait mode; Realme 8 lacks this sensor. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Samsung’s macro camera captures more detailed close up shots. |
| Black & White | None | 2MP f/2.4 | Realme 8 has a dedicated B&W sensor. |
| Video | 4K@30fps EIS, Slow-mo 120fps | 4K@30fps EIS, Slow-mo 240fps | Both can record 4K video. Realme 8 has higher frame-rate slow motion. The Samsung phone has OIS. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Panorama, Manual Focus, Night Mode | None | Samsung has OIS for sharper images and videos, manual focus for precise control and panorama and night mode features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 14 | Android 11 | Samsung is supported for more years. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi ac, Dual-band, Hotspot, Direct, Display | Wi-Fi ac, Dual-band, Hotspot, Direct, Display, MIMO | Both have the same main capabilities, with Realme 8 additionally supporting Wi-Fi MIMO. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Bluetooth 5.1 LE | Realme 8 has a slightly newer version of Bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Both offer similar location services. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM, Dual Standby | Dual Nano SIM, Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 64GB or 128GB | Samsung offers more maximum internal storage. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB | Both have similar RAM configurations. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Hi-Res Audio | Samsung has enhanced spatial and surround sound, but the Realme has Hi-Res for better quality audio playback with compatible hardware. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both have basic biometric security using fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown Screen Protection | Samsung has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Both feature essential sensors, with the Samsung also having a Hall and Geomagnetic sensor while the Realme includes a Magnetometer. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate offers a more fluid and responsive user experience, especially for scrolling and gaming.
- Superior Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass 5 provides better scratch and drop protection than the unknown protection on the Realme 8.
- Camera Versatility: Offers additional camera features (OIS, panorama, manual focus, night mode) and dedicated depth sensor for portraits, resulting in more versatile photography capabilities.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and wider aperture on the front camera produce sharper and clearer selfies, especially in low light.
- Software Support: Android updates through version 14 offer longer software support.
- Audio Features: Dolby Atmos/Digital Plus enhance audio immersion, though its practical advantage is subjective.
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Brighter Display: 1000 nits brightness provides significantly better outdoor visibility in bright conditions.
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery likely provides longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging.
- Faster Charging: 30W charging allows for quicker battery refills.
- Higher Benchmark Score: The Realme 8 has a higher benchmark score meaning it may be better for more intensive tasks.
- Higher Slow-Motion Frame Rate: Capable of 240fps slow-motion recording, creating more dramatic slow-mo videos.
- Lower Weight: 12g lighter makes it more comfortable for extended use.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung A52 5G: Offers a smoother display and better camera versatility at the cost of potentially lower battery life and higher weight, and unknown brightness.
- Realme 8: Prioritizes battery life, faster charging, and brightness at the expense of a lower refresh rate display, less versatile camera setup, inferior selfie camera, and unknown screen protection.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Ideal User:
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize a smooth visual experience for videos, gaming, and social media browsing.
- Photography Lovers: Users who value versatile camera options, a dedicated depth sensor, better low-light selfies, and additional features like OIS and night mode.
- Long-term users: Users who want a phone that will receive software updates for a longer time.
Realme 8 Ideal User:
- Heavy Users: Users who need long battery life and faster charging.
- Outdoor Users: Users who frequently use their phone in bright sunlight and require a very bright screen.
- Budget-Conscious users: User who is happy with "good enough" cameras and less important features to save some money.
- Gamers: Users who prefer benchmark performance over screen smoothness, and enjoy the benefit of a longer gaming time.
- Casual Photographers: Users who prioritize battery life and phone performance over very specific camera features.
Use Cases:
- Samsung Galaxy A52 5G: Ideal for capturing high-quality photos and videos, enjoying fast-paced games with fluid animations, and watching multimedia content.
- Realme 8: Ideal for all-day use without needing to recharge frequently, enjoying outdoor activities using a bright screen and recording slow motion videos.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Is a smooth, high-refresh-rate display more important than battery life? If yes, the Samsung A52 5G is the better choice. If not, the Realme 8 might be preferable.
- Do you often use your phone in bright sunlight? If yes, the Realme 8's superior brightness might be essential. If not, either phone will suffice.
- Which do you value more: Versatile Camera features or battery endurance and faster charging? If better cameras and features are preferred, Samsung A52 5G is better. If battery is more important, then Realme 8 is a more sensible choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Social Media Content Creator: The Samsung A52 5G is better because of its versatile camera, including OIS, better low-light selfie quality and smoother refresh rate for reviewing videos.
- Scenario 2: Outdoor Adventurer: The Realme 8 is better, due to its long battery life and high brightness screen for clear visibility in all environments.
- Scenario 3: Casual User: Both phones are viable options. The choice will be determined by user preference for battery life (Realme 8) versus display smoothness and camera features (Samsung A52 5G).
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G. While the Realme 8 has a brighter screen and longer battery life, the superior camera features, including OIS for video, manual focus options, and a dedicated depth sensor, along with the smoother 120Hz display, are more valuable to me. Additionally, the better selfie camera and confirmed software support, combined with the superior screen protection, are very important in daily use. While battery life is crucial, I value versatility, consistent picture quality, and a more fluid user experience higher. The Realme 8’s slightly better performance might be nice, but the A52 5G is more than capable for the majority of use cases.
