Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A52 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy A04s
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm, 189g | 164.7 x 76.7 x 9.1 mm, 195g | A04s is slightly larger and heavier, which might impact one-handed use and portability. A52 5G will be more pocketable. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.5" | Both phones have the same screen size |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | A52 5G offers a sharper display with more detail; text and images will be noticeably clearer. A04s will look less crisp. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 407 | 270 | A52 5G will have a much sharper display. Individual pixels will be less visible. A04s will look more pixelated. |
| Technology | AMOLED | PLS LCD | A52 5G has superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors and better viewing angles. AMOLED is much more power efficient when using dark themes. A04s LCD will look flatter and be less power efficient. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | A52 5G offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Neither display brightness has any advantage based on available data. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | A52 5G's Snapdragon chip is significantly faster, leading to quicker app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. A04s will feel slower in many tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 384,853 | 117,300 | A52 5G offers a significantly better overall performance. A04s will feel much less responsive and may struggle with demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G52 | A52 5G’s GPU offers much better gaming performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | A04s has a larger battery, potentially leading to longer battery life, especially with its less demanding hardware. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging (Li-Polymer) | 15W Fast Charging (Li-Ion) | A52 5G charges faster. Li-Polymer batteries tend to have longer lifespans and can handle higher charge/discharge rates compared to Li-Ion. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", Sony IMX682 | 50MP, f/1.8 | A52 5G captures more detailed photos with better low-light performance, due to the higher resolution and larger sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX616 | 5MP, f/2.2 | A52 5G takes vastly superior selfies with much greater detail. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", Samsung S5K3L6 | Not available | A52 5G offers a wide-angle camera, which is very useful for landscape and group shots. A04s lacks this versatility. |
| Portrait Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | A52 5G provides higher resolution depth maps for better portrait mode effects. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | A52 5G will capture better macro photos with more detail. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@60fps, EIS | 1080p@30fps | A52 5G can record in much higher quality (4K) with better stabilisation and more framerate options. A04s lacks this feature. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 14 | Android 12, Upgradable to 14 | Both are upgradable to Android 14, no substantial difference here. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-band, Hotspot, Direct | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Hotspot, Direct | A52 5G has dual-band, which improves Wi-Fi performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, LE, A2DP, EDR, HID, ANT+ | 5.0, LE, A2DP | A52 5G has more Bluetooth features offering broader compatibility and functionality with a larger variety of accessories. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | A04s supports more satellite systems, but the impact on real-world usage is minimal in most scenarios. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both offer dual SIM support for using two numbers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 32 GB, 64 GB or 128 GB | A52 5G offers greater storage options, which is better for large media libraries and lots of apps. A04s storage will be more limited. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 3 GB or 4 GB | A52 5G has more RAM for better multitasking and smoother app performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Basic audio features | A52 5G provides a superior audio experience with spatial and surround sound technology, resulting in richer and more immersive audio. |
| Security | |||
| Biometric | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | A04s offers a faster and more ergonomic side-mounted sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | A52 5G has superior screen protection against scratches and drops. A04s screen durability is not clear. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Ultrasonic Proximity | A52 5G includes more sensors like a Gyroscope, which is beneficial for games, VR, and some apps. A04s includes an Ultrasonic Proximity which might provide better performance. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 750G chipset provides a much faster and smoother experience, better for demanding apps and gaming.
- Much Better Display: The AMOLED screen offers higher resolution, better colors, and a smoother 120Hz refresh rate, making viewing content much more enjoyable.
- Superior Camera System: The main camera, wide-angle, and selfie cameras are all significantly better, resulting in much higher quality photos and videos. The A52 5G also benefits from 4K video recording and OIS.
- Faster Charging: 25W charging is faster than 15W, reducing time spent waiting for the phone to power up.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos & Digital Plus enhance the sound quality for listening to audio and videos.
- More Storage & RAM: Offers more storage (up to 256GB vs 128GB) and RAM (up to 8GB vs 4GB) which significantly improves performance, especially with multitasking and large files.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides better protection for the screen.
- Dual Band Wi-Fi: Provides better WiFi performance
- More Bluetooth Features: EDR, HID, ANT+ increase capability for connectivity to accessories
Samsung Galaxy A04s Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery may result in slightly longer battery life, particularly with its less demanding hardware.
- More GPS Satellites: The A04s supports QZSS for potentially more accurate GPS
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: More convenient and ergonomic.
- Lower Price: Typically much more affordable and budget friendly.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The A52 5G sacrifices battery capacity for significantly better performance, camera quality, display, and general experience.
- The A04s offers a larger battery and lower price but compromises heavily on display quality, camera capabilities, and overall performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, display quality, and camera capabilities for everyday use, media consumption, gaming, and social media.
- Use Cases:
- High-quality photos and videos for social media or personal use.
- Smooth gaming experience.
- Enjoying high-resolution video streaming and content.
- Multitasking between demanding applications.
- Anyone who values a premium screen and good build quality.
Samsung Galaxy A04s:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize basic smartphone functionality, longer battery life, and don't require high performance.
- Use Cases:
- Making calls and sending texts.
- Basic web browsing and social media.
- Occasional photos and videos.
- Users who value battery life over performance and high-quality display.
- Ideal as a secondary phone or for users with basic requirements.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The A52 5G is usually more expensive, while the A04s is a budget option.
- How important is display and performance for you? If you need great media consumption, gaming and smooth performance, the A52 5G is better. If you mostly use your phone for basic tasks, the A04s is sufficient.
- Do you prioritize camera quality or battery life? If you care about photography, the A52 5G excels. For those seeking maximum battery life without demanding performance, the A04s will be a better fit.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Enthusiast User: For users who want a premium phone with great performance, a quality screen and good camera, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is the superior choice.
- Scenario 2: Budget User: For users on a tight budget who just need a phone for calls, messages, and some basic tasks, and who prioritize battery life, the Samsung Galaxy A04s will be a suitable and much more affordable option.
- Scenario 3: Camera Lover: If you want to take good photos and videos, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is the clear winner due to its much superior main, wide and selfie cameras.
- Scenario 4: Heavy User: If you are a heavy user and need a fast performing phone, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is the better choice.
- Scenario 5: Minimal User: If you barely use a phone and don't care much for any performance aspects, then the Samsung Galaxy A04s will suffice.
Which phone would I choose and why?
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G. While the Samsung Galaxy A04s has a larger battery and is more budget-friendly, the overall experience offered by the A52 5G is substantially better and worth the extra cost. The superior display, significantly better performance, vastly improved cameras, faster charging and more advanced features make it the clear choice for most users. It offers a much more complete and enjoyable smartphone experience. The A52 5G offers more future-proofing and is suitable for the needs of most general users. The Galaxy A04s compromises too much on the areas that are most important to me; display, performance and camera.
