1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G and Samsung Galaxy M35, focusing on practical implications:
Design
Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm | 162.3 x 78.6 x 9.1 mm | M35 is slightly taller, wider, and thicker, making it feel more bulky. A52 5G may be more comfortable for one-handed use. |
Weight | 189g | 222g | A52 5G is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended holding and carrying. M35 may feel heavier in hand/pocket. |
Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones with no foldable capabilities. |
Display
Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | Very similar screen sizes, negligible difference. Users likely wouldn't perceive a significant change in display area. |
Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Very similar resolutions, providing comparable sharpness and clarity for everyday use, viewing text and media. |
Pixel Density | 407 PPI | 390 PPI | Both phones offer sharp displays with similar pixel densities; the difference is unlikely to be noticeable to the naked eye. |
Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both use vibrant AMOLED technology for deep blacks and rich colors, offering a better viewing experience compared to LCD screens. |
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both phones have a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, providing fluid animations and a more responsive feel while scrolling and gaming. |
Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is not specified for either phone. This would influence outdoor visibility. Unable to make comparisons. |
Performance
Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8nm) | Exynos 1380 (5nm) | M35's newer 5nm Exynos chip is more efficient, offering better performance for intensive tasks and gaming, and potentially better battery efficiency due to its process advantage. |
AnTuTu Score | 384,853 | 578,500 | M35 has a significantly higher benchmark score, translating to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better performance in graphics-intensive applications. |
GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 MP5 | M35's GPU is more powerful on paper, indicating better graphical performance in games. |
Battery
Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
Capacity | 4500mAh | 6000mAh | M35 has a significantly larger battery, which translates into much longer battery life, allowing users to go longer between charges, which is particularly beneficial for frequent travelers and heavy users. |
Charging | 25W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | 25W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | Both support 25W fast charging. However, the battery chemistry difference may affect charging characteristics and long-term battery health, though the impact is likely not a huge difference for most users. |
Features | Non-removable, QC2.0 & AFC | Non-removable | A52 5G supports Quick Charge 2.0 and Adaptive Fast Charging, which is helpful for optimized charging. |
Camera
Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", Sony IMX682, 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2", Sony LYT-600, 1.00µm | A52 5G has higher resolution and larger sensor but smaller pixel sizes. M35 has larger pixels which might offer better low light performance, despite lower resolution. |
Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX616, 0.8µm | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | A52 5G has significantly higher resolution for selfies. M35's larger pixel size will generally result in better low light selfies. |
Wide Angle | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", Samsung S5K3L6, 1.12µm | 8MP, f/2.2 | A52 5G has higher resolution wide-angle shots, capturing more detail in wide shots. |
Portrait (Depth) | 5MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | A52 5G has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode images, providing more accurate background blur. |
Macro | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | A52 5G captures more detailed macro photos. |
Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps (EIS), 120fps slow-mo | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps (EIS), 480fps slow-mo | Both offer 4K video and image stabilization, M35 has a better slow-motion feature. |
Features | Quad camera, OIS, Digital zoom, HDR, Night Mode, etc | Triple camera, OIS, Digital Zoom, HDR, Night Mode, Pro Video, 2x2 OCL, Auto Framing, etc | A52 5G has a dedicated depth sensor for better portraits, M35 has more advanced video features like Pro mode and Auto framing, and an NPU for improved image processing. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and Slimmer: Easier to handle and carry around.
- Higher Resolution Main and Selfie Cameras: Captures more detailed images.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: Offers better portrait mode photos.
- Wider angle lens: Higher resolution than M35
- Quick Charge 2.0 & AFC support: Aides faster, optimized charging
Samsung Galaxy M35 Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: The Exynos 1380 chipset provides substantially better performance for gaming and demanding tasks.
- Larger Battery: Offers considerably longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Offers better connectivity with Bluetooth 5.3, better connection stability, range, speed, and features
- Faster Wi-Fi: Supports Wi-Fi 6, which offers faster connection speeds.
- Better Video Features: Offers features like Pro Video, Auto Framing, 2x2 OCL, DOL HDR, and a more capable slow-motion feature.
- Newer OS: Ships with a newer version of Android out of the box, which means it will be supported with newer features for longer.
- Stereo speakers: Better audio performance.
- More Advanced Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor is often more convenient than basic fingerprint sensors.
- Superior Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus provides more reliable screen protection compared to Gorilla Glass 5.
Trade-offs:
- A52 5G sacrifices performance, battery life and video features for lighter design, higher resolution cameras and a portrait sensor, better charging features.
- M35 sacrifices some camera resolution, slightly bulkier build, and portrait lens for superior performance, battery, and video features and better speakers.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Ideal Users:
- Casual Users: Those who prioritize a lighter phone and good camera quality for everyday photos.
- Social Media Enthusiasts: Users who want high-resolution selfies and main camera photos for social media.
- Users on a Budget: Might be available at a lower price point given its older age.
Specific Use Cases:
- Taking quick pictures and sharing on social media
- Casual web browsing and social media
- Users who prefer a lighter device
Samsung Galaxy M35 Ideal Users:
- Power Users: People who require high performance for gaming or other demanding tasks.
- Travelers/Frequent Users: Those who need long battery life without frequent charging.
- Video Creators: Users who value advanced video features and higher quality slow-motion.
- Those who care about audio quality: Users will enjoy the better audio offered by stereo speakers.
Specific Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and demanding applications
- Extended periods away from power outlets
- Recording and editing videos, vlogging
- Enjoying movies and music
Price-to-Value:
- The A52 5G is an older model, so it may be available at a lower price, making it a good budget choice for camera centric users.
- The M35, being newer, offers a better experience for more intensive usage, for a likely higher price, but offers a better price to value ratio for power users
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance or Camera? Do you prioritize smooth performance, gaming, and long battery life, or are you primarily concerned with camera resolution, and a lighter build?
- Battery Life Needs? Do you need a phone that can last all day on a single charge, or are you okay with charging more frequently?
- Video Features Importance? Do you need advanced video features, better slow-motion, and video stabilization, or is basic video recording sufficient?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious Camera User: If you prioritize a good camera for social media and light tasks at a lower cost, the A52 5G is likely suitable.
- Gaming Enthusiast on a Budget: If you want better performance for gaming at a reasonable price, the M35 is the clear choice, even with slight compromise in camera resolution.
- Traveler/Heavy User: If you need the best battery life and performance for heavy usage, the M35 is the better option.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally choose the Samsung Galaxy M35. While the A52 5G has some attractive qualities such as a lighter design, dedicated portrait camera, I prioritize performance and battery life in my smartphone usage. The Exynos 1380 chip in the M35 is a significant upgrade, and its larger 6000mAh battery would allow me to use the phone without the anxiety of it running out of charge. The superior video features are also a plus. Although the M35 is likely to be slightly more expensive, I find its feature set to be better suited to my needs.