Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A52 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy M52 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Samsung Galaxy M52 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm | 164.2 x 76.4 x 7.4 mm | M52 is taller and wider, A52 is thicker. M52 is slimmer and might feel more modern. A52 is more compact. |
| Weight | 189g | 173g | M52 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | M52 offers slightly more screen real estate for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer a crisp and detailed viewing experience. |
| PPI | 407 | 393 | Similar pixel density, both offer sharp images. Negligible difference. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good viewing angles on both. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both phones. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 800 nits | M52 has significantly better outdoor visibility and is much better in bright sunlight. A52's brightness is unknown, a major drawback. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G (6 nm) | M52 has a more powerful and efficient chip, leading to faster performance and better battery life. |
| AnTuTu Score | 384,853 | 589,200 | M52 offers much faster app loading, better multitasking, and more enjoyable gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 642L | M52 has a more powerful GPU for better graphics performance in games and other visually intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7" Sony IMX682 | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.97" Samsung GW3 | A52 has a larger sensor for potentially better low-light performance. |
| Selfie | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" Sony IMX616 | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" Sony IMX616 | Both offer comparable high-resolution selfie capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1" | None | A52 has a dedicated ultrawide camera for capturing more of the scene. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 5MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.4 | Both offer similar depth sensing for portrait mode effects. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | A52 offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" Sony IMX258 | M52 has a combined ultrawide and macro lens that may offer some versatility. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@60fps with EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | Both capture 4K video, A52 has EIS in more resolutions. M52's video stabilization tech is not specified. |
| Slow Motion | 120fps | 240fps | M52 can capture slower and more detailed slow-motion video. |
| Camera Features | Quad Camera, OIS, Ultra Stable video, Manual Focus, Night Mode | Triple camera, Continuous shooting | A52 offers more camera features such as OIS for better low light. M52 does not offer OIS but continuous shooting for sports or action videos. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | M52 offers a larger battery, likely providing longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging, Li-Polymer | 25W fast charging, Li-Ion | Both support 25W fast charging. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable, QC2.0 and AFC | Non-removable | A52 offers QC2.0 and AFC. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 14) | Android 11 (up to 13) | A52 will receive one more major Android update. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | M52 has faster, more reliable Wi-Fi 6. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.0 | M52 supports a wider range of Bluetooth profiles, for better compatibility. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | M52 offers more accurate positioning with QZSS support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby (Nano) | Dual SIM, Dual Standby (Nano) | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB | A52 is available with more internal storage, suitable for users with many media files or apps. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 6 GB or 8 GB | Both offer sufficient RAM for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No expandable storage | No expandable storage | Neither phone supports microSD card expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Atmos, 2 microphones | A52 offers slightly better audio features. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | M52 has a more convenient and often faster side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Both have the same level of screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Both have similar sensor suites |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Advantages:
- Better Camera System: Offers a more versatile camera setup with a dedicated ultrawide lens, a macro lens, and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) for better image quality in low light.
- Potentially better audio quality: Offers Dolby Atmos and Digital Plus, which potentially provides better audio.
- More internal storage options: Can be bought with 256GB of internal storage.
- One more major android update Will receive a future Android update.
- More Camera Features: Offers OIS, Ultra Stable video, Manual Focus and Night Mode.
Samsung Galaxy M52 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: A much more powerful Snapdragon 778G chipset results in faster app loading, better multitasking, and smoother gaming.
- Better Display Brightness: Significantly brighter screen (800 nits vs. unknown for A52), provides much better visibility outdoors in sunlight.
- Longer Battery Life: Larger 5000mAh battery capacity offers better battery endurance, and more uptime on a single charge.
- Lighter and Slimmer Design: More comfortable for extended use and easier to handle with one hand.
- Newer WiFi and Bluetooth Standards: Supports Wi-Fi 6 for faster speeds and Bluetooth 5.0 for better connection and power efficiency.
- Better Slow Motion: Ability to capture better slow motion recording.
Trade-offs:
- The A52 prioritizes camera versatility and possibly better low light performance. But falls short on performance and outdoor visibility, especially compared to the M52.
- The M52 sacrifices dedicated macro and wide angle lenses but offers a combined one, and prioritizes performance, battery life, and outdoor visibility.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G:
- Ideal Users: Casual photographers who value versatile camera options, and users who require the extra built in storage.
- Use Cases:
- Users who frequently take a variety of photos, such as portraits, landscapes, and macro shots.
- Users who prefer the option of having more internal storage and are willing to trade performance.
- Users who prioritize additional camera features and one more Android update.
Samsung Galaxy M52 5G:
- Ideal Users: Performance-focused users, gamers, and those who spend a lot of time outdoors.
- Use Cases:
- Users who prioritize fast performance for gaming or heavy multitasking.
- Users who need a long-lasting battery to get through the day.
- Users who use their phones in bright sunlight and need a screen that is easily visible.
- Users that want the most modern features like faster WiFi and the best possible Bluetooth.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- How important is camera versatility to you? If you prioritize a dedicated macro and wide angle camera, the A52 might suit you. If you're more focused on overall image quality and performance, the M52 may be a better choice.
- How often do you use your phone outdoors, and is a bright screen important? If you're often in bright sunlight, the M52's much higher brightness will be crucial.
- Do you need the fastest performance and long battery life? If these are priorities, the M52's more powerful chipset and larger battery make it a better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Enthusiast Photographer: Choose the A52 5G for its more versatile camera system, including dedicated wide angle and macro lenses and more camera features such as OIS and manual focus.
- For the Power User/Gamer: Choose the M52 5G for its superior performance, longer battery life, and brighter screen, even though it does not have dedicated macro and wide angle lenses.
- For the Everyday User: If you value a balance of performance, and battery life and you want the best outdoor visibility, the M52 5G is the better choice.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy M52 5G. While the A52 has a more versatile camera system, the M52 excels in aspects that are more important to me in daily use. I prioritize performance and battery life and I spend a lot of time outdoors, therefore, the M52's brighter display would be extremely useful, and its modern features such as WiFi 6 and better Bluetooth are more beneficial for me. The M52's significantly better performance is also very important for me. The combination of these factors makes the M52 a more practical choice despite not having a dedicated macro lens and OIS.
