Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A52 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-19 | 2023-10-16 | Tab S9 FE+ is a much newer device (2+ years), likely benefiting from newer software and technology advancements. |
| Form Factor | Standard Phone | Standard Tablet | A52 5G is a pocketable smartphone, while the Tab S9 FE+ is a large tablet for media consumption, multitasking, and productivity. |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm | 285.4 x 185.4 x 6.5 mm | Tab S9 FE+ is significantly larger and less portable, designed for different use cases. A52 5G is more compact for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 189g | 627g | A52 5G is much lighter and easier to handle for extended periods, while Tab S9 FE+ is heavier and best used on a desk or table. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 12.4" | Tab S9 FE+ offers a much larger viewing area, ideal for media consumption, multitasking, and creative tasks. A52 5G is better for portability and single-hand use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1600x2560 | Tab S9 FE+ has higher resolution, resulting in a clearer image on its larger display. |
| Pixel Density | 407 PPI | 243 PPI | A52 5G has a sharper display due to higher PPI, resulting in crisper text and images on its smaller screen. The Tab S9 FE+ screen looks good but not quite as sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | A52 5G offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colours, and more efficient for dark mode. Tab S9 FE+ display is good but does not match the A52 5G. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | A52 5G has smoother animations and scrolling, resulting in a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have identical peak brightness. Real values not available from the data provided. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750G 5G | Exynos 1380 | Exynos 1380 in the Tab S9 FE+ provides noticeably faster performance, resulting in quicker app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 384,853 | 507,000 | Tab S9 FE+ has superior performance based on AnTuTu scores. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 MP5 | The Mali-G68 MP5 in the Tab S9 FE+ provides a significant improvement in gaming and graphic intensive tasks when compared with Adreno 619. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 10090mAh | Tab S9 FE+ offers significantly longer battery life due to its much larger battery, ideal for all-day use and travel. |
| Charging | 25W | 45W | Tab S9 FE+ supports faster charging, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable, QC2.0, AFC | Bypass Charging, Non-removable | Tab S9 FE+'s bypass charging feature helps preserve the battery in longer gaming sessions and heavy work. A52 5G has Quick Charge 2.0 and Adaptive Fast Charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP f/1.8 | 12MP f/2.0 | A52 5G has a significantly higher-resolution main camera, capturing more detailed photos with better low-light performance due to its wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP f/2.2 | 8MP | A52 5G takes higher resolution selfies and supports more advanced features. |
| Wide Angle | 13MP f/2.2 | 8MP f/2.2 | A52 5G wide angle camera has a higher resolution. |
| Portrait Mode | 5MP f/2.4 | Not Present | A52 5G has a dedicated depth sensor to better capture portrait images. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP f/2.4 | Not Present | A52 5G can capture more detailed close-up photos. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps w/ EIS, 1080p@60fps w/ EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | A52 5G offers electronic image stabilization (EIS) at a higher framerate. |
| Video Stabilization | Yes | No | A52 5G offers electronic image stabilization for clearer video. |
| Slow Motion | 120 fps | 60 fps | A52 5G is capable of recording higher framerate slow motion footage. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, OIS, Ultra Stable video | Dual camera | A52 5G offers more versatile photography with a variety of cameras and stabilization. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Max 14 | Android 13, Max 17 | Tab S9 FE+ ships with a newer OS version and will receive longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 802.11ax | Tab S9 FE+ provides newer generation wifi with faster speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | Tab S9 FE+ has newer version of Bluetooth, potentially offering faster speeds and lower latency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS | A52 5G has a wider range of satellite systems, enabling better accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Not Present | A52 5G supports two SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both phones offer similar storage options. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8/12 GB | Tab S9 FE+ has more RAM and will be able to handle heavy workloads such as gaming and multitasking better. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Tab S9 FE+ has a slight edge due to stereo speakers with enhanced spatial audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Tab S9 FE+ has a more convenient fingerprint sensor. Both have basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | A52 5G has a known protection of Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The Tab S9 FE+ screen is of unknown protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity | Accelerometer, Fingerprint, Proximity | A52 5G has a slightly more comprehensive sensor suite for more advanced features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display Sharpness and Quality: AMOLED panel with higher pixel density (407 PPI) and 120Hz refresh rate, offering a crisper and smoother visual experience.
- Advanced Camera System: Higher resolution sensors for main, selfie, and wide-angle lenses, dedicated depth and macro lenses, optical image stabilization and better video recording options and features.
- More Compact and Portable: Much lighter and smaller, making it easier to carry around and use with one hand.
- Better GPS Accuracy: Supports more satellite systems (A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo).
- Dual SIM Support: Allows the use of two SIM cards simultaneously.
- Gyroscope Sensor: Useful for gaming and AR applications.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ Advantages:
- Larger Display: 12.4-inch screen, better for media consumption, multitasking, and productivity.
- Significantly Faster Performance: More powerful Exynos 1380 chipset and higher AnTuTu score, offering smoother operation.
- Much Larger Battery: 10,090mAh capacity, providing significantly longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: 45W fast charging reduces downtime.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 13 and is expected to receive longer software support.
- Better Bluetooth: Supports Bluetooth 5.3 with more advanced audio codecs and features.
- Stereo Speakers: Provides richer sound experience through two speakers.
- Bypass Charging: Allows for battery preservation while gaming and doing heavy workloads.
Trade-offs:
- A52 5G: Sacrifices screen size, performance, and battery life for portability and a more advanced camera setup.
- Tab S9 FE+: Sacrifices portability and camera quality for a significantly larger screen, better performance, and much longer battery life.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G:
- Ideal User: Someone who values portability, a high-quality display, and an advanced camera setup. Good for everyday use, social media, and capturing photos/videos.
- Use Cases:
- Daily communication and social media browsing.
- Taking high-resolution photos and videos.
- Mobile gaming requiring gyroscope support.
- Users who prefer using a single hand with ease.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+:
- Ideal User: Someone who prioritizes a large display for media consumption, multitasking, and productivity, with long battery life and robust performance.
- Use Cases:
- Watching movies and TV shows on a large screen.
- Web browsing and reading articles/books.
- Multitasking with multiple apps for work or studies.
- Gaming on a bigger screen with powerful performance.
- Digital artists with the use of stylus.
- Travelling users who do not want to recharge their device often.
Price-to-Value:
- The A52 5G is likely to be more affordable due to its age, making it a good option for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize screen quality, camera and portability.
- The Tab S9 FE+ is a more expensive device, but justifies the price with a massive screen, performance, battery and overall longer support, making it a good option for those who prioritize larger screen, performance, battery and software.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What is your primary use case? (e.g., portability vs media consumption)
- What is your budget? (e.g., is value or premium features more important?)
- How important is screen quality, camera, performance, and battery for you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: On-the-go user: If portability and a high quality camera are most important to you, the A52 5G is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: Media Enthusiast/Multitasker: If you want a big screen, powerful performance and long battery life for media, gaming or multitasking, the Tab S9 FE+ is the way to go.
- Scenario 3: Budget Buyer: If you are on a budget, the A52 5G is a great option with its AMOLED display, and advanced camera system, while the Tab S9 FE+ has higher performance, larger screen and longer battery life but a higher price tag.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing between these two devices, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+. My main reasons are:
- Larger Screen & More Immersive Experience: I find the 12.4" screen to be much more enjoyable for media consumption, web browsing, and multitasking. I value the enhanced immersion for these tasks.
- Better Performance for the Long Run: I appreciate the faster chipset and the additional RAM in the Tab S9 FE+. I value the faster app loading and smoother operation for better usability and longevity.
- Significantly Longer Battery Life: I prioritize battery life and find the 10,090mAh capacity a significant advantage. Not having to worry about charging it as often is very valuable to me.
- Future Proof Software Support: The fact that it launched with Android 13 and will get 4 more Android updates means that the Tab S9 FE+ will be relevant for a longer period than the A52 5G which will be nearing the end of its software support.
Although I acknowledge the A52 5G has a better camera and a more compact design, my personal use case aligns better with the larger display, better performance, and battery life of the Tab S9 FE+. I prefer to have the Tab S9 FE+ for the enhanced media consumption and multitasking capabilities.
