Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A52 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-19 | 2022-08-25 | The Z Fold4 is significantly newer, benefiting from more recent hardware and software advancements. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | The Z Fold4 offers a unique foldable design, providing a tablet-like experience when unfolded and a more compact form when folded. The A52 5G is a standard, familiar smartphone design. |
| Dimensions (mm) | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 | 155.1 × 130.1 × 6.3 | The Z Fold4 is significantly wider when unfolded. The A52 5G is taller and thicker, making it feel less like a tablet replacement and more like a typical phone. |
| Weight (g) | 189 | 263 | The A52 5G is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and extended periods. The Z Fold4 is heavier, reflecting its more complex build and larger screen. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 7.6" | The Z Fold4 has a much larger display providing a more immersive experience for media consumption, gaming, and productivity. The A52 5G's display is more compact and better suited for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1812 x 2176 | The Z Fold4 has a higher resolution, resulting in sharper text, images, and videos on its larger display. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 407 | 373 | The A52 5G has slightly sharper images due to higher pixel density despite smaller screen. The difference in sharpness is small in practice. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Not Specified | The A52 5G's AMOLED display offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. The lack of technology specified for the Fold 4 prevents a direct comparison on this feature. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both phones offer a smooth and responsive user experience due to their high refresh rate displays. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have the same 0 nits peak brightness. This is likely a data error, and we can assume that the brightness is different between these devices based on their other screen specs. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) | The Z Fold4 has a significantly more powerful chipset, leading to faster performance, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities. The A52 5G is suitable for everyday tasks but not intensive apps or gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 384,853 | 1,232,800 | The Z Fold4 scores much higher in benchmarks, meaning a faster and more responsive experience in all aspects. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 730 | The Z Fold4 has a much more powerful GPU, providing superior graphics performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 4400 mAh | Both phones have similar battery capacities, suggesting comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Both phones support 25W fast charging. |
| Features | Non-removable, QC2.0, AFC | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Non-removable, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 9W | The Z Fold4 has more advanced battery features like wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and bypass charging, offering more convenience. The A52 5G has quick charge via QC2.0 and AFC. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 64MP f/1.8, 1/1.7" | 50MP f/1.8, 1/1.57" | While the A52 5G has a higher megapixel count, the Z Fold4 has a larger sensor, potentially resulting in better low-light performance and overall image quality. |
| Front Camera | 32MP f/2.2, 1/2.8" | 10MP f/2.2, 1/3.2" | The A52 5G has a much higher-resolution selfie camera. The Z Fold 4 may have better pixel size on sensor for better low light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP f/2.4, 1/3.9" | The Z Fold4 has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed images without loss of quality, a feature lacking in the A52 5G. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP f/2.2, 1/3.1" | 13MP f/2.2, 1/3.06" | Similar wide-angle capabilities, the Fold4 has negligibly larger sensor |
| Depth Sensor | 5MP f/2.4 | None | The A52 5G has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, absent in the Z Fold4, although this may be managed by the software of the Fold. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP f/2.4 | None | The A52 5G has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography, which the Z Fold4 lacks. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@24fps | The Z Fold4 can record higher-resolution videos, offering better quality, especially for professional use. |
| DXOMark Score | Not Tested | Mobile: 124 | The Z Fold4's camera has a superior DXOMark score, indicating a higher quality camera system overall. |
| Features | Quad camera, Ultra stable video | Optical zoom, Triple camera, Laser AF, Dual Front Camera, Under display camera | The Z Fold4 has many more advanced features for photography such as optical zoom and RAW capture options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 12 (upgradable to 16) | The Z Fold4 has a newer version of Android, promising access to newer features and longer software support life. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | The Z Fold4 has faster and more efficient Wi-Fi connectivity via the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | The Z Fold4 has a newer Bluetooth version, allowing for more efficient data transmission and better device compatibility. |
| GPS | Standard | Advanced (L1+L5) | The Z Fold4 has more precise GPS capabilities due to advanced satellite system support. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | The Z Fold4 provides more flexibility with eSIM support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256GB | 256/512/1024GB | The Z Fold4 has significantly more storage options and overall larger internal storage capacity. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 12GB | The Z Fold4 has more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and overall better performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | The Z Fold4's stereo speakers may enhance the audio experience for media consumption and gaming, while A52 offers Dolby Digital Plus for better audio processing. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The Z Fold4 has a more modern side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass Victus+ | The Z Fold4 has a much more robust screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | The Z Fold4 has a more complete sensor suite, which can be useful for more accurate location tracking and environmental data. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Comfortable: The A52 5G is significantly lighter, making it easier to hold and carry, especially for extended periods.
- More Affordable: Typically, the A52 5G is much more budget-friendly than the Z Fold4, offering a more accessible entry point.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Sensors: Has a dedicated macro and depth camera lens for unique photo capture options.
- Higher Resolution Front Camera: Boasts a higher-resolution front-facing camera for higher quality selfies.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 Advantages:
- Large Foldable Display: Provides a unique large-screen experience, ideal for media consumption, multitasking, and productivity.
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor offers much better performance than the Snapdragon 750G in the A52 5G.
- Better Main Camera Sensor: The main camera uses a larger sensor, generally leading to better photo quality.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers optical zoom capabilities for photography.
- More Advanced Battery Features: Includes wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and bypass charging.
- Newer Software: Ships with a newer version of Android, ensuring access to the latest features and a longer lifespan.
- More Storage and RAM: Provides more storage and better multitasking capabilities.
- Advanced Connectivity: Has superior Wi-Fi and Bluetooth features.
- Enhanced Build Quality: Uses a more durable glass screen, and more sophisticated design.
Trade-offs:
- Z Fold4 Trade-offs: The Z Fold4's advantages come at a much higher price point, and it is significantly heavier and bulkier than the A52 5G.
- A52 5G Trade-offs: The A52 5G's camera system is less versatile and powerful. It also lacks the high-end performance and unique features of the Z Fold4.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users looking for a reliable smartphone for everyday use. Students, casual users, and those who prioritize affordability over cutting-edge features.
- Use Cases: Social media, casual gaming, basic photo capture, media consumption, web browsing, communication.
- Price-to-Value: Offers great value for money, delivering a solid experience at a mid-range price point.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4:
- Ideal User: Tech enthusiasts, professionals, and users who value productivity and a premium experience. Those who desire a unique device with a large screen for multitasking and media.
- Use Cases: Professional work, heavy multitasking, graphic design, video editing, gaming, content creation, media consumption, digital reading, portable tablet functionality.
- Price-to-Value: Expensive, but offers unique features and performance that justify the higher cost for specific user needs.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Budget: Is the premium price of the Z Fold4 justifiable, or is a more affordable option like the A52 5G more suitable?
- Usage: Will the foldable design and large screen of the Z Fold4 be genuinely useful for your daily tasks, or will a standard smartphone design like the A52 5G suffice?
- Performance vs Convenience: Is raw performance more important to you, or do you value portability, lighter weight and more comfortable one-handed use?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget-Conscious User): If you primarily need a smartphone for basic tasks and media, the A52 5G is the better option due to its significantly lower cost.
- Scenario 2 (Power User): If you need top-tier performance, a unique display for multitasking, and are willing to pay a premium, the Z Fold4 is the clear choice.
- Scenario 3 (Hybrid Usage): If you want the most versatility, the Z Fold4 will do everything that the A52 can, while also adding additional functionality. However, if you don't want to pay for a premium experience, the A52 will provide a smooth experience for basic and hybrid usage needs.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, despite its high price. Here's why:
- Productivity: As someone who frequently juggles multiple tasks, the large foldable display and powerful processor of the Z Fold4 would greatly enhance my productivity.
- Multimedia Experience: The larger screen and superior audio features of the Fold4 makes it better for media consumption.
- Future-Proofing: The Z Fold4’s more advanced hardware and software support makes it more future-proof, ensuring it stays relevant and powerful for years to come.
While the A52 5G offers excellent value for its price, my personal needs and priorities favor the more advanced technology and capabilities of the Z Fold4. The trade-off in price and portability is a worthwhile compromise for the performance and functionality offered.
