1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Sony Xperia 5 V | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 154 × 68 × 8.6 mm | A52 5G is larger and slightly wider, might feel less comfortable in hand, the Xperia is more compact. |
| Weight | 189g | 182g | Xperia 5 V is slightly lighter, might feel more comfortable for long use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.1" | A52 5G offers a larger screen for media consumption. Xperia is more pocketable and offers a slightly higher pixel density |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2520 | Xperia 5 V's slightly higher resolution offers a marginally sharper image |
| PPI | 407 | 449 | Xperia 5 V has a slightly sharper display due to higher pixel density |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, very similar |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both have a smooth 120Hz display for a fluid experience |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Unable to compare due to missing data |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Xperia 5 V offers significantly better performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 384,853 | 1,370,000 | Xperia 5 V is drastically faster than the A52 5G, apps will load much quicker |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 740 | Xperia 5 V has a far more powerful GPU, impacting gaming and graphics intensive tasks |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 48MP | A52 5G has more megapixels, but this doesn't always equal better photos. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.9 | A52 5G has a slightly wider aperture which may offer slightly better low-light |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.7" | 1/1.4" | Xperia 5 V has a larger sensor, which generally results in better low-light performance and more detail |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 32MP | 12MP | A52 5G has more megapixels. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.0 | Xperia 5 V has a wider aperture for potentially better low light selfie |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/2.8" | 1/2.93" | A52 5G has a slightly larger sensor |
| Wide Angle Resolution | 13MP | 12.2MP | Similar megapixel count |
| Wide Angle Sensor Size | 1/3.1" | 1/2.55" | Xperia 5 V has a larger sensor |
| Portrait Mode Camera | Yes | No | A52 5G has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode |
| Macro Camera | Yes | No | A52 5G has a dedicated macro camera |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@120fps | Xperia 5 V offers more video recording capabilities including higher frame rates and HDR |
| DxoMark (Mobile) | N/A | 118 | Xperia 5 V has a score of 118, indicating better camera performance. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Ultra stable video, Manual focus, Night Mode | Optical zoom, Dual camera, Continuous autofocus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, RAW | Each excels in specific camera features |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Xperia 5 V has a larger battery, likely providing longer battery life |
| Charging | 25W | 30W | Xperia 5 V has slightly faster charging |
| Charging Features | QC2.0 and AFC | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging | Xperia 5 V has more advanced charging features |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 14) | Android 13 (Upgradable to 14) | Xperia 5 V starts with a newer version of Android |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6E | Xperia 5 V offers faster and more reliable Wi-Fi performance |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 | Xperia 5 V has newer, more efficient Bluetooth |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1 + L5) | Xperia 5 V provides more accurate GPS |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Xperia 5 V offers the convenience of eSIM |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both offer the same storage options |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8 GB | Xperia 5 V has the edge in RAM |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither support expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Basic audio features | A52 5G offers enhanced audio quality |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Xperia 5 V provides a more advanced fingerprint sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Xperia 5 V has a more durable screen |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Xperia 5 V offers a more comprehensive sensor suite |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Advantages:
- Larger Display: The 6.5" screen is better for media consumption and those who prefer larger visuals.
- Dedicated Depth and Macro Cameras: Offers more versatility with a dedicated macro and portrait mode camera.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus offers enhanced audio for immersive content.
- Potentially lower price point: Older phone, can often be found at a lower price, making it a budget-friendly option
Practical Implications: The A52 5G is good for users who prioritize a larger screen, versatile camera features and enjoy consuming media, all while not breaking the bank.
Sony Xperia 5 V Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset provides a drastic performance advantage for gaming, multitasking, and overall app usage.
- Superior Camera Sensor: The larger main camera sensor offers better low-light performance and image quality, as well as better video features.
- Better Build Quality: The Gorilla Glass Victus 2 provides superior screen protection.
- More Advanced Charging and Battery: Offers faster charging and a larger battery for extended use, plus bypass charging and reverse charging.
- eSIM Support: Offers dual-sim flexibility.
- More accurate GPS: Supports more satellite systems, improving GPS accuracy.
- Newer software: Starts with a newer version of Android, guaranteeing longer software support
- Better WiFi/Bluetooth: Supports newer WiFi and Bluetooth versions for faster and more efficient wireless connectivity.
Practical Implications: The Xperia 5 V is ideal for users who prioritize performance, camera quality, and longer battery life, as well as more advanced wireless options.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy A52 5G: Sacrifices raw performance and camera quality for a larger screen, and a lower price point.
- Sony Xperia 5 V: Sacrifices the larger screen size and some camera versatility (no macro or dedicated depth sensors) for a huge leap in performance and camera quality, and enhanced battery life
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who primarily use their phone for social media, browsing, and light gaming.
- Use Cases:
- Casual media consumption (videos, social media, browsing)
- Everyday photography
- Users who prefer a larger display and a slightly lower price.
- People that want a good audio experience without external peripherals
- Price-to-Value: Good value for the features it offers at a lower cost.
Sony Xperia 5 V:
- Ideal User: Power users, mobile gamers, content creators, and photography enthusiasts who demand top-tier performance and advanced features.
- Use Cases:
- High-end gaming and demanding apps
- Professional mobile photography and videography
- Users who need a phone that can handle heavy multitasking
- Those that need all the latest connectivity standards (WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3)
- Users that appreciate a more compact phone but without compromising in performance
- Price-to-Value: Higher cost, but justifies it through superior performance, camera, and overall experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The A52 5G is typically more affordable, while the Xperia 5 V is a flagship device, which comes at a price premium.
- What do you use your phone for the most? Gaming/photography? Or social media/streaming? The answer will dictate which device will suit you best.
- Do you prefer a larger or smaller phone? A52 5G has a larger screen while the Xperia 5 V is much more compact
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Casual User:
- If you mainly use your phone for social media, web browsing, and streaming and are budget conscious the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G would be a more suitable choice.
Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer/Content Creator:
- If you are a mobile gamer, videographer, or content creator who needs the best performance and camera quality, the Sony Xperia 5 V is the clear choice.
Scenario 3: Daily Driver and Camera enthusiast
- If you want a good mix of performance and value but also need a good camera system, the Sony Xperia 5 V is the best option, despite the lack of depth and macro sensors.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Sony Xperia 5 V. While I appreciate the larger screen of the Samsung A52 5G, the sheer power of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and the superior camera quality of the Xperia 5 V is much more important to me, as someone that would use the phone for more demanding tasks such as gaming and photo editing. Additionally, having a more compact and premium device is very appealing, as I enjoy being able to comfortably use a phone with one hand. Finally, I prefer the more advanced battery charging features, longer-lasting battery, and latest wireless standards such as WiFi 6E.
