1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm | 168.2 x 75.5 x 8.1 mm | TCL 50 SE is taller and slightly thinner, potentially impacting single-hand use and pocket comfort. |
| Weight | 189g | 195g | Samsung A52 5G is slightly lighter, which may be noticeable for prolonged usage. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.78" | TCL 50 SE has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive experience for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2460 | Both have similar resolutions; the difference is negligible. |
| Pixel Density | 407 PPI | 396 PPI | Both offer similar sharpness; the difference is not noticeable to the naked eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Samsung A52 5G has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, especially beneficial for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Samsung A52 5G offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations, beneficial for gaming and overall fluidity. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 900 nits | TCL 50 SE is significantly brighter, providing much better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. Samsung's brightness is not reported so it is not possible to fully compare. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8 nm) | Mediatek Helio G88 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 750G is more powerful, providing faster processing and better overall responsiveness. |
| AnTuTu Score | 384,853 | 250,000 | Samsung A52 5G provides significantly better performance for demanding tasks and games. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G52 MC2 | Samsung A52 5G has a superior GPU for better gaming and graphics performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 50MP | Samsung A52 5G captures more detailed images due to higher resolution. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 0.64 µm | Samsung A52 5G captures slightly more light for better low-light performance with larger pixels |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 32MP | 8MP | Samsung A52 5G takes much higher resolution selfie photos. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.0 | TCL 50 SE selfie camera captures slightly more light due to larger aperture |
| Wide Angle Lens | Yes (13MP) | No | Samsung A52 5G can capture wider shots, useful for group photos or landscapes. |
| Portrait Lens | Yes (5MP) | No | Samsung A52 5G has dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode photos |
| Macro Lens | 5MP | 2MP | Samsung A52 5G has a slightly higher resolution macro lens for better close-up shots |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps with EIS | 1080p@30fps | Samsung A52 5G records higher resolution and frame rate videos with electronic image stabilization, ideal for high quality recordings |
| Video Stabilization | Yes (EIS & OIS) | No | Samsung A52 5G provides more stable video recording, minimizing blur and shakiness, particularly when moving. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5010mAh | TCL 50 SE likely has better battery life due to its larger capacity. |
| Charging | 25W | 33W | TCL 50 SE charges faster, reducing the time spent plugged in. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 14 | TCL 50 SE has a newer OS out of the box, potentially offering a better user experience with updated features. |
Other Features
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Samsung A52 5G provides better protection against scratches and damage, increasing the phone's longevity. |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-mounted | TCL 50 SE offers a more modern fingerprint sensor placement, which some users find more convenient. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Stereo Speakers | Samsung A52 5G offers a more immersive audio experience with Dolby features. TCL offers Stereo Speakers and it will likely be a decent experience but the comparison data is vague. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 4GB or 6GB | Samsung A52 5G offers more RAM, resulting in smoother multitasking and better performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device offers expandable storage. |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.1 | TCL 50 SE has a more recent Bluetooth version, offering better connectivity and efficiency. |
| Sensors | Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Proximity | Accelerometer, Proximity | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G has a gyroscope, which is beneficial for gaming and other motion-sensing applications. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smoother visuals, making it excellent for media consumption and gaming.
- Better Performance: The Snapdragon 750G chipset and higher AnTuTu score deliver significantly faster performance, making it more suitable for multitasking and demanding apps.
- Better Camera System: Higher resolution main and selfie cameras, along with a wide-angle lens, dedicated depth sensor, macro camera, and better video recording features with OIS/EIS.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus provides a richer, more immersive audio experience.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers enhanced protection against scratches and damage.
- More RAM options: Up to 8GB of RAM, for improved performance with multitasking and demanding applications.
- Gyroscope Sensor: Provides more motion tracking capability for advanced use cases
TCL 50 SE Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Significantly higher peak brightness for better outdoor visibility.
- Larger Battery: Larger battery capacity for potentially longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging offers quicker recharging.
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 14 out of the box, potentially having more features and a better experience.
- More Recent Bluetooth: Newer Bluetooth version for slightly improved connectivity.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung A52 5G: Sacrifices battery capacity, display brightness, and charging speed for better performance, camera, display quality, and OS (Android 11 out of the box).
- TCL 50 SE: Sacrifices performance, camera capabilities, display quality for better battery capacity, outdoor visibility, charging speed, and a newer OS out of the box.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Ideal User:
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos, play games, and appreciate vibrant, high-quality displays.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with good photo and video quality, including options like wide angle, portrait and macro photography.
- Performance Seekers: Users who prioritize smooth performance, fast multitasking, and can utilize the additional RAM and superior GPU for demanding tasks.
TCL 50 SE Ideal User:
- Outdoor Users: Users who frequently use their phone in bright sunlight and need a very bright display.
- Budget-Conscious Users: Users who want a phone with a decent display and good battery life at a more affordable price.
- Casual Users: Users who prioritize a long battery life, and don't rely on demanding performance tasks.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality for you? (AMOLED with vibrant colors vs. a brighter LCD for outdoor use)
- Do you prioritize performance or battery life? (Faster processor and better camera vs. longer battery and faster charging)
- How important are camera features for you? (Higher resolution, and more versatile lenses vs. a basic system)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You are an avid gamer and media enthusiast who spends a lot of time indoors.
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A52 5G. The better display and performance will deliver a more immersive experience for gaming and video consumption.
- Scenario 2: You primarily use your phone for basic tasks, and need excellent outdoor visibility and battery life.
- Recommendation: TCL 50 SE. The brighter display and larger battery will be more useful in your daily life.
- Scenario 3: You want the best possible camera and enjoy taking photos and videos
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A52 5G. The versatile cameras and stabilization make the phone more suitable for content creation
- Scenario 4: You want the latest Android OS and prioritize a newer operating system for security and features.
- Recommendation: TCL 50 SE. The TCL 50 SE comes with Android 14 out of the box, providing access to the latest features.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G. While the TCL 50 SE has a brighter display and longer battery life, the A52 5G's superior AMOLED display with its vibrant colors, the much better performance due to a more powerful processor, and significantly superior camera system make it a more versatile and enjoyable device for my personal use. Although it has an older OS, the performance improvements and better camera capabilities make it a more valuable choice. I also value having a gyroscope sensor, which the TCL 50 SE does not have.
