1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Xiaomi Poco F4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 163.2 × 76 × 7.7 mm | Poco F4 is taller and thinner, A52 5G has a larger volume, Poco F4 may feel slightly more modern due to slimmer profile |
| Weight | 189g | 195g | A52 5G is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable during extended use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.67" | Poco F4 offers slightly more screen real estate, better for media consumption |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness, both offer FHD+ experience |
| PPI | 407 | 395 | Negligible difference in pixel density, both are very sharp |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Identical vibrant colors, deep blacks, excellent contrast |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | Poco F4 is significantly brighter, much better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Poco F4 offers significantly better performance, faster app loading, smoother gaming |
| AnTuTu Score | 384,853 | 861,200 | Poco F4 scores over double, very noticeable real-world performance difference |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 650 | Poco F4 has a more powerful GPU, better for graphic-intensive tasks |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 64MP | Similar resolution for detailed photos |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.79 | Poco F4 has slightly wider aperture, minor difference in low light |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.7" | 1/2" | A52 5G has larger sensor, potentially better light sensitivity |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 0.70 µm | A52 5G has slightly larger pixel size |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 32MP | 20MP | A52 5G offers higher resolution for selfies |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.4 | A52 5G has a wider aperture for selfies |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/2.8" | 1/2" | Poco F4 has larger selfie sensor |
| Wide-Angle Camera Resolution | 13MP | 8MP | A52 5G captures wider shots with higher resolution |
| Wide-Angle Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.1" | 1/4" | A52 5G has larger sensor |
| Portrait mode (depth) | 5MP | No | A52 5G offers a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode |
| Macro Camera Resolution | 5MP | 2MP | A52 5G has higher resolution for macro shots |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps | 4K@60fps | Poco F4 offers 4K recording at 60fps |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Identical battery capacity, similar all-day use |
| Charging | 25W | 67W | Poco F4 charges much faster, significantly reduces charging time |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Advantages:
- Slightly Lighter: 6 grams lighter than Poco F4, potentially more comfortable for extended periods.
- Larger Main Camera Sensor: The 1/1.7" sensor may capture more light, potentially leading to better image quality in certain conditions.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: Offers better portrait mode effects with a dedicated depth sensor.
- Higher Resolution Wide-Angle Camera: 13MP vs 8MP, capturing more detail in wide shots.
- Higher Resolution Front Camera: The 32MP selfie camera may capture more detail compared to the Poco F4's 20MP.
- Additional Battery Features: Offers QC2.0 and AFC.
Xiaomi Poco F4 Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: Snapdragon 870 offers dramatically faster processing speeds, better for gaming and demanding tasks.
- Much Brighter Display: 1300 nits provides excellent outdoor visibility, even in direct sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 67W fast charging drastically reduces battery charging times.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.2 for improved connectivity and lower latency.
- Better Video Recording: Offers 4k recording at 60 fps.
- More Advanced GPS: Supports more satellite systems for improved location accuracy.
- Advanced fingerprint sensor: Side mounted fingerprint sensor vs basic.
- Additional Audio Features: Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, and 2 microphones
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung A52 5G has a more comprehensive set of cameras, but the Xiaomi Poco F4 wins in general performance and display brightness. The Poco F4 also has a much faster charging speed.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G - Ideal User:
- Casual photographer: Users who prioritize a comprehensive camera system with a dedicated depth sensor, higher resolution ultrawide camera, and a higher resolution selfie camera.
- Users concerned about comfort: Users who want a slightly lighter phone.
- Everyday user: Those who need a reliable phone for daily tasks, browsing, and social media without pushing the limits.
- Users who prefer Samsung's Software
- Users who prefer a bigger sensor for the main camera
Xiaomi Poco F4 - Ideal User:
- Mobile gamer: Users who prioritize peak performance and smooth frame rates in demanding games.
- Heavy multitaskers: Users who need a responsive phone for switching between several apps quickly.
- Users in bright environments: Those who frequently use their phone outdoors and need a bright display.
- Those who want faster charging times: Users who want the fastest charging possible.
- Audiophiles: Users that care about higher quality audio playback, better audio separation and immersion.
Use Case Examples:
- Samsung A52 5G: Taking detailed photos on vacation, casual social media use, watching videos indoors, comfortable daily use.
- Xiaomi Poco F4: Playing graphically intensive games, editing videos on the go, using maps and navigation in bright sunlight, fast charging on a short break
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance: How important is gaming and heavy multitasking? (Poco F4 for High Performance)
- Display Brightness: How often is the phone used outdoors in direct sunlight? (Poco F4 has much higher brightness)
- Camera: Are you looking for the highest resolution selfie and ultrawide camera or overall performance and higher quality video recording capabilities? (A52 5G for selfie and ultrawide, Poco F4 for overall)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious Casual User: If the budget is a top concern and performance isn't a top priority, the Samsung A52 5G may be a cost-effective option. It still offers a decent AMOLED display and a good set of cameras for everyday use.
- Scenario 2: Performance-Hungry Gamer: The Xiaomi Poco F4 is the clear choice for its superior performance, faster charging, and brighter display. It is ideal for anyone who prioritizes demanding tasks.
- Scenario 3: Photography enthusiast: The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G offers a better variety of cameras and features.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F4. While the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is a solid all-around phone, the Poco F4 offers a far superior performance thanks to the Snapdragon 870 chipset. The 1300 nits of brightness are also a big advantage for outdoor visibility, something that is very important to me, and the 67w charging is also very enticing as I don't want to spend a lot of time plugged into the wall. I also believe the Poco F4 has a more streamlined camera system that is overall of a higher quality, without some of the extra cameras present on the A52 5G. While the A52 5G has a slight advantage with its selfie camera and wide-angle lens in terms of resolution and sensor size, the performance boost, brighter screen, and faster charging of the Poco F4 are more compelling to me, and are the things that I value most.
