1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm | 163 x 76 x 8 mm | Redmi Note 12 Pro is slightly taller, both have similar width and thickness. Minimal difference in pocketability and single-hand use. |
| Weight | 189g | 187g | Almost identical weight. No practical difference in hand feel for the weight. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.67" | Redmi Note 12 Pro has slightly larger screen, offering a bit more immersion for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness. Both provide crisp visuals for everyday tasks. |
| Pixel Density | 407 PPI | 395 PPI | Negligible difference in perceived sharpness. Both displays will look equally sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Vibrant colors and deep blacks on both phones. Provides good contrast, essential for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both phones. Better user experience for gaming and content consumption. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 900 nits | Redmi Note 12 Pro is much brighter, making it significantly better for outdoor use in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750G (8 nm) | Dimensity 1080 (6 nm) | Redmi Note 12 Pro's newer chip is more powerful, resulting in faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and better performance in demanding games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 384,853 | 573,200 | Redmi Note 12 Pro has considerably better performance for gaming and resource-intensive tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 MC4 | Different GPU's. Redmi Note 12 Pro's GPU will provide better gaming experience. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 64MP | 50MP | A52 5G captures slightly more detailed images in ideal conditions. The difference is noticeable but not night and day in most cases. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.88 | Similar performance in low light, with f/1.8 slightly better in theory. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.7" | 1/1.56" | Redmi Note 12 Pro has a larger sensor, potentially better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor Model | Sony IMX682 Exmor RS | Sony IMX766 | Different sensors. IMX766 tends to be slightly better performer. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm pixel size | 1.00 µm pixel size | Redmi Note 12 Pro's larger pixels capture more light, potentially enhancing low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 32MP | 16MP | A52 5G captures more detailed selfies. Noticeable difference for those who heavily use the selfie camera. |
| Wide Angle Camera Res | 13MP | 8MP | A52 5G captures more detailed wide-angle photos. Noticeable difference in image quality. |
| Wide Angle Aperture | f/2.2 | f/1.9 | Redmi Note 12 Pro has a wider aperture for wide-angle. Might perform better in low light. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 5MP | N/A | A52 5G features a dedicated depth camera. Redmi lacks it. |
| Macro Lens Res | 5MP | 2MP | A52 5G captures more detailed macro shots, although macro cameras are typically lower quality on both. |
| Video | 4K@30fps (EIS), 1080p@60fps (EIS) | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@120fps | Similar core video performance but Redmi has faster frame rates. |
| DXOMark Score | N/A | 102 (Mobile), 108 (Photo), 98 (Video) | Redmi Note 12 Pro has a tested camera performance. Not tested on A52 5G. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 5000 mAh | Redmi Note 12 Pro has better battery life, lasting longer on a single charge. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Redmi Note 12 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Up to 14) | Android 12 | Redmi Note 12 Pro comes with a newer OS out of the box but A52 5G has OS update advantage. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 (ac) | Wi-Fi 6 (ax) | Redmi Note 12 Pro has faster Wi-Fi with newer standard. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Redmi Note 12 Pro has newer Bluetooth with improved audio codecs, better compatibility for newer devices. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Redmi Note 12 Pro has more accurate positioning due to more supported satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM functionality on both devices. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Similar storage options for both. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 6GB/8GB/12GB | Redmi Note 12 Pro offers more RAM for intensive multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | No storage expansion on either device. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Redmi Note 12 Pro with Stereo speakers providing enhanced spatial sound. A52 5G offers better surround sound experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Redmi Note 12 Pro's sensor is faster and potentially more convenient. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Both phones have similar screen protection. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Redmi Note 12 Pro has Compass, A52 5G has Hall and Geomagnetic sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Advantages:
- Higher resolution selfie camera: 32MP vs 16MP, capturing more detail in selfies.
- More detailed wide-angle photos: 13MP vs 8MP, capturing more detail in wide-angle shots.
- Dedicated depth camera: For better portrait photos.
- Hall and Geomagnetic sensors: For additional functionality.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro Advantages:
- Brighter display: 900 nits vs. 0 nits (information missing for A52 5G). Much better visibility in bright sunlight.
- Superior performance: Faster chipset and higher AnTuTu score for smoother and faster experience.
- Larger battery and faster charging: 5000mAh and 67W charging vs 4500mAh and 25W for more uptime and less charging time.
- Larger main camera sensor and pixel size: Better low-light performance.
- Stereo Speakers: For enhanced audio immersion.
- Newer Bluetooth version For better connectivity with other devices.
- More precise GPS Due to support for more satellite systems.
- More RAM options: Available with 12GB RAM for better multitasking.
- Better Wi-Fi Support for the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy A52 5G sacrifices performance and battery life for better selfie and wide angle camera quality and additional Hall and Geomagnetic sensors.
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro prioritizes performance, battery, display brightness, and audio over camera versatility.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is ideal for:
- Selfie enthusiasts: The higher-resolution front camera is a clear advantage.
- Users who want a dedicated depth sensor: For improved portrait photography.
Users who require Hall and Geomagnetic sensors For specific sensor requirements.
Use Cases:
- Frequent social media sharing of selfies.
- Portrait photography.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro is ideal for:
- Gamers and power users: The superior chipset and more RAM provide a smoother experience.
- Users who consume a lot of multimedia: The brighter display and stereo speakers enhance the experience.
- Users who value battery life and fast charging: The larger battery and 67W charging are significant advantages.
- Users who need accurate GPS With its support for more satellite systems.
Users who need modern Wi-Fi connectivity With its support for the Wi-Fi 6 standard.
Use Cases:
- Playing demanding mobile games.
- Watching videos or movies on the go.
- Travelers who rely on their phone for navigation and communication and who need their phone to charge quickly.
Price-to-Value:
- The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro likely offers a better price-to-value ratio for most users due to its superior performance, display brightness, battery life, and faster charging.
- The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G might be preferable only to those who prioritize front and wide angle camera performance along with specific sensor requirements.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance for you? If you're a gamer or power user, the Redmi Note 12 Pro is the better choice.
- How important is display brightness for outdoor use? The Redmi Note 12 Pro wins with its much higher brightness rating.
- Which is more important for your usage, battery and fast charging or detailed front and wide angle cameras? The Redmi Note 12 Pro has a bigger battery and significantly faster charging.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent Traveler: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro for its larger battery, faster charging, brighter display, faster Wi-Fi, and more accurate GPS.
- Scenario 2: Social Media User: The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is better for users who focus on sharing high-resolution selfies.
- Scenario 3: Casual User with Multimedia Needs: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro is a well-rounded choice due to its superior display, battery, performance, and audio experience.
What I would choose and why!
I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro. My reasoning is based on a few key factors:
- Performance and User Experience: The Dimensity 1080 chipset, combined with the higher AnTuTu score, indicates that the Redmi Note 12 Pro will offer a noticeably smoother and faster experience in everyday use, including app loading, multitasking, and gaming.
- Display Brightness: A 900 nits display is a critical advantage, especially for anyone who uses their phone outdoors frequently. This alone would be enough to tip the scales for me.
- Battery and Charging: The larger 5000mAh battery and much faster 67W charging are incredibly practical and impactful for real-world usage. I prefer to not worry about battery life.
- Audio Quality: The addition of stereo speakers adds to a superior media consumption experience, making it much more immersive compared to the A52 5G's single speaker.
- Overall Value: While the A52 5G has strengths in the selfie and wide-angle cameras, the Redmi Note 12 Pro's comprehensive advantages in performance, display, battery, and charging make it the overall better value proposition for me.
While I appreciate the higher resolution selfie camera and dedicated depth sensor of the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G, these benefits don't outweigh the daily practical improvements offered by the Redmi Note 12 Pro. The Redmi Note 12 Pro simply provides a smoother, more enjoyable user experience in almost every area that I find to be important for smartphone use. The performance, battery life and screen brightness are much more important to me than a higher resolution front facing camera.
