Samsung Galaxy A52 5G vs ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date March 19, 2021 July 9, 2024
Release Year 2021 2024

Physical

Volume 100.87 cm³ 111.51 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.44 "/g 2.97 "/g
Weight 189 g 229 g
Height 159.9 mm 164 mm
Width 75.1 mm 76.4 mm
Thickness 8.4 mm 8.9 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Awesome Black
  • Awesome White
  • Awesome Blue
  • Awesome Violet
  • Design Sleet (Black Version)
  • Snowfall (Silver Version)
  • Cyclone (Transparent Black Version)
  • Frost (White Version)

Display

Screen Size 6.5 " 6.8 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1116 x 2480
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 84.9 % 89.1 %
Pixel Density 407 PPI 400 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 800 nits N/A
Peak Brightness N/A 1600 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 106.51 mAh/in² 140.57 mAh/in²
Battery Density 44.61 mAh/cm³ 58.29 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4500 mAh 6500 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) Octa-core (1x3.4 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
GPU Adreno 619 Adreno 750 (1 GHz)

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 3.2
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort 1
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 3.2, Gen 2, OTG, DisplayPort, Accessory Connector

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 14
Maximum OS Version 14

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G and the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro, focusing on real-world implications:

Design

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A52 5GZTE nubia Red Magic 9S ProPractical Impact
Dimensions159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm164 × 76.4 × 8.9 mmRed Magic is larger and bulkier; A52 is more pocketable.
Weight189g229gA52 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. Red Magic feels heavier in hand.
BuildStandardStandardBoth are standard smartphones, no foldable design

Display

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A52 5GZTE nubia Red Magic 9S ProPractical Impact
Size6.5"6.8"Red Magic has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming
Resolution1080x24001116x2480Red Magic offers slightly sharper images, though difference isn't dramatic
PPI407400Both are very similar; the difference in sharpness isn't noticeable
TechnologyAMOLEDAMOLEDBoth offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast
Refresh Rate120Hz120HzBoth provide a smooth experience in scrolling and gaming
Brightness0 nits0 nitsBrightness data missing; cannot compare

Performance

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A52 5GZTE nubia Red Magic 9S ProPractical Impact
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8 nm)Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)Red Magic's chipset is much more powerful, resulting in significantly faster performance
AnTuTu Score384,8532,369,542Red Magic scores significantly higher indicating smoother multitasking and gaming
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 750 (1 GHz)Red Magic's GPU is significantly more powerful, better for gaming and graphics intensive tasks

Camera

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A52 5GZTE nubia Red Magic 9S ProPractical Impact
Main Camera64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", Sony IMX68250MP, f/1.88, 1/1.57", Samsung GN5A52 has higher resolution, but Red Magic has a larger sensor, generally better low-light performance
Selfie Camera32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX61616MP, f/2.0, 1/3.06", Omnivision OV16A1QA52 has higher resolution front camera, while Red Magic has a wider aperture for potentially better low-light selfies
Wide Angle Lens13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", Samsung S5K3L650MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1Red Magic offers higher resolution and a wider aperture for the wide angle lens
Portrait Lens5MP, f/2.4NoneA52 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait shots
Macro Lens5MP, f/2.42MP, f/2.4, 1/5", GalaxyCore GC02M1A52 has a higher resolution macro lens
VideoUp to 4K@30fpsUp to 8K@30fpsRed Magic offers higher resolution and higher frame rate video recording
Camera FeaturesQuadruple camera, OIS, EISTriple camera, OIS, GimbalRed Magic offers more advanced video features

Battery

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A52 5GZTE nubia Red Magic 9S ProPractical Impact
Capacity4500mAh6500mAhRed Magic has a much larger battery, leading to longer battery life
Charging25W Fast Charging80W Fast ChargingRed Magic charges much faster, reducing downtime
Battery FeaturesNon-removable, QC2.0, AFCNon-removableSamsung has additional charging features

Software

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A52 5GZTE nubia Red Magic 9S ProPractical Impact
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to 14Android 14Red Magic has a more modern OS, with more recent features and security updates

Connectivity

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A52 5GZTE nubia Red Magic 9S ProPractical Impact
WiFi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/beRed Magic supports newer, faster WiFi standards for better network performance
Bluetooth5.0 LE5.2 LERed Magic has a newer Bluetooth version with better power efficiency and connectivity
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GalileoA-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5)Red Magic supports more satellite systems, ensuring better location accuracy
SIMDual SIM (Nano SIM)Dual SIM (Nano SIM)Both support dual SIM functionality

Storage

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A52 5GZTE nubia Red Magic 9S ProPractical Impact
Internal128/256 GB256/512 GBRed Magic offers more storage space for files and apps
RAM6/8 GB12/16 GBRed Magic has more RAM, enhancing multitasking and gaming performance
ExpandableNoNoNeither phone supports expandable storage

Audio

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A52 5GZTE nubia Red Magic 9S ProPractical Impact
QualityDolby Atmos, Dolby Digital PlusDTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphonesRed Magic offers better surround sound and clearer voice capture; A52 has Dolby features

Security

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A52 5GZTE nubia Red Magic 9S ProPractical Impact
FeaturesBasic Fingerprint SensorBasic Fingerprint SensorBoth provide basic biometric security via fingerprint

Build Quality

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A52 5GZTE nubia Red Magic 9S ProPractical Impact
Screen ProtectionGorilla Glass 5Gorilla Glass 5Both use the same scratch and impact resistant glass

Sensors

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A52 5GZTE nubia Red Magic 9S ProPractical Impact
SensorsFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall, GeomagneticFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, GravityRed Magic has more sensors, potentially better for gaming and advanced apps

2. Key Differences Analysis

Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Advantages

  • Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and carry around.
  • Higher Resolution Front Camera: Better for detailed selfies.
  • Dedicated Portrait Lens: Offers better depth effects for portrait photography.
  • Wider variety of camera features: Offers more features in camera software compared to ZTE.
  • Dolby Atmos/Dolby Digital Plus: Enhanced sound experience.
  • Slightly Higher Pixel Density: Marginally sharper display on paper.

ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro Advantages

  • Significantly More Powerful Performance: Superior for gaming and demanding applications.
  • Larger Battery Capacity: Much longer battery life and less frequent charging needed.
  • Faster Charging: Quick power-ups for less downtime.
  • Larger Display: More immersive for media consumption and gaming.
  • Higher Resolution Wide Angle Lens: Offers more details when using the wide-angle camera.
  • Advanced Video Recording: Support for 8K recording and more video recording options.
  • More Advanced Connectivity: Newer WiFi and Bluetooth versions.
  • More RAM and Storage Options: Better for heavy multitasking and storing large amounts of data.
  • More Sensors: Enhanced gaming and app experience.

Trade-offs

  • The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G sacrifices performance and battery life for a more compact and traditional design.
  • The ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro is bulkier and heavier but offers significantly superior performance, battery life, and more advanced features.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Samsung Galaxy A52 5G

  • Ideal User: Someone looking for a balanced smartphone for everyday use, content consumption, and casual photography.
  • Use Cases:
    • Everyday communication and social media.
    • Casual photography and video recording.
    • Watching videos and browsing the web.
    • Users who prefer a lighter device.
  • Price-to-Value: A decent mid-range option, although it is starting to show its age compared to newer devices.

ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro

  • Ideal User: Gamers and power users who require top-tier performance, long battery life, and advanced features.
  • Use Cases:
    • High-end gaming with demanding graphics.
    • Heavy multitasking with many apps running concurrently.
    • Capturing high-resolution videos and detailed photos, especially wide-angle.
    • Users who need the best battery life and fast charging.
    • Professional creators who need advanced video capabilities.
  • Price-to-Value: Excellent value for a high-performance, feature-rich smartphone.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers

  1. Performance Priority: How important is top-tier performance for gaming and demanding tasks?
  2. Battery Life: How crucial is long battery life and fast charging for your daily usage?
  3. Portability: Do you prefer a lighter and more compact phone over a larger and heavier device?

Scenario-Based Recommendations

  • Scenario 1: Casual User: If you primarily use your phone for communication, social media, and basic tasks, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is a good option.
  • Scenario 2: Gamer/Power User: If you play demanding games or need the absolute best performance, long battery life, and advanced features, the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro is the clear choice.
  • Scenario 3: Balanced Approach: If you need a mix of performance and features but still value portability and weight, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is more suitable. However, you will sacrifice performance and battery life.
  • Scenario 4: Video Creation: If you prioritize video capabilities, the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro's 8K recording and advanced stabilization features are much better.

My Choice

If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro. While the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G has a lighter build and a slightly higher resolution front camera, the Red Magic 9S Pro's advantages are overwhelming, for my specific needs and preferences. Here's why:

  1. Performance is Crucial: I often use my phone for demanding tasks like mobile gaming and video editing, making the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 a must-have. The performance difference, based on the AnTuTu scores and general feedback, is massive. The A52 5G, while capable of handling day-to-day tasks, would struggle under more intense usage.

  2. Battery Life is a Must: The larger 6500mAh battery combined with the 80W fast charging on the Red Magic 9S Pro is a game-changer. I am a heavy user, and the ability to go through the day without a recharge, and quick top-ups is invaluable.

  3. Future-Proofing: The more modern chipset, newer Bluetooth and WiFi standards, higher RAM and storage options of the Red Magic mean it is more likely to stay relevant for longer.

  4. Video Features: As I enjoy filming on my phone, the higher resolution options, stabilization, and wider aperture of the Red Magic 9S Pro would provide better quality results, especially in difficult conditions.

While the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G has a more compact build, its benefits don't outweigh the performance gains, and other additional capabilities offered by the ZTE Nubia Red Magic 9S Pro, making it my preferred pick.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Digital media communication
  • Technical storytelling
  • User-centric technology insights

Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.