Samsung Galaxy A52 vs Apple iPhone 15 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date March 26, 2021 September 22, 2023
Release Year 2021 2023

Physical

Volume 100.87 cm³ 82.43 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.44 "/g 3.57 "/g
Weight 189 g 171 g
Height 159.9 mm 147.6 mm
Width 75.1 mm 71.6 mm
Thickness 8.4 mm 7.8 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Awesome Black
  • Awesome White
  • Awesome Blue
  • Awesome Violet
  • Black
  • Yellow
  • Blue
  • Green
  • Pink

Display

Screen Size 6.5 " 6.1 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1179 x 2556
Aspect Ratio 20:9 19.5:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 84.9 % 86.4 %
Pixel Density 407 PPI 461 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz N/A
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 800 nits 1000 nits
Peak Brightness N/A 2000 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 106.51 mAh/in² 90.00 mAh/in²
Battery Density 44.61 mAh/cm³ 40.63 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4500 mAh 3349 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) Hexa-core (2x3.46 GHz Everest + 4x2.02 GHz Sawtooth)
GPU Adreno 618 Apple GPU (5-core graphics)

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort 1
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 2.0, DisplayPort

Software

Operating System Android iOS
Initial OS Version 11 17
Maximum OS Version 14 18

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A52Apple iPhone 15Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mmA52 is larger and bulkier, making the iPhone 15 more pocketable and comfortable for smaller hands.
Weight189g171giPhone 15 is lighter, reducing fatigue during prolonged use.
BuildStandardStandardBoth are standard smartphones; neither is foldable.
Display
Size6.5"6.1"A52 offers a larger screen, better for media consumption, while iPhone 15 is more compact.
Resolution1080x24001179x2556iPhone 15's higher resolution results in sharper text and images.
Pixel Density407 ppi461 ppiiPhone 15 provides a noticeably clearer display with greater detail due to higher pixel density.
TechnologyAMOLEDOLEDBoth offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; negligible real-world difference.
Refresh Rate90Hz60HzA52 has smoother scrolling and animations. The iPhone 15 has a standard 60Hz refresh rate.
Brightness0 nits2000 nitsiPhone 15 has a much brighter display, making it clearly visible in direct sunlight.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 720G (8 nm)Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm)iPhone 15 offers vastly superior performance; apps load faster, multitasking is smoother, and gaming is more fluid.
AnTuTu Score341,2121,470,000iPhone 15 demonstrates significantly higher benchmark performance, translating to a much faster user experience.
GPUAdreno 618Apple GPU (5-core)iPhone 15's GPU provides substantially better graphics processing for demanding games and applications.
Battery
Capacity4500 mAh3877 mAhA52 has a larger battery, potentially offering better battery life for daily tasks.
Charging25W Fast Charging (Li-Polymer)20W Fast Charging (Li-Ion)A52 charges slightly faster with 25W charging, both support fast charging.
FeaturesQC2.0, AFC15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi WirelessiPhone 15 supports wireless charging capabilities, A52 has more basic charging options.
Camera
Main Camera64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7"48MP, f/1.6, 1/1.5"While the A52 has a higher megapixel count, the iPhone 15 has a larger sensor and a wider aperture, potentially leading to better low light performance.
Selfie Camera32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8"12MP, f/1.9The A52 boasts more megapixels, but the iPhone 15’s larger pixels and wider aperture can be better for low light selfies.
Wide Angle Lens12MP, f/2.2NoneThe A52 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for more versatile shots.
Portrait (Depth)5MP, f/2.4NoneThe A52 includes a dedicated depth sensor for improved portrait mode performance.
Macro Lens5MP, f/2.4NoneThe A52 features a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots.
Wide Angle + MacroNone12MP, f/2.4iPhone 15 offers an ultrawide and macro in one lens.
Video Recording4K@30fps with EIS4K@60fps with HDR & StereoiPhone 15 offers a wider range of video recording options including higher frame rates and HDR with stereo sound
DXOMark ScoreN/A145The iPhone 15 has a high DXOMark score, indicating superior overall camera performance.
Camera FeaturesQuad Camera, OISDual Camera, OIS, Cinematic ModeBoth have optical stabilization, the A52 has a quadruple camera, while the iPhone has more advanced features like Cinematic Mode.
Software
OSAndroid 11 (Upgradable to 14)iOS 17 (Upgradable to 18)Different OS ecosystems; Android offers more customization while iOS provides smoother integration with Apple products.
Connectivity
Wi-FiWi-Fi 5Wi-Fi 6iPhone 15 supports faster and more efficient Wi-Fi 6; A52 has Wi-Fi Direct and Display.
Bluetooth5.05.3iPhone 15 has a newer Bluetooth version with potentially better range and efficiency.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GalileoGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, GalileoiPhone 15 supports more satellite systems, leading to improved location accuracy.
SIMNano SIM + Nano SIMNano SIM + eSIMiPhone 15 supports eSIM, offering more flexibility with carrier switching while A52 uses two physical sim cards.
Storage
Internal128/256 GB128/256/512 GBiPhone 15 offers a higher maximum storage option (512GB) for users needing more space.
RAM4/6/8 GB6 GBA52 potentially has more RAM for better multitasking.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither phone supports expandable storage.
Audio
Audio QualityDolby Atmos, Stereo SpeakersStereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation MicrophonesBoth offer Stereo speakers, A52 provides enhanced audio with Dolby Atmos and iPhone 15 excels in noise cancellation in audio recording.
Security
FeaturesBasic Fingerprint SensorBasic Security FeaturesA52 includes a physical fingerprint sensor; while the iPhone offers face unlock.
Build Quality
Screen ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5UnknownThe A52 has known Gorilla Glass protection for better scratch resistance; The iPhone 15 screen protection is unknown.
Sensors
SensorsFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, GyroscopeProximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, BarometeriPhone 15 has additional environmental sensors; A52 includes a biometric fingerprint sensor.
## 2. Key Differences Analysis

Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:

  • Larger Display: The 6.5-inch screen is beneficial for media consumption and gaming.
  • Higher Refresh Rate Display: 90Hz refresh rate offers smoother scrolling and animations.
  • Larger Battery: The 4500 mAh battery may lead to longer battery life for general use.
  • More Camera Lenses: Quad camera array for different shooting modes.
  • Physical Fingerprint Sensor: Provides a traditional biometric security option.
  • Expandable Storage: While the comparison results say that it does not, other research confirms it has external storage up to 1TB
  • Lower Price: Typically more affordable than the iPhone 15, offering a more budget-friendly option.

Apple iPhone 15 Advantages:

  • Significantly Faster Performance: The A16 Bionic chip is considerably more powerful, making the device much faster and more responsive.
  • Higher Resolution and Pixel Density Display: Offers a much sharper and clearer display, especially noticeable with text and detailed images.
  • Much Brighter Display: 2000 nits brightness for excellent outdoor visibility.
  • Superior Camera System: Better low light performance and video recording capabilities with advanced features.
  • Newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 for faster, more reliable wireless connections.
  • eSIM Support: Enables easier switching between carriers for greater convenience.
  • Wireless Charging: Includes both MagSafe and Qi wireless charging for added convenience.
  • Better Software and Ecosystem Integration: Seamless integration with other Apple devices and services.
  • Higher Maximum Storage Capacity: 512 GB option for those who need a lot of storage space.
  • Better Video Quality The iPhone 15 has an HDR video recording option.

Trade-offs:

  • A52: Sacrifices performance and display quality for a lower price, larger screen, and longer battery life. It also has a lower screen brightness and a slower chipset.
  • iPhone 15: Comes at a higher price, with a smaller screen and lacks a dedicated fingerprint sensor.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy A52:

  • Budget-Conscious Users: Those looking for a reliable smartphone with a good display and battery life at an affordable price.
  • Media Consumers: Users who enjoy watching videos and movies on their phones and want a larger screen.
  • Users who Prefer Android: Individuals who are comfortable with the Android ecosystem and its customization options.
  • Users who want a physical fingerprint sensor Those who prefer the physical security option instead of face unlock.

Specific Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A52:

  • Daily Communication & Social Media: Offers a smooth experience for basic tasks and social media browsing.
  • Casual Gaming: Handles basic games adequately, though not ideal for high-end graphics.
  • Media Streaming: Larger display provides a better experience for watching videos and movies.
  • General Productivity: Good for everyday tasks like email and document editing.

Ideal Users for Apple iPhone 15:

  • Performance Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize speed, responsiveness, and overall performance.
  • Photography/Videography Enthusiasts: Those who value high-quality images and videos.
  • Apple Ecosystem Users: Individuals deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem and looking for seamless device interaction.
  • Users who want long-term support: Apple is known for extended software updates, providing a longer lifecycle for the device.
  • Users who need a brighter display: The iPhone 15's brighter display is great for outdoor use.

Specific Use Cases for Apple iPhone 15:

  • Professional Photography/Videography: Delivers high-quality results with its advanced camera system.
  • Gaming: Excels in gaming due to the powerful A16 chip and GPU.
  • Content Creation: Ideal for video editing and other content-creation tasks.
  • Mobile Professionals: Offers a seamless experience for productivity on the go.

Price-to-Value Ratio:

  • A52: Offers good value for its price, especially for users who prioritize screen size and battery life over top-tier performance.
  • iPhone 15: Provides a premium experience and advanced features but is significantly more expensive.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The iPhone 15 is significantly more expensive, impacting budget-conscious buyers.
  2. What are your performance needs? If you need the best speed and graphics, the iPhone 15 is the clear choice.
  3. What are your camera priorities? Do you want a versatile system or a high-quality image output above all?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User:
    • Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A52. The A52 provides a good user experience, especially for basic tasks, media consumption and those who like to use 2 SIM cards with a lower price than the iPhone.
  • Scenario 2: Performance Seeker:
    • Recommendation: Apple iPhone 15. For demanding tasks like gaming or video editing, the A16 Bionic chip offers a superior experience.
  • Scenario 3: Camera Enthusiast:
    • Recommendation: Apple iPhone 15. The high quality camera is superior in the iPhone, especially in low light conditions.

My Choice and Why

My Choice: Apple iPhone 15

Explanation: As a smartphone analyst, I prioritize performance, camera quality, and overall user experience. While the Samsung Galaxy A52 offers a larger display and potentially longer battery life, the iPhone 15 provides a significantly superior experience in areas that are critical for a high-end user. The A16 Bionic chip ensures smooth performance in every task, the better quality display improves clarity and visibility, the camera system is vastly superior for a range of scenarios including low light and video, and the integration with the Apple ecosystem provides an experience that aligns with my typical workflow. Although the iPhone 15 is more expensive and has a smaller display, the performance, camera and overall user experience justifies this premium. For those who prefer more customization, the Samsung A52 is still a very capable device.

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.

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  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.