1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm | iPhone 15 Plus is slightly taller and wider, making it feel larger in hand, while the A52 is slightly thicker. |
| Weight | 189g | 201g | The A52 is slightly lighter, which could be noticeable during extended use. |
| Build | Not specified | Not specified | Without further info, it's hard to conclude the build quality of either phone. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | A52 has a known screen protection, which provides better scratch and shatter resistance, iPhone 15 Plus screen protection is unknown |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | The iPhone 15 Plus offers a slightly larger viewing area for content consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1290 x 2796 | The iPhone 15 Plus has a significantly sharper display with more detail. |
| PPI | 407 | 460 | The higher pixel density on the iPhone 15 Plus results in a more crisp and clear visual experience. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; practical difference is minimal. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 60Hz | The A52 provides smoother scrolling and animations, while the iPhone has a standard 60hz which can appear less fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2000 nits | The iPhone 15 Plus is significantly brighter and much better for use in direct sunlight, providing clear outdoor visibility. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) | The A16 Bionic in the iPhone 15 Plus is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster performance and better efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 1,470,000 | The iPhone 15 Plus offers drastically superior performance for demanding apps, gaming, and multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Apple GPU (5-core) | iPhone 15 Plus has a superior GPU for better graphics performance and gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 48MP | A52 has higher resolution for more detail in good lighting. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.6 | iPhone 15 Plus has a wider aperture which means better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.7" | 1/1.5" | iPhone 15 Plus has larger sensor, resulting in better light gathering capabilities, impacting dynamic range and low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80µm | 1.00µm | iPhone 15 Plus has a larger pixel size that results in better light sensitivity and low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 32MP | 12MP | A52's selfie camera has a significantly higher resolution. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/1.9 | iPhone 15 Plus has a wider aperture for brighter selfies in low light. |
| Additional Cameras | Wide Angle, Portrait Mode (Depth), Macro | Wide Angle + Macro | A52 has separate lenses for different functionalities while iPhone 15 Plus combines Wide Angle and Macro functionality. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, More options | iPhone 15 Plus offers superior video features including HDR recording. |
| DxOMark | Not Available | Main Score: 145 | iPhone 15 Plus has a proven and superior camera system in both photo and video quality |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 4383 mAh | Similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable endurance. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 20W Fast Charging, 15W MagSafe Wireless, 7.5W Qi Wireless | A52 has faster wired charging, while the iPhone 15 Plus offers wireless charging with Magsafe |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate offers a more fluid visual experience.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 32MP selfie camera provides more detail for selfies in good lighting conditions.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Lenses: Offers separate lenses for macro and depth effects.
- Faster Wired Charging: 25W fast charging is slightly faster than iPhone's 20W.
- More affordable price: Generally, A52 will be a lot more affordable due to its age
Apple iPhone 15 Plus Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: The A16 Bionic chip provides a dramatic performance advantage for all tasks.
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, brighter display offers a sharper, more vibrant viewing experience, especially in outdoor settings.
- Better Camera System: Larger main camera sensor and wider apertures deliver superior low-light performance and better overall image quality.
- Wireless Charging: MagSafe and Qi wireless charging provides more flexibility and convenience.
- Newer Technology: Benefits from more modern Bluetooth version, and satellite GPS.
- Improved Video: Supports HDR recording and has a wide array of video recording options
- Higher Storage Option: Offers 512 GB for users needing more storage space.
Trade-offs:
- A52: The trade-off is that you have to sacrifice performance and display quality for a smoother screen and more camera features, but at a potentially lower price.
- iPhone 15 Plus: sacrifices higher refresh rate and separate Macro and depth lenses for drastically superior performance and display quality, potentially at a higher price.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize a smooth display and versatile camera options over raw performance. Users who don't need top-tier processing power and are not heavy gamers.
- Use Cases: Casual social media use, everyday photography, watching videos, light gaming.
- Price-to-Value: Offers good value for its price range, especially if you are looking for good-enough specs at a lower cost.
Apple iPhone 15 Plus:
- Ideal User: Users who demand the best performance, a top-tier display, and a reliable camera system. Professionals who depend on their smartphone for productivity, creativity, and reliability.
- Use Cases: Demanding apps, gaming, professional photography/videography, extended outdoor use, general productivity.
- Price-to-Value: Premium price point but provides exceptional value in terms of performance, display quality, and camera quality. It is a future-proof device that will last several years.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Performance Needs: How important is having the fastest, smoothest experience for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing?
- Display Preferences: Do you prioritize a higher refresh rate (smoothness) or a higher resolution and brightness?
- Camera Requirements: Do you need the best possible low-light performance and overall quality, or are you looking for more camera options?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-conscious User: If you are mainly interested in the day-to-day tasks, the Samsung A52 is the better choice due to its affordability and still offering good specs.
- Scenario 2: Power User/Creator: If you need the best possible experience for any task, go for the iPhone 15 Plus. Its processing power, camera quality, and high brightness will be essential.
- Scenario 3: Balanced User: If you need a good mix of performance and features and are willing to pay a premium price, the iPhone 15 Plus is the superior device.
What I would choose and why!
I would choose the Apple iPhone 15 Plus.
Here's why: While the Samsung Galaxy A52 offers some advantages like a 90Hz display and more camera lenses, the iPhone 15 Plus provides a drastically superior overall experience that aligns with my priorities.
- Performance: As a power user, the A16 Bionic chip's performance is unmatched, providing a smooth and lag-free experience for all tasks, including demanding apps and games. I do prefer to have smooth performance over a higher refresh rate.
- Display Quality: The brighter, higher-resolution OLED display of the iPhone 15 Plus is significantly better for outdoor use and media consumption, giving me a much more detailed experience.
- Camera Capabilities: The iPhone's better main camera sensor and aperture, along with excellent video recording capabilities, would give me more confidence in capturing high-quality photos and videos consistently in various conditions, especially low light.
- Longevity: The newer technology and performance of the iPhone 15 Plus suggest it would be a more future-proof device, lasting longer than the A52, which is now an older model. I value having a device that will perform well for several years.
- Ecosystem: As an Apple user, the seamless integration with other Apple devices is also an added benefit.
While the Samsung A52 is a decent phone for its price, especially for casual users, the iPhone 15 Plus offers a premium experience in key areas that are more important to me. The superior performance, display, camera, and video capabilities, along with its longer lifespan, make the higher price justified for my use case.
