1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Blackview A96 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 161.8 × 74.2 × 8.6 mm | Blackview A96 is slightly taller and a bit wider, may feel slightly larger in hand. |
| Weight | 189g | 193.9g | Both phones are very similar in weight, negligible difference in hand feel. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.5" | Identical screen size; both offer the same viewing area for content. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical resolution; similar sharpness and clarity of images and text. |
| Pixel Density | 407 PPI | 405 PPI | Near identical pixel density, negligible difference in visual detail. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Samsung A52 has better color reproduction, contrast, and deeper blacks, enhancing media consumption and overall visual experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Blackview A96 offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations, beneficial for gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness. Note: This value is likely incorrect, as no phone has 0 nits brightness |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) | Blackview A96's chipset is newer and slightly more efficient. Expect slightly faster app loading and general system responsiveness. |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 423,393 | Blackview A96 offers better performance in day to day tasks and for gaming, noticeable improvements in speed and smoothness. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Different GPUs, but the Blackview A96's GPU supports higher performance in gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", Sony IMX682 | 48MP, f/1.6, 1/2", Samsung S5KGM2 | Samsung A52's larger sensor likely allows better low-light photos; Blackview A96 may have better background blur due to wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX616 | 16MP, 1/3", Hynix HI-1634 | Samsung A52’s higher resolution captures more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.4 | Samsung A52 captures wider landscape/group shots with higher detail. |
| Depth Sensor | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung A52 can capture better bokeh effect in portraits. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Samsung A52 is capable of capturing better details on close up shots. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with EIS | 1440p@30fps | Samsung A52 can capture higher quality video for video recording. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Quadruple, Night Mode | PDAF, Triple, Front Flash | Samsung A52 has additional features such as OIS which helps reduce blur; Blackview A96 has a triple camera setup, PDAF, and front flash, features which enhance autofocus and selfie photography. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4380mAh | Very similar battery capacities, expect similar daily battery life for average users. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | Samsung A52 charges faster, reducing waiting time. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 13 | Blackview A96 ships with a newer version of Android, likely offering more features and security updates out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Both phones have similar Wi-Fi capabilities, supporting standard 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.0 | Both offer similar Bluetooth audio experiences, but Samsung A52 has better energy efficiency and more device profile support |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | Samsung A52 can connect to more satellite navigation systems, which can be useful for precise navigation, especially in challenging conditions |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256 GB | Blackview A96 offers a single 256GB variant, whereas Samsung A52 also has a 128GB model available, offering a cheaper option |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 8/12 GB | Blackview A96 has more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and handling of more demanding applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so users are limited to the phone's internal storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | Samsung A52 offers enhanced spatial audio with Dolby Atmos, useful for media consumption. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Blackview A96 has a more convenient and faster side mounted finger print sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Samsung A52 has better screen protection with Gorilla Glass 5, making it less prone to scratches. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology offers better colors, contrast, and viewing experience.
- Better Camera System: Higher resolution main, selfie, wide and macro cameras, plus OIS and additional features such as portrait mode.
- Faster Charging: 25W charging means less time plugged into the wall.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus for more immersive audio.
- More Comprehensive Sensors Additional sensors for precise measurement.
- More Navigation Satellite Support Supports Galileo satellite system for more reliable navigation.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for better scratch resistance.
Blackview A96 Advantages:
- Newer Chipset & Better Performance: Mediatek Helio G99 provides higher benchmark scores and slightly better performance in daily tasks.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animations.
- More RAM: 8GB/12GB options compared to the Samsung A52's 4/6/8GB options for better multitasking.
- Newer Android Version: Ships with Android 13, which may receive longer software support.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor More convenient and faster fingerprint sensor.
- Wider Camera Aperture Wider f/1.6 aperture on main camera for better low light performance
- Front Flash: For better illuminated selfies in poor lighting conditions
- PDAF Phase Detection Autofocus offers better autofocus.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Samsung A52 offers a better screen and a higher quality camera system, but is less powerful and less smooth compared to the Blackview A96.
- Blackview A96 offers more performance and smoothness, but lacks the camera quality, audio quality, and display quality compared to the Samsung A52.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 Ideal Users:
- Media Consumers: Users who prioritize a vibrant, high-contrast display for watching videos, browsing social media, and viewing photos.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value a better and versatile camera system for taking high quality photos and videos.
- Audio Lovers: Users who enjoy the immersive audio with Dolby Atmos.
- Users Seeking Brand Reliability: Users who prefer the established brand of Samsung and its ecosystem.
Use Cases:
- Watching movies and TV shows with excellent display quality.
- Taking high-quality photos and videos in various lighting conditions.
- Listening to music and other audio with high-fidelity and better audio immersion.
- Casual everyday use with great display and good performance.
Blackview A96 Ideal Users:
- Gamers: Users who prioritize smooth performance and high refresh rate for gaming.
- Multitaskers: Users who need more RAM for running multiple apps and heavy workloads.
- Budget-Conscious Users: Users seeking a newer device with a good performance without breaking the bank.
- Users Seeking the Latest Software: Users who want a device that is running the latest operating system out of the box.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive mobile games.
- Running multiple applications simultaneously without lag.
- General browsing and consumption of content.
- Users who need a device running the latest software.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung A52 will likely be more expensive due to its brand name and features such as display, camera, and audio.
- The Blackview A96 might offer a better performance to price ratio, catering more to those who are performance and value conscious.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Media consumption, gaming, photography, or general use)
- How important is display quality vs. performance? (AMOLED vs 120Hz refresh rate)
- What is your budget? (Price will likely vary between the two models)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Media Lovers: If you enjoy movies, shows and other media, choose the Samsung Galaxy A52 for the superior AMOLED display, better audio quality, and better main and selfie camera.
- For Gamers: If you play games or need the fastest possible performance, choose the Blackview A96 for its 120Hz refresh rate, better performance, and additional RAM.
- For the Everyday User: If you're a casual user, both will work, but the Blackview A96 offers a more modern experience. The Samsung Galaxy A52 will be a better choice if camera and display quality is more important.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A52. My primary use case leans towards media consumption and photography. The AMOLED display, better main and selfie cameras, OIS, and superior audio quality make the Galaxy A52 a better all-arounder for these needs. While the Blackview A96 offers better performance and a smoother display, the superior camera quality, better screen and better audio of the Samsung A52 are more important to me.
