Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A52 vs. Honor Magic4 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm | 163.6 x 74.7 x 9.1 mm | Magic4 Pro is slightly taller and thicker; A52 is more compact, may be easier to handle for smaller hands |
| Weight | 189g | 209g | A52 is noticeably lighter; more comfortable for extended holding periods, less fatigue |
| Build Quality | Gorilla Glass 5 (screen) | Unknown (screen) | A52 screen is more resistant to scratches and drops, offering better protection |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.81" | Magic4 Pro offers a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1312x2848 | Magic4 Pro provides a noticeably sharper and more detailed image |
| Pixel Density | 407 PPI | 460 PPI | Magic4 Pro display appears crisper, better for text and detailed content. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both provide vibrant colors and deep blacks; similar viewing experience |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Magic4 Pro has slightly smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in fast-paced content/gaming |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1000 nits | Magic4 Pro has significantly better outdoor visibility, easily usable in bright sunlight |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Magic4 Pro provides much faster processing speed, significantly smoother performance for apps, multitasking, and high-end games. |
| Antutu Score | 341,212 | 945,832 | Magic4 Pro is far more powerful; faster app loading, smoother multitasking, better for resource intensive applications and gaming |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 730 | Magic4 Pro delivers superior graphics performance, better for graphically demanding games and applications |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56", 1.0µm | A52 has higher resolution, Magic4 Pro has a larger sensor and larger pixel size (better for low-light photography) |
| Telephoto + portrait | None | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.7µm | Magic4 Pro offers telephoto capabilities for better zoomed images and portrait mode |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 12MP, f/2.4, Unknown sensor model, Unknown pixel size | A52 takes higher resolution selfies with a slightly wider aperture, better in low-light conditions |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, Unknown sensor model, 1.12µm | None | A52 allows capturing wider landscape/group shots |
| ToF 3D Sensor | None | 0.3MP, Unknown sensor model, Unknown pixel size | Magic4 Pro allows better depth sensing for 3D scanning and portrait mode |
| Portrait Mode | 5MP, f/2.4, Unknown sensor model, 1.12µm | None | A52 has a dedicated depth sensor, allowing better bokeh effect in portrait images |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, Unknown sensor model, 1.12µm | None | A52 provides a dedicated macro lens for very close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 50MP, f/2.2, Unknown sensor model, Unknown pixel size | Magic4 Pro's ultrawide camera can also function as a macro camera |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps (EIS) | 4K@30/60fps with HDR & EIS, 1080p@30/60fps with HDR & EIS | Magic4 Pro offers 4K recording at 60fps with HDR, better video quality and stabilization, better slow-motion capabilities |
| DXOMark Score | Not available | 126 (Overall), 132 (Photo), 117 (Video) | Magic4 Pro camera performance has been thoroughly tested and rated, showing it's a capable camera phone |
| Camera Features | OIS, EIS, Autofocus, HDR, Night Mode | OIS, EIS, Autofocus, HDR, Night Mode, Optical Zoom, Laser AF, RAW, Manual Focus | Magic4 Pro has added advanced features such as Optical Zoom, Laser AF, RAW and manual focus options |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4600mAh | Similar battery life; both should offer all-day battery for most users |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | Magic4 Pro charges significantly faster, minimizing downtime; fully charged in a fraction of the A52's time |
| Battery Features | QC2.0, AFC | Reverse charging, 100W Wireless Charging | Magic4 Pro can wirelessly charge other devices and supports wireless charging |
Software and Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 12 | Honor Magic4 Pro has a more updated OS, although A52 can be upgraded to a newer version |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Magic4 Pro offers faster and more reliable Wi-Fi connections |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Magic4 Pro provides a more stable and faster Bluetooth connection, better audio codecs |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Magic4 Pro is better suited for accurate navigation even in challenging areas. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both phones support dual SIM functionality for multiple numbers. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB | Magic4 Pro offers higher base storage options, with up to 512GB available |
| RAM | 4 GB, 6 GB, or 8 GB | 8 GB or 12 GB | Magic4 Pro has a higher RAM capacity, allowing smoother multitasking and gaming |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers | A52 provides enhanced spatial and surround audio; Honor Magic4 Pro delivers a great sound experience. |
Security and Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Fingerprint Sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Standard biometric security features; quick and secure unlocking |
| Other Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Comprehensive sensor suites, suitable for most use cases including gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: More comfortable for one-handed use and carrying.
- Wider Angle Lens: Provides additional versatility for landscape and group photos.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Better capabilities for close-up shots.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and wider aperture for better selfies.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides a higher resistance to damage.
- Dolby Atmos Audio: Offers enhanced spatial sound.
- Lower Price Point: Generally more budget-friendly than the Honor Magic4 Pro.
Practical Implications: Ideal for users who value portability, and a comprehensive camera system with versatile lens options, better for selfies, and are budget-conscious.
Honor Magic4 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: Faster processor and GPU.
- Superior Display: Larger, higher resolution, higher refresh rate, significantly brighter.
- Faster Charging: 100W charging is a game-changer for quickly topping up the battery.
- Telephoto Camera: Offers much improved zoom capabilities
- More RAM and Storage: Provides more space for apps, files, and smoother multitasking.
- Advanced Camera Features: Better video quality with HDR and advanced features such as Laser AF and manual focus
- Newer Bluetooth and Wi-Fi: Faster and more reliable connections.
- Better Location Accuracy: More satellite support.
Practical Implications: Ideal for users who prioritize performance, a premium display, and a superior overall experience, especially for gaming, media consumption, and fast charging.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung A52: Trades performance, high-end display, and some camera features for greater portability and a lower price point.
- Honor Magic4 Pro: Trades some versatility on camera lens for significant performance and display upgrades, but it comes at a higher price and slightly more bulk.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 Ideal User:
- Casual Users: Who browse, use social media, and take casual photos.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Who need a reliable smartphone without top-tier features at a lower price.
- Users with Smaller Hands: Who value a lighter, more compact device.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Who want versatile lens options such as macro and ultrawide lenses.
Specific Use Cases:
- Everyday browsing and social media.
- Casual photography of friends, family, and everyday life, with the benefit of wide-angle and macro lenses.
- Watching videos and light gaming.
- A solid, reliable device for users who do not require intense processing power.
Honor Magic4 Pro Ideal User:
- Power Users: Who demand high performance for gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Who watch a lot of videos and want a premium display experience.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Who want an excellent camera phone with advanced features and great zoom capabilities.
- Users Who Need Fast Charging: Who often run out of battery and need a device that charges quickly.
Specific Use Cases:
- High-end mobile gaming.
- Editing photos and videos on the go.
- Watching movies and other multimedia content in great detail with vibrant colors.
- Users who need a highly responsive and smooth user experience.
- Professionals who require the best possible camera on the go.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The A52 is generally cheaper than the Magic4 Pro.
- How important is performance to you? If you are a gamer or heavy user, the Magic4 Pro is much better suited.
- Do you prefer a versatile camera system or a high-quality camera setup? The A52 offers more lens versatility, while the Magic4 Pro offers better quality pictures, zoom capabilities, and more advanced video recording capabilities.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious Casual User: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A52 for its affordability, good camera versatility, and portability.
- Performance Seeker: Choose the Honor Magic4 Pro for its high-end performance, superior display, and significantly faster charging.
- Multimedia Enthusiast: Choose the Honor Magic4 Pro for its large, high-resolution, high-brightness display and impressive sound.
- Camera-focused User: The Honor Magic4 Pro is recommended for its overall camera quality, especially for those who need the zoom capabilities and advanced video recording. However, if versatility of lens is key, the A52 with its macro and wide-angle lens, and higher resolution selfie camera may be a better pick.
My Choice
I would choose the Honor Magic4 Pro. While the Samsung Galaxy A52 is a solid phone, the Magic4 Pro's significantly superior performance, display, and charging speed are more in line with my priorities as a power user and multimedia consumer. The enhanced camera system with Optical zoom and great video capabilities, along with advanced software features, is a big plus for capturing content on the go. Though it is heavier and more expensive, I value the overall experience and believe it would serve my needs better in the long run.
