Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A52 vs. Huawei nova 11
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Huawei nova 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 161.3 × 75 × 6.9 mm | Huawei is slightly taller and noticeably thinner; A52 is bulkier. |
| Weight | 189g | 168g | Huawei is significantly lighter making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Huawei offers slightly more screen real estate for viewing content. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1084x2412 | Both offer very sharp displays, difference is negligible. |
| Pixel Density | 407 PPI | 391 PPI | Both are very similar in sharpness, no practical difference to the naked eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colours, deep blacks and generally excellent viewing experiences. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Huawei's display will appear slightly smoother, especially during scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 950 nits | Huawei offers much better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | Huawei's chipset is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 587,561 | Huawei will handle more demanding tasks with ease. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 642L | Huawei's GPU offers better graphics performance for gaming and GPU-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res. | 64MP f/1.8 | 50MP f/1.9 | A52 has slightly higher resolution and a wider aperture, potentially better low-light performance (though sensor performance also factors in). |
| Selfie Camera Res. | 32MP f/2.2 | 60MP f/2.4 | Huawei has a significantly higher resolution selfie camera for potentially sharper selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP f/2.2 | None | A52 offers an additional ultrawide camera for landscape and group photos. |
| Depth Camera | 5MP f/2.4 | None | A52 can take more detailed depth information for portrait mode effects. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP f/2.4 | None | A52 can take close up shots with a dedicated macro lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 8MP f/2.2 | Huawei has a wide angle + macro lens, which is a compromise between the two functions. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 720p@960fps | A52 offers higher quality video recording. Both offer good slow-motion capture. |
| Stabilization | EIS, OIS | EIS | A52's optical image stabilization offers better video and photo quality. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, OIS, Ultra Stable video | Dual camera, PDAF, RAW | A52 has more versatility while the Huawei may take higher quality individual shots (especially in manual/RAW mode). |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Both should offer similar battery life. |
| Charging | 25W | 66W | Huawei charges much faster, reducing downtime waiting for a charge. |
| Battery Features | QC2.0 and AFC | Reverse charging | Huawei can charge other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | A52 offers a full version of Android with Google services. Huawei OS details are missing. | |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Up to Wi-Fi 5 | Up to Wi-Fi 6 | Huawei supports newer WiFi standards for better performance on supported networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.2 LE | Huawei offers a newer version of Bluetooth for better connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Huawei supports more satellite systems for improved location accuracy, especially in challenging environments. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both offer the same Dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Huawei offers a higher storage capacity model. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 6/8/12 GB | Huawei has configurations with more RAM for improved multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | A52 has a slight edge in audio quality. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Basic biometric security with a fingerprint reader on both phones. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Samsung offers better protection for the display screen. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity | Huawei has more sensors including a compass. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- More Versatile Camera System: Dedicated wide-angle, macro, and depth sensors offer more flexibility in different shooting scenarios.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): OIS provides superior image quality and video stabilization especially in low light.
- Better Audio Quality: Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus provides a better audio experience than the Huawei.
- Known Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides a good level of screen protection
- Full Android Experience: Supports full Android and Google Services.
Huawei nova 11 Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful Processor: Snapdragon 778G offers superior performance, better for demanding games and apps.
- Higher Display Refresh Rate: 120Hz offers a smoother visual experience.
- Much Brighter Display: Better visibility outdoors, especially in bright sunlight.
- Significantly Faster Charging: 66W charging greatly reduces charging time.
- Higher Resolution Front Camera: 60MP front camera for potentially more detailed selfies.
- More Internal Storage Options: Up to 512 GB of storage.
- More RAM: Up to 12 GB of RAM for smooth multitasking.
- Newer Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 for better connection speeds.
- More Satellite Systems: Supports more satellite systems for more accurate GPS
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung A52 has a more flexible camera system but the Huawei might take a higher quality image under optimal settings.
- The Samsung A52 has significantly slower charging, but is running full Android, and has better audio.
- The Huawei nova 11 has a much more powerful processor, but has a missing OS information.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52:
- Ideal User: A user who values a well-rounded camera system with OIS, a great multimedia experience with good audio quality and doesn't need the highest levels of gaming performance.
- Use Cases: Casual photography, video recording, media consumption, reliable daily use, Google Services and Android ecosystem.
- Strengths: Good cameras, reliable performance, good display with vivid colors, reliable brand.
Huawei nova 11:
- Ideal User: A user who prioritizes performance, fast charging, and display quality, is okay with a less comprehensive camera system, and needs a lot of internal storage.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, demanding apps, watching high resolution video content, photography with focus on single shots rather than multiple shooting modes.
- Strengths: Powerful processor, fast charging, bright and smooth display, large RAM and storage options.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is the camera system versatility? (Multiple lenses vs single better-performing camera)
- How important is high-performance gaming and multitasking?
- Is fast charging a must-have feature?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you prioritize camera versatility and reliable performance for daily use: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A52. It offers a more flexible camera system with OIS, is part of the Google ecosystem and has a good display.
- If you want the best possible performance for mobile gaming, and quick charging: Choose the Huawei nova 11. It provides a much smoother display, a more powerful processor, and faster charging and better internal storage options.
- If you are not a power user, and prefer a standard camera system but great front camera: Choose the Huawei Nova 11. It offers good performance, great selfie quality, and the fast charging.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would go for the Huawei nova 11.
While I appreciate the Samsung A52's more versatile camera system with OIS, my priorities are performance and display quality. The Huawei's Snapdragon 778G processor offers a significant performance boost which will improve my experience using the phone in demanding games. The 120Hz display would also feel smoother in my day-to-day use, and I value the extremely fast charging. While a full OS experience is ideal, I am willing to compromise to get the performance increase. Additionally, the higher storage options are appealing, and the 60MP front camera will take better quality selfies.
