1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 164.3 × 74.4 × 7.9 mm | Huawei is taller and thinner; Samsung is slightly wider, feel in hand can differ slightly |
| Weight | 189g | 188g | Virtually identical; no noticeable difference in hand |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.78" | Huawei has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1200x2652 | Huawei's higher resolution results in sharper text and images. |
| Pixel Density | 407 ppi | 429 ppi | Huawei has a slightly sharper display due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Similar display tech; both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Huawei display will feel smoother, especially in animations and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 950 nits | Huawei screen much easier to see in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | Huawei’s newer chipset offers noticeably faster performance, better gaming, more efficient multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 592,297 | Huawei provides much better overall performance; faster app loading, smoother gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 642L | Huawei's GPU is significantly more powerful, better for graphically intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Similar battery capacity suggests comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 100W fast charging | Huawei charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | QC2.0, AFC, Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Huawei can charge other devices; Samsung offers Quick Charge standards. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 64MP | 50MP | Samsung offers slightly higher resolution for more detail in images. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.9 | Samsung's wider aperture captures more light, better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 32MP | 60MP | Huawei captures selfies with more detail. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.4 | Samsung's wider aperture should perform slightly better in low light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | N/A | Samsung has a dedicated ultra-wide lens for broader perspectives. |
| Portrait Mode | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Samsung has dedicated depth sensor for better bokeh effect. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Samsung has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2 | Huawei has a combined wide angle and macro lens; flexibility in shooting |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps w/ EIS, 1080p@60fps w/ EIS | 720p@960fps w/ EIS | Samsung offers higher video resolution, better for detailed videos; Huawei has better slow motion capabilities |
| Video Stabilzation | Yes | No | Samsung offers more effective video stabilization in normal mode. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Quad camera | PDAF, Dual front camera | Samsung excels at low-light with OIS; Huawei is stronger in selfies. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Unknown | Samsung has a well-established Android experience with guaranteed updates. Huawei OS is unknown. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi MiMO | Huawei supports the latest Wi-Fi standard, faster and more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Huawei has a newer version with better range and speed. |
| 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 offers more precise location tracking with more satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support two SIM cards and can use them simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 128/256/512 GB | Huawei offers more storage options; useful for users with large media libraries. |
| RAM | 4/6/8GB | 6/8/12GB | Huawei offers more RAM which is helpful for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows external storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Sp. | Stereo Speakers | Samsung offers a richer audio experience, while both have stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer standard fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Samsung's screen has known damage protection; Huawei's protection is unspecified. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Both have comprehensive sensor suites, but Huawei includes a compass. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Better Low-light Camera Performance: Wider aperture on the main sensor and OIS offer better low-light image and video capture.
- More Versatile Camera System: Offers dedicated wide-angle, macro, and depth sensors for a wide variety of shots.
- Higher Video Quality: Records up to 4K at 30fps, which is much higher quality than 720p on the Huawei.
- Dolby Atmos Audio: Delivers a superior audio experience for media consumption.
- Known screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 gives higher durability and peace of mind.
Huawei nova 11 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: Newer chipset and GPU lead to much smoother, faster overall experience.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate offers a more fluid visual experience.
- Brighter Screen: 950 nits brightness is better for outdoor visibility.
- Much Faster Charging: 100W charging significantly reduces downtime.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 60MP provides detailed selfies.
- More RAM Options: 12 GB of RAM offers better multitasking.
- More Storage Options: Option of 512GB is beneficial to power users with large storage needs.
- Newer Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6, offers better connectivity experience.
- More Precise GPS: Supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
Trade-offs:
- Camera trade-off: Samsung offers a more versatile rear camera setup, but Huawei has higher-resolution selfie and a combined wide-angle/macro.
- Video: Samsung records at 4K vs 720p for Huawei which is much lower quality in normal video mode.
- Huawei's OS is not specified which means it might be based on Android or not, making the overall software experience uncertain.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 Ideal Users:
- Casual Photographers: Those who enjoy taking a variety of photos in various situations and need a reliable camera system with OIS.
- Video Content Creators: Users who record high resolution videos with great stabilization.
- Media Consumers: Enjoy good sound for videos and listening to music.
- Users Prioritizing Established Android Experience: Those who want a familiar Android environment with guaranteed updates.
Use Cases:
- Capturing detailed photos and videos in various conditions, especially low light.
- Enjoying media content with good audio quality.
- Everyday multitasking, social media and content creation.
- Consistent software updates and a stable user experience.
Huawei nova 11 Pro Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Those who need maximum performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Selfie Lovers: Those who want high-quality detailed selfies.
- Fast Paced Users: Users who prioritize fast charging for maximum uptime.
- Users with large media libraries: Users with large amount of videos, photos and other files.
- Users wanting the latest tech Wanting latest WI-FI standard and GPS tracking.
Use Cases:
- Heavy gaming and multitasking.
- Capturing high quality selfies.
- Needing fast charging for on-the-go use.
- Transferring and downloading data frequently.
- Heavy GPS use cases such as navigation and exploration.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- How important is camera versatility to you? Do you want a variety of lenses (wide-angle, macro) or a high-resolution main camera and high-detail selfies?
- Do you prioritize performance or software reliability? Do you need the fastest possible experience, or a stable Android system with guaranteed updates?
- How much do you value rapid charging and bright screen? Do you need fast charging on the go, and a screen that's visible outdoors?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual Use: If you need a balanced phone for everyday use, media consumption and prefer known brand with a stable software, and a good camera system for different types of shots, the Samsung Galaxy A52 is a good choice.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Selfies: If your priority is performance and speed for gaming, and also want high quality selfies, with quick charge capability and the most updated tech, the Huawei nova 11 Pro is a better fit.
- Scenario 3: Budget Conscious: Both phones have differences based on their unique features, cost might be a decisive factor, making either a better choice depending on what features are most needed at that price.
My Choice
I would choose the Huawei nova 11 Pro. While the Samsung A52 offers a more versatile camera system and better audio, the significant performance difference, much faster charging, brighter screen, and larger storage options of the Huawei make it a more compelling option for me. I value a snappy experience, and being able to quickly charge the phone. The unknown OS is a slight concern, but the overall hardware superiority makes it worth the risk. If the camera system was significantly more important than raw power, then the A52 would be the better choice.
