Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A52 vs. Motorola Edge 30 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm | 163.1 x 76 x 8.8 mm | Motorola is slightly taller and thicker, may feel less comfortable in small hands or pockets |
| Weight | 189g | 196g | Samsung is slightly lighter, may be more comfortable for prolonged use |
| Build | Plastic back and frame | Glass Back and Aluminum frame | Motorola has a more premium feel due to the use of glass and aluminum. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Motorola has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same detail and clarity |
| PPI | 407 | 393 | Both phones have very similar sharpness |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer similar vivid colors and deep blacks |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 144Hz | Motorola screen will feel smoother and more responsive, especially noticeable in games and scrolling |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness data missing, difficult to assess real-world visibility |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 720G (8nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) | Motorola has a significantly more powerful chip, resulting in faster app loading and smoother gaming |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 1,061,400 | Motorola is significantly faster and more future-proof in performance |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 730 | Motorola has a more powerful GPU, better for demanding graphics and games |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", 1.0µm | Motorola's larger sensor may capture more light and detail. Resolution difference may be noticeable in large prints and crops. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 60MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 0.61µm | Motorola has a higher resolution selfie camera |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | None | Samsung has an ultra-wide lens for wider shots |
| Portrait Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | 2MP, f/2.4 | Samsung offers slightly higher resolution for depth sensing |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | None | Samsung allows detailed close-up shots |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Motorola has a wide angle lens that also doubles as a macro camera |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p up to 960fps | Motorola offers much higher video recording capabilities |
| DxOMark | Not Tested | 101 (Photo:107, Video: 102) | Motorola has a tested camera performance score |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4800mAh | Motorola has slightly more battery, may offer marginally longer usage |
| Charging | 25W | 68W | Motorola charges significantly faster |
| Features | QC2.0, AFC | 15W Wireless, Reverse Charging | Motorola has wireless charging and reverse charging, making it more versatile |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- More versatile camera system: Includes a dedicated ultra-wide, macro, and depth sensor for a wider range of shooting scenarios.
- Lighter Design: May feel more comfortable for extended periods.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 is more resistant to scratches and breakage.
- Dolby Digital Plus: Provides better sound output.
Motorola Edge 30 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 provides a much smoother, faster experience for demanding tasks.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 144Hz display provides a smoother, more responsive experience, particularly noticeable in gaming.
- Higher Video Recording Capabilities: Ability to record in 8K.
- Faster Charging: 68W charging gets you back to full power much quicker.
- Wireless and Reverse Charging: Adds versatility and convenience.
- Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.2 has better stability and connectivity.
- Higher Quality Audio Recording: Equipped with 3 microphones.
- More Storage Options: Comes in 512GB variant
Trade-offs:
- Samsung: Slower chipset and less impressive display when compared to Motorola, however a more versatile camera system, and is lighter with better screen protection.
- Motorola: Lacks dedicated ultra-wide and macro camera sensors and has an older screen protection, heavier.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 Ideal User:
- Casual Photographers: Users who value a versatile camera setup and want to capture a variety of shots with dedicated lenses.
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those seeking a good all-around device with a focus on a good display, decent performance, and decent camera quality at an affordable price.
- Users who want more versatility from the camera lenses.
- Comfort over performance seekers
Use Cases:
- Everyday photography and social media.
- General use (browsing, social media, video streaming).
- Users who require lighter phones, or those who require better screen protection.
Motorola Edge 30 Pro Ideal User:
- Power Users: Users who require top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Mobile Gamers: Those who benefit from a high refresh rate display and a powerful processor.
- Video Creators: Those who want the ability to shoot higher resolution video.
- Users who require faster charging and wireless charging capabilities
Use Cases:
- High-performance gaming and demanding mobile apps.
- Professional video creation.
- Users needing top-tier performance.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy A52 offers good value for its price, particularly for users who want a balance of features and price.
- The Motorola Edge 30 Pro is better in terms of raw specs, but is likely more expensive.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- How important is performance for me? If you need the highest performance, the Motorola is the obvious choice.
- What kind of photography do I do? If you need an ultrawide and macro lens, the Samsung is better, however the Motorola has tested camera performance.
- How important is battery life and charging speed? Motorola offers better charging, while both have similar battery life.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User on a Budget: If you want a good all-round phone and you are not demanding, the Samsung A52 provides better value.
- Scenario 2: Gamer/Power User: If you need the best gaming performance, the Motorola Edge 30 Pro is the superior choice.
- Scenario 3: Mobile Photographer/Videographer: If you need the versatility of a wide angle lens and macro lens, the Samsung A52 is better, however, for video creation and performance, the Motorola Edge 30 Pro is better.
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola Edge 30 Pro. Although I value the versatility of the Samsung A52's cameras, the huge performance leap offered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 on the Motorola is too significant to ignore. The smoother 144Hz display, faster charging, and the inclusion of wireless charging make the Motorola a more compelling device for my personal use, which involves heavy multitasking, some mobile gaming and video recording. The higher video resolution recording is also an advantage, and I prefer the premium feel of the glass and aluminum. Although I like the slightly lighter design of the Samsung, I find that the improved performance, battery, and faster charging are more relevant to my day-to-day usage.
While the Samsung A52 is an excellent device at a lower price point, the significant performance and additional features offered by the Motorola Edge 30 Pro justify its cost for my use cases.
