1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 161.8 × 73.5 × 8.4 mm | Similar size. Edge 30 Ultra slightly taller, A52 slightly wider. Minimal difference in hand feel. |
| Weight | 189g | 198.5g | A52 is slightly lighter, which might be preferable for extended use but the difference is not huge. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.67" | Edge 30 Ultra offers a slightly larger display for a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same level of sharpness; images and text will appear equally crisp. |
| PPI | 407 | 395 | Similar pixel density, so both offer a sharp viewing experience. Difference is negligible |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, with no practical difference to the user. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 144Hz | Edge 30 Ultra provides a significantly smoother experience, especially in gaming and fast-scrolling content, less motion blur and better response. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1250 nits | Edge 30 Ultra display is much brighter, providing superior visibility in direct sunlight. The A52's display will be harder to see outdoors. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Edge 30 Ultra offers significantly higher performance, resulting in faster app launches, smoother multitasking and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 1,231,300 | Edge 30 Ultra provides vastly superior real-world speed and responsiveness in all tasks, with a score almost four times higher. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 730 | Edge 30 Ultra delivers dramatically superior graphics performance for smoother and higher fidelity gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", Sony IMX682, 0.80µm | 200MP, f/1.95, 1/1.22", Samsung ISOCELL HP1, 0.64µm | Edge 30 Ultra captures significantly more detailed images, especially in good lighting, while the A52 offers better low-light performance with wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX616, 0.80µm | 60MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Omnivision OV60A, 0.64µm | Edge 30 Ultra captures higher-resolution selfies, leading to better overall detail. Both have similar aperture for low-light capture. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 12MP, f/1.6, Unknown Sensor, Unknown Pixel size | Edge 30 Ultra provides optical zoom capabilities, allowing for closer shots with no quality loss, not available on the A52. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, Unknown Sensor, 1.12µm | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1, 0.64µm | Edge 30 Ultra captures much more detailed wide-angle shots. Both have similar aperture. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 5MP, f/2.4, Unknown Sensor, 1.12µm | None | A52 has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode; this will create a more pronounced blur effect on the background compared to the Edge 30 Ultra. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, Unknown Sensor, 1.12µm | None | A52 has a dedicated macro lens for very close-up shots. This is missing on the Edge 30 Ultra. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@30/60fps with EIS, 120fps slow motion | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/320/960fps with HDR, EIS | Edge 30 Ultra allows for high resolution and advanced slow motion capture for professional grade content creation. |
| Additional Features | Quadruple camera, Ultra stable video, Continuous autofocus | Triple Camera, Optical Zoom, Manual Focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), RAW | A52 has a more versatile camera setup with 4 lens for different situations, Edge 30 Ultra focuses on advanced photography with features like RAW image capture. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4610mAh | Similar capacity indicates comparable battery life for daily usage. Difference is negligible. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 125W fast charging | Edge 30 Ultra charges much faster; significantly reduced charging times, making it very convenient. |
| Charging Features | QC2.0 and AFC | 50W wireless, 10W reverse | Edge 30 Ultra offers very convenient wireless charging and reverse charging options. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Sensors: Offers more specialized close-up and portrait photography with a dedicated lens.
- Quadruple Camera: Provides a more versatile shooting experience with more lenses that can be switched.
- Dolby Digital Plus: Enhanced spatial audio.
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset provides vastly superior speed and responsiveness.
- Much Brighter Display: 1250 nits vs 0 nits provides excellent visibility in direct sunlight.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 144Hz display for a smoother experience.
- Superior Main Camera: 200MP main camera captures much more detailed images.
- Telephoto Lens: Optical zoom is available.
- Faster Charging: 125W fast charging is much quicker than A52’s 25W.
- Wireless Charging: Includes 50W wireless fast charging, and 10W reverse wireless charging.
- 8K Video Recording: Capable of recording video at a higher resolution for professional use.
- More RAM: 8GB or 12GB of RAM.
- Advanced Bluetooth and WiFi: Uses a newer version of bluetooth and WiFi for faster connectivity.
- Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), RAW: Advanced focusing and photo capturing options.
- More advanced GPS: Supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
Trade-offs:
- Galaxy A52: Offers more versatility with a macro lens, a depth sensor, and a Quadruple camera, but significantly lower performance compared to Edge 30 Ultra.
- Edge 30 Ultra: Lacks a dedicated macro and depth sensor, and is a bit heavier, but the advantage in performance and features significantly outweigh the drawbacks.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 - Ideal For:
- Budget-conscious buyers: Users who prioritize a balanced smartphone experience without breaking the bank.
- Casual photographers: People who enjoy taking everyday photos and appreciate the dedicated macro and depth sensors.
- Users who prioritize a more versatile camera experience: The quadruple camera setup allows for many situations.
Use Cases for Galaxy A52:
- Everyday social media use.
- Basic photography and video needs.
- Web browsing, streaming and casual gaming.
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra - Ideal For:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize top-tier performance for gaming and demanding applications.
- Advanced Photographers: Users looking for high-resolution images and zoom capabilities, as well as advanced photography features.
- Content creators: Professionals who need 8K video capabilities.
- Power users: People who need fast charging and superior screen quality with a higher refresh rate.
Use Cases for Edge 30 Ultra:
- High-end gaming with demanding graphics.
- Professional photography and videography.
- Heavy multitasking and resource-intensive applications.
- Content consumption in direct sunlight.
- Fast charging on the go.
Price-to-Value: The Edge 30 Ultra has a much higher price point, but given the performance boost and advanced features, it offers a better price-to-value ratio for users who need those specific features. The A52 is better for users on a strict budget.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is peak performance to you? If you need a smooth and fast phone for gaming and heavy apps, the Edge 30 Ultra is the clear winner. If performance is secondary to other factors, the A52 might be sufficient.
- How frequently do you take photos and videos? If you are a casual user, the A52 would be a good fit, but if you value advanced photography features and excellent image quality, the Edge 30 Ultra is the better choice.
- What is your budget? If you're on a tight budget, the Galaxy A52 is a more cost-effective option, even though it does not match the capabilities of the Edge 30 Ultra.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious Casual User: If budget is a primary concern, and you only require a dependable smartphone for daily tasks, the Samsung Galaxy A52 is the right choice.
- Scenario 2: Gaming and Performance Priority: If you prioritize gaming, heavy app usage, and top-tier responsiveness, the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is the better choice, despite the higher cost.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If you're an avid photographer, and need a device that delivers high quality photos with extra zoom capabilities, the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra will perform much better.
- Scenario 4: Long lasting and fast charging: If you need long lasting battery, and quick charging, Edge 30 Ultra is the better choice.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra. Despite lacking the dedicated macro and depth sensors, the vastly superior performance, brighter display, faster refresh rate, significantly better main camera, faster charging, and other advanced features make it a much better choice for my needs. As someone who values performance and high-quality photos, the Edge 30 Ultra is the clear winner, and worth the higher cost. While the A52 is a capable phone, the sheer leap in speed, display quality, and camera performance of the Edge 30 Ultra is too significant to ignore.
