1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Motorola Edge 40 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 158.4 × 72 × 7.6 mm | The Motorola Edge 40 is more compact, making it easier to hold and pocket. The A52 is slightly larger and bulkier. |
| Weight | 189g | 167g | The Motorola Edge 40 is significantly lighter, enhancing comfort during prolonged use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Motorola Edge 40 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.55" | Negligible difference in screen size, both offer similar viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same level of clarity, with sharp image quality. |
| PPI | 407 | 402 | Similar pixel density, meaning virtually identical sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, though P-OLED can sometimes be slightly more flexible and durable. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 144Hz | The Motorola Edge 40 has a significantly smoother display, making scrolling and animations feel more fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | The Motorola Edge 40 is much more visible in bright sunlight, while the A52 has unknown brightness and might not be usable outdoors in sunny days. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Motorola Edge 40 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 8020 (6 nm) | The Motorola Edge 40's chipset is more powerful and efficient, offering snappier performance. |
| Antutu Score | 341,212 | 762,526 | The Motorola Edge 40 is significantly faster, translating to quicker app loading and better multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G77 MC9 | The Motorola Edge 40's GPU offers better graphics performance, improving gaming and graphically intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Motorola Edge 40 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7" Sony IMX682 | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.55" Omnivision OV50A | The Motorola Edge 40's main camera has a wider aperture and larger sensor, which results in better low-light performance despite having lower resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" Sony IMX616 | 32MP, f/2.4, Unspecified | The Samsung A52's selfie camera has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | None | The Samsung A52 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more expansive scenes. |
| Portrait Mode | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | The Samsung A52 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | The Samsung A52 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP, f/2.2 | The Motorola Edge 40 offers a single lens that serves as both wide-angle and macro. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS | Up to 4K@30fps with HDR, EIS, 1080p@120fps with HDR | The Motorola Edge 40 offers more video recording options, including HDR and higher frame rates at 1080p. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Motorola Edge 40 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4400mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, indicating comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 68W Fast Charging | The Motorola Edge 40 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | QC2.0, AFC | 15W Wireless Charging | The Motorola Edge 40 offers the convenience of wireless charging. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- More Camera Variety: Offers dedicated wide-angle, depth, and macro lenses, providing more flexibility for different types of photography.
- Screen Protection: Uses Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for increased scratch resistance, providing a more durable display.
Motorola Edge 40 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Dimensity 8020 chipset provides significantly faster processing and better gaming capabilities.
- Significantly Brighter Display: Provides much better visibility in sunny outdoors conditions.
- Smoother Display: 144Hz refresh rate makes the display feel much more responsive and fluid.
- Faster Charging: 68W charging is significantly quicker than the A52's 25W charging.
- Wireless Charging: Offers convenient wireless charging capabilities.
- Modern Connectivity: Supports WiFi 6 and a newer Bluetooth version (5.2 vs 5.0).
- More advanced video recording: Offers HDR video and more fps options than the A52.
- Lighter and Slimmer Design: More comfortable and ergonomic design.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy A52: Trades performance and display smoothness for more diverse camera lenses and better screen protection.
- Motorola Edge 40: Trades the dedicated depth and macro lenses for a faster, smoother experience and more advanced video recording capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 Ideal Users:
- Casual Photographers: Those who value having a variety of lenses for different scenarios (wide, macro, depth).
- Users Concerned about Screen Durability: Those needing additional screen protection.
Users who are not very focused on gaming or raw performance: Those who prefer the more budget friendly phone.
Use Cases:
- General photography for social media and personal memories.
- Everyday tasks and media consumption.
- Users who are happy with a budget friendly phone.
Motorola Edge 40 Ideal Users:
- Gamers & Power Users: Those who prioritize performance and speed for gaming and multitasking.
- Media Consumers: Those who want a smooth and bright display for videos and other media.
- Users who prioritize fast charging and wireless charging: Those who need a fast charging solution.
Users who need better outdoor visibility: Those living in sunny areas or that spend time outdoors.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and demanding applications.
- Watching videos and consuming other media content.
- Users who need fast charging and wireless charging.
- Users who need better outdoor visibility.
- Users who value a light and slim phone.
4. Decision Framework
Here are 3 key questions buyers should consider:
- Performance vs. Camera Variety: Do you prioritize raw performance, a smoother display, and faster charging, or a variety of camera lenses and additional screen protection?
- Budget: Are you looking for the most budget friendly phone or are you willing to pay for better performance?
- Everyday Use: Are you using the phone for casual photography and daily tasks, or for mobile gaming, video watching and other demanding tasks?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User: If you primarily use your phone for browsing, social media, and basic photography, and you prioritize affordability, the Samsung Galaxy A52 is a reasonable choice.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer/Power User: If you are into gaming, video watching and need fast charging, the Motorola Edge 40 is the better choice due to its significantly better performance, smoother display, and faster charging.
- Scenario 3: Outdoors User: If you need a phone with a bright screen that is visible under sunlight, the Motorola Edge 40 is the only reasonable option.
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola Edge 40.
Here's why:
Performance: The significantly higher Antutu score and the superior chipset of the Motorola Edge 40 make it a much more capable device for everyday tasks, multitasking and gaming. The 144Hz refresh rate is a significant advantage for fluidity, which is extremely noticeable in day-to-day usage.
Display Quality: The significantly higher brightness of the Motorola Edge 40 would be more important to me than screen protection, as I am not particularly clumsy with my phones.
Faster Charging and Wireless charging: The 68W fast charging and the wireless charging capabilities offered by the Motorola Edge 40 make it much more convenient, which is a big plus for me.
Modern Features: The newer Bluetooth and WiFi standards are important for a more seamless connectivity experience.
While the A52 offers a more diverse camera setup, the improved overall experience and performance provided by the Motorola Edge 40 makes it the clear winner for my personal needs.
