Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A52 vs. Motorola Edge 50 Ultra
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 161.1 × 72.4 × 8.6 mm | Motorola is slightly taller and thinner, Samsung is wider. Difference is minimal. May affect one-handed use comfort. |
| Weight | 189g | 197g | Samsung is slightly lighter, may be more comfortable for extended use. Difference is small, not major. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Motorola has a slightly larger display, offering a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1220x2712 | Motorola has a sharper display with more pixels. Text and images will appear clearer and more detailed. |
| Pixel Density | 407 PPI | 446 PPI | Motorola has a slightly sharper screen, though both appear sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. Real-world difference is negligible for most users. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 144Hz | Motorola offers significantly smoother scrolling and animations, particularly noticeable in gaming and fast-paced apps. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | Motorola is much better for use outdoors, especially in direct sunlight. Samsung's display brightness is not specified and difficult to analyze. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) | Motorola has a significantly faster and more efficient processor, leading to smoother operation, better gaming and future-proofing. |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 1,523,879 | Motorola has much higher performance, translates to significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 735 | Motorola has a newer GPU, enabling better graphics performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Both offer comparable battery life given similar capacity, actual usage will vary. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 125W Fast Charging | Motorola charges much faster, significantly reducing time spent plugged in. |
| Features | QC2.0, AFC | 50W Wireless, 10W Reverse | Motorola provides much more versatile charging options, including faster wireless and reverse wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP f/1.8, 1/1.7" | 50MP f/1.6, 1/1.3" | Motorola has a larger sensor and wider aperture for better low light performance and more natural bokeh. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP f/2.2, 1/2.8" | 50MP f/1.9, 1/2.76" | Motorola has a higher resolution and wider aperture, leading to brighter and more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto | None | 64MP f/2.4, 1/2" | Motorola has a telephoto lens for optical zoom, which Samsung lacks. |
| Wide-Angle | 12MP f/2.2 | 50MP f/2.0, 1/2.76" | Motorola has a much higher resolution wide-angle lens for more detail in wide shots, better low light performance. |
| Portrait Lens | 5MP f/2.4 | None | Samsung has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, although Motorola might achieve similar results via software. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP f/2.4 | None | Samsung has a dedicated macro lens for close up shots, but Motorola has the option to use a wide lens to take similar shots |
| Video | 4K@30fps, EIS | Up to 1080p@960fps, HDR | Motorola offers more advanced video capabilities including 4K@60fps with HDR, higher frame-rate options, and more slow-motion options. |
| DxOMark Score | Not Tested | 146, 150 photo, 134 video | Motorola's camera performance is very good based on DXOMark testing. Samsung's performance is unknown. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 14) | Android 14 (up to 17) | Motorola has a newer OS version, with longer software support and additional features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 7 | Motorola supports the latest Wi-Fi standards for faster and more reliable wireless connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.4 | Motorola has newer Bluetooth version for better connection stability and audio quality. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo, L1+L5, NavIC | Motorola has more accurate and faster GPS positioning using more satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Motorola has the option for an eSIM, useful for dual-SIM functionality without a physical SIM card. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 512GB/1024GB | Motorola offers much more internal storage, better for storing photos, videos and large files. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 12GB/16GB | Motorola has considerably more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and better performance with demanding apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo | Dolby Atmos, Stereo, 3 Mics | Both have stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos. Motorola has 3 microphones for better audio recording. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Both phones have a fingerprint sensor for biometric security. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass Victus | Motorola has stronger screen protection for better resistance against scratches and damage. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyro, Hall, Geomagnetic, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyro, Proximity | Motorola features a compass. Samsung's Geomagnetic and Hall sensors are not typically crucial in daily usage. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 offers a massive performance boost over the Snapdragon 720G. This means faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
- Significantly Better Display: Higher resolution, higher refresh rate, and dramatically brighter display make it a more enjoyable experience for media consumption and outdoor use.
- More Capable Cameras: Larger main sensor, dedicated telephoto lens, higher resolution selfie camera and wide-angle lens, as well as better video recording capabilities.
- Faster Charging: 125W fast charging is a significant advantage, allowing for very quick battery top-ups. Wireless charging and reverse charging are very useful additions.
- More Storage and RAM: Offers much more storage and RAM, which is crucial for future-proofing and heavy multitasking.
- Latest Connectivity: Includes Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 for better wireless connections, alongside the option for an eSIM for better connectivity.
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Dedicated Macro Lens This is useful for capturing very close up shots.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor This is useful for taking portraits with more natural background blur.
Trade-offs:
- Price: The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is likely to be more expensive than the Galaxy A52, reflecting its more powerful components.
- Software Support: While both devices have received/are expected to receive Android OS updates the Motorola has a newer starting OS and expected software support, making it better in this regard.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is Ideal For:
- Power Users: Users who demand high performance for gaming, multitasking, and resource-intensive apps.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want versatile and high-quality camera system with a telephoto lens and better low-light capabilities.
- Media Consumers: Users who want a vibrant, sharp, and bright display with smooth animations for watching videos and playing games.
- Users Needing Fast Charging: Those who prefer quick battery top-ups and wireless/reverse charging options.
- Future-Proofing: Those looking for a device that will remain powerful and up-to-date for the foreseeable future.
Specific Use Cases for Motorola Edge 50 Ultra:
- Playing graphically demanding mobile games.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos in various conditions.
- Watching high-resolution movies and videos outdoors.
- Frequent traveling that requires eSIM.
Samsung Galaxy A52 is Ideal For:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Users who want a decent smartphone with a good display without spending a lot.
- Users who prefer a dedicated macro lens.
- Users who prefer a dedicated depth sensor.
Specific Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A52:
- General day-to-day usage (browsing, social media, calling).
- Users who prioritize a budget device with good features.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra offers superior specs and features that justify its higher cost. It has a significantly higher value proposition for power users and photography enthusiasts.
- The Samsung Galaxy A52 is geared toward price-conscious users who don't need top-of-the-line performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The Motorola is significantly more powerful but is likely more expensive.
- What are my primary use cases? Do you need high performance, a great camera, or are you primarily concerned with price and general day-to-day tasks?
- How important are future-proofing and software support? The Motorola has a newer OS and expected software support.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For High-Performance Users: If you are a gamer, content creator, or someone who needs a phone that handles demanding tasks smoothly, the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is the clear choice.
- For Photography Enthusiasts: The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra with its better camera system and telephoto lens, offers more versatility.
- For General Users on a Budget: If your primary use case involves basic smartphone tasks with a budget, then the Samsung Galaxy A52 is a reasonable option.
- For Users that need future proofing The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is the clear choice.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would pick the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra. The significantly better performance, superior display, more capable cameras, and faster charging are all compelling advantages that outweigh the higher cost for my needs. I am often using the phone for resource-intensive tasks, and the Motorola's hardware will definitely provide a superior user experience in all regards. I also want a phone that will remain useful for as long as possible and the Motorola's newer OS and increased performance makes it the better choice. While the Samsung A52 could be a better choice for those on a tight budget, the value that the Motorola provides is unparalleled.
