Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A52 vs. Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the two phones, focusing on practical impacts:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm | 162.8 x 73.8 x 9.2 mm | Moto G is slightly taller and thicker, A52 is wider. Minor differences in overall handling. |
| Weight | 189g | 202g | A52 is lighter, which may be noticeable during long periods of use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | Negligible difference in screen size for most users. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness and detail levels. |
| PPI | 407 | 399 | Virtually indistinguishable in terms of pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | AMOLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency with dark themes, offering a more premium viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Moto G's 120Hz refresh rate provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have similar peak brightness (0 nits is incorrect data, both phones have similar brightness in practice), not a differentiating factor. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Moto G’s newer and more efficient chipset results in significantly better performance in daily tasks and more demanding apps/games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 565,000 | Moto G offers significantly faster app loading, better multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 710 | Moto G's newer GPU provides superior graphics performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", Sony IMX682, 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.55", Omnivision OV50A, 1.00µm | A52 has higher megapixel count but Moto G has a slightly larger sensor and larger pixels, which can lead to better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX616, 0.80µm | 16MP, f/2.5 | A52 offers higher resolution and a wider aperture, resulting in potentially better selfies in most conditions. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | None | A52 includes a dedicated wide-angle lens for more versatile photography, not available on the Moto G. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | A52 includes a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait shots with background blur, not available on the Moto G. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | A52 includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, not available on the Moto G. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 8MP, f/2.2 | Moto G includes a wide-angle lens that also acts as a macro lens for more versatile photography. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@30/60fps, Slow-motion: 120fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, Slow-motion: 240fps | Both offer 4K recording. Moto G offers better slow-motion capabilities with 240fps. Both offer Electronic Image Stabilization. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, OIS, EIS, HDR, Night Mode etc. | Dual camera, OIS, EIS, HDR, Night Mode, Manual focus, PDAF etc. | A52 has a more versatile camera system with multiple lenses; Moto G offers manual controls and PDAF for more advanced users. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Moto G offers longer battery life due to the larger capacity. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 20W Fast Charging | A52 charges slightly faster, reducing downtime. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Superior Display Technology: AMOLED provides a richer viewing experience with better contrast, color accuracy and deeper blacks.
- More Versatile Camera System: Dedicated wide-angle, macro, and depth lenses add flexibility for different photography scenarios.
- Faster Charging: 25W fast charging will replenish the battery quicker than the Moto G.
- Dolby Digital Plus Support: Enhanced audio experience for media consumption.
- Dual SIM Support: Allows for the use of two SIM cards simultaneously, useful for travel or work/personal separation.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for better durability
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: Newer and more powerful chipset leading to faster app loading and smoother gaming.
- Larger Battery: 500mAh increase in capacity provides longer battery life.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 120Hz display provides smoother scrolling and animations.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.2 offers improved connectivity and audio codec support
- Stylus Integration: Included stylus adds functionality for note-taking, drawing, and more.
- More Advanced Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted sensor provides a more modern experience.
- Better Slow-motion Video: 240fps slow-motion allows for more detailed slow-motion effects
- Newer WiFi Standard: Faster WiFi speeds
Trade-offs:
- A52: Loses out on overall performance, battery life, and a smoother display experience compared to the Moto G. Lacks the convenient stylus.
- Moto G: Does not offer the same versatility in camera features with the lack of dedicated telephoto, macro or depth sensors, and the display is not as vibrant and high-contrast as AMOLED.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52:
- Ideal User: Someone who values a vibrant display, a versatile camera system, and a good media consumption experience, with dual SIM functionality.
- Use Cases:
- Social media browsing and content consumption
- Photography enthusiasts who want a variety of lenses
- Users who want a more vibrant display for media consumption
- International travelers needing dual SIM functionality
- Those who prefer a lighter device.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023):
- Ideal User: Someone who prioritizes performance, long battery life, a smooth display, and the added functionality of a stylus.
- Use Cases:
- Gamers and power users who need a responsive device
- Frequent note-takers and users who need a stylus
- Users who need long battery life for all day usage
- Professionals who need a stylus for quick edits and signatures
- Those who value the latest WiFi and Bluetooth standards.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my primary use case? (Gaming, photography, media consumption, productivity)
- Do I prefer a more premium display or higher performance? (AMOLED vs. faster chipset)
- Is stylus functionality important to me?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Photography Enthusiasts: If you want versatile photography with a dedicated wide-angle, depth, and macro lenses, the Samsung Galaxy A52 is the better choice.
- For Power Users & Gamers: If performance is paramount, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) is the clear winner with its superior chipset.
- For Media Consumers: If you enjoy watching content and prefer the more vibrant colors of AMOLED, the Samsung Galaxy A52 is the better option.
- For Note Takers: If you often take notes by hand or enjoy drawing on your phone, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) is the obvious choice with its stylus integration.
- For Heavy Mobile Users: The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) wins due to its superior performance and battery life.
- For Users Who Desire the Most Modern Device: The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) has newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards.
My Choice
Based on the information provided, I would choose the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023). While the Samsung Galaxy A52 has a superior display and a more versatile camera system, the performance difference between the two phones is significant, making the Moto G a better overall experience. The Moto G also offers a larger battery, a smoother display with 120Hz, the added convenience of a stylus, a more modern fingerprint sensor and the latest WiFi and Bluetooth standards. The fact that the Moto G includes a stylus which has productivity enhancing use cases that cannot be replicated on the Samsung A52 gives it a leg up for my needs.
