1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Motorola Razr 40 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Motorola Razr 40 is more compact when folded, better for portability. Samsung A52 is a standard, more durable form-factor. |
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 170.8 × 74 × 7.4 mm | Razr 40 is taller and thinner, A52 is wider and thicker. Razr 40 is more pocketable when folded. |
| Weight | 189g | 188.6g | Negligible difference. Both phones feel similar in hand |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.9" | Razr 40 has larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2640 | Razr 40 has slightly sharper display. Both are excellent for everyday use. |
| PPI | 407 | 413 | Both have similar pixel density, images appear sharp on both. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unknown | Samsung A52's AMOLED offers better contrast and deeper blacks, more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 144Hz | Razr 40 provides smoother animations and scrolling. A52 is still good for general use. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1400 nits | Razr 40 is significantly brighter for better outdoor visibility. Samsung A52 has no provided brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4nm) | Razr 40 offers faster performance for gaming, multitasking. A52 is adequate for daily use, but less powerful. |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 699,600 | Razr 40 is significantly faster in benchmarks, translating to a smoother user experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 644 | Razr 40 has better graphics performance, suitable for gaming and graphic-intensive apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4200mAh | A52 has slightly larger battery, potentially better battery life. |
| Charging | 25W | 33W | Razr 40 charges faster than the A52. |
| Features | Non-removable, QC2.0, AFC | Reverse charging, Non-removable, Wireless 8W | Razr 40 offers reverse and wireless charging, A52 has Quick Charge 2.0 and Adaptive Fast Charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8 (Sony IMX682) | 64MP, f/1.8 | Both have similar main cameras. Sensor details missing for Razr 40. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2 (Sony IMX616) | 32MP, f/2.45 | A52 has a slightly wider aperture, potentially better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | Not Available | A52 has a dedicated wide-angle lens. |
| Portrait Mode | 5MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | A52 has a dedicated depth sensor. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | A52 has a dedicated macro lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | Not Available | 13MP, f/2.2 | Razr 40 has a combined wide-angle and macro lens. |
| Video | 4K@30fps (EIS), 1080p (EIS) | 4K@30fps (EIS), 1080p (EIS) | Both offer similar video recording capabilities. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple Camera, OIS, HDR, Night Mode, etc. | Dual camera, OIS, RAW, Night Vision etc. | A52 has a more versatile camera system, Razr 40 has RAW capture and advanced focus features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 13 (upgradable to 16) | Razr 40 has a newer OS and longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Razr 40 has faster WiFi for better speeds and latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | Razr 40 has newer version with improved performance. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | Razr 40 has more extensive GPS support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano/eSIM) | Razr 40 supports eSIM for flexibility. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | Both have same storage options. |
| RAM | 4 GB, 6GB or 8 GB | 8 GB or 12 GB | Razr 40 has significantly more RAM for improved multitasking. |
| Expandable | Not Expandable | Not Expandable | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | Both have similar audio, Razr 40 has extra microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Razr 40's side-mounted sensor is generally faster and more convenient. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Razr 40 offers better screen scratch resistance. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Razr 40 includes compass, while A52 has hall and geomagnetic sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Versatile Camera System: Offers dedicated wide-angle, macro, and depth sensors for greater flexibility in photography.
- AMOLED Display: Delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and superior contrast compared to the unknown technology of the Razr 40 display.
- Slightly Larger Battery: Potentially better battery life, although the real-world difference will depend on usage.
- Dolby Digital Plus audio. Improves audio quality over standard stereo.
Motorola Razr 40 Advantages:
- Foldable Design: Offers unique form factor, enhanced portability, and a more immersive viewing experience when unfolded.
- Significantly Faster Performance: Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 provides much better performance for gaming and demanding tasks.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 144Hz screen for exceptionally smooth scrolling and animations.
- Superior Outdoor Visibility: 1400 nits brightness for easy viewing in direct sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging capabilities.
- Newer Software: Comes with Android 13 and guaranteed updates to Android 16.
- More RAM: 8GB or 12GB of RAM for smoother multitasking and app management.
- eSIM Support: More flexible connectivity with support for digital SIM cards.
- Newer WiFi and Bluetooth: Faster connectivity with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus on its display provides superior scratch resistance.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy A52, while having more camera sensors, offers older technology and a less powerful processor than the Razr 40. It also lacks modern features such as wireless charging and an eSim, and doesn't have an improved refresh rate display.
- The Motorola Razr 40 lacks dedicated macro and depth sensors, and has a smaller battery capacity. However, its superior performance, display, and connectivity features may outweigh these camera limitations for many users. The Razr 40's foldable nature may also mean additional durability concerns over time that the standard A52 wouldn't have.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 Ideal User:
- Casual Photographers: Who appreciate a diverse range of camera lenses and reliable image quality.
- Budget-Conscious Users: Who prefer a phone with a standard form factor, good quality display and reliable battery life, but are not pushing the limits of performance.
- Users Who Dislike Foldable Phones: Prefers the durability and familiarity of standard smartphone designs, doesn't care for the fragility and novelty of a foldable phone.
- Users Looking for Good Audio: Who like Dolby Digital Plus enhancement.
Motorola Razr 40 Ideal User:
- Tech Enthusiasts: Who value cutting-edge design, performance, and the latest features.
- Power Users: Who demand smooth multitasking, fast app loading, and top tier gaming capabilities.
- Users Who Value Portability: Who like the small form factor and premium build quality offered by foldable devices.
- Users Needing Outdoor Visibility: Who often use their phone in direct sunlight.
- Users Wanting Modern Features: Wireless charging, eSIM and a fast refresh rate display.
Use Cases:
- Samsung Galaxy A52: Ideal for general use, social media, casual photography, media consumption, and daily productivity tasks. The AMOLED display shines for viewing content.
- Motorola Razr 40: Perfect for gaming, video editing, frequent multi-tasking, media consumption, and users who desire a more compact, pocketable phone. It excels in outdoor visibility and performance-intensive tasks, and offers modern features and fast charging.
Price-to-Value:
- The Samsung Galaxy A52 is generally positioned as a mid-range device, offering excellent value for its price point with a versatile camera.
- The Motorola Razr 40 is positioned as a higher-end device, due to its foldable design and premium features. It offers a premium experience with cutting-edge features but at a higher price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you value portability and a premium design more than a traditional phone? If yes, the Motorola Razr 40 is the choice, if not, the Samsung A52 would be a better and potentially more durable option.
- Do you need top-tier performance for gaming and heavy multitasking? If yes, the Razr 40 with its Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset and higher RAM will be the better option. If no, then A52 might suffice.
- Are you a dedicated photographer who values different dedicated lenses and image versatility? If yes, the Samsung Galaxy A52 will likely suit your needs better with its dedicated lenses. If not, then Razr 40 with its primary camera and computational photography improvements will do.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Everyday user who prioritizes affordability and camera versatility: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A52. It provides a balanced experience with a versatile camera system and good battery life.
- Scenario 2: Tech enthusiast or power user wanting the latest features and fastest performance: Choose the Motorola Razr 40. Its cutting-edge design, faster processor, and modern features will greatly enhance your user experience.
- Scenario 3: User looking for a phone with excellent outdoor visibility, performance and portability: Choose the Motorola Razr 40. It's the clear winner when it comes to screen brightness and performance.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Motorola Razr 40. While I appreciate the dedicated lenses offered by the A52, the Razr 40’s advantages outweigh this for me.
Here's why:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor provides a significantly faster and more responsive experience which is important for me.
- Display: The 144Hz refresh rate and 1400 nits brightness are a massive improvement for daily use. I value smooth scrolling and outdoor visibility.
- Modern Features: I'm interested in wireless charging, eSim support, and the latest Bluetooth and WiFi standards which the Razr 40 offers.
- Foldable Design: The innovative form factor makes the phone very portable, and is a novelty I'd be interested in trying.
- Software Support: The newer OS and longer software support are crucial for a device I plan to keep for several years.
Although the Razr 40’s smaller battery and lack of dedicated lenses is a trade-off, the overall performance and experience it provides are more compelling for my needs. I also prefer having the more modern features such as wireless charging and eSIM support, which the A52 lacks.
