1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra offers a unique foldable design, improving portability and novelty. Samsung Galaxy A52 is a typical slab-style smartphone. |
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 170.8 × 74 × 7 mm | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra is taller and thinner, while Samsung Galaxy A52 is wider and thicker. Overall volume is larger on the Samsung. |
| Weight | 189g | 184.5g | Negligible weight difference. Both phones are similarly light and portable. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.9" | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra offers a larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2640 | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has slightly sharper display due to higher resolution. |
| Pixel Density | 407 ppi | 413 ppi | Virtually identical sharpness, making it difficult to notice a difference to the naked eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Samsung Galaxy A52 offers superior display technology with deeper blacks and vibrant colors. The Motorola display technology is unspecified, thus assuming it's LCD, it will have less contrast than AMOLED. | |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 165Hz | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra provides much smoother scrolling, animation, and gaming experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1400 nits | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra is significantly more visible under bright sunlight. Samsung's brightness is missing, limiting the comparison. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra offers drastically faster app loading, multitasking, and gaming due to the flagship-level processor. |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 1,238,000 | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has significantly better performance across benchmarks. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 730 | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra's GPU provides significantly better graphics performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 3800mAh | Samsung Galaxy A52 likely offers longer battery life due to the significantly larger capacity. |
| Charging | 25W wired | 30W wired, 8W wireless | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra charges faster wired, and also has wireless charging for convenience, while Samsung only has wired charging. |
| Features | QC2.0, AFC | Reverse, Wireless | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra offers more versatile charging options including wireless and reverse charging. Samsung Galaxy A52 only has fast charging options |
| Camera | |||
| Standard (Rear) | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", IMX682 | 12MP, f/1.5 | Samsung Galaxy A52 captures more detail in good light due to higher resolution. Motorola Razr 40 Ultra performs better in low-light conditions due to a wider aperture. |
| Selfie | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", IMX616 | 32MP, f/2.45 | Samsung Galaxy A52 may offer better low light performance on its selfie camera due to wider aperture |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2 | None | Samsung Galaxy A52 allows for ultrawide shots, capturing more in a single frame. |
| Depth | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung Galaxy A52 offers better depth sensing for portrait photos. |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung Galaxy A52 can take detailed close-up shots of small objects. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP, f/2.2 | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra offers ultrawide and macro functionalities through its single dedicated lens. |
| Video | 4K@30fps (EIS), 1080p@60fps (EIS) | 4K@60fps (HDR,EIS), 1080p@120fps (HDR,EIS) | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra captures higher quality video (60fps 4k with HDR) and offers 120fps slow motion at 1080p. |
| Features | Quad camera, OIS, HDR, Night Mode, etc | Dual Camera, OIS, HDR, Night Vision, Time-lapse, PDAF, LAF, RAW, etc. | Both phones offer versatile camera features, Motorola includes Time-Lapse, RAW and autofocus advancements. Samsung has a dedicated Quad camera and Night Mode. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 13 (upgradable to 16) | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra offers a newer Android version and longer support duration. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6E | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has the advantage of supporting the newer standard for faster speeds, better performance and the 6GHz band access. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has better energy consumption due to a newer version. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM / eSIM) | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra offers eSIM support which provides additional flexibility for carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra offers more storage capacity at higher configurations. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 8/12 GB | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra offers more RAM for better multitasking and gaming performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither device offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Samsung includes Dolby Digital Plus, while Motorola includes 3 microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has a more conveniently located and likely faster fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass Victus | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has superior screen protection against scratches and impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Both devices have a wide array of sensors, each with some unique additions. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Razr 40 Ultra Advantages:
- Foldable Design: Offers a unique form factor, improving portability and offering a "wow" factor.
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers much faster performance for all tasks.
- High Refresh Rate Display: 165Hz refresh rate gives a much smoother user experience.
- Brighter Display: 1400 nits ensures excellent visibility outdoors.
- Better Video Recording: Higher frame rates, HDR, and more capable slow-motion.
- Faster Charging: 30W wired and 8W wireless charging allows more versatile charging options.
- Newer Software: Ships with a newer Android version and has longer support.
- eSIM Support: Offers the option to use a digital SIM without a physical card.
- Superior Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus offers better scratch resistance and drop protection compared to Gorilla Glass 5.
- Better Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi standard (Wi-Fi 6E) allows for faster and more stable network access.
- More Storage and RAM: Offers higher storage and RAM options.
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Offers a bigger battery, likely leading to longer battery life.
- AMOLED Display: Superior display technology offering better contrast and color vibrancy.
- More versatile camera system with dedicated telephoto, macro and depth cameras.
- Lower price: The Samsung Galaxy A52 can be found for significantly less than the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Motorola Razr 40 Ultra: Compromises battery capacity and camera versatility for superior performance and a foldable design.
- Samsung Galaxy A52: Lacks flagship performance, a foldable design, and high refresh rate display.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Razr 40 Ultra Ideal Users:
- Tech Enthusiasts: Wanting the latest technology and a unique form factor.
- Power Users: Requiring top-tier performance for gaming and demanding applications.
- Media Consumers: Those who value a large, smooth, and bright display for watching content.
- Early Adopters: Willing to pay a premium for cutting-edge features.
- Frequent Travelers: People who would benefit from eSIM functionality and wireless charging.
Specific Use Cases for Motorola Razr 40 Ultra:
- Mobile Gaming: The high refresh rate and powerful chipset make it ideal for gaming.
- Content Creation: High-quality video capabilities and a versatile camera system are beneficial.
- Multitasking: The large RAM and powerful processor make multitasking smooth and efficient.
Samsung Galaxy A52 Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Consumers: Want a reliable device at a more affordable price.
- Casual Users: Those needing a device for basic tasks, social media, and everyday use.
- Battery Life Prioritizers: Who need a phone that can last through a day of moderate use.
- Users Who value a dedicated camera setup: Those who want a versatile camera system with a dedicated ultrawide, macro and depth lens.
Specific Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A52:
- Everyday Communication: Reliable performance for calls, messaging, and social media.
- Photography: Versatile camera options for capturing a variety of shots.
- Media Consumption: AMOLED display provides vibrant viewing experience.
Price-to-Value:
- The Samsung Galaxy A52 is a budget-friendly device with a good balance of features and price, making it an excellent value for the money.
- The Motorola Razr 40 Ultra is a premium device with top-of-the-line specifications, but it is also significantly more expensive. The price-to-value ratio depends on the user's needs and priorities.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Is a foldable design important? If yes, the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra is the only option.
- Is performance a top priority? If so, the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra is a clear winner.
- Is battery life or a bigger battery more important? If yes, the Samsung Galaxy A52 will have better battery life.
- Is price a major concern? If yes, the Samsung Galaxy A52 will be significantly cheaper.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User:
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A52.
- Reason: The A52 is more affordable and still provides a good user experience for most daily tasks, with a good display and versatile camera system.
- Scenario 2: Performance-Focused User:
- Recommendation: Motorola Razr 40 Ultra.
- Reason: The Razr 40 Ultra offers significantly higher performance for demanding games and tasks, plus the novelty of the foldable form-factor.
- Scenario 3: User Who Values a dedicated camera:
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A52.
- Reason: The A52 has a better camera system with a dedicated ultrawide, macro and depth sensor.
- Scenario 4: User Who Needs the Latest Technology:
- Recommendation: Motorola Razr 40 Ultra.
- Reason: The Razr 40 Ultra boasts a foldable display, faster processor, high refresh rate, a brighter display and better charging options.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra. While I appreciate the Samsung Galaxy A52's larger battery and versatile camera system, the superior performance, foldable form factor, much smoother 165Hz display, and brighter screen of the Razr 40 Ultra are more appealing to me. As a tech enthusiast and someone who uses their phone for gaming and demanding applications, I find the premium features of the Motorola device more beneficial. The unique foldable form factor also appeals to me, as does the inclusion of Wireless charging, eSim, and a more modern Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Standard. While it comes at a higher price point, I believe that the benefits justify the cost for my needs.
