Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A52 vs. Motorola Razr 50 Ultra
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Motorola Razr 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Razr 50 Ultra folds for pocketability, unique experience. A52 is a standard slab phone. |
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 171.4 × 74 × 7.1 mm | Razr 50 Ultra is taller and thinner; A52 is wider and thicker, which may be more comfortable for some to hold. |
| Weight | 189g | 189g | Both phones feel similar in hand regarding weight. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.9" | Razr 50 Ultra has a larger screen for more immersive media viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2640 | Razr 50 Ultra has a slightly sharper display due to higher pixel count, not readily noticeable. |
| Pixel Density | 407 PPI | 413 PPI | Both have very similar sharpness; the difference is imperceptible. |
| Technology | AMOLED | - | A52 has AMOLED; expect better contrast, deeper blacks and more vibrant colours. Razr 50 Ultra display technology is not specified. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 165Hz | Razr 50 Ultra offers much smoother scrolling and animations, especially in gaming and fast-paced apps. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 3000 nits | Razr 50 Ultra screen is much easier to view outdoors in bright sunlight. A52's brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) | Razr 50 Ultra has significantly faster processing for demanding tasks, gaming, and overall responsiveness. |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 1,625,000 | Razr 50 Ultra is much faster in benchmarks, translates to smoother user experience and better gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 735 | Razr 50 Ultra offers superior graphics performance for demanding apps and games. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Res | 64MP | 50MP | A52 has higher resolution, but image quality depends on other factors like sensor size and software. |
| Standard Camera Sensor | 1/1.7" | 1/1.96" | A52's larger sensor may perform slightly better in low light. |
| Telephoto/Portrait Cam | None | 50MP | Razr 50 Ultra offers telephoto/portrait capabilities, allowing for better optical zoom and portrait mode. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 32MP | 32MP | Both offer high-res selfie cameras. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor | 1/2.8" | 1/3" | A52 has a slightly larger sensor, which may result in slightly better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP | None | A52 has a dedicated ultra-wide lens for expansive shots. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 5MP | None | A52 has a dedicated depth sensor for better bokeh in portrait shots. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP | None | A52 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p up to 960fps | Razr 50 Ultra offers more versatile and higher frame-rate video recording, along with HDR capabilities. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple Camera, OIS, Digital Stabilization etc. | Dual camera, OIS, Digital Stabilization etc., Telephoto Zoom, Night Vision | Razr 50 Ultra has more camera features including telephoto zoom and night vision while A52 has wide-angle and macro. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4000mAh | A52 has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast | 45W Fast | Razr 50 Ultra charges faster, leading to less downtime. |
| Battery Features | QC2.0, AFC | Wireless 15W, Reverse Charging | Razr 50 Ultra offers wireless and reverse charging for convenience. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 14) | Android 14 (up to 17) | Razr 50 Ultra has a newer OS, with more features and likely longer update support. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be | Razr 50 Ultra supports the latest Wi-Fi standards for faster, more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | Razr 50 Ultra has newer Bluetooth for better performance and power efficiency. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM / eSIM | Razr 50 Ultra has eSIM option for more flexibility. |
| Storage & Audio | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256GB | 256/512GB | Razr 50 Ultra provides significantly more storage options. |
| RAM | 4/6/8GB | 12GB | Razr 50 Ultra has much more RAM for superior multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports microSD card expansion. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Both have good audio setups; Razr has 3 microphones and A52 has Dolby Digital Plus. |
| Security & Build | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-mounted | Razr 50 Ultra's sensor is faster and easier to access. |
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass Victus | Razr 50 Ultra's screen is more resistant to scratches and damage. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Razr 50 Ultra Advantages:
- Foldable Design: Offers unique form factor, pocketability, and novelty, leading to a different user experience.
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster processor and GPU, making it ideal for gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 165Hz display is much smoother than the A52's 90Hz, particularly in gaming and fast-paced apps.
- Much Higher Brightness: 3000 nits is significantly better for outdoor visibility.
- More RAM and Storage: 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB storage for smoother operation and more space.
- Advanced Camera Features: Telephoto zoom, optical zoom, and night vision offer more versatility.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: 45W charging and 15W wireless charging adds convenience.
- Newer Software: Latest Android version with likely longer update support, offering the most up to date user interface.
- Latest Connectivity Standards: Supports Wi-Fi 7, offering improved speed, better latency, and better performance in crowded networks.
- eSIM support: Enables more flexible carrier options.
- Improved Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus offers better protection against scratches and drops.
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Lower Price (Likely): The A52 is an older mid-range device; hence it likely to be more affordable than the premium Razr 50 Ultra.
- Larger Battery: Offers more capacity, potentially longer battery life.
- AMOLED Display: Offers better colours, contrast and deeper blacks, making it a better display in dim-lit environments.
- Wide-Angle and Macro Lens: Additional lenses for expanded creative photography.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Razr 50 Ultra: sacrifices battery capacity for a slimmer profile and foldable design. Higher price point may be a deterrent.
- Galaxy A52: Offers an outdated chipset, is bulky and has inferior screen tech compared to the Razr 50 Ultra.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Motorola Razr 50 Ultra:
- Tech Enthusiasts: Value the latest tech, innovative design, and top-tier performance.
- Heavy Mobile Users: Need a fast phone for multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications.
- Media Consumers: Enjoy high-quality streaming, smooth scrolling, and a large, bright display.
- Frequent Travelers: Benefit from the eSIM, wireless charging, and versatile camera.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Appreciate telephoto zoom and enhanced night vision capabilities.
- Those who love a novel phone experience: Want a foldable phone that attracts attention and is very pocketable.
Specific Use Cases for Razr 50 Ultra:
- Gaming: Smooth, high-frame rate gaming due to the 165Hz display and powerful chipset.
- Content Creation: High quality video and photo capabilities; good for vloggers.
- Multitasking: 12GB of RAM enables running multiple applications without slowdowns.
- Travel: eSIM for convenient carrier switching, wireless charging and versatile camera for on-the-go.
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy A52:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Seeking a capable phone without breaking the bank.
- Users who value familiar form factors: Prefer a standard, non-folding design.
- Users who value battery life: Longer usage from the slightly bigger battery.
- Users who want macro and wide angle photography: The A52 has both.
Specific Use Cases for A52:
- Everyday Use: Reliable performance for calls, messaging, social media, and web browsing.
- Casual Photography: A capable camera for everyday snapshots.
- Long Battery Life: Good for long days without needing to recharge.
- User wanting to use dual sim: Easy access to two physical sim slots.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a new phone?
- Performance Needs: Do you need top-tier performance for gaming and heavy multitasking?
- Form Factor Preference: Do you want the unique experience of a foldable phone, or prefer a traditional slab design?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: High-Performance and Innovation: If budget isn't a primary concern and you want the best performance, the newest technology, and a unique user experience, the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra is the clear choice.
Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious with Decent Camera: If you want a budget-friendly phone with decent camera capabilities and battery life and don't need the latest features or premium performance, the Samsung Galaxy A52 is adequate.
Scenario 3: Balanced Performance & Price with Standard Form Factor If a standard form factor is a must-have, a phone with slightly better specs than the A52 should be considered rather than the A52. The A52 is very outdated now.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would pick the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra. While the price will likely be significantly higher, the Razr 50 Ultra offers a much more compelling package. The superior performance, significantly brighter screen with higher refresh rate, more advanced camera features including telephoto lens and night vision, wireless charging, and newer software make it a device that's more future-proof and better suited for my use case. The foldable form factor is a significant draw, offering a unique and novel user experience. The much larger RAM and storage are also important for heavy multitasking and storing large files. While the battery is slightly smaller than the A52, the faster charging helps mitigate this. The difference in performance is just too significant to ignore, and the unique design is something I highly value. The A52 is too outdated at this point to consider. The Razr 50 Ultra offers a more future-proof and innovative experience, justifying its higher price.
