1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Motorola ThinkPhone | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 158.8 × 74.4 × 8.3 mm | Similar sizes, the A52 is slightly taller, the ThinkPhone is slightly narrower. |
| Weight | 189g | 188.5g | Negligible difference in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | Virtually identical screen size. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Same sharpness on both screens. |
| PPI | 407 | 399 | Indistinguishable pixel density to the human eye |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both provide vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 144Hz | ThinkPhone has smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | ThinkPhone is significantly brighter and more visible outdoors. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | ThinkPhone is substantially faster, leading to smoother performance and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 1,232,700 | ThinkPhone has much higher scores (261% higher), showcasing its superior performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 730 | ThinkPhone offers better graphics performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | ThinkPhone should have longer battery life on a single charge. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 68W fast charging, 15W wireless charging | ThinkPhone charges significantly faster and supports wireless charging. |
| Features | Non-removable, QC2.0 and AFC | Non-removable, 15W wireless charging | ThinkPhone provides the convenience of wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens Resolution | 64MP | 50MP | A52 has higher resolution, but not indicative of better image quality. |
| Standard Lens Sensor Size | 1/1.7" | 1/1.55" | ThinkPhone has a larger sensor, potentially better low-light performance. |
| Standard Lens Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.00 µm | ThinkPhone has larger pixel size, potentially better light gathering. |
| Selfie Lens Resolution | 32MP | 32MP | Similar selfie resolution |
| Selfie Lens Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.45 | A52's wider aperture allows more light to reach the sensor, potentially better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP | No dedicated wide angle | A52 offers a dedicated wide-angle lens for ultrawide shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | No | 13MP | ThinkPhone offers a combined wide angle and macro lens. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 5MP | 2MP | A52 provides a higher-resolution depth sensor. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP | No dedicated macro lens | A52 provides a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps | ThinkPhone offers higher video resolution for detailed footage. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS on all resolutions | EIS and HDR on all resolutions | Both offer electronic video stabilization. |
| Slow-motion | 120fps | 120fps | Similar slow-motion capabilities. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Ultra stable video, Continuous autofocus, Night Mode | Triple camera, Optical zoom, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), RAW | ThinkPhone has more advanced photography features for enthusiasts. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Max version 14 | Android 13 | ThinkPhone has a newer Android OS. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | 802.11ax (WiFi 6) | ThinkPhone has a faster and more efficient WiFi standard. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | ThinkPhone has a newer Bluetooth standard. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | Similar GPS capabilities. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Same SIM capabilities |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 256GB | ThinkPhone has a higher storage base configuration. |
| RAM | 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB | 8GB | ThinkPhone has better multitasking capabilities. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | A52 offers slightly more refined audio features. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer fingerprint sensor for biometric security |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | ThinkPhone offers better screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric, Proximity, Motion, Hall, Geomagnetic | Biometric, Proximity, Motion | A52 includes Hall and Geomagnetic sensors for enhanced functionality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Dedicated Wide Angle and Macro Lenses: Offers more versatility in photography with dedicated lenses for ultrawide and close-up shots.
- Slightly Wider Aperture Selfie Camera: The f/2.2 aperture on the selfie camera should allow a little more light, offering better low light performance.
- More Refined Audio Features: While both have stereo speakers, the A52 has extra features such as "Dolby Digital Plus" for enhanced spatial audio and separation.
- Hall and Geomagnetic Sensors: Includes more sensors to add further functionality to the phone.
Motorola ThinkPhone Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset provides a substantial performance boost for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications, ensuring smooth operation.
- Superior Display Brightness: The much higher 1200 nits brightness makes the phone much more usable under direct sunlight.
- Higher Refresh Rate: The 144Hz refresh rate provides a smoother experience when scrolling and using the phone, especially for gaming.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: The 68W fast charging and 15W wireless charging mean less time waiting and more convenience.
- Larger Battery Capacity: The 5000mAh battery offers longer usage between charges.
- Better Video Recording: The ability to record in 8K resolution allows for more detailed video capture.
- Newer Android Version: Ships with Android 13, offering a more up-to-date software experience.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers increased protection against drops and scratches.
Trade-offs:
- The Galaxy A52 sacrifices raw performance and display quality for additional camera features and audio refinement.
- The ThinkPhone has a less versatile camera system than the A52, lacking a dedicated macro and wide-angle lens, which may be a limitation for those who like taking ultrawide photos.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 Ideal Users:
- Casual Photographers: Users who prioritize a versatile camera system with dedicated wide-angle and macro lenses.
- Multimedia Consumers: Those who enjoy media consumption and appreciate nuanced audio features like Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users who need a well-rounded device at a more affordable price point, without focusing on top-tier performance.
Specific Use Cases for A52:
- Taking diverse photos in various scenarios (landscapes, close-ups, etc).
- Watching movies, shows, and videos with enhanced audio.
- Daily usage for social media, web browsing, and light gaming.
Motorola ThinkPhone Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Users who require top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: Those who need a bright display that is highly visible in bright sunlight.
- Video Content Creators: Users who want to capture high-resolution video with 8K capability.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Those who value cutting-edge technology and are willing to pay a premium for it.
Specific Use Cases for ThinkPhone:
- High-intensity gaming, video editing, and professional productivity tasks.
- Use in brightly lit outdoor environments.
- Capturing and editing high-resolution videos, for professional use.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What are my priorities? (Performance vs. Camera Versatility)
- How important is outdoor visibility to me? (ThinkPhone's bright display is essential for outdoor use)
- What kind of user am I? (Casual user vs. power user, budget conscious vs performance-oriented)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-conscious user needing good camera versatility: The Samsung Galaxy A52 is the better choice because of its versatile camera setup and lower price.
- Scenario 2: Power user who prioritizes performance and display quality: The Motorola ThinkPhone is the clear winner due to its faster processor, higher refresh rate display, and vastly improved brightness for outdoor use.
- Scenario 3: User who wants the most up to date phone and software experience The Motorola ThinkPhone is the winner here with it's newer operating system and more up to date standards of technology.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would go with the Motorola ThinkPhone. While the Samsung Galaxy A52 offers a more versatile camera system and slightly better audio, the ThinkPhone's superior performance, significantly brighter display, and faster charging make it a more compelling option for my needs. I would much prefer the speed, smoothness and better outdoor usability than the extra camera versatility offered by the A52. It is a more capable device for everyday tasks and professional applications. Although the camera is less versatile, the ThinkPhone is still a very good camera and provides much more modern capabilities that outweigh the slightly better image quality from the A52.
