Samsung Galaxy A52 vs Nokia C31 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Nokia C31
Nokia C31
Nokia

General

Launch Date March 26, 2021 September 1, 2022
Release Year 2021 2022

Physical

Volume 100.87 cm³ 113.5 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.44 "/g 3.38 "/g
Weight 189 g 200 g
Height 159.9 mm 169.2 mm
Width 75.1 mm 78 mm
Thickness 8.4 mm 8.6 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Awesome Black
  • Awesome White
  • Awesome Blue
  • Awesome Violet
  • Mint
  • Charcoal
  • Cyan

Display

Screen Size 6.5 " 6.75 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 720 x 1600
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 84.9 % 83.4 %
Pixel Density 407 PPI 260 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz N/A
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 800 nits N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 106.51 mAh/in² 110.84 mAh/in²
Battery Density 44.61 mAh/cm³ 44.49 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4500 mAh 5050 mAh
NFC Support Yes No
Chipset Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 618 IMG8322

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG microUSB 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 12
Maximum OS Version 14

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A52Nokia C31Practical Impact
Dimensions159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm169.2 x 78 x 8.6 mmThe Nokia C31 is noticeably larger and slightly thicker, making the A52 easier to handle for some.
Weight189g200gThe A52 is lighter, which can be more comfortable during prolonged use, especially one-handed.
BuildNot fully specifiedNot fully specifiedLack of build material details makes it difficult to assess build quality and durability.

Display

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A52Nokia C31Practical Impact
Size6.5"6.75"The Nokia C31 offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption.
Resolution1080 x 2400720 x 1600The A52's higher resolution provides a much sharper, clearer image with significantly more detail, better for reading, photos and videos.
PPI407260The A52's higher pixel density results in sharper text, crisper images, and less pixelation than the C31.
TechnologyAMOLEDIPS LCDThe A52 has significantly better color reproduction, deeper blacks, and better contrast than the C31's LCD. AMOLED is also more power-efficient when using dark themes.
Refresh Rate90Hz60HzThe A52's higher refresh rate makes scrolling and animations look smoother, providing a more fluid user experience.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsPeak brightness is unknown, making it difficult to assess visibility in sunlight for either phone

Performance

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A52Nokia C31Practical Impact
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm)Unisoc SC9863A (28nm)The A52's chipset is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking and better gaming performance than the C31.
AnTuTu Score341,212109,200The A52 performs significantly better, being over 3 times faster for all kinds of apps, games and daily tasks.
GPUAdreno 618IMG8322The A52’s GPU is much better for graphically intensive tasks like gaming, giving superior performance.

Camera

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A52Nokia C31Practical Impact
Main Camera64MP (f/1.8)13MPThe A52's higher resolution means more detail in photos, better low-light performance, and the potential for better cropping capabilities.
Selfie Camera32MP (f/2.2)5MP (f/2.2)The A52 offers significantly sharper selfies with more detail, making it better for video calls and high quality self-portraits.
Wide Angle Lens12MP (f/2.2)NoneA52 can capture wide angle shots, the C31 is not able to capture group photos or landscape images as easily.
Portrait Lens5MP (f/2.4)2MP (f/2.4)The A52 can capture better portrait photos with more detail and improved bokeh effect compared to the C31.
Macro Lens5MP (f/2.4)2MP (f/2.4)The A52 captures close up shots with more detail, allowing for clearer images than the C31.
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps (EIS)1080p@30fpsA52 captures higher quality video footage, and the EIS helps reduce shakiness.
StabilizationYes (EIS/OIS)NoThe A52 has Electronic Image Stabilization which significantly reduces video shakiness.
Slow Motion120fpsNoneThe A52 can record in slow motion to capture fast action in detail.
Features4K Video, OIS, Night mode, Digital image stabilization, Continuous AFPhase Detection AF, Front flashThe A52 offers a wider range of advanced features for better quality photos and videos, whereas the C31 focuses on basic enhancements.

Battery

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A52Nokia C31Practical Impact
Capacity4500 mAh5050 mAhThe C31 has a slightly larger battery, which may translate to longer battery life for some users
Charging25W Fast Charging10W ChargingThe A52 charges significantly faster, allowing you to quickly get back to full battery.
FeaturesQC2.0, AFCNoneThe A52’s charging is more efficient for faster top ups when needed.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:

  • Superior Display: AMOLED with higher resolution, pixel density, and 90Hz refresh rate for a more vibrant, smoother viewing experience.
  • Significantly Better Performance: Much more powerful processor and GPU leading to faster overall performance.
  • Better Cameras: Higher resolution sensors, wide angle and macro lenses, Optical Image Stabilisation, better video recording, and advanced photo/video features.
  • Faster Charging: 25W fast charging allows for quick battery top-ups.
  • More Advanced Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards for faster speeds and more stable connections.
  • Better Audio Offers a better overall audio experience with Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers.

Nokia C31 Advantages:

  • Larger Battery: A slightly larger battery capacity for potentially longer battery life.
  • Newer Android Version: Ships with Android 12, whereas A52 has Android 11 but can be upgraded.
  • Slightly Larger Display: A bit more screen real estate for media consumption, but with significantly lower resolution.

Trade-offs

  • Display: The Nokia C31 has a larger display but with far lower resolution, making the viewing experience inferior for reading and detailed content.
  • Performance: The C31 has a considerably weaker chipset, leading to poorer performance when compared to the A52.
  • Camera System: The A52 provides a more versatile camera system, whereas the C31 only provides basic camera functionality.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Samsung Galaxy A52 Ideal User:

  • Multimedia Consumers: Users who watch videos, browse photos, or play games frequently.
  • Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value camera quality and want to capture detailed, high-quality photos and videos.
  • Performance Seekers: Those who need a fast and responsive phone for multitasking, apps, and gaming.
  • Users who prioritize display quality and a smooth user interface.

    Use Cases:

    • Watching high-resolution videos and movies.
    • Capturing photos and videos with good detail, especially in low light.
    • Playing graphically intensive games with smoother performance.
    • Quickly opening apps and multitasking between different tasks.

Nokia C31 Ideal User:

  • Budget-Conscious Users: Users who are looking for a functional phone at a lower price point.
  • Basic Smartphone Users: Users who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, and light browsing.
  • Users who need long battery life: Those who need a phone that can last a long time without charging, and don’t mind slower charging speeds.

    Use Cases:

    • Making calls, sending messages, and light web browsing.
    • Using basic social media apps.
    • Users needing a device that primarily serves basic needs and long battery life.

Price-to-Value Ratio

  • The Samsung Galaxy A52, is the superior phone overall, offering better performance and features for a higher price.
  • The Nokia C31 offers basic functionality at a lower price point, making it a value-conscious choice for very basic use cases.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? If budget is the primary concern, then the C31 may be the preferred option.
  2. How do you use your phone? If you're looking for high performance and a superior camera, choose the A52. If you only require very basic functionality then choose the C31.
  3. What is your tolerance for trade-offs? If you're willing to trade performance for cost-savings, then the C31 may work.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Media Enthusiast - Recommendation: The Samsung Galaxy A52 is better due to the superior display, audio and performance for media consumption.

  • Scenario 2: Social Media User/Photographer - Recommendation: The Samsung Galaxy A52 due to its much better camera setup, including wide angle, macro, and main lenses for higher quality photos.

  • Scenario 3: Budget Shopper - Recommendation: The Nokia C31 is the better choice if budget is the sole concern and only basic usage is required.

  • Scenario 4: Power User - Recommendation: The Samsung Galaxy A52 will offer a better experience due to faster processor, and smoother performance.

My Choice

Given the choice, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A52. The significant advantages it offers in display quality, performance, camera capabilities, and fast charging far outweigh the slightly larger battery of the Nokia C31. While the C31 is the cheaper option, the user experience provided by the A52 is far more complete. I value smooth performance, high-quality camera functionality and a vibrant display for my daily smartphone usage. The A52, although an older device, offers a premium experience which is lacking in the C31, making it the better choice for my needs.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Digital media communication
  • Technical storytelling
  • User-centric technology insights

Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.