1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 161.7 × 76.3 × 8.5 mm | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is slightly taller and wider, negligible difference. |
| Weight | 189g | 190g | Virtually identical weight. Minimal impact on hand-feel. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Both offer sharp images; minimal difference in visual clarity. |
| PPI | 407 | 395 | Both have very similar pixel density, both are sharp and detailed. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both provide vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a smoother scrolling and gaming experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is significantly better for outdoor visibility in sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus uses a newer architecture, generally faster and more efficient. |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 805,721 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus performs significantly faster in daily tasks, multitasking, and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G610 MC4 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a more capable GPU, translating to better gaming performance. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers better battery life, enabling longer use between charges. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 50W fast charging | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable, QC2.0 and AFC | Non-removable, No charger in box | Samsung Galaxy A52 has charger included and supports QC2.0 and AFC; Nothing Phone (2a) Plus requires a separate charger purchase. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7" sensor (Sony IMX682), 0.80µm pixels | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56" sensor (Samsung GN9), 1.00µm pixels | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has larger sensor pixels for better low-light performance, while Samsung has higher resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" sensor (Sony IMX616), 0.80µm pixels | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76" sensor (Samsung S5KJN1), 0.64µm pixels | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has higher resolution, but smaller pixel size, might impact low light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | No Wide Angle Lens | Samsung Galaxy A52 offers a dedicated ultra-wide lens for wider landscape shots, Nothing Phone (2a) Plus does not. |
| Portrait Mode | 5MP, f/2.4 | No Depth Sensor | Samsung Galaxy A52 offers a dedicated depth sensor for enhanced portrait mode with bokeh effect, Nothing Phone (2a) Plus does not. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | No Macro Lens | Samsung Galaxy A52 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography, Nothing Phone (2a) Plus does not. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | No Wide Angle + Macro Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76" sensor (Samsung S5KJN1), 0.64µm pixels | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus combines wide angle and macro capabilities in one lens. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@120fps | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has more framerate for 1080p slow motion. |
| Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, OIS, etc. | Time-Lapse, 4K Video, Digital zoom, Dual camera, OIS, etc. | Samsung Galaxy A52 offers additional features like Ultra stable video and Continuous autofocus. Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has Time-Lapse, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), RAW capabilities. |
Software & Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11, up to 14 | Android 14, up to 17 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus comes with a newer version and has guaranteed future updates. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6, MIMO | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers faster and more reliable WiFi connections. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a more modern standard with better performance and connection efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), NavIC | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers better location accuracy due to wider satellite support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both phones support Dual SIM functionality. |
Storage & Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 256 GB | Both have the same maximum storage capacity, but base storage options vary. |
| RAM | 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB | 12 GB | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has significantly more RAM for better multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Both offer stereo sound, but Nothing Phone (2a) Plus supports Hi-Res and has 3 mics. |
Security, Build & Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fingerprint Sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint security. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Both screens are protected by similar glass. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers additional compass and gravity sensors, might be better for gaming and specific apps. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Dedicated Camera Lenses: Includes a dedicated wide-angle, macro, and depth sensor, offering greater versatility for different photography needs.
- Includes Charger: Comes with a charger in the box, a small cost and inconvenience savings.
- Software Features: Offers Ultra stable video and Continuous autofocus, these are very important to the content creators
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos support for the richer audio experience.
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster processor and GPU, leading to better app loading, multitasking, and gaming.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 120Hz display offers a much smoother experience, particularly for scrolling and gaming.
- Brighter Display: Much higher brightness, ensuring good visibility even in direct sunlight.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: Offers longer battery life and faster recharge times, reducing downtime.
- Newer OS: Comes with a newer Android version and promise of more future updates.
- Better Connectivity: More advanced wifi and Bluetooth, enabling better performance.
- Better Location: Wider range of satellite systems, providing a more precise and faster location.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy A52: The older processor and slower charging may feel dated compared to modern smartphones.
- Nothing Phone (2a) Plus: No charger in the box, and missing a dedicated telephoto camera and macro lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52:
- Ideal User: Casual photographers who want a versatile camera system, people who are happy with decent performance and a good screen, and users who prefer the Samsung Ecosystem.
- Use Cases: Social media photography (diverse lenses), multimedia consumption, and general daily tasks.
- Price-to-value: Is an older phone with older pricing which can bring it to an advantage
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus:
- Ideal User: Power users, mobile gamers, and anyone who prioritizes performance and smoothness, alongside users who value the newer Android ecosystem.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, heavy multitasking, and outdoor use where screen visibility is crucial and fast charging is a necessity.
- Price-to-value: A newer phone with high performance capabilities but might be more expensive than the A52.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is performance for your daily usage? Do you need the smoothest experience for gaming and multitasking or is average performance acceptable?
- Do you prioritize camera versatility over image quality? Do you need dedicated wide-angle and macro lenses or are you fine with a good main camera?
- How important is outdoor screen visibility and battery life for your usage? Will you be frequently using the phone outdoors or require extended battery life on the go?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-conscious user who needs good enough performance and a versatile camera setup: The Samsung Galaxy A52 is a better option. It still has a decent display, a versatile camera system, and it will come at a reduced price due to its age.
- Scenario 2: Performance-focused user who does not need a macro lens, enjoys gaming, and needs bright screens and fast charging: The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is clearly better. It offers a significantly better processor, a smoother display, much brighter screen, and faster charging.
- Scenario 3: Balanced user who wants smooth experience and a good screen but budget is a consideration: The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is a better choice due to better performance and screen, but it might have to be purchased on a higher budget.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. While the Samsung A52 has its advantages such as dedicated lenses and a charger included, the performance and user experience of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus would be much better due to the new chip and 120Hz refresh rate, with faster charging, more up-to-date software and better connectivity. The higher performance of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus provides a smoother and more modern user experience that justifies any additional cost. For me, performance, screen quality and battery are more important than the extra camera lenses, since I don't use macro or wide-angle very often, I would happily trade them for the improved performance and higher quality screen. Finally, the new Android version gives an extra year of updates and that's a good bonus.
