1. Specifications Comparison
Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | OnePlus 11 | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Design | |||
Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm | 163.1 x 74.1 x 8.5 mm | OnePlus 11 is slightly taller, A52 has a larger width, similar thickness. Minimal difference in hand feel, slight preference for OnePlus 11 if comfortable with taller phones |
Weight | 189g | 205g | A52 is noticeably lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use, OnePlus 11 is slightly heavier |
Display | |||
Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | OnePlus 11 offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. Minimal difference for daily use |
Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3216 | OnePlus 11 has a significantly sharper display, better for viewing high-resolution content and overall clarity |
Pixel Density | 407 ppi | 525 ppi | OnePlus 11's display is noticeably sharper, better for reading text and viewing detailed images |
Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Identical display technology, expect vibrant colors and deep blacks on both |
Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | OnePlus 11 offers smoother scrolling and animations, more responsive gaming |
Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | OnePlus 11 has vastly superior outdoor visibility in bright sunlight |
Performance | |||
Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | OnePlus 11 has much faster processing speeds, smoother multitasking, and more future-proof performance |
AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 1,389,474 | OnePlus 11 offers drastically better performance, significantly faster app loading, superior gaming performance |
GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 740 | OnePlus 11 has a much more powerful GPU, significantly better graphics performance for gaming and demanding apps |
Camera | |||
Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" | A52 has slightly higher resolution; OnePlus 11 has larger sensor, better low-light performance |
Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.1" | A52 has higher resolution, larger sensor, better low-light and wider aperture |
Telephoto Lens | No | 32MP, f/2.0, 1/2.74" | OnePlus 11 provides optical zoom capabilities for capturing far-away subjects; A52 has no telephoto lens |
Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | No | A52 provides a wider field of view; OnePlus 11 has no wide-angle lens |
Portrait Mode (Depth) | 5MP, f/2.4 | No | A52 provides additional depth sensing; OnePlus 11 has no portrait camera |
Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | No | A52 provides dedicated macro camera; OnePlus 11 has no macro lens |
Wide Angle + Macro | No | 48MP, f/2.2, 1/2" | OnePlus 11 provides a combined wide angle and macro experience, A52 has separate lenses. |
Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@24fps | OnePlus 11 offers significantly higher video resolution, more advanced video features, better stabilization. A52 is limited to 4K at 30 FPS |
DxOMark (Mobile) | N/A | 127 (Photo: 134, Video: 121) | OnePlus 11 has a high mobile camera score, A52 has not been tested |
Battery | |||
Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | OnePlus 11 has slightly larger battery, likely longer battery life |
Charging | 25W | 100W | OnePlus 11 charges significantly faster, less time plugged in |
Battery Features | Non-removable, QC2.0 and AFC | Non-removable | A52 offers QC2.0 and AFC for fast charging. OnePlus 11 uses Lithium |
Software | |||
OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 13 (upgradable to 14) | OnePlus 11 ships with newer OS, slightly updated features |
Connectivity | |||
Wi-Fi | Up to 802.11ac | Up to WiFi 7 (802.11be) | OnePlus 11 supports the newest Wi-Fi standard, faster speeds, better performance |
Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | OnePlus 11 has a newer version with improved connection and audio support |
GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), QZSS (L1 + L5) | OnePlus 11 has more precise location tracking due to more satellite systems |
SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | OnePlus 11 offers eSIM option; Both phones support dual sim functionality |
Storage | |||
Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB, 256GB or 512GB | OnePlus 11 offers more storage options, suitable for media hoarders; A52 is limited to 256 GB storage |
RAM | 4GB, 6GB or 8GB | 8GB, 12GB or 16GB | OnePlus 11 has more RAM for smoother multitasking and running heavy apps |
Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows additional storage via SD card |
Audio | |||
Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | OnePlus 11 has better audio features; includes hi-res audio and two microphones for improved voice capture |
Security | |||
Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Similar fingerprint biometric security |
Build Quality | |||
Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | OnePlus 11 has superior screen protection against scratches and impacts |
Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | OnePlus 11 features a more complete set of sensors including a compass, and gravity sensor, A52 has a hall and geomagnetic sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended use, especially for one-handed operation.
- Lower Price: Generally more budget-friendly, a good option for users seeking good value.
- Dedicated Macro and Portrait lens: Allows users more flexibility with niche photography use cases
- Wider angle Lens: Lets users capture more of the scene in a picture, can be very useful for landscape or group shots
OnePlus 11 Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset offers much better app loading, multitasking, and gaming.
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, better pixel density, and smoother refresh rate.
- Much Better Outdoor Visibility: 1300 nits brightness means easy viewing in direct sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 100W charging replenishes the battery much faster.
- Better Video Recording: Up to 8K video recording and more advanced stabilization.
- Telephoto Lens: Captures good quality zoomed images
- Newer Connectivity: Supports newer Wi-Fi standard, improving speeds and stability.
- More RAM/Storage options: Offers more storage and RAM for better performance and longevity
Trade-offs:
- The OnePlus 11 is heavier and slightly taller than the Galaxy A52, making it less comfortable for some users.
- The Galaxy A52, while offering a decent value, does not compete in performance with the flagship OnePlus 11.
- The Galaxy A52 has a wider range of niche cameras, but the OnePlus 11 has a better combined wide + macro lens
- The Galaxy A52 has a lower screen brightness and lower refresh rate
- The OnePlus 11 has higher price tag than the Galaxy A52
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users seeking good value and a decent all-around phone.
- Users who prioritize comfort and prefer a lightweight phone.
- Users who do not need top-tier performance and are okay with moderate gaming and multitasking.
- Users who value having separate Macro and depth lenses
- Users who value having a dedicated Wide angle lens
Use Cases:
- Everyday social media browsing, web surfing, and casual app use.
- Occasional photography and videography.
- Users who prioritize a lightweight and comfortable phone experience.
- Users who value having more niche camera options
- Users who prioritize wide angle photography
OnePlus 11 Ideal User:
- Performance enthusiasts who demand top-tier processing power and smooth performance.
- Gamers who want the best possible gaming experience.
- Users who prioritize a high-quality display with high brightness.
- Users who need fast charging and want to minimize downtime.
- Users who want to capture high quality videos and zoom photos
- Users who want to future-proof themselves with faster connection speeds
- Users who prioritize better audio
Use Cases:
- Intensive gaming with demanding graphics.
- Professional photography and videography, 8k recording.
- Heavy multitasking with multiple apps running simultaneously.
- Consuming high-resolution media such as streaming video.
- Users who work outdoors and need good sunlight visibility
- Users who prioritize future-proofing and having the latest tech
- Users who prioritize higher quality audio
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Galaxy A52 offers a good price-to-value ratio for budget-conscious users looking for a well-rounded device.
- The OnePlus 11 justifies its higher price with significantly better performance, display, and camera capabilities, providing a flagship experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Galaxy A52 is more budget-friendly, while the OnePlus 11 is a premium option.
- How important is performance? The OnePlus 11 significantly outperforms the A52 in demanding tasks.
- What are your main use cases? If you need a phone for gaming or demanding tasks, the OnePlus 11 is better. If you just need a decent all-rounder, A52 might suffice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User: If your budget is a primary constraint and you prioritize basic needs and want decent cameras, the Samsung Galaxy A52 is a good pick.
- Scenario 2: Performance Enthusiast: If you need top-tier performance for gaming, heavy multitasking, and future-proofing, then the OnePlus 11 is the superior choice.
- Scenario 3: Photography Lover: If you want a phone with more niche camera options and great all-round photography capabilities, the Galaxy A52 provides that. If you want a higher quality, more well rounded camera, and the ability to zoom in, the OnePlus 11 is a great option.
- Scenario 4: Heavy Media Consumer: If you need the sharpest display with higher brightness and want the best audio quality, then the OnePlus 11 is better.
My Choice
I would choose the OnePlus 11.
Reasoning:
While the Samsung Galaxy A52 is a competent phone, the OnePlus 11 offers a dramatically better experience in almost every key area that I value. As a performance user, the significantly faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset is very important for me because I am someone who uses many apps simultaneously and plays graphically intensive games. The improved display quality, particularly the higher resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and much higher brightness, is a noticeable upgrade for media consumption and general usage. The faster charging is also a big plus for me as I'm often in a rush and always need a quick charge. Additionally, I appreciate the newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards for better connectivity and future-proofing. Although it's more expensive, the overall experience would justify the higher price for me. While I might miss the macro lens and a dedicated wide angle lens of the A52, I value a much better overall camera system with good zoom capability and a better wider angle camera on the Oneplus 11. The improved audio is also another positive aspect of the OnePlus 11 that I would find useful. For my use cases, the OnePlus 11's strengths outweigh the few advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A52.