1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | OnePlus 9RT 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 162.2 × 74.6 × 8.3 mm | OnePlus 9RT 5G is slightly taller and narrower, but similar overall size and thickness; might feel slightly different in hand. |
| Weight | 189g | 198.5g | Samsung Galaxy A52 is lighter, which might be preferable for extended use; the difference is noticeable but not drastic. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.62" | OnePlus 9RT 5G offers a marginally larger screen, potentially better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer a sharp, clear display; no practical difference. |
| PPI | 407 | 397 | Both have very similar pixel density and will appear equally sharp; the difference is not noticeable. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | OnePlus 9RT 5G provides slightly smoother animations and scrolling; the difference can be noticeable for some users, especially gamers. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have the same brightness, according to the data, but real-world tests may differ. It's advised to check reviews for more accurate brightness comparisons. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | OnePlus 9RT 5G has significantly more powerful CPU; will provide faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 881,700 | OnePlus 9RT 5G scores significantly higher, indicating vastly superior performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 660 | OnePlus 9RT 5G has a more powerful GPU, which means better graphics performance for gaming and graphically intensive applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Both phones should offer similar battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 65W fast charging | OnePlus 9RT 5G charges much faster, leading to shorter wait times to get a full charge. |
| Features | Non-removable, QC2.0, AFC | Non-removable, 2*2250mAh double cells | Samsung Galaxy A52 has QC2.0 and AFC charging; OnePlus 9RT 5G has a double-cell battery for more efficient charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", 1.0µm | Samsung Galaxy A52 has higher resolution, but OnePlus 9RT 5G has a larger sensor and bigger pixels, leading to better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", 1.0µm | Samsung Galaxy A52 has a higher resolution, wider aperture and larger sensor, potentially better selfies, especially in low-light conditions. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09", 1.0µm | OnePlus 9RT 5G offers a higher resolution wide-angle, potentially capturing more details in landscape shots. |
| Portrait Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A52 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode; OnePlus 9RT 5G relies on software-based portrait effect. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | 2MP, f/2.4 | Samsung Galaxy A52 has higher-resolution macro lens, likely capturing more detailed close-up shots. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, EIS | 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps, HDR, EIS | OnePlus 9RT 5G has more video recording options, including 4K@60fps and 1080p@240fps for slow-motion recording. |
| Features | Quad camera, OIS, EIS, 4K Video, Ultra stable video | Triple Camera, OIS, EIS, 4K Video, PDAF, RAW | Both offer OIS and EIS, but different camera systems and additional software features; each offers unique advantages for specific use cases. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 14) | Android 11 (up to 13) | Samsung Galaxy A52 is likely to receive more software updates; better long-term software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | OnePlus 9RT 5G supports the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard, providing faster and more stable wireless connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | OnePlus 9RT 5G offers newer Bluetooth with better connectivity, efficiency, and audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, L1+L5, B1, E1+E5a | OnePlus 9RT 5G has more precise dual-band GPS for better location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both offer the same storage options, and do not offer expandable storage. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB | OnePlus 9RT 5G offers a minimum of 8GB of RAM, with a 12GB option, giving a large performance advantage for multitasking, heavy use and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both phones lack expandable storage so user must select storage amount based on long term needs. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation | Both have Dolby Atmos, but different audio features. Samsung offers Dolby Digital Plus, while OnePlus has a noise-canceling microphone for calls. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both phones have a standard fingerprint sensor for biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Samsung A52 has a well established screen protection from scratches and bumps; OnePlus 9RT screen protection is not specified. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Samsung A52 has Hall and Geomagnetic sensors, OnePlus 9RT 5G has a Compass sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Potentially better selfies: Higher resolution selfie camera with wider aperture and larger sensor
- Dedicated depth sensor: Offers more accurate portrait mode effects due to dedicated depth sensor.
- Higher resolution Macro camera: better macro photography with 5MP lens instead of 2MP
- Ultra stable video: Offers ultra-stable video recording capabilities for smoother footage.
- Better Software Support: More Software updates due to Android 14 maximum version
OnePlus 9RT 5G Advantages:
- Significantly faster performance: Snapdragon 888 chipset offers vastly superior performance compared to the Snapdragon 720G, leading to smoother app loading, better gaming, and more efficient multitasking.
- Smoother display: 120Hz refresh rate provides a more fluid and responsive user experience.
- Faster charging: 65W fast charging drastically reduces charging times compared to the 25W of Samsung A52.
- Better Main Camera Low light performance: Larger sensor and pixel size on the main camera for better low-light performance.
- Better video recording: More video recording options with 4K at 60fps, and 1080p at 240fps for slow-motion videos.
- Newer Wireless Technologies: WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 offer more efficient and faster connectivity and audio codecs.
- More RAM: Minimum 8GB of RAM, with a 12GB option for better multitasking.
- More Precise GPS: Offers a dual band gps for more precise location accuracy.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung A52: While offering potentially better selfie and macro cameras, it is significantly slower and has a lower refresh rate display compared to the OnePlus 9RT 5G. It might struggle with demanding tasks.
- OnePlus 9RT 5G: While it excels in performance, it lacks a dedicated depth sensor, has a lower-resolution selfie camera, and a lower resolution macro camera, potentially sacrificing some camera versatility compared to the A52.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52:
- Ideal User: Casual users who prioritize camera quality for selfies and macro shots, and long term software support, and are not heavy gamers or multitaskers.
- Use Cases: Social media photography, casual gaming, everyday browsing, and users wanting long term software support.
- Price-to-Value: Good value for users who prioritize camera quality and long term software support over raw performance.
OnePlus 9RT 5G:
- Ideal User: Performance-focused users, mobile gamers, multitaskers, and users that require high quality video recording
- Use Cases: Demanding mobile games, video editing, resource-intensive applications, users wanting quick charging, and those valuing a smoother visual experience.
- Price-to-Value: Excellent value for power users who want top-tier performance and fast charging capabilities.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Performance Needs: How important is raw performance and speed for gaming, multitasking, and app loading? If you want high quality performance the OnePlus 9RT is the choice. If you want a decent experience with average performance, the A52 might be a better option.
- Camera Priorities: Which camera features are most important - selfies, macro shots, portrait mode, or video quality? If you want the best camera for selfies the A52 might be better, but for video recording the OnePlus 9RT is the choice.
- Battery & Charging: How much do you value fast charging vs. having an average battery experience? The OnePlus 9RT is the clear choice here due to the very large difference in charging speed.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Social Media Enthusiast: If you take lots of selfies and casual landscape shots, the Samsung Galaxy A52 is better due to its higher resolution selfie and wide-angle lens and a dedicated depth sensor. However, if video is important the OnePlus is better due to its vastly superior video options.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer/Power User: If you are a gamer or a power user, the OnePlus 9RT 5G with its top-tier processor, 120Hz display, and fast charging is the clear choice.
- Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious User: If you are on a budget, and you only need an average performing phone for daily use, the Samsung A52 will be a good value. If you can afford it, the OnePlus 9RT is a much better option and well worth the price increase.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the OnePlus 9RT 5G. The significant performance boost from the Snapdragon 888 chipset and the smoother 120Hz display make it a much more enjoyable device for everyday use, and the better video recording and fast charging are very important for my use case. While the Samsung Galaxy A52 has some advantages in selfie and macro photography, the overall experience offered by the OnePlus 9RT 5G is far superior, and I value the extra performance and features more. The lack of a dedicated depth sensor and lower resolution selfie camera are minor drawbacks that I can easily live with, in exchange for the much more powerful core performance that the OnePlus 9RT provides. The faster charging is an important feature to me as well.
