Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A52 vs. OnePlus Nord 3
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | OnePlus Nord 3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm | 162 x 75.1 x 8.2 mm | OnePlus Nord 3 is slightly taller, while the A52 is a bit thicker. Minimal difference in overall feel. |
| Weight | 189g | 193.5g | Negligible difference; both feel similar in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.74" | OnePlus Nord 3 offers slightly more screen real estate for content consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1240 x 2772 | OnePlus Nord 3's higher resolution leads to sharper text, images, and video. |
| PPI | 407 | 451 | OnePlus Nord 3 offers slightly crisper visuals due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | OnePlus Nord 3 provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1450 nits | OnePlus Nord 3 is significantly better for outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. *Samsung A52 brightness is missing and is needed to perform comparison. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 9000 (4 nm) | OnePlus Nord 3 offers significantly better performance, faster app loading, and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 1,103,441 | OnePlus Nord 3 is substantially faster in benchmarks, suitable for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G710 MC10 | OnePlus Nord 3's GPU provides better graphics performance for gaming and GPU-intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", Sony IMX682 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", Sony IMX890 | Samsung Galaxy A52 has higher resolution, while the OnePlus Nord 3 has a slightly larger sensor and larger pixel size, suggesting potentially better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX616 | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471 | Samsung A52 offers higher resolution selfie camera with wider aperture and larger sensor, which should lead to better quality photos. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX355 | Samsung A52 has a higher resolution wide angle lens |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Samsung A52 offers dedicated portrait mode sensor for depth effects |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", GalaxyCore GC02M1 | Samsung A52 offers higher resolution macro lens |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@60fps with EIS, slow-motion 120fps | Up to 4K@60fps with EIS, 1080p@120fps with EIS, slow-motion 240fps | OnePlus Nord 3 provides higher framerate recording and slow motion capabilities |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Digital zoom, Digital image stabilization, OIS, Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Continuous autofocus, etc. | Triple camera, Digital zoom, Digital image stabilization, OIS, Autofocus, PDAF, etc. | Samsung A52 offers a more flexible quadruple camera system, but OnePlus Nord 3 features PDAF for faster focus. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | OnePlus Nord 3 offers potentially longer battery life due to larger capacity. |
| Charging | 25W | 80W | OnePlus Nord 3 charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable, QC2.0 and AFC | Non-removable | Samsung A52 features QC2.0 and AFC charging technologies. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 14) | Android 13 (upgradeable to 16) | OnePlus Nord 3 provides a more up-to-date software experience and longer support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6) | OnePlus Nord 3 supports WiFi 6, providing faster and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.3 LE | OnePlus Nord 3 has a more recent Bluetooth version with better connectivity and audio codec support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | OnePlus Nord 3 has more precise location tracking through added satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both phones support Dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | Both phones offer similar internal storage capacity. |
| RAM | 4 GB, 6 GB, or 8 GB | 8 GB or 16 GB | OnePlus Nord 3 offers significantly more RAM, leading to better multitasking capabilities. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports external storage via microSD. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Both have Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers. OnePlus Nord 3 offers Hi-Res audio, Samsung A52 has Dolby Digital Plus |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer fingerprint sensor security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Samsung Galaxy A52 uses a more durable screen. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Gravity, SensorCore | OnePlus Nord 3 offers a slightly more comprehensive sensor suite |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- More versatile camera system: Includes a dedicated depth sensor and higher resolution ultrawide and macro lenses, along with a higher resolution selfie camera.
- Screen Protection: Offers Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
- Dolby Digital Plus Audio: Provides an enhanced sound experience in compatible formats.
OnePlus Nord 3 Advantages:
- Significantly faster performance: The Dimensity 9000 chipset offers much higher processing power.
- Superior display: Offers higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness.
- Faster charging: 80W charging significantly reduces charging times compared to 25W.
- More RAM options: Offers 8GB or 16GB of RAM for smoother multitasking.
- More future-proof software: Launched with a newer version of Android, and will receive more updates
- Better connectivity: Supports WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 for faster wireless connection.
- Hi-Res Audio: Improved audio playback for audiophiles.
- More comprehensive sensor suite: Adds Gravity and SensorCore sensors for more functionality.
- Larger Battery: 5000mah provides longer usage time
Practical Implications:
- Performance: The OnePlus Nord 3 is noticeably snappier in day-to-day usage and handles demanding games much better.
- Display: The OnePlus Nord 3’s screen provides a better visual experience, especially in outdoor conditions and when viewing high-resolution content.
- Charging: The OnePlus Nord 3's faster charging is a major convenience factor.
- Software: The OnePlus Nord 3 will receive more updates and feature upgrades.
- Camera: The Samsung A52 is more versatile in terms of different camera lenses and higher selfie resolution, while the OnePlus Nord 3 has a slightly better main sensor and better video capabilities.
Trade-offs:
- Camera Versatility: Samsung Galaxy A52's versatile quad camera setup might be preferred by users who like to experiment with different lenses or prefer the selfie quality.
- Screen Durability: OnePlus Nord 3's screen durability is unknown.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users seeking a balance of features and price.
- Casual photographers who appreciate the versatility of multiple camera lenses, higher selfie resolution, and the option of a depth sensor.
- Users who are less demanding with gaming or other CPU-intensive activities.
Users who prefer a more durable screen through Gorilla Glass.
Specific Use Cases:
- General social media browsing and content consumption.
- Taking photos in various scenarios with its versatile camera setup.
- Everyday use with adequate performance for typical apps.
OnePlus Nord 3 Ideal User:
- Power users who need fast performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Media enthusiasts who value a high-quality display with high brightness, resolution, and a high refresh rate.
- Users who prioritize fast charging and battery life.
- Users who prefer a device that receives newer software updates and that is more future-proof.
Users who prioritize Hi-Res audio quality.
Specific Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming with high frame rates and fast loading times.
- Watching videos, movies, and other multimedia content.
- Professional workflows requiring smooth multitasking and performance.
- Users who record a lot of video and need higher FPS options.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The OnePlus Nord 3 typically offers a better price-to-value ratio considering its superior performance, display, and charging speed. The price will ultimately be the decision maker based on budgets.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Gaming, photography, general use)
- What's more important, camera flexibility or performance and display quality?
- How important is charging speed and long term software updates?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious, Casual Photography:
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A52. The camera versatility and lower price make it the more sensible option.
- Scenario 2: High-Performance Gaming & Multimedia Consumption:
- Recommendation: OnePlus Nord 3. The superior display, performance, charging speed, and software support make it better suited for this.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Usage with Performance Prioritized:
- Recommendation: OnePlus Nord 3. The much better performance, significantly faster charging, and up-to-date software make it the better option.
Personal Choice
I would choose the OnePlus Nord 3. While the Samsung A52 has a versatile camera system and Gorilla Glass, the OnePlus Nord 3 provides a superior overall experience in areas that I prioritize: performance, display quality, and charging speed. The Dimensity 9000 chipset makes a significant difference in terms of responsiveness and the higher refresh rate and brightness are fantastic for multimedia consumption and use in bright conditions. The faster charging is a convenience factor that I greatly value, along with Hi-Res audio. Given the better software support and more future-proof nature of the OnePlus, it is a better value in the long term.
