1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm | 161.5 x 74 x 8.8 mm | Realme 12 Pro is slightly taller and thicker, while the A52 is a bit wider. Impact on hand feel is minimal. |
| Weight | 189g | 190g | Negligible difference. Both are similarly weighted for everyday use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Realme 12 Pro offers slightly more screen real estate for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Virtually identical sharpness. Both displays will appear crisp. |
| PPI | 407 | 394 | Practically indistinguishable pixel density, both screens appear equally sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Realme 12 Pro provides smoother scrolling and animations. Noticeable improvement in daily use and gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 950 nits | Realme 12 Pro is significantly brighter, offering superior visibility under direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm) | Realme 12 Pro's newer, more efficient chipset offers faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 574,000 | Realme 12 Pro performs significantly better. Expect more fluid responsiveness across all tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 710 | Realme 12 Pro has superior graphics processing capabilities, beneficial for gaming and graphics intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", Sony IMX682 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2", Sony IMX882 | Samsung A52 has slightly higher resolution and a larger sensor. May result in slightly better low light performance and detail capture. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX616 | 16MP, f/2.4 | Samsung A52 has higher resolution selfies and performs better in lower light. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP, f/2.0, 1/2.74", Sony IMX709 | Realme 12 Pro has optical zoom capabilities, providing better detail when zooming. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | None | Samsung A52 allows for wider field of view shots. |
| Portrait Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung A52 has a dedicated lens for depth sensing. May result in more natural bokeh effect. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung A52 has a dedicated lens for close up shots |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX355 | Realme 12 Pro combines wide-angle with macro in a single sensor, potentially more versatile. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@120fps with EIS | Both offer stabilized 4K recording, but Realme 12 Pro offers higher frame rate slow-motion capabilities. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Realme 12 Pro provides longer battery life, better for all day usage. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 67W fast charging | Realme 12 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | QC2.0, AFC | None | Samsung A52 has some charging compatibility with other standards. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Wider variety of cameras: Dedicated wide-angle, macro and portrait lens offer more flexibility for different types of photography.
- Higher resolution selfie camera: Captures more detailed selfies, and the wider aperture helps in lower light.
- Slightly larger standard camera sensor: May lead to better low-light performance and detail in the standard camera.
- Screen Protection: Includes Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection
Additional Sensors: Hall, Geomagnetic.
Practical implications: More versatile camera setup for users who enjoy exploring various photography styles. Better low light performance for selfies.
Realme 12 Pro Advantages:
- Newer and more powerful chipset: Provides significantly better performance for daily tasks, multitasking, and gaming.
- Larger, brighter display with a higher refresh rate: A more enjoyable experience with smoother animations, better clarity and readability, particularly outdoors.
- Faster charging: Significantly reduces charging times.
- Telephoto lens: Offers improved zoom capabilities for capturing distant subjects with better detail.
- Larger battery: Longer battery life for all day use.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Improved connectivity with better performance
- More storage and RAM options: More capacity for apps, media and running demanding applications.
- Updated Android Version: Better software support and features.
Improved Audio: Better quality audio for both output and input
Practical implications: Provides a smoother, more responsive experience, with better performance and faster charging. Ideal for users who need a reliable phone for demanding tasks and all-day use. Better connectivity and improved audio features.
Trade-offs:
- Camera Versatility vs Telephoto lens: The A52 offers a wider range of camera lenses, while the Realme focuses on zoom capabilities with the telephoto lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 Ideal User:
- Casual photographers who appreciate a versatile camera system with dedicated wide-angle, portrait, and macro lenses.
- Users who prefer a more compact phone in terms of height.
- Individuals who prioritize a good selfie camera for social media.
Realme 12 Pro Ideal User:
- Performance-oriented users: Gamers, heavy multitaskers, and those who appreciate fast, smooth performance.
- Users who prioritize a great display and longer battery life.
- Individuals who want a phone with fast charging.
- Users who desire a telephoto lens and its zoom capabilities.
- Users who prioritize better audio for music and phone calls.
Use Cases:
- Samsung Galaxy A52: Social media enthusiasts (selfies, wide-angle landscape shots), everyday users looking for a versatile camera.
- Realme 12 Pro: Gamers, power users who require responsiveness and multitasking, users who consume a lot of video content, those who require a long-lasting battery.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- The Realme 12 Pro offers a better price to value ratio due to its significantly better performance and display at a likely similar price point (given the A52 is a much older device).
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is raw performance and speed to you? (Realme 12 Pro excels)
- What kind of photography is most important to you? (Samsung A52 offers more lenses, while Realme has a telephoto lens)
- How much do you value a long battery life and fast charging? (Realme 12 Pro wins)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Everyday use, casual photography, and balanced performance: If you want a phone with a good overall camera experience and a decent screen at a lower price and don't prioritize maximum performance, the Samsung Galaxy A52 would still be sufficient.
Scenario 2: Performance, gaming, video consumption, and a long-lasting battery: The Realme 12 Pro is the better choice, offering superior speed, a smoother display, and long battery life. The telephoto camera is a significant advantage.
Scenario 3: Photography enthusiasts wanting ultimate camera flexibility: The Samsung Galaxy A52 offers a slightly more versatile camera setup, but is not ideal for performance. The Realme 12 Pro provides good quality and zoom.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Realme 12 Pro. While the Samsung Galaxy A52 has a slightly more versatile camera setup, the Realme 12 Pro offers significant upgrades that are more beneficial for my typical use. The vastly superior performance, significantly brighter 120Hz display, much faster charging and larger battery are all key advantages that I would benefit from daily. Additionally, the Telephoto lens provides superior zoom, and the audio is much better. The newer OS is a bonus, as well. Overall, the Realme 12 Pro offers a better value proposition in terms of features and performance.
