Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A52 vs. Realme 12 Pro+
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Realme 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 161.5 × 74 × 8.8 mm | Realme is slightly taller and thicker, Samsung is wider; negligible for most users. |
| Weight | 189g | 196g | Realme is slightly heavier; noticeable if holding for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Realme has a slightly larger screen; better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Very similar sharpness; negligible visual difference. |
| PPI | 407 | 394 | Practically identical pixel density; equally sharp visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Realme's display is smoother; better for gaming, scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | No brightness values; hard to determine practical difference. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) | Realme has a more efficient chip; better performance and battery life. |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 603,400 | Realme performs significantly better; faster apps, smoother gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 710 | Realme has a newer GPU; better gaming graphics. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Realme has a larger battery; should offer longer usage. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Realme charges much faster; more convenient. |
| Features | Non-removable, QC2.0, AFC | Non-removable | Samsung offers QC2.0 and AFC; both have non-removable batteries. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", Sony IMX682 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", Sony IMX890 | Realme has a larger sensor, better low-light; Samsung has slightly higher resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX616 | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/2.74", Sony IMX615 | Samsung has slightly wider aperture; both have similar selfie quality. |
| Telephoto | N/A | 64MP, f/2.6, 1/2", Omnivision OV64B | Realme offers optical zoom; versatile photography. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2 | N/A | Samsung has a dedicated wide-angle lens. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Samsung has a depth sensor for better portraits. |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Samsung has a dedicated macro lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4", Hynix HI-846 | Realme offers wide-angle and macro functionality in one lens. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, EIS | 4K@30fps, EIS; 1080p@120fps | Realme has 1080p@120fps; better slow-motion option. |
| Features | OIS, EIS, Quad Camera | OIS, EIS, Optical Zoom, Triple camera, RAW | Realme has optical zoom and RAW shooting; Samsung has a quad camera. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 14 | Realme has a newer OS; potentially longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Realme supports WiFi 6; faster speeds, better connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Realme has a newer Bluetooth; improved audio, better connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Realme has more satellite support; better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both offer dual SIM support; can use two numbers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB or 512 GB | Realme has 512GB storage option; more storage for users. |
| RAM | 4 GB, 6 GB, or 8 GB | 8 GB or 12 GB | Realme has higher RAM; better for multitasking, gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | No expandable storage option; limit to internal capacity. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation mic, Stereo Speakers | Realme has hi-res audio, noise cancellation microphone; Samsung has Dolby Digital Plus. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both phones have basic fingerprint security; same experience. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Samsung's display is more durable. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Samsung has additional Hall sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Wide Angle and Macro Lens: Dedicated lenses for ultra-wide and close-up shots, offering more creative flexibility.
- Corning Gorilla Glass 5: Offers superior screen protection, more resistance to scratches and damage.
- Dolby Digital Plus: Offers an additional layer of audio quality, though the practical benefit depends on the user's listening equipment.
- Hall Sensor: The additional hall sensor might provide additional use cases for niche applications.
Realme 12 Pro+ Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chip and Adreno 710 GPU provide much better processing power for games and demanding apps.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: 5000mAh battery and 67W fast charging provide significantly longer usage and quick top-ups.
- Telephoto Lens: The telephoto lens provides optical zoom, which is superior to digital zoom, allowing for high-quality zoomed-in shots.
- Newer Operating System: Comes with Android 14; likely to receive more updates than the Galaxy A52.
- Newer Connectivity Features: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and wider GPS support provide faster and more reliable connections, as well as better location accuracy.
- Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation mic: better audio experience and voice capture during calls.
- Larger RAM Options: 8GB/12GB of RAM options provide more headroom for multitasking.
Trade-offs:
- The Galaxy A52 has a quad-camera setup with more dedicated lenses, but it lacks optical zoom. The Realme 12 Pro+ has better performance but does not have wide-angle and dedicated macro lenses, having them combined in a single lens.
- Realme 12 Pro+ is heavier and slightly thicker than the Samsung Galaxy A52, which might affect user comfort.
- Realme's screen protection is unknown while Samsung has Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy A52:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those looking for a balance of features with established brand name, that have specific need for a wide angle and macro lenses.
- Casual Photographers: Users who enjoy capturing a variety of photos (wide, close-up, standard) and who do not rely heavily on zoom.
- Everyday Users: Those who primarily use the phone for social media, browsing, and basic applications that doesn't demand extreme performance.
- Users with Accessories that use ANT+ and HID: those that require a Bluetooth connection to these specific profiles for accessories.
Ideal User for Realme 12 Pro+:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Gamers and those who use performance-heavy apps, who need smooth multitasking and gaming experience.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value optical zoom, faster image processing, and RAW file support.
- Power Users: Users that require long battery life, with the ability to charge fast.
- Tech Savvy Individuals: Those who want the latest software and fastest connectivity features.
- Users that want better audio experience: those that listen to music frequently with headphones.
Specific Use Cases:
- Samsung Galaxy A52:
- Taking scenic shots with a wide-angle lens
- Capturing intricate details with a macro lens
- Everyday web browsing, social media, and casual gaming.
- Realme 12 Pro+:
- Playing graphically intensive games, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
- Zooming in on distant subjects with optical zoom.
- Long days with heavy smartphone usage.
- Taking advantage of the latest connectivity standards for faster downloads and more reliable internet connection.
- Enjoying audio via headphones, with enhanced spatial quality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Needs: How important is having the fastest processor and best gaming performance?
- Photography Priorities: Do you prefer a versatile multi-lens setup, or a focus on zoom quality?
- Battery Usage: Is having all-day battery and fast charging a priority?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious and Casual Photography:
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A52 provides a balance of quality and basic functionality.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Gaming Focused:
- Recommendation: Realme 12 Pro+ offers the superior performance needed for a smooth experience.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast Focused on Zoom:
- Recommendation: Realme 12 Pro+ is the better choice thanks to its telephoto lens with optical zoom.
- Scenario 4: Daily user that needs performance and battery:
- Recommendation: Realme 12 Pro+ offers better battery life, faster charging and significantly higher performance.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Realme 12 Pro+. Here's why:
The Realme 12 Pro+ offers significant advantages in performance due to its newer chipset, GPU, and more RAM, which are crucial for smooth multitasking, gaming, and future-proofing. The faster charging and larger battery are also critical for a daily user. While the camera setup is different, the telephoto lens with optical zoom is more important to me than wide angle and macro lenses. Ultimately, the better performance, battery and future proofing nature of the Realme 12 Pro+ make it a better all-around choice for my specific needs.
