Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A52 vs. Realme 9
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Realme 9 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm | 160.2 x 73.3 x 8 mm | Realme 9 is slightly narrower and thinner, potentially more comfortable to hold, A52 is negligibly wider and thicker. |
| Weight | 189g | 178g | Realme 9 is lighter, which might be noticeable during extended use and contribute to comfort. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.4" | Negligible difference; both offer immersive viewing experiences, with the A52 offering a tad more screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness; both displays will appear equally crisp. |
| Pixel Density | 407 PPI | 411 PPI | Very similar sharpness, practically indistinguishable. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Rich colors and deep blacks on both, offering an excellent visual experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both devices, a noticeable improvement over 60Hz panels. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1000 nits | Realme 9 has much better outdoor visibility due to higher brightness, essential for use in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | A52 has a more powerful chipset, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 216,850 | A52 delivers significantly higher benchmark performance, indicative of its better overall processing capability. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 610 | A52 has a better GPU, translating to improved graphics in gaming and other visually demanding apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", Sony IMX682 | 108MP, f/1.75, 1/1.67", Samsung HM6 | Realme 9 has a higher-resolution sensor for more detailed photos and a slightly wider aperture for better low-light performance, but smaller pixels. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX616 | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471 | A52 has a higher resolution front camera and wider aperture for better selfies, especially in low light. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4", Omnivision OV08D10 | A52 offers a slightly higher resolution for wide-angle shots. |
| Portrait Mode | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | A52 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode photos, while Realme 9 relies on software processing |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", GalaxyCore GC02M1 | A52 offers higher resolution for macro shots, potentially yielding more detailed close-up images. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps with EIS | 1080p@30fps | A52 can record in 4K with EIS, offering more versatile video recording. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Digital image stabilization, 4k video | Phase detection autofocus (PDAF) | A52 has OIS for better stability in photos and videos. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Realme 9 has a larger battery, offering potentially longer battery life, but real world usage also depends on optimization |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 33W fast charging | Realme 9 can charge faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | QC2.0, AFC | Reverse Charging | Realme 9 can charge other devices, which is useful for powering accessories. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 14) | Android 12 (Max Version not available) | Realme 9 has the newer Android version out of the box, but the A52 has a clear upgrade path to version 14. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB | A52 offers a higher storage option. |
| RAM | 4GB, 6GB or 8GB | 6GB or 8GB | Both offer good multitasking capability with either 6 or 8 GB variants. |
| Expandable | No | No | No expandable storage options for either phone. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, 2 Microphones | A52 has better audio output with Dolby Atmos and Stereo Speakers. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 720G and Adreno 618 offer notably better overall performance, leading to smoother multitasking and gaming.
- Enhanced Camera Features: Optical image stabilization, 4K video recording with EIS, and a dedicated portrait lens enhance photo and video quality.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support provide a more immersive audio experience.
- Higher Internal Storage Option: The availability of 256 GB internal storage provides more space for those with many media files.
- Guaranteed OS Update: Confirmed upgrade to Android 14.
- Better Selfie Camera Better sensor and a wider aperture.
- Depth Sensor: Dedicated depth sensor helps capture better portrait photos
Realme 9 Advantages:
- Better Outdoor Visibility: The 1000 nits brightness makes the display significantly easier to see in direct sunlight.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: Offers slightly longer battery life with faster charging speed.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.1 vs 5.0.
- Reverse charging: allows to charge other devices, useful in pinch.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera 108MP vs 64MP
- Newer OS out of the box Android 12 vs Android 11.
Trade-offs:
- The Galaxy A52's strengths come at the cost of a slightly smaller battery and slower charging.
- The Realme 9's larger battery and better outdoor visibility come at the cost of reduced processing power.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 Ideal User:
- Power Users: Individuals who prioritize fast performance, smooth multitasking, and demanding games will appreciate the A52's superior chipset.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value good camera features, such as OIS and 4K video recording, will find this an excellent option.
- Multimedia Consumers: People who watch a lot of videos and listen to music will benefit from the stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support.
- Users who want future proofing: Those who prioritize software upgrades will appreciate confirmed Android 14 update.
Realme 9 Ideal User:
- Outdoor Users: People who spend a lot of time in bright sunlight and need a highly visible display.
- Battery Life Prioritizers: Users who need long battery life and faster charging times will prefer this device.
- Users who want to use the device for charging: the reverse charging feature helps.
- Budget conscious users: The phone offers many features at a lower price point.
- Users who love detail in photos: 108MP camera is capable of capturing high detail images.
- Users who want the latest OS out of the box: comes with android 12 preinstalled.
Specific Use Cases:
- Samsung Galaxy A52: Mobile gaming, professional photography/videography, and multimedia streaming.
- Realme 9: Outdoor navigation, all-day use without frequent charging, and casual photography.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize processing power or battery life? If gaming and performance are paramount, the A52 is better. For longer battery life, the Realme 9 is the choice.
- How important is outdoor visibility? If you use your phone a lot in direct sunlight, the Realme 9's display is a significant advantage.
- How important is Camera/Video quality? If you want better video with 4K recording and OIS, the A52 is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A52 for better performance and a better GPU.
- Scenario 2: Outdoor Enthusiast: Choose the Realme 9 for better screen visibility and longer battery life.
- Scenario 3: Photography Buff: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A52 for more advanced camera features, including OIS and 4K video
- Scenario 4: Budget Conscious User: Choose the Realme 9 for better value while still offering a great display, battery and camera experience.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally opt for the Samsung Galaxy A52. My reasons are:
- Performance: I value a smooth and responsive user experience, and the Snapdragon 720G chipset in the A52 provides a noticeable edge in terms of processing power, which directly impacts the speed of apps, multitasking and overall snappiness of the device, which is a higher priority for me than battery life.
- Camera Features: I enjoy photography and videography, and features like OIS, 4K video with EIS, and a dedicated portrait lens make a noticeable difference in the quality of photos and videos I capture.
- Multimedia Consumption: I often watch videos on my phone, so the stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support in the A52 would improve my overall viewing experience.
- Software Updates: The fact that the A52 has a confirmed upgrade to Android 14 ensures that the device will remain up-to-date for longer.
- Overall Experience: While the Realme 9 has a larger battery and higher brightness, which are crucial factors for other users, for my use case, performance, camera, and audio are more crucial factors, so I would pick the A52.
While the Realme 9 is a strong contender, especially for outdoor use and users needing long battery life, the A52 aligns better with my priorities and usage habits, making it my preferred choice. However, I acknowledge that the decision ultimately comes down to individual needs and priorities.
