1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Realme C35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 164.4 × 75.6 × 8.1 mm | Realme C35 is slightly taller and thinner, might feel a bit different in hand. |
| Weight | 189g | 189g | Both feel similar in terms of weight. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | Negligible difference in screen size, both will offer similar viewing experiences. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2408 | Very similar sharpness, not noticeable in daily usage. |
| PPI | 407 | 401 | Both have good pixel density; individual pixels are difficult to distinguish with the naked eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | AMOLED offers more vibrant colors, deeper blacks, better contrast, and is more energy-efficient with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 60Hz | A52 screen feels smoother when scrolling and has better animation. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have identical peak brightness, which we can't use to compare screen visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 720G is more powerful; faster performance in apps and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 230,726 | A52 performs significantly better in benchmarks; smoother, snappier day-to-day experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 618 offers better graphics performance, particularly in gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Realme C35 likely has better battery life, may last longer on a single charge. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | A52 charges faster, allowing quicker top-ups. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Rear | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7" Sony IMX682 | 50MP, f/1.8, unknown sensor | A52 likely captures more detailed images in good lighting conditions, especially when cropped. |
| Selfie | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" Sony IMX616 | 8MP, f/2.0, Sony Exmor | A52 captures significantly more detailed selfies. C35 has a wider aperture for slightly better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2 | Not available | A52 offers a wider field of view for landscape and group shots. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 5MP, f/2.4 | Not available | A52 captures more depth information; should be able to better isolate subjects in portrait photos. |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | A52 can capture slightly more detailed macro shots. |
| Black & White | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.8 | C35 offers a black and white sensor for artistic mono photos. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, EIS, Slow-motion 120 fps | 1080p@30fps, Slow-motion 30 fps | A52 offers much better quality recording; 4K videos have significantly more detail, plus slow-motion. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 14) | Android 11 | A52 has a guaranteed Android upgrade path to Android 14, offering access to new features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-band, Direct, Display | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Hotspot | A52 has slightly better connectivity options allowing sharing screen wirelessly, and better compatibility with 5G routers. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE, A2DP, EDR, HID, ANT+ | 5.0 LE, A2DP, EDR | A52 has more features that are compatible with more Bluetooth accessories. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | A52 has better GPS capabilities for more accurate positioning. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 64GB/128GB | A52 offers up to 256GB storage, more space for apps, photos, videos. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 4GB | A52 has more RAM; significantly better multitasking and smoother operation, especially with 8GB. |
| Expandable | No | No | Both have no expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Basic | A52 offers better audio quality with stereo speakers, spatial effects, and enhanced surround sound. |
| Security | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Realme C35 offers a faster fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | A52 offers better protection for the screen from scratches and minor impacts. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | A52 offers additional sensors for better biometric functionality and features; the C35 provides compass information. |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with 90Hz refresh rate provides a more vibrant and smoother visual experience.
- Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 720G chipset offers significantly better performance than the Unisoc T616, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
- Better Camera System: Offers more versatile cameras with 4K video recording, OIS, a dedicated wide-angle lens, more detail from the primary and selfie sensors.
- Faster Charging: 25W fast charging capability refills the battery quicker compared to the 18W of the Realme C35.
- Better Audio: Features stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos for an enhanced audio experience.
- More RAM options: Up to 8GB RAM for better multitasking.
- Software Updates: Guaranteed Android upgrades for the latest features and security patches.
- Better connectivity: Dual band Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct and Wi-Fi Display options allow for more use cases.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers better protection for the screen.
- More Sensors: additional sensors allow for better biometric functionality.
Realme C35 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery provides longer battery life compared to the 4500mAh of the A52.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Some users prefer this to the A52's in-display sensor.
- Black and White sensor: offers artistic photos.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung A52 sacrifices battery life for a better display, performance, and camera system.
- The Realme C35 prioritizes battery life and affordability over performance and display quality.
- The A52 is older, which may mean that some may feel its price is not competitive anymore.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize display quality: Those who value vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth scrolling.
- Mobile gamers: The Snapdragon 720G and Adreno 618 offer a much better gaming experience.
- Photography enthusiasts: The versatile camera system and 4K video capture will appeal to those who want more creative control.
- Users who prefer a premium feel: The AMOLED display and better audio quality provide a more premium experience.
- Users who plan to use the phone for longer: Guaranteed software upgrades mean it will last longer before becoming obsolete.
Realme C35 is ideal for:
- Budget-conscious users: Those seeking a functional smartphone at a more affordable price point.
- Users who prioritize battery life: Those who want to use their phone all day without needing to recharge.
- Users with basic needs: Those who use their phone primarily for calls, texts, browsing, and social media.
- Users who prioritize fingerprint speed: Those who prefer a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The Realme C35 will generally be more affordable.
- How important is display quality and performance? If these are high priorities, the A52 is the better choice.
- How important is battery life? If long battery life is critical, then the C35 is a better pick.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming and Multimedia: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A52 for its smoother display, better GPU, and superior audio.
- Scenario 2: Long-Lasting Battery: Choose the Realme C35 for its bigger battery.
- Scenario 3: Photography and Content Creation: The Samsung Galaxy A52 offers a much more capable camera system, and 4K videos.
- Scenario 4: Basic Day-to-Day Use on a Budget: The Realme C35 is more affordable and will cover basic tasks, focusing more on battery life.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally choose the Samsung Galaxy A52. While the Realme C35 has the advantage of a larger battery, the A52 offers a superior overall experience in areas that matter most to me: a vibrant and smooth AMOLED display, much better performance for games and apps, and a more versatile camera system. The guaranteed software upgrades are also important for longer-term usage. While it might cost slightly more than the C35, the improved user experience and additional features make it the better choice for my needs.
