Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A52 vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 163.4 × 78.1 × 8.9 mm | S23 Ultra is noticeably larger and may be less comfortable for one-handed use; A52 is more compact. |
| Weight | 189g | 234g | A52 is significantly lighter, better for extended use and carrying. S23 Ultra feels heavier and more substantial. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, not foldable. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.8" | S23 Ultra has a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing; A52 is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3088 | S23 Ultra offers significantly sharper and clearer visuals with more detail, particularly noticeable for reading and media. |
| Pixel Density | 407 PPI | 500 PPI | S23 Ultra display looks noticeably sharper than the A52. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks typical of AMOLED screens. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | S23 Ultra provides smoother scrolling and animations; A52 is still smooth but less so. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1750 nits | S23 Ultra screen is drastically more visible outdoors in bright sunlight compared to A52, which may struggle. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | S23 Ultra has much faster performance for demanding apps, multitasking and gaming; A52 is good for everyday use, less powerful. |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 1,521,862 | S23 Ultra offers drastically faster performance overall, loading apps, multitasking, and gaming will be much quicker and smoother than the A52. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 740 | S23 Ultra provides vastly superior graphics performance for gaming and demanding applications; A52 is adequate for casual games. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", Sony IMX682 | 200MP, f/1.7, 1/1.3", Samsung ISOCELL HP2 | S23 Ultra captures significantly more detail and performs better in low light due to larger sensor and more megapixels. |
| Telephoto Camera | None | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/3.52", Sony IMX754 | S23 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom. A52 relies on digital zoom, which reduces quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX616 | 12MP, f/2.2, Samsung S5K3LU | A52 takes higher resolution selfies, S23 Ultra has potentially better image quality with larger pixels. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12MP, f/2.2, | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", Sony IMX564 | Both have comparable wide angle lenses. S23 Ultra has larger pixels potentially better low-light performance |
| Portrait Camera | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | A52 includes a dedicated depth sensor. The S23 Ultra uses software processing to achieve depth effects. |
| Macro Camera | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | A52 includes a dedicated macro lens; S23 Ultra lacks dedicated macro, requiring digital crop with the wide-angle. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 8K@30fps with HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound | S23 Ultra records significantly higher-quality videos with 8K resolution, superior stabilization, and HDR capabilities. |
| DXOMark Score | Not Tested | 140 (Mobile) | S23 Ultra has been tested and has a good score, showing overall high camera performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | S23 Ultra likely provides longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 45W Fast Charging | S23 Ultra recharges significantly faster. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 13 (upgradable to 17) | S23 Ultra has a newer OS and more future updates; A52 is older and may receive fewer updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) | S23 Ultra supports faster WiFi and better connectivity in congested networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | S23 Ultra has a newer version for better speed and efficiency, broader feature set. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | S23 Ultra has more satellite systems leading to higher accuracy in more locations. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano/eSIM) | S23 Ultra offers eSIM support, for use with digital carriers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 256/512/1024 GB | S23 Ultra offers much higher storage options for heavy users. |
| RAM | 4/6/8GB | 8/12GB | S23 Ultra has more RAM for smoother multitasking and running demanding apps; A52 will experience slower app loading. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | S23 Ultra has better audio features overall offering higher quality playback and clearer calls, while A52 offers Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both have a basic fingerprint sensor for biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass Victus | S23 Ultra has superior glass protection, reducing the risk of screen damage. |
| Sensors | |||
| List | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | S23 Ultra has a more complete sensor suite, useful for navigation, gaming, and environmental data. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: The A52 is significantly lighter and smaller, making it more comfortable to hold and use for extended periods and easier to carry.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Lenses: Includes a dedicated macro and depth sensor for specialized photography. This allows for more versatile close-up shots and portrait mode pictures.
- Lower Price: Typically priced significantly lower, making it a more budget-friendly option.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The S23 Ultra has a much more powerful processor, resulting in noticeably faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Significantly Higher Resolution and Brighter Display: The S23 Ultra has a much sharper display with higher pixel density and a much brighter screen, improving visibility in all conditions. The higher refresh rate provides much smoother animations.
- Much Higher Quality Camera System: The S23 Ultra features a significantly superior camera system, including a 200MP main sensor, dedicated telephoto lenses for optical zoom, better low light performance, and advanced video recording.
- Longer Battery Life and Faster Charging: The S23 Ultra provides a larger battery and much faster charging capabilities.
- More Advanced Connectivity: Features faster WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 for superior wireless performance.
- More RAM and Storage: The S23 Ultra comes with more RAM and much more internal storage, providing more headroom for demanding applications and media.
- Better Build Quality: The device is protected by a more advanced Corning Gorilla Glass.
- More advanced software: The device runs a newer version of android with more potential updates
Significant Trade-offs:
- A52: Trades raw performance, camera quality, and screen quality for a lower price, making it suitable for more budget-conscious users.
- S23 Ultra: Trades significantly higher weight, size, and price for top-tier performance, camera capabilities, and screen quality.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 - Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious: Users seeking a good value for their money who do not require top performance or features.
- Casual Users: Individuals who primarily use their phones for social media, browsing, and basic tasks.
- Photography Enthusiasts: users looking for a versatile camera system with dedicated macro and depth lenses.
- Comfort-Oriented: Users who prioritize a lighter and more compact device over raw performance.
Use Cases:
- Everyday social media and web browsing.
- Casual gaming.
- Taking photos and videos without specific high requirements.
- Users who use the phone as a media consumption device, streaming movies, music, or podcasts.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra - Ideal User:
- Power Users: Individuals who demand top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: Users who want the absolute best camera capabilities for capturing high-quality photos and videos.
- Professionals: Individuals who require a feature-rich smartphone for work and productivity.
- Users who frequently use their device in bright sunlight: The 1750 nits screen brightness is key.
- Future-Proof: Users who prefer their phones to remain up-to-date and have the latest features for as long as possible.
Use Cases:
- High-end mobile gaming.
- Professional-grade photography and videography.
- Demanding multitasking, such as video editing.
- Using the phone for media creation.
- Mobile office work.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What is your budget? The price difference is significant and is one of the main factors to consider.
- How important are top-tier performance and camera quality to you? If the user requires a powerful device with the best available camera system, the S23 Ultra is a clear choice.
- Do you prefer a lighter, more compact phone or a larger, feature-rich one? The size and weight of the devices should be considered.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: User is on a strict budget and uses their phone for basic tasks, the Samsung Galaxy A52 is the better option.
- Scenario 2: User wants a high-performance phone with a top-tier camera, regardless of price, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the only option.
- Scenario 3: User prioritizes a very bright and sharp display along with long battery life and fast charging, but has a more flexible budget, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is recommended, since it is the only phone that fits that criteria.
- Scenario 4: User does not want a larger, heavier phone and does not have specific high performance requirements, the Samsung Galaxy A52 is a suitable option.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. While the A52 is a good phone for basic use cases and is definitely a more budget-friendly option, the S23 Ultra offers a significantly better overall experience. The difference in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities is substantial, making it a worthwhile investment for someone who wants a device that will perform well for years to come.
I prioritize a smooth user experience, high-quality visuals, and top-notch camera capabilities, all of which the S23 Ultra delivers. The brighter and sharper screen, the significantly more powerful processor, the superior cameras, and faster charging all justify the higher cost for me personally, as I would use those features daily. While the S23 Ultra is heavier and more expensive, its capabilities outweigh those disadvantages for my preferences.
