1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Samsung Galaxy S24 FE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 162 × 77.3 × 8 mm | S24 FE is slightly larger and thicker, might be less comfortable for one-handed use for some. |
| Weight | 189g | 213g | A52 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying around. |
| Build | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ | S24 FE offers better scratch and impact resistance, improving phone's durability. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | S24 FE offers a slightly larger screen, providing a more immersive viewing experience, especially for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both offer sharp displays, with negligible difference in practical viewing experience due to the small difference in the resolution. |
| PPI | 407 | 385 | A52 has slightly sharper display, although the difference is minor and might not be noticeable to most users. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks and excellent contrast ratios, providing overall excellent display quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | S24 FE provides smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1900 nits | S24 FE offers vastly improved outdoor visibility, making it significantly better for use in bright sunlight compared to A52. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Exynos 2400e (4 nm) | S24 FE has a much more powerful processor, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 1,600,000 | S24 FE has significantly higher performance, handling demanding tasks and games with ease, whereas A52 might struggle with heavier tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Xclipse 940 | S24 FE's GPU is significantly more powerful, leading to better graphics performance in games and other GPU-intensive applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57", 1.0µm | S24 FE has a larger sensor with larger pixels, which generally results in better low-light performance and dynamic range. A52 has a higher megapixel count but that does not translate to better picture quality, it is used for larger prints. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65", 1.22µm | A52's selfie camera has a much higher resolution, while S24 FE's larger pixels may result in better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.0µm | S24 FE has telephoto lens offering optical zoom, allowing closer shots of distant objects and more flexibility in shooting, while A52 lacks it. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", 1.12µm | Both have similar wide-angle capabilities, with minor improvements on S24 FE with slightly larger sensor, capturing more of the scene with a slight resolution bump |
| Portrait Camera | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | None | A52 has a dedicated portrait lens offering better depth of field effects, while S24 FE depends on software to create such an effect. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | None | A52 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, while S24 FE lacks it. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps | S24 FE has significantly higher video recording capabilities, able to capture higher quality video. |
| Camera Features | OIS, EIS, Night Mode | OIS, EIS, Night Mode 2.0, RAW, PDAF | S24 FE includes newer camera processing algorithms for better low-light photos, and it allows professional-grade control over camera parameters with RAW support. |
| DXOMark | - | 133 (Mobile) | S24 FE has superior overall camera performance compared to A52 as measured by DXOMark with a score of 133. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4700mAh | S24 FE has slightly larger capacity, which may translate to slightly better battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Both offer similar fast charging, although charging speed in real world scenarios could vary based on adapter used. |
| Features | QC2.0, AFC | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, 15W wireless charging | S24 FE includes more modern features such as bypass charging which allows the device to be charged while the phone is being used, saving on battery degradation, reverse charging for wireless charging another device, and wireless charging. |
| Other | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Up to 14) | Android 14 | S24 FE ships with a newer version of Android, with more features and security updates compared to A52. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | S24 FE supports newer Wi-Fi standards resulting in faster and more reliable connections, with additional access to 6 GHz band for less crowded channels. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 | S24 FE has a newer and more efficient Bluetooth, offering improved connectivity and power management. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System | S24 FE offers more accurate and reliable location services, especially in challenging environments. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano/eSIM) | S24 FE offers eSIM support in addition to physical Nano SIM, providing flexibility and easier switching between carriers. |
| Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB | S24 FE offers more storage options, with a 512GB variant, which might be preferable for users who store a lot of data on their device. |
| RAM | 4 GB, 6 GB, or 8 GB | 8 GB | S24 FE has a standard 8 GB, allowing for smoother multitasking, whereas the A52 base model offers less RAM. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards for storage expansion. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Noise Cancellation Microphone | A52 has better audio features, with Dolby Atmos and Digital Plus which allow for surround sound audio. S24 FE is more focused on noise cancellation. |
| Security | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both have a basic fingerprint sensor to allow biometric security, however no further details on what type of sensor it is and where it is located. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | A52 includes fingerprint and proximity sensor, S24 FE includes compass and barometer. Both phones provide sensors for standard features like auto-rotate, and both have their own methods of proximity sensing. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Lighter and more compact: Easier to handle and carry, making it more comfortable for some users.
- Slightly higher pixel density display: Might be a bit sharper on paper, although not necessarily noticeably in real world.
- Macro lens and portrait lens: Offer more versatility for close-up photography and portrait mode respectively.
- Slightly better Audio: Offers Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus, enhancing audio quality compared to S24 FE.
- Cheaper Price: As an older phone it will be much cheaper than the newer S24 FE.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful Chipset: Offers a vastly superior performance for gaming, multitasking, and overall responsiveness.
- Brighter Display: Much better visibility in bright sunlight.
- Higher refresh rate: Provides smoother scrolling and better gaming experience.
- Telephoto lens: Offers true optical zoom capabilities for photography and more versatility in photos.
- Superior Video Recording: Capable of recording in 8K and 4K at higher frame rates
- Newer OS and Connectivity: Ships with Android 14, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3, offering the latest features and speed.
- Better Battery Features: Provides modern battery features such as wireless charging, reverse charging and bypass charging.
- Improved camera performance: Better main camera due to sensor and pixel size which are significantly better than the A52.
- More Storage Option: Offers 512GB internal storage.
Trade-offs:
- A52: Trades performance and display brightness for a lighter build, dedicated macro lens and a cheaper price.
- S24 FE: Trades physical size and weight for superior performance, better display, newer tech, and improved camera capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users who want a lighter, cheaper phone that does the basics well.
- Users who prioritize a dedicated macro lens, and like taking close-up pictures.
- Users who prioritize audio quality via surround sound systems.
- Those who do not play heavy games or do not require intensive processing.
Use Cases:
- Everyday browsing, social media, and casual gaming.
- Users who prefer a lighter phone for ease of carrying and one-handed use.
- Basic photography and casual video recording.
- Users who mostly consume media in indoors.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize performance and future-proofing.
- Users who frequently play games or use demanding applications.
- Users who want high-quality display for media consumption in bright conditions
- Users who like high quality photography and video capabilities
- Users who value the latest technology features and connectivity options.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gamers, power users, and those who multitask frequently.
- Users who need a device for high-quality photography and videography.
- Users who require a bright display for outdoor use.
- Users who prefer up-to-date software and connectivity.
Price-to-Value:
- A52: Offers good value for budget-conscious users seeking basic functionality.
- S24 FE: Provides a premium experience, justifying its higher price with significant performance upgrades and better features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance? If you are a heavy user or gamer, the S24 FE is significantly better.
- What is your budget? The A52 will likely be significantly cheaper.
- How important is display brightness? If you often use your phone outdoors, the S24 FE is the best option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious Casual User:
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A52. It provides sufficient performance for basic tasks and a good display, and a good audio system, while saving money.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer/Power User:
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. It offers superior processing power, a smooth display, and better gaming capabilities.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast:
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. While it lacks macro and portrait lenses, it has an overall better main camera system, the addition of a telephoto lens, and improved processing.
- Scenario 4: Outdoor Enthusiast:
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S24 FE due to its extremely bright display, which excels in bright sunlight conditions.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. While the Galaxy A52 is a perfectly adequate phone that will suit many users, the advancements in technology that the S24 FE offers are too important to ignore. The improved processing power, the brighter display, the newer connectivity, the better camera with the addition of the Telephoto Lens and high-end recording, and overall the future-proofing aspect of it are too beneficial to pass up. While the A52's lighter form factor and dedicated macro lens are appreciated, the S24 FE's raw performance and capabilities far outweigh these minor advantages. For someone who values a high-end experience, the S24 FE is the superior choice, and the better value for my personal requirements. The additional features of the S24 FE also will provide longevity to its use in the coming years.
