1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 158.5 × 75.9 × 7.7 mm | A52 is taller and thicker, S24+ is slightly wider but thinner. S24+ is more pocketable. A52 has a slightly larger volume |
| Weight | 189g | 196g | A52 is lighter by 7g, which is a minor difference but might be noticeable during extended use. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, not foldable. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | S24+ offers a slightly larger viewing area for media consumption, gaming, and productivity. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3120 | S24+ has a significantly sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| PPI | 407 | 513 | S24+ has higher pixel density, which makes the display look noticeably more crisp and detailed. |
| Technology | AMOLED | A52's AMOLED provides vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. S24+'s display technology is not specified, but it is expected to be high quality. | |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | S24+'s higher refresh rate results in smoother scrolling, animations, and gameplay. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2600 nits | S24+ is much better for outdoor use, offering dramatically improved visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) - USA/Canada/China | S24+ has a much more powerful and efficient processor, resulting in significantly faster performance for all tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 1,639,695 | S24+ provides a drastically better user experience, especially for gaming, multitasking and demanding apps |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) / Xclipse 940 | S24+ has a significantly more powerful GPU, resulting in much better graphics performance for gaming and other graphically intensive applications. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4900mAh | S24+ offers slightly longer battery life due to its larger capacity. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging, Li-Polymer | 45W fast charging, Li-Ion | S24+ charges faster, reducing the time spent waiting for a full battery. |
| Features | Non-removable, QC2.0 and AFC | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Non-removable, 15W wireless charging, 4.5W reverse wireless charging | S24+ offers more advanced features like wireless charging and reverse charging, providing additional convenience. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 50MP | A52 has a higher megapixel count, but megapixels don't tell the whole story. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.7" | 1/1.57" | S24+ has a slightly larger sensor, which generally allows better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.00 µm | S24+ has larger pixels, which typically perform better in low light situations and provide less noise. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 32MP | 12MP | A52 has a higher megapixel count for the selfie camera, but pixel size is not provided for S24+. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP | S24+ offers better zoom capabilities, allowing for clearer shots at a distance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP | 12.2MP | Both have comparable wide-angle cameras. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) Lens | 5MP | None | A52 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait shots. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP | None | A52 has a dedicated macro lens for close up shots. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps | S24+ can record in much higher resolution, offering professional-grade video quality. |
| Camera Features | OIS, EIS, 4K video, Night mode, Quad camera | OIS, EIS, 8K video, Night mode 2.0, Triple camera | S24+ offers more advanced features, including Night Mode 2.0, 8k recording and optical zoom for better versatility. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 14 (upgradable to 21) | S24+ will receive longer software support with more Android version updates. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6E | S24+ supports faster and more reliable Wi-Fi connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 | S24+ offers improved Bluetooth performance and power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | S24+ offers more precise GPS tracking due to its support for additional satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano/eSIM) | S24+ offers eSIM support, which can be useful for travelers. |
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB | S24+ has higher storage options for media and apps. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 12GB | S24+ has much more RAM for smoother multitasking and better performance in demanding applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports external memory cards. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Noise cancellation microphone | A52's audio features aim to provide a more immersive and high fidelity audio experience, whereas S24+ focuses on call quality. |
| Security | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both have standard fingerprint sensors for security. |
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | S24+ provides superior scratch and drop protection. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint, Barometer | S24+ includes additional sensors for enhanced functionality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Lower Price: Being an older mid-range phone, the A52 is significantly more affordable than the S24+.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Sensors: Offers dedicated macro and depth sensors for niche photography use cases.
- Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus: Superior audio enhancements.
Samsung Galaxy S24+ Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset provides drastically better performance in all areas (faster app loading, smoother multitasking, better gaming).
- Significantly Better Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate and brightness result in a much better viewing experience.
- Advanced Camera System: Offers a telephoto lens, larger main camera sensor, and 8K video recording, resulting in more versatile photography capabilities.
- Faster Charging and Advanced Battery Features: 45W fast charging, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging capabilities.
- Longer Software Support: Being a newer flagship, the S24+ will receive updates for several years, while A52 is limited to its maximum Android version.
- More Advanced Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS standards, which provide faster and more reliable connectivity.
- Larger Storage and RAM: Offers more storage and much more RAM for power users.
- Better Build Quality: Enhanced screen protection with Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
Trade-offs:
- The A52 trades performance and features for a much more affordable price.
- The S24+ does not have dedicated macro or depth cameras, but the superior image quality of its other cameras may be a fair trade for many users.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who need a reliable smartphone for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and basic photography.
- Use Cases:
- Casual users with a limited budget
- Users who prioritize audio features and require a headphone jack.
- Users who don't need top-tier performance for gaming or resource-heavy applications.
- Users who want dedicated macro and depth sensors for niche photography purposes
- Price-to-Value: Good value for users not needing the latest high-end specifications.
Samsung Galaxy S24+:
- Ideal User: Users seeking top-tier performance, premium features, and the best possible smartphone experience, especially in photography and display quality.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gamers who need the best possible graphics and responsiveness.
- Professional photographers and videographers who need advanced features.
- Power users who frequently multitask and run resource-intensive applications.
- Users who consume media frequently and want the best display experience.
- Users who need the latest connectivity standards for a future-proof experience.
- Price-to-Value: Premium price for a flagship experience, offering leading technology and performance, but costly.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Performance Needs: How important is top-tier performance for gaming and multitasking?
- Camera Priorities: What are your priorities when it comes to taking pictures and videos?
- Do you need 8K Video Recording?
- Do you need zoom capabilities?
- Are Macro and Depth sensors critical?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Use: If budget is the primary concern and you primarily use your phone for basic tasks, the Samsung Galaxy A52 is sufficient.
- Scenario 2: Gaming & Performance: If you are a mobile gamer or need top-tier performance for demanding applications, the Samsung Galaxy S24+ is the clear choice.
- Scenario 3: Premium Camera Experience: If you want a versatile camera system with superior image quality, 8K video recording and need optical zoom, the Samsung Galaxy S24+ is the better option.
- Scenario 4: Future Proofing: If you plan on keeping the phone for many years, the Samsung Galaxy S24+ is a better option because of its faster processor, updated software, and newer connectivity standards
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S24+. While it's significantly more expensive, the improvements in performance, display quality, camera versatility, and future-proofing capabilities justify the higher price for my needs. As someone who frequently uses a smartphone for demanding tasks, high-quality photography, and media consumption, the S24+ offers a significantly better experience. I would not want to compromise on performance and features as much as the A52 requires, even considering its better price point. The A52 is a great phone, but the S24+ is clearly the superior option if budget is not the primary concern.
