1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm | 162.3 x 79 x 8.6 mm | S24 Ultra is slightly larger and may be less comfortable for one-handed use for some users. |
| Weight | 189g | 232g | A52 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended periods. The S24 Ultra's added weight may feel more premium to some, but could be cumbersome. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, no special form factors to consider. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.8" | S24 Ultra offers a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking, but is less compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3120 | S24 Ultra has a much sharper display, resulting in clearer text, images, and videos. |
| Pixel Density | 407 PPI | 505 PPI | S24 Ultra's higher pixel density makes the display noticeably crisper. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Missing | A52's AMOLED provides vibrant colors and deep blacks. S24 Ultra's display technology is unknown, but likely also OLED based, and likely even better in quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | S24 Ultra's higher refresh rate offers smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2600 nits | S24 Ultra is significantly brighter, making it much easier to see in direct sunlight. A52's brightness is unknown and likely inferior. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | S24 Ultra has a vastly more powerful chipset, resulting in faster performance and better handling of demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 1,814,869 | S24 Ultra demonstrates significantly better performance for gaming and intensive applications. A52 performance will likely struggle with heavy applications. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 750 | S24 Ultra provides superior graphics performance for gaming and demanding visual tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 200MP | S24 Ultra has higher resolution, allowing for more detailed images and more aggressive cropping |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.7 | S24 Ultra has a wider aperture, allowing more light for better low-light performance |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.7" | 1/1.3" | S24 Ultra has a larger sensor, generally capturing more light and detail. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | None | 50MP | S24 Ultra offers dedicated telephoto and portrait capabilities for more versatile photography. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 32MP | 12MP | A52 has higher resolution for selfies. S24 Ultra's selfie may have better overall quality, despite lower resolution. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP | S24 Ultra offers zoom capabilities not found on the A52. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP | 12.2MP | Similar wide-angle capabilities on both phones. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 5MP | None | A52 has a dedicated depth sensor for enhanced portrait effects. S24 Ultra may use software processing instead. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP | None | A52 offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. S24 Ultra has no dedicated macro lens, but may use its primary camera in macro mode. |
| Video | 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps | S24 Ultra offers much higher resolution and frame rate video recording capabilities. |
| DXOMark Score | None | 144 (Mobile), 144 (Photo), 137 (Video) | S24 Ultra's camera is significantly higher performing, according to these tests. A52 has not been tested, but will very likely score far lower. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | S24 Ultra has larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W | 45W | S24 Ultra offers significantly faster charging times, reducing downtime. |
| Features | QC2.0, AFC, Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging, Wireless charging, Non-removable | S24 Ultra has more advanced charging features (wireless, bypass, reverse charging) |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 14 | S24 Ultra has a more current OS, with newer features and security patches. S24 Ultra will also receive more future updates. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6E | S24 Ultra has much faster and more efficient WiFi connectivity |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 | S24 Ultra has newer Bluetooth for faster speeds, more features and better energy efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1 + L5) | S24 Ultra supports more satellite systems for enhanced location accuracy |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM / eSIM + Nano SIM / eSIM) | S24 Ultra offers more flexible dual-SIM management with eSIM support |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 256GB, 512GB or 1024GB | S24 Ultra offers vastly greater storage for media and applications |
| RAM | 4GB, 6GB or 8GB | 12GB | S24 Ultra has significantly more RAM, allowing for better multitasking and responsiveness. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | A52 has some enhanced audio processing for better listening quality with headphones and speakers. S24 Ultra offers some additional features for phone calls. |
Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both have basic fingerprint sensors for device unlocking. May differ in performance and reliability. |
Build Quality
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Armor | S24 Ultra has a more advanced version of Gorilla Glass, offering better protection against scratches and impact. |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | S24 Ultra has more sensors, allowing for more accurate and comprehensive readings for various functions |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers significantly higher CPU and GPU performance, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities. This makes the S24 Ultra far more future-proof.
- Higher Quality Display: With higher resolution, refresh rate and brightness, the S24 Ultra display is much crisper, smoother, and usable in bright sunlight.
- Significantly Improved Camera System: Features a more capable primary sensor, extra lenses (telephoto, telephoto+portrait), and advanced video recording. Provides superior image quality, zoom capabilities and video recording.
- Larger Battery and Faster Charging: Offers longer battery life and faster charging, reducing wait times.
- More Advanced Features: Has newer versions of Bluetooth, WiFi, and more advanced charging features like wireless and reverse charging.
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Lighter Weight and More Compact: The A52 is more comfortable to hold and carry, especially for extended periods or one-handed use.
- Dedicated Depth and Macro Lenses: Offers a dedicated macro and depth sensor for close-up shots and enhanced portrait effects, though quality may not be on par with the S24 Ultra.
- Lower Price: Is significantly more affordable, making it a more accessible option for budget-conscious users.
- Better Audio Features: Features Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus for enhanced spatial audio and sound quality.
Significant Trade-Offs:
- Performance vs. Price: The S24 Ultra offers vastly superior performance but comes at a much higher price. The A52 is more affordable but has significantly lower performance.
- Size and Weight vs. Portability: S24 Ultra's larger size and heavier weight may be less practical for some users, while the A52 is more comfortable to hold and carry.
- Camera Versatility vs. Specialized Lenses: The S24 Ultra has a more versatile camera system, while the A52 offers dedicated depth and macro sensors, but with lower image quality.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:
- Ideal Users:
- Power users who need top-tier performance for gaming, content creation, or intensive multitasking.
- Photography enthusiasts who want the best possible image quality and zoom capabilities.
- Users who prioritize a superior display with high refresh rate and brightness.
- Those who want the latest features and a future-proofed phone.
- Use Cases:
- Playing graphic-intensive mobile games at high settings.
- Editing high-resolution photos and videos.
- Using productivity applications and multitasking heavily.
- Taking professional-grade photos and videos in various conditions.
- Long workdays or travels where battery life is crucial.
- Price-to-Value: The high price is justified by its top-of-the-line performance, screen, and camera capabilities, making it a great value for those who need these capabilities.
Samsung Galaxy A52:
- Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious users who need a reliable phone for daily tasks.
- Users who prefer a lighter and more compact phone.
- Users who primarily use their phones for social media, browsing, and basic photography.
- Those looking for good audio quality and immersive listening experience with headphones and speakers.
- Use Cases:
- General daily use, such as social media, browsing, and email.
- Basic photography and videography.
- Watching videos and listening to music.
- Casual gaming.
- Price-to-Value: The A52 offers great value for its lower price, providing a decent experience for everyday users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The price difference is significant. Is top-tier performance and screen worth the extra cost?
- What is your primary use case? Is it heavy gaming/content creation or general daily tasks and social media?
- How important is portability? Do you prefer a lighter and more compact device, or are you willing to trade that for enhanced features?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming and Performance:
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Its superior processor and GPU will provide the best gaming and app performance.
- Scenario 2: Photography Enthusiast:
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Its camera system and image quality are noticeably superior.
- Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious User:
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A52. It offers a decent experience for everyday tasks at a lower price.
- Scenario 4: Everyday Use, Portability:
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A52. The lighter weight and more compact form are easier for everyday use and one-handed operation.
What I Would Choose and Why!
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Here's why:
- Performance is a priority: I often use my phone for a variety of tasks, including gaming, light video editing, and heavy multitasking. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the S24 Ultra would provide a much smoother, faster, and more responsive experience.
- Future-Proofing: Given the S24 Ultra's much newer chipset and software, it will be supported for far longer with system updates, feature additions, and security patches. This means I will be able to use it effectively for longer without needing to replace it.
- Camera Versatility: I value having a high-quality camera system, and the S24 Ultra's significantly improved main sensor, the addition of a dedicated telephoto and portrait lens would give me more flexibility in taking photos and videos in various situations.
- Screen Quality: The display quality is extremely important to me, and the S24 Ultra would provide a much brighter, crisper, smoother viewing experience. The higher peak brightness also ensures better outdoor readability.
- Battery life: The larger battery would get me through most days without any problems, and the faster charging means less downtime.
- Willing to Compromise: While I do value portability, I am willing to compromise on the size and weight of the S24 Ultra for the superior performance, camera quality, and screen experience.
Although the A52 is the more affordable choice, the S24 Ultra's performance gains are worth the extra investment in the long run. Its capabilities will allow me to use the phone for much longer, and I'd rather spend extra up front than have to replace the phone early due to performance limitations.
