1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 254.3 × 165.8 × 6.5 mm | Galaxy Tab S9 FE is significantly larger and less pocketable, better suited for media consumption; A52 is more convenient for everyday carry. |
| Weight | 189g | 523g | A52 is much lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use; Tab S9 FE can be tiring to hold for long periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 10.9" | Tab S9 FE offers a much larger screen, ideal for multitasking and media; A52 is more compact for single-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x2304 | Tab S9 FE has a higher resolution, resulting in crisper image detail for viewing photos and videos. |
| Pixel Density | 407 PPI | 249 PPI | A52 has a sharper display, text and images appear finer; Tab S9 FE display, while lower PPI, still looks sharp at its larger size. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | A52's AMOLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colours, which improves overall media consumption quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both phones offer a smoother scrolling experience than a standard 60Hz display, resulting in less motion blur and faster response. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits, which suggests a missing or incorrect measurement. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) | Tab S9 FE's newer chipset provides faster processing, app loading, and smoother multitasking; A52's chipset is still adequate for general use but is less powerful. |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 507,000 | Tab S9 FE shows a significantly better performance in benchmarks, leading to a more responsive user experience; A52 is still okay but noticeably slower. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G68 MP5 | Tab S9 FE GPU is newer and more powerful, leading to better gaming performance and smoother graphics; A52's GPU is adequate for casual games but not as powerful. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 8000mAh | Tab S9 FE has a much larger battery, which will provide significantly longer usage before needing a charge; A52 has a reasonable battery, but will not last as long. |
| Charging | 25W | 45W | Tab S9 FE charges faster, reducing the time spent plugged in; A52 has decent charging speed, but not as rapid. |
| Features | Non-removable, QC2.0 and AFC | Bypass Charging, Non-removable | Both phones share Non-removable battery. A52 offers QC2.0 and AFC charging, while Tab S9 FE offers bypass charging to protect the battery while gaming/using plugged in. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8 | 12MP, f/2.0 | A52 main camera takes more detailed photos, especially in good lighting conditions, thanks to its high-resolution; A52's wider aperture may capture slightly brighter images in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, Sensor details not provided | A52 takes detailed and high-resolution selfies; Tab S9 FE will likely be sufficient for casual use, but will be less sharp overall. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2 | Not Available | A52's wide-angle lens provides the ability to capture broader scenes and more friends in one shot; Tab S9 FE lacks the flexibility of a wide angle lens. |
| Portrait Mode | 5MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | A52's dedicated depth camera allows for portrait photos with background blur; Tab S9 FE is missing a dedicated depth sensor. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | A52's macro lens allows capturing details from close range; Tab S9 FE does not have macro capabilities. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps (EIS), 1080p@60fps (EIS) | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | A52 offers higher frame rates with electronic image stabilization for smoother recordings; Tab S9 FE is limited to 30fps for both resolutions, without EIS. |
| Video Features | OIS, EIS, Slow-mo, 120 fps | Slow-mo, 60 fps | A52 has both optical and electronic image stabilization, and can record slow-motion at higher frame rate; Tab S9 FE has only basic features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 13 (upgradable to 17) | Tab S9 FE has a newer OS with more features and longer support lifecycle, including more current security patches. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Tab S9 FE supports newer Wi-Fi 6 standard, offering faster speeds and better network performance; A52 has slightly older Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 | Tab S9 FE uses a newer Bluetooth version with more advanced features, better energy efficiency and more stable connections. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS | A52 has more satellite positioning systems, providing better location accuracy in various scenarios; Tab S9 FE may have slightly less precise positioning. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Not Available | A52 has dual SIM support, convenient for work and personal use; Tab S9 FE lacks this function. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB or 256GB | Both phones offer the same storage capacity, with options for 128GB and 256GB, but cannot be expanded. |
| RAM | 4GB, 6GB or 8GB | 6GB or 8GB | Tab S9 FE has more RAM options starting from 6GB, making it better for multitasking; A52's entry level 4 GB variant could struggle with many apps open. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for external storage, so users must be mindful of internal space. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | A52 offers slightly more premium audio (Dolby Atmos with Digital Plus) which could give more immersive sound than just Dolby Atmos; Both have good sound with Stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Tab S9 FE’s fingerprint sensor is likely faster and more responsive than the basic fingerprint sensor; Both provide adequate security. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | A52 provides reliable scratch and shatter resistance; Tab S9 FE's screen durability is unknown. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity | Accelerometer, Fingerprint, Proximity | A52 offers a Gyroscope and geomagnetic, which are useful for more advanced motion detection such as gaming; Both have the essentials for everyday use. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Superior Camera System: Features a higher-resolution main camera, dedicated wide-angle, macro, and depth sensors, providing greater versatility and quality in different photography scenarios.
- Sharper Display: Higher pixel density (407 PPI) for clearer text and image details, making viewing experience generally crisp.
- Better Video Stabilization: Offers both OIS and EIS for smoother video recording.
- More Robust Sensor Suite: Includes a Gyroscope, which is beneficial for more advanced motion detection, gaming and navigation
- Dual SIM Support: Allows for two SIM cards to be used at the same time.
- More Portable: Its smaller size and lighter weight make it significantly easier to carry and use single-handedly.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Advantages:
- Larger Display: Significantly bigger screen (10.9 inches vs 6.5 inches) is ideal for multitasking, media consumption, and reading.
- Higher Resolution Screen: Higher resolution (1440x2304) providing crisper images and videos for a more enjoyable viewing experience.
- More Powerful Performance: Newer and more efficient chipset (Exynos 1380) resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance.
- Much Larger Battery: 8000mAh vs 4500mAh provides much longer usage, especially for power-intensive tasks.
- Faster Charging: 45W fast charging significantly reduces the time spent plugged into the wall.
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 13 out of the box, with guaranteed longer software support including security updates.
- Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.3 offers more features, better energy efficiency and more stable connections
- Advanced Security: Side mounted fingerprint sensor is generally faster and more reliable than a basic sensor.
Significant Trade-Offs:
- A52: Lower performance, smaller screen, smaller battery, older OS and Bluetooth versions but superior camera.
- Tab S9 FE: Larger, heavier and less portable than A52, no multi-lens camera system, lower pixel density display, lacks GPS support, and doesn't support dual sim cards.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52:
- Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize camera quality and want versatile options for different types of photography.
- Users who want a pocketable, light and convenient device for everyday use.
- Users who want to have dual-sim functionality, especially for work and personal use.
- Users who are okay with slightly older chipset.
- Use Cases:
- Daily photography and videography.
- Social media content creation.
- On-the-go usage for calls and messaging.
- Navigation due to its more robust GPS system.
- Casual gaming and media consumption
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE:
- Ideal User:
- Users who consume large amounts of media like movies, shows, and books.
- Users who perform heavy multitasking, needing to switch between multiple apps quickly.
- Users who frequently game or do processor-intensive tasks.
- Users who want a large display for productivity or reading and have no need for portability.
- Users who require longer battery life for extended use without frequent charging.
- Use Cases:
- Streaming movies and TV shows.
- Reading e-books and articles.
- Running multiple apps side-by-side for productivity.
- Playing graphic-intensive games.
- Online meetings and video calls with a larger display.
- Users with poor eyesight who want a larger screen
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is portability to you?
- If portability is paramount, the A52 is the clear choice due to its compact design and lightweight nature. If not, the Tab S9 FE is fine.
- Which is more important: camera quality or battery life?
- For photo and video enthusiasts, the A52 is preferred. For heavy users, the Tab S9 FE's battery is much more suitable.
- What is your primary use case for the device?
- If the primary use is media consumption, gaming, or multitasking, the Tab S9 FE is better. If it's general use with photography needs, A52 is the choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: "The Photographer"
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A52 - The A52's versatile camera system is significantly better for varied shooting needs.
Scenario 2: "The Media Buff"
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE - The large screen, higher resolution, and robust battery are more suitable for media consumption and gaming.
Scenario 3: "The On-the-Go Multitasker"
- Recommendation: The A52 may be more portable, however if you dont need portability, the Tab S9 FE will be much better for multitasking because of the larger screen and better processor
Scenario 4: "The Basic User"
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A52 - For basic everyday use and photography the A52 is more than capable.
My Choice and Why
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE.
While the A52 has a more versatile camera system and is more portable, my personal needs prioritize a large display, longer battery life, and a more powerful processor for media consumption, gaming and multitasking, all of which the Tab S9 FE provides. The larger screen is great for reading and video streaming, and I value the increased performance of the newer chipset and the larger battery capacity, I also prefer the more modern OS, and the better version of Bluetooth. Though I do value the camera and dual-sim, for my daily usage, the larger display, better processor, and longer battery of the Tab S9 FE are far more useful to me. Finally, the side mounted fingerprint sensor will be faster and easier to access than the basic fingerprint sensor.
