1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Sony Xperia 1 VI | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 162 × 74 × 8.2 mm | Xperia 1 VI is slightly taller and thinner, A52 is slightly wider. Marginal difference, likely not noticeable in hand for most users |
| Weight | 189g | 192g | Virtually identical weight, negligible difference |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.5" | Identical screen size |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Similar resolutions, minimal difference in sharpness; negligible in real world use |
| Pixel Density | 407 PPI | 396 PPI | Similar pixel density, both screens will appear sharp |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, negligible practical difference |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Xperia 1 VI has slightly smoother scrolling and animations |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Note: Brightness is listed as 0 nits for both. This is likely missing or incorrect data. Without brightness data, it is impossible to compare outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Xperia 1 VI provides significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and much better gaming performance; a substantial difference in overall speed and responsiveness |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 2,110,000 | Xperia 1 VI has massively superior benchmark score, indicating significantly better overall performance |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 750 | Xperia 1 VI has a much more powerful GPU, offering better gaming and graphics performance |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Xperia 1 VI has a larger battery, likely offering longer usage per charge |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 30W fast charging | Xperia 1 VI offers slightly faster charging |
| Features | Non-removable, QC2.0 & AFC | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Reverse wireless charging, Non-removable | Xperia 1 VI has more advanced charging features: bypass charging for gaming, reverse charging for accessories, reverse wireless charging |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", 0.8µm | 48MP, f/1.9, 1/1.4", 1.17µm | A52: higher resolution, slightly wider aperture. Xperia 1 VI: larger sensor, bigger pixel size for better low-light; trade-off between resolution and low-light performance |
| Selfie | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 12MP, f/2.0, 1/2.93", 1.22µm | A52: higher resolution. Xperia 1 VI: wider aperture, larger pixel size for better low-light; trade-off between resolution and low-light performance |
| Telephoto | N/A | 12MP, f/2.3, 1/3.5", 1.0µm | Xperia 1 VI has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom; A52 lacks this capability |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm | Xperia 1 VI has larger sensor, slightly better low-light performance; comparable aperture |
| Portrait | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | A52 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | A52 has a dedicated macro lens; Xperia 1 VI does not |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@120fps | Xperia 1 VI has a substantial advantage, offers higher quality recording and additional features such as HDR |
| Features | Quadruple camera, OIS, EIS, etc | Triple camera, OIS, EIS, Manual Focus, RAW, etc. | A52 has Quadruple camera; Xperia 1 VI has more advanced features like manual focus and RAW capture; slight trade-off depending on user need |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 14) | Android 14 (Upgradable to 17) | Xperia 1 VI has newer Android OS and longer guaranteed support, with faster updates and more features |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) | Xperia 1 VI has faster and more advanced Wi-Fi with Wi-Fi 7 for faster speeds, less latency and better performance |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.4 | Xperia 1 VI has a newer Bluetooth version |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5) | Xperia 1 VI offers more accurate GPS with more satellite support |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Xperia 1 VI has eSIM support; A52 supports two physical SIM cards, choice depends on user needs |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB | Xperia 1 VI has larger storage options for storing more photos, videos, and apps |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 12GB | Xperia 1 VI has more RAM for smoother multitasking, better app performance |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | A52 has slightly enhanced audio features, but both offer stereo speaker setup |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Xperia 1 VI has more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Xperia 1 VI uses a superior screen protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Xperia 1 VI has additional sensors for more functionalities; good for gaming, health tracking |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Lower Price: The A52 is significantly older, thus, likely available at a lower price point. This is a crucial advantage for budget-conscious buyers.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Offers a dedicated macro camera, which can be fun for close-up photography enthusiasts.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor for Portrait Mode: A dedicated depth sensor could slightly improve the quality of bokeh effect in portrait photos
- Dolby Digital Plus: Has enhanced audio features, providing enhanced spatial audio and surround sound.
Sony Xperia 1 VI Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 provides a vastly superior performance in CPU and GPU benchmarks and in real-world usage (app loading, multitasking and gaming).
- Significantly Better Camera System: Larger main sensor, dedicated telephoto lens, and overall superior video capabilities (4K 120fps), and more advanced features, resulting in better image quality in most conditions, especially low light.
- Newer Technology: More advanced Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and a superior build quality.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: Provides longer battery life with 500mAh more and faster charging at 30W
- eSIM Support: More flexible connectivity.
- More RAM and Storage: 12 GB of RAM offers much better multitasking and smoother gaming performance; larger storage for storing more photos, videos, and apps.
- Better Screen Protection: Uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for increased durability.
- More Accurate GPS: Supports more satellite systems for increased accuracy.
- Additional Sensors: Has extra sensors like barometer, compass, pedometer, which can be useful for outdoor activities and advanced applications.
- Longer Software Support: Newer OS with longer upgrade support.
Trade-offs:
- The A52 trades performance and overall camera quality for affordability and some niche camera features.
- The Xperia 1 VI is more expensive but provides a vastly superior overall experience with cutting edge technologies and features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize affordability and are not demanding in terms of performance or camera capabilities.
- Use Cases: Basic daily tasks, social media, casual photography, and video, browsing, or content consumption.
- Price-to-Value: Good option for those looking for a decent phone on a tight budget, offering reliable performance for basic daily usage at a lower price.
Sony Xperia 1 VI:
- Ideal User: Performance enthusiasts, mobile gamers, content creators, users who value high-quality photography and video, and users who prefer newer tech.
- Use Cases: Demanding mobile gaming, professional-quality photography and videography, video editing, multitasking, and enjoying media consumption on a vibrant display, power-users who need top-end performance.
- Price-to-Value: Higher price point but worth it for users who need top-tier performance, camera capabilities, and modern connectivity; provides a flagship-level experience
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What is my budget? If on a tight budget, the A52 is the better choice as a more affordable option.
- How important is performance, camera quality, and future-proofing to me? If these are priorities, the Xperia 1 VI is the clear winner.
- What is my typical usage pattern? If it's just basic tasks, the A52 suffices. If demanding tasks are required, the Xperia 1 VI is a better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1 (Budget-Conscious): You need a basic smartphone for daily communication, browsing, and social media, without spending too much money. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A52.
Scenario 2 (Performance & Camera Enthusiast): You want a phone with excellent gaming, photography, and video performance, and you don't mind paying a premium. Recommendation: Sony Xperia 1 VI.
Scenario 3 (Balanced User): You want a good overall phone that is reasonably priced and you don't mind compromising on some of the features the Xperia has. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A52 (only if budget is the driving factor, otherwise go for the Xperia 1 VI).
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Sony Xperia 1 VI. Although the Samsung Galaxy A52 is a respectable device, the sheer difference in performance, camera capabilities, and modern features of the Xperia 1 VI is undeniable and justifies its higher price tag. For me, the improved speed, vastly superior camera quality (especially with the inclusion of a telephoto lens and better low-light performance), the advanced connectivity options (Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and eSIM), and better battery/charging features makes the Xperia 1 VI the far superior device for my personal needs as a power-user. The significantly better performance and longer software support of the Xperia 1 VI make it a future-proof option that will serve my needs much longer. The larger RAM and storage, the advanced sensor set, and the superior build quality are all significant advantages for me.
