Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A52 vs. Sony Xperia 5 IV
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm | 156 x 67 x 8.2 mm | Xperia 5 IV is more compact and easier to handle; A52 is larger and may be less comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 189g | 172g | Xperia 5 IV is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.1" | A52 offers a larger screen for media consumption; Xperia 5 IV is more pocketable with a slightly smaller display. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2520 | Xperia 5 IV has a slightly sharper display with slightly more pixels, but the difference is not very noticeable. |
| PPI | 407 | 449 | Xperia 5 IV has a slightly higher pixel density, which may appear sharper to users with very good eyesight. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast, with subtle differences between AMOLED and OLED. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Xperia 5 IV's 120Hz refresh rate offers smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have same peak brightness; Without the actual peak brightness values, a useful comparison on outdoor visibility can't be made. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Xperia 5 IV has much higher processing power for demanding tasks, gaming and multitasking. |
| Antutu Score | 341,212 | 1,021,542 | Xperia 5 IV is significantly faster and offers a much smoother experience, particularly in gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 730 | Xperia 5 IV offers better graphics performance for gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Xperia 5 IV has larger battery, likely providing longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 30W fast charging | Xperia 5 IV charges slightly faster; both use fast charging technology. |
| Features | QC2.0, AFC | Bypass, Reverse charging | Xperia 5 IV has useful features like reverse charging, allows for charging other devices; while Samsung A52 offers QC2.0 and AFC |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", 0.8µm | 12MP, f/1.7, 1/1.7", 1.8µm | A52 has higher resolution, but Xperia 5 IV has larger pixels for better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 12MP, f/2.0, 1.25µm | A52 has higher resolution, but Xperia 5 IV has wider aperture and larger pixel size that captures more light. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/3.5", 1.0µm | Xperia 5 IV has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom capabilities, lacking on A52. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | Both have similar wide angle lens, Sony's has slightly larger pixel size. |
| Portrait Mode | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | None | A52 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait photos, lacking on Xperia 5 IV. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | None | A52 offers a macro camera for close-up shots, lacking on Xperia 5 IV. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, EIS | 4K@120fps, HDR, OIS, EIS | Xperia 5 IV offers higher resolution and frame rate video recording with better stabilization. |
| DxOMark | N/A | Mobile: 119, Photo: 121, Video: 113 | Xperia 5 IV's camera has been objectively tested, A52 does not have any DxOMark score. |
| Camera Features | Quad, OIS, Digital Zoom | Triple, OIS, Optical Zoom, RAW | A52 has a more versatile camera system while Xperia 5 IV focuses on quality with dedicated zoom and RAW capture. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 14) | Android 12 (up to 13) | Xperia 5 IV ships with a newer version of Android but less OS updates; A52 offers more updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Xperia 5 IV supports newer Wi-Fi standard for faster speeds and better performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Xperia 5 IV has newer Bluetooth with enhanced audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | Xperia 5 IV offers better location accuracy with more satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | Xperia 5 IV offers eSIM support for flexibility, A52 supports dual physical sims. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB/256 GB | 128 GB/256 GB | Both offer the same storage capacities. |
| RAM | 4 GB/6 GB/8 GB | 8 GB | Xperia 5 IV offers consistent performance with all variants having 8GB of RAM. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Both have stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos; Xperia 5 IV supports higher quality Hi-Res audio playback. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint on Xperia 5 IV is more advanced. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass Victus | Xperia 5 IV has superior screen protection for better durability. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity, Geomagnetic | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Fingerprint, Proximity | Xperia 5 IV has additional sensors such as Compass, Barometer. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Larger Display: The 6.5-inch screen is better for media consumption and multitasking.
- More Camera Options: Includes dedicated macro and portrait lenses for versatile photography.
- More OS Updates: Offers more updates to future Android versions.
- Lower Cost: Generally more affordable than the Xperia 5 IV.
- Dual Physical SIM: Allows two physical sim cards to be used simultaneously, which may be preferable to eSIM for some users.
Sony Xperia 5 IV Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip provides significantly better performance in all aspects.
- Better Display: Higher refresh rate (120Hz) and pixel density for a smoother and sharper experience.
- Better Camera Quality: Larger sensor pixels, optical zoom and RAW support for better photo and video capture.
- Longer Battery Life: Larger battery capacity, which coupled with a more efficient chip should result in better battery life.
- Better Build Quality: Uses Gorilla Glass Victus for better screen protection.
- More Advanced Connectivity: Supports WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 for faster speeds and better audio.
- More Accurate GPS: Utilizes more satellite systems, resulting in better positioning.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Samsung A52: Trade-off is lower performance and older chip for a lower price point and larger screen.
- Sony Xperia 5 IV: Trade-off is a higher price for premium features, but missing dedicated macro and depth cameras, with less software update support.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Seeking a good all-around phone at a more affordable price.
- Media Consumers: People who enjoy watching videos and using apps on a large display.
- Casual Photographers: Users who like having a variety of camera options for different types of photos.
- Users who want a phone with more software update support.
- Users who need two physical SIM cards.
Use Cases:
- Daily social media and web browsing.
- Watching videos and movies.
- Casual photography with multiple camera options.
- Everyday phone use without intensive gaming or resource-heavy applications.
Sony Xperia 5 IV Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who demand smooth performance and fast app loading, suitable for gaming.
- Photography and Videography: People who prioritize high-quality photos and video recording with advanced features.
- Users Seeking Premium Features: Those who value a premium build, better display and enhanced connectivity.
- Users who want the most compact phone with all premium features.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming with high graphics settings.
- Professional-level photography and videography.
- Resource-intensive tasks like video editing on the go.
- Power users who utilize the advanced features and need long battery life.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my primary use case? (Gaming, photography, media, or general use)
- How much do I value performance vs. affordability? (Do you need a very fast phone or just a reliable one)
- What is more important, battery life and superior build quality, or camera versatility?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: If price is the main concern and you need a versatile device for everyday use, the Samsung Galaxy A52 is the better choice.
- Performance and Photography Enthusiast: If you need the best performance, camera quality and a long-lasting battery in a compact design, the Sony Xperia 5 IV is the clear winner.
- Users Who Value Screen Size: If you prefer a larger screen, the Samsung A52 will be the obvious choice.
- Users Who Want The Latest Technologies: If you value the latest and most up-to-date connectivity features such as WiFi 6 and the newest Bluetooth version, the Sony Xperia 5 IV is the better choice.
- Users Who Want More Software Support: The Samsung Galaxy A52 will offer better software support with more future updates.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Sony Xperia 5 IV. While the Samsung Galaxy A52 offers a larger screen and more camera versatility at a lower price, the Xperia 5 IV provides a significantly better overall experience. The superior performance, better display, and higher camera quality make it a more compelling device for my needs. The newer connectivity features, such as WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, are also valuable for a long-term investment. The trade-off of less camera versatility is acceptable in return for the better overall performance and photography quality. Also, the smaller size of the Sony Xperia 5 IV makes it more convenient for daily use. In addition to all these factors, the Xperia 5 IV's larger battery will also allow for more time in between charges.
