1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Sony Xperia 5 V | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 154 × 68 × 8.6 mm | A52 is taller and wider, slightly less pocketable. Xperia 5 V is more compact and easier to handle one-handed. |
| Weight | 189g | 182g | Xperia 5 V is slightly lighter, may be more comfortable during extended use. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphone builds, not foldable. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Sony Xperia 5 V | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.1" | A52 has a larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. Xperia 5 V is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2520 | Xperia 5 V has slightly higher pixel density, resulting in slightly sharper images. |
| PPI | 407 | 449 | Xperia 5 V has a sharper display due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; very similar display quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Xperia 5 V offers smoother scrolling and animations due to a higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have similar peak brightness, but the specific real-world brightness is missing for accurate comparison. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Sony Xperia 5 V | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Xperia 5 V has significantly faster processing power, better for gaming and demanding apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 1,370,000 | Xperia 5 V offers vastly superior performance, leading to smoother multitasking and better gaming capabilities. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 740 | Xperia 5 V has a much more powerful GPU, leading to better graphics performance for gaming and video editing. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Sony Xperia 5 V | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera Resolution | 64MP | 48MP | A52 captures more details on paper, but it doesn't always translate to better real-world results. The sensor size and processing are key factors too. |
| Standard Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.9 | A52 has slightly wider aperture for better low light performance but sensor size is also crucial. |
| Standard Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.7" | 1/1.4" | Xperia 5 V has larger sensor size, potentially better low-light performance due to better light absorption. |
| Standard Camera Sensor Model | Sony IMX682 Exmor RS | Sony IMX888 | Both use Sony sensors, but different models with different features. The Sony IMX888 is newer. |
| Standard Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.12 µm | Xperia 5 V has larger pixels for better low light performance, better light absorption per pixel. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 32MP | 12MP | A52 has much higher resolution on paper, but pixel size and sensor size are also key. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.0 | Xperia 5 V has a wider aperture for better low light selfie photos, though other sensor parameters also have significant impact. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/2.8" | 1/2.93" | A52 has a slightly larger sensor for better light gathering in theory, but sensor quality and processing also matters. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Model | Sony IMX616 | Sony IMX663 | Both use Sony sensors, but different models with different features. The Sony IMX663 is newer. |
| Selfie Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.22 µm | Xperia 5 V has larger pixels for better low light selfies, better light absorption per pixel. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor | Both are comparable, but the Xperia 5 V's larger sensor size provides improved results. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | A52 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, potentially better depth-of-field effect, though it also depends on software and processing. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | A52 has a dedicated macro lens for detailed close-up photos. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 4K@120fps with HDR, OIS, EIS | Xperia 5 V offers superior video recording capabilities with higher frame rates, HDR, and Optical Image Stabilization. |
| DxOMark | Not tested | Mobile: 118 | Xperia 5 V has been tested by DxoMark and scored high, A52 was not. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Sony Xperia 5 V | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Xperia 5 V has a larger battery, likely offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 30W fast charging | Xperia 5 V charges slightly faster than A52. |
| Features | Non-removable, QC2.0 and AFC | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Non-removable | Xperia 5 V offers more advanced charging features, Bypass Charging is helpful during gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages
- Larger Display: 6.5" screen offers a more immersive viewing experience, better for media consumption and multitasking.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Sensors: Has dedicated cameras for macro and depth information that might improve image capturing.
- Lower Price: Generally, A52 will be more affordable than the Xperia 5 V.
- Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers: Offers enhanced audio experience with better audio separation and immersion
Practical Implications: The A52 is a better choice if you prioritize a larger screen, you frequently use macro and portrait mode, or are on a tight budget.
Sony Xperia 5 V Advantages
- Significantly Superior Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset offers vastly better performance for gaming and demanding apps.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides a smoother user experience.
- Better Camera Sensor: Larger primary sensor and better low-light performance compared to A52.
- Better Video Recording: Up to 4k@120fps with HDR, OIS, EIS for smoother more quality video recording
- Faster Charging and Advanced Features: Supports 30W charging and offers bypass and reverse charging.
- Newer Software: Comes with Android 13 out of the box.
- More Advanced Connectivity: Supports newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards for faster and more efficient connectivity.
- More Accurate Location: Supports more satelite systems like QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1 + L5).
- Better Screen Protection: Uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Practical Implications: The Xperia 5 V is a better choice if you prioritize performance, camera quality, video recording, gaming and future-proofing.
Trade-offs
- Size: A52 has a larger screen but less portability, while the Xperia 5 V is more pocketable but has a smaller display.
- Price: The Xperia 5 V will likely cost considerably more than the A52.
- Camera Specialization: A52 has dedicated Macro and depth sensor, Xperia 5 V has not.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious consumers, media consumers, casual gamers, people that love using portrait and macro mode, and individuals who prefer a larger display.
- Use Cases:
- Watching movies and videos on a larger screen.
- Casual mobile gaming.
- Everyday social media browsing and content consumption.
- Taking casual photos and enjoying macro and portrait mode features.
- Price-to-Value: Offers good value for its price, targeting the mid-range smartphone segment, better price for casual use.
Sony Xperia 5 V
- Ideal User: Power users, gamers, photography enthusiasts, videographers, people looking for future-proof devices, people that care about newer technology.
- Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive mobile games.
- Shooting high-quality photos and videos.
- Professional tasks that require powerful processing capabilities.
- Multitasking between demanding applications.
- Taking advantage of newer connectivity features like WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
- Recording high-quality video with advanced stabilization.
- Price-to-Value: Priced at the premium range, justifies the higher cost with top-tier performance, camera, and advanced features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions
What is your budget?
- The A52 is much more affordable.
What is more important, screen size or portability?
- A52 has a larger screen, but Xperia 5 V is more compact.
Do you prioritize performance or camera capabilities?
- Xperia 5 V is better for gaming, faster performance, and video recording. A52 has dedicated macro and depth sensors that might be beneficial.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User: If you're on a budget and need a decent phone for everyday tasks, the Samsung Galaxy A52 is the better choice, with its larger screen and dedicated macro and depth camera modes.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Gaming Enthusiast: If you prioritize top performance, gaming, and video recording, the Sony Xperia 5 V is the superior option with its top-tier chipset, 120Hz display, better camera, faster charging, and advanced features.
- Scenario 3: Photography Focus: If you love taking pictures and want dedicated macro and depth sensors, the Samsung Galaxy A52 may appeal you more; however, the Sony Xperia 5 V is better on low-light scenarios because of the bigger sensor.
- Scenario 4: Portable Media Consumer: If you want a pocketable phone with good media playback, the Sony Xperia 5 V is a more compact option with a great display, and superior performance and audio experience, but the Samsung Galaxy A52 has a bigger display.
My Choice
I would choose the Sony Xperia 5 V. While the Samsung Galaxy A52 is a decent mid-range phone, the Xperia 5 V offers a significantly better overall experience in the areas that matter most to me: performance, camera quality, and future-proofing. Although the Sony Xperia 5 V is more expensive, the performance boost, better camera sensor, higher refresh rate screen, and newer technology make it worth the extra cost for long-term use. The compact size is also a plus for daily portability.
