1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Xiaomi Redmi 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 168.6 × 76.3 × 8.2 mm | The Redmi 12 is taller and slightly wider, which may make it less comfortable for one-handed use for some, while the A52 is thicker, but more compact. |
| Weight | 189g | 198.5g | The A52 is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Xiaomi Redmi 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.79" | The Redmi 12 offers a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2460 | Both have a similar level of sharpness; the difference is negligible in real-world usage. |
| PPI | 407 | 396 | Both displays are sharp, with no significant difference in clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The A52's AMOLED provides richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast, enhancing the viewing experience, especially in dark environments, and offers better power efficiency with dark themes enabled. The Redmi 12's IPS LCD will have more accurate colour representation, but lacks vibrance. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both phones offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is not known for both, so cannot be compared. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Xiaomi Redmi 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Mediatek Helio G88 (12 nm) | The Snapdragon 720G is more powerful and efficient, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance than the Helio G88. |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 249,400 | The A52 significantly outperforms the Redmi 12, indicating better overall system responsiveness. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G52 MC2 | The Adreno 618 offers superior graphics processing, resulting in better gaming experiences than the Mali-G52 MC2 |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Xiaomi Redmi 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", Sony IMX682 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1 | The A52's main sensor captures more detail and performs better in low light due to its larger sensor and higher resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX616 | 8MP, f/2.1, Unknown | The A52 captures significantly more detail and is better for high-quality selfies; The Redmi 12 has a slightly wider aperture, but this is negligible for the overall image quality. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX355 | The A52's wide-angle lens offers more detail in photos compared to Redmi 12. |
| Depth Sensor | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | The A52 can capture better portrait photos with more accurate background blur. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4, Unknown | The A52 offers higher-quality close-up shots due to its higher resolution macro lens. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps w/ EIS | 1080p@30fps | The A52 offers superior video quality with 4K recording and smoother recording with 60fps 1080p with EIS. |
| Video Stabilization | Yes (EIS) | No | The A52 has electronic image stabilization (EIS) for smoother video recording |
| Features | Quadruple Camera, OIS, Ultra Stable Video, Night Mode, More | Triple Camera, RAW | The A52 has Optical Image Stabilisation for superior low-light photography. The Redmi 12 has a RAW mode for professional photographers. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Xiaomi Redmi 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | The Redmi 12 has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life between charges. |
| Charging | 25W | 18W | The A52 charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | QC2.0, AFC, Non-removable | Reverse Charging, Non-removable | The A52 has support for fast charging standards, while the Redmi 12 can act as a power bank to charge other devices. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED display with better contrast, colours and energy efficiency when using dark modes.
- Better Performance: More powerful Snapdragon 720G chipset resulting in smoother overall operation.
- Higher Quality Cameras: Better main, selfie, wide-angle, macro, and video recording capabilities.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Reduces blur in photos and videos, especially in low light conditions.
- Faster Charging: 25W charging is faster than the Redmi 12's 18W.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos and Stereo speakers provide enhanced audio experience for media consumption.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery offers longer usage on a single charge.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.3 provides more reliable wireless connectivity.
- Reverse Charging: Acts as a power bank to charge other devices.
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 13 out of the box.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Generally considered more convenient than under-screen sensors.
Trade-offs:
- The A52 sacrifices battery capacity for a superior display, performance, and camera system.
- The Redmi 12 prioritizes battery life, newer software and newer Bluetooth while sacrificing camera quality, display quality, and overall performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 Ideal User:
- Media Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high-quality display for watching videos and browsing.
- Photography Lovers: Individuals who value high quality photos and videos with better low-light performance, and OIS capabilities.
- Performance Seekers: Users who need smooth, responsive performance for everyday tasks and gaming.
- Users that care about audio: Users that watch videos, movies, and listen to music on their devices and want the best listening experience.
Use Cases:
- Watching movies and videos with vibrant colours and deep blacks.
- Taking high-quality photos and videos, especially in low light.
- Playing graphically intensive mobile games smoothly.
- Heavy users who multitask between apps with better performance.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users seeking a reliable phone with long battery life at an affordable price.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Individuals who value longer battery life over top-tier performance or camera capabilities.
- Users who prefer fingerprint scanners on the side of the phone.
- Users who value the latest version of Android.
- Users who need reverse charging for other devices.
Use Cases:
- Everyday use with minimal charging needs.
- Light gaming and casual app usage.
- Users who want a large display with a basic display.
- Users who need to charge other devices on the go using their phone's battery.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case for the phone? (e.g., Media consumption, photography, gaming, basic tasks).
- How important is battery life versus performance and display quality?
- What's your budget, and are you willing to sacrifice certain features for price?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: User primarily watches videos and takes photos.
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A52. The AMOLED display, better camera system, and OIS are crucial for high-quality media consumption.
- Scenario 2: User wants all-day battery and has a lower budget.
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Redmi 12. The larger battery offers all-day battery and is more affordable.
- Scenario 3: User wants good performance and occasional gaming.
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A52. The Snapdragon chipset provides better performance.
- Scenario 4: User wants a newer operating system and likes reverse charging.
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Redmi 12. The newer OS is up to date and the reverse charging feature is useful for some users.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy A52. While the Redmi 12 has a larger battery and newer OS, the A52's AMOLED display, superior camera system with OIS, better overall performance, and faster charging are crucial for my daily needs. I value a high-quality viewing experience, good camera capabilities for both photos and videos, and a smooth experience while using the device. While the Redmi 12 has a larger battery, the A52 is not bad, and the faster charging would make up for it. The overall package on the A52 outweighs the trade-offs.
