1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 168.8 × 76.4 × 8.8 mm | Redmi 12C is larger, may be less comfortable for smaller hands; A52 is more compact. |
| Weight | 189g | 192g | Negligible difference in hand, both feel relatively similar in weight. |
| Build Quality | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (screen) | Unknown (screen) | A52's screen is more scratch and shatter resistant; Redmi 12C's screen durability is unclear. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.71" | Redmi 12C offers a slightly larger viewing area; A52 is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1650 | A52 has much sharper text and images; Redmi 12C is less detailed and may show pixelation. |
| PPI | 407 | 268 | A52 provides a crisper viewing experience, particularly for text and detailed graphics; Redmi 12C display may appear less sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | A52 has deeper blacks, higher contrast, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency, especially with dark mode; Redmi 12C's display will have less contrast, less vibrant colors and potentially be more power hungry. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 60Hz | A52 offers smoother scrolling and animations; Redmi 12C's display may appear less fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both devices have same peak brightness, we assume that under bright sunlight, both displays will be equally visible/invisible. (Note: 0 nits is not a real value, this data is missing) |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Mediatek Helio G85 (12 nm) | A52's chipset is more powerful and efficient; Redmi 12C may struggle with demanding apps and games; A52 will be faster overall. |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 225,154 | A52 performs significantly better in benchmarks, indicating faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance; Redmi 12C will be less responsive. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G52 MC2 | A52's GPU is better suited for graphics-intensive tasks; Redmi 12C will have lower graphics performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP f/1.8, 1/1.7", Sony IMX682, 0.8µm | 50MP f/1.8, Sensor Model Unknown | A52 has higher resolution and a larger sensor that captures more detail, better low light; Redmi 12C will have less detailed photos. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX616, 0.8µm | 5MP, Sensor Model Unknown | A52 offers significantly better quality selfies; Redmi 12C's front camera will have lower resolution. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP f/2.2, 1.12µm | Not Available | A52's wide-angle lens enables capturing more of a scene in one photo; Redmi 12C has no wide angle option. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 5MP f/2.4, 1.12µm | Not Available | A52 will have a more accurate depth of field effect, also known as bokeh; Redmi 12C cannot achieve a proper bokeh effect. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP f/2.4, 1.12µm | 2MP f/2.4 | A52 can take more detailed macro shots; Redmi 12C's macro camera might not be great. |
| Video | 4K@30fps EIS, 1080p@60fps EIS, Slow-motion: 120 fps | 1080p@30fps, Slow-motion: 30fps | A52 can record much higher-quality video and slow-motion shots; Redmi 12C's video capabilities are quite limited. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | Not Available | Overall: 45, Photo: 50, Video: 43 | Redmi 12C has basic camera performance. A52's camera performance has not been tested. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Ultra stable video, 4K Video, Night Mode, Quad Camera, | Dual Camera, PDAF | A52's camera offers more versatility and features for diverse scenarios. Redmi 12C has basic features with PDAF. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Redmi 12C has the larger battery and will likely offer longer battery life, especially with its lower resolution screen. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 10W Fast Charging | A52 charges faster and will reach full capacity faster; Redmi 12C charges slower. |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer batteries usually last longer and perform better under more usage. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 14) | Android 12 | Redmi 12C is newer and ships with a later OS version; A52 will be updated to Android 14, and will no longer receive major updates. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 32GB/64GB/128GB | A52 offers higher maximum storage of 256GB; Redmi 12C's lower storage options might limit storage availability. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 3GB/4GB/6GB | A52 offers more RAM for multitasking; Redmi 12C's lower RAM may result in slow app loading and stuttering. |
| Expandable | No | No | Both phones do not support memory cards. |
Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio Features | A52 provides enhanced audio experience through better spatial sound and separation; Redmi 12C has basic audio quality. |
Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Rear Mounted | Both devices have similar basic fingerprint sensors to unlock the phone. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Similar WiFi standards; Good for internet browsing. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.1 LE | Redmi 12C has a newer version of bluetooth; Both are good for wireless connections |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Similar GPS capabilities; Both can be used for navigation. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Micro SIM + Nano SIM) | Similar dual SIM support; Redmi 12C can use an older Micro SIM. A52 allows the usage of two SIMs simultaneously. |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Light sensor, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | A52 offers a wider range of sensors, enabling advanced features and more accurate proximity readings, while Redmi 12C includes an Ultrasonic proximity virtual sensor which may perform worse that a typical proximity sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with higher resolution, PPI, and 90Hz refresh rate offers a much better visual experience.
- Much Better Performance: Significantly more powerful processor and GPU provide smoother multitasking, better gaming and faster app loading.
- Higher Camera Quality: Higher resolution main and front cameras, plus dedicated wide-angle, portrait, and macro lenses, with advanced features like OIS and 4K recording.
- Faster Charging: 25W charging allows for quicker battery top-ups.
- Better Audio Quality: Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support.
- More RAM and Storage: Higher RAM variants and more built-in storage.
- Better Build Quality: Uses Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for screen protection.
- More sensors: The A52 has a much better sensor suite
Xiaomi Redmi 12C Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery provides longer battery life.
- Newer OS (out of the box): Ships with a later version of Android.
- Cheaper: Usually sold at a lower price point compared to the Galaxy A52.
Practical Implications:
- The A52 is much better for users who want a better display, take lots of photos/videos, game, or need more power for apps.
- The Redmi 12C is better for users on a very tight budget and prioritize battery life over everything else.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The A52 sacrifices some battery life for better screen, performance, and camera.
- The Redmi 12C sacrifices camera quality, display quality, and performance for battery life and affordability.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52:
- Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize a high-quality display for media consumption.
- Photography and videography enthusiasts.
- Mobile gamers or those who use demanding apps.
- Users who value a fast and responsive user experience.
- Use Cases:
- Watching movies and videos in high-quality.
- Taking photos and videos for social media and memories.
- Playing graphics-intensive games.
- Multitasking between various apps.
- Price to Value Ratio: Offers very good value for its features.
Xiaomi Redmi 12C:
- Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious buyers looking for a basic smartphone.
- Users who prioritize battery life over performance.
- Users who mostly use basic functions such as calling and texting
- Use Cases:
- Basic social media use, texting, and browsing.
- Extended usage without frequent charging.
- Light app usage
- For users who mostly use basic functions like calls, and texting.
- Price to Value Ratio: Excellent value, if price is a bigger factor than performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How much do you value display quality? If a sharp, vibrant display is important, the A52 is the clear choice.
- What's your primary use case? If you're a gamer or camera enthusiast, the A52 is a must. If you need just a basic phone with long battery life, the Redmi 12C will suffice.
- What's your budget? If money is tight, the Redmi 12C is more affordable but is more lacking.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (High Performance/Camera): If you need a phone for demanding tasks such as gaming, heavy social media usage and high-quality photography, choose the Samsung Galaxy A52.
- Scenario 2 (Budget Focused): If you need a functional phone with long battery life and you are on a tight budget, choose the Xiaomi Redmi 12C.
- Scenario 3 (Balanced Experience): If you would like a good balance of performance and affordability, I would not recommend any of these, and instead look at other devices.
What would I choose and why?
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A52. Although both devices offer different advantages, the A52 simply has much better hardware all around, especially the screen.
The display is a big factor for me, as I watch movies and videos on my phone, and the AMOLED screen is a significant upgrade compared to the Redmi 12C's LCD screen, especially when viewing darker content.
The A52 also has much better performance, camera and better audio quality which are all important factors for my use-case, as I play mobile games and often take pictures. While the Redmi 12C does have a bigger battery, the A52's fast charging capabilities make up for it, as it can be quickly charged, and I am mostly near an outlet.
The A52 is a more complete package overall and can satisfy many different use-cases, whilst also feeling more premium. Although it is more expensive, the benefits over the Redmi 12C make it the better choice for my requirements.
