Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A52 vs. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm | 163.7 x 76.2 x 8.3 mm | Xiaomi is slightly taller and wider, but nearly the same thickness. A small difference for most users. |
| Weight | 189g | 204g | The Samsung is lighter and will be more comfortable for long periods of use, especially with one hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.67" | The Xiaomi offers a slightly more immersive viewing experience due to the larger screen. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Both offer the same level of sharpness and detail, which is good for everyday tasks. |
| PPI | 407 | 395 | Both are very similar, and the average user will see minimal difference. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both displays offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, excellent for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Xiaomi provides a smoother experience for gaming and scrolling, resulting in less eye strain. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | The Xiaomi is significantly brighter, making it much easier to use outdoors in sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm) | The Xiaomi's chipset is newer, more powerful, and slightly more energy-efficient. This translates to better performance in all situations. |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 528,100 | The Xiaomi has a significantly higher AnTuTu score, offering better app loading, multitasking, and gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G68 MC4 | Different GPUs but the Xiaomi has a substantial lead in performance when gaming or rendering graphics. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear (Main) | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", Sony IMX682 | 108MP, f/1.89, 1/1.52", Samsung S5KHM2 | The Xiaomi has a much higher megapixel count and a slightly larger sensor, which should result in more detailed and brighter photos in good lighting. |
| Front (Selfie) | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX616 | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471 | The Samsung has higher resolution and a wider aperture for more detailed and brighter selfies, especially in low light. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX355 | The Samsung's wide-angle camera has better resolution which means better-quality landscape photos |
| Portrait Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | The Samsung has a dedicated depth sensor to improve portrait photos. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | The Samsung's macro lens is higher resolution, providing better close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS, Slow-motion 120 fps | Up to 4K@30fps, Slow-motion 960fps | Both capture 4k video, but the Xiaomi captures at much higher frame rate slow-mo, for more impressive shots. The Samsung's EIS system is better though |
| Features | Quad camera, OIS, EIS | Triple camera, No OIS, EIS | Samsung has OIS which means better stabilization for video, but has one less sensor. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Both phones offer similar battery capacity for comparable battery life, depending on usage. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 120W fast charging | The Xiaomi charges dramatically faster, allowing for very quick top-ups. This could be a game changer for some users. |
| Features | QC2.0, AFC | QC3+, PD2.0, PD3.0, Comfort Mode | The Xiaomi offers much faster charging with newer and more versatile charging standards. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, max version 14 | Android 11 | Samsung's longer support means it will receive major OS updates for longer. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) | The Xiaomi has the newest and faster wifi standard, leading to better network speeds and reliability. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | The Xiaomi has a newer version of Bluetooth for potentially better connection quality and lower energy usage. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5) | The Xiaomi has a wider range of satellite options for more accurate GPS location and navigation. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both offer dual sim capability |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 64 GB, 128 GB or 256 GB | Both come in the same maximum size, though the Xiaomi is available with 64GB of storage. |
| RAM | 4 GB, 6 GB or 8 GB | 6 GB or 8 GB | Both offer comparable RAM sizes for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither device allows for storage expansion |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | The Xiaomi has better audio quality with its Hi-Res support. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Xiaomi's side-mounted sensor is fast and convenient, a step up from a basic sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Both phones offer the same level of screen protection. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Lighter Design: 15 grams lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and wider aperture for superior selfies, especially in low light.
- Dedicated Portrait Lens: Includes a dedicated depth sensor for enhanced portrait photos with a blurred background.
- Higher Resolution Wide Angle Lens: Better for taking photos of landscapes.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): OIS is present for steadier video and sharper photos in low light.
- Longer Software Support: Samsung generally provides more OS updates than Xiaomi.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G Advantages:
- More Powerful Performance: Newer chipset (Dimensity 920), leading to significantly higher benchmark scores, better app loading and gaming.
- Significantly Faster Charging: 120W charging allows for very fast top-ups, especially convenient for those always on the go.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: 120Hz display offers smoother scrolling and animations compared to the 90Hz display.
- Brighter Display: 1200 nits provides better visibility in direct sunlight.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: Offers a 108MP camera for more detailed photos in good lighting conditions.
- Newer Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6 for faster network speeds and better performance in crowded networks.
- Better Audio Quality: Features High-Res Audio support and 2 microphones.
- More Comprehensive GPS: Supports more satellite systems for better GPS accuracy and location.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Scanner: More convenient than a basic sensor.
- Higher Slow-mo frame rate: For impressive video.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung A52 offers superior selfies and better low-light camera performance thanks to OIS but is outperformed in performance and charging.
- The Xiaomi Note 11 Pro+ 5G offers significantly faster performance and a better display but is slightly heavier and does not have as many camera lens options, especially for selfies.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52 Ideal User:
- Casual Photographers: Prioritizing selfie quality, portrait mode, and generally good, reliable image quality.
- Comfort-Focused Users: Preferring a lighter phone for comfortable everyday use.
- Users who Value Software Updates: Wanting a phone that will receive a few years of major OS updates.
- Users who prioritize video stability: OIS provides superior video recording.
Use Cases for Galaxy A52:
- Social media enthusiasts who take frequent selfies and portraits.
- Users who prefer a lighter phone for daily tasks and commutes.
- Users who want a reliable camera for everyday photography.
- General users who appreciate a good balance of features.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G Ideal User:
- Performance Seekers: Prioritizing fast performance for gaming and multitasking.
- On-the-Go Users: Requiring fast charging to minimize downtime.
- Media Consumers: Enjoying high refresh rate, bright displays for videos and movies.
- Users with better connectivity: Requiring the latest and faster network speeds with wifi 6.
- Users with better GPS for accurate navigation.
Use Cases for Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G:
- Gamers who need a smoother experience and faster loading.
- Users who rely heavily on their phone throughout the day and need fast charging.
- Frequent travelers or outdoor users needing a bright display for sunlight visibility.
- Users who consume a lot of video content.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is fast charging? If charging speeds are critical, the Xiaomi has a major advantage.
- Do you prioritize selfie quality or overall performance? The Samsung excels in selfies while the Xiaomi wins in overall performance.
- What is your primary use case? Are you a casual user who takes lots of selfies, a social media enthusiast, or someone who games heavily or consumes content?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: "I take lots of selfies, want a light phone, and a good camera" - The Samsung Galaxy A52 is better for you.
- Scenario 2: "I prioritize speed, need fast charging, and play games" - The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G is the clear choice.
- Scenario 3: "I want a balanced phone with a good display and reasonable performance, good software support" - The Samsung Galaxy A52 still holds up well.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G. While the Samsung A52 has some nice features, especially around the selfie camera and OIS, the sheer performance advantage of the Dimensity 920 chipset, combined with the incredibly fast 120W charging and brighter 120hz display, makes the Xiaomi a much more compelling overall package for me. I would value the overall performance, speed, and efficiency of the device when I use it throughout my day. The slightly heavier weight is a minor trade-off for the other benefits. The superior Wi-Fi and GPS capabilities also tip the scale in the Xiaomi's favor. While the selfie camera may not be quite as good, the overall camera is good enough for my needs. The faster charging is also a game-changer, especially when I am on the move and don't want to be tethered to a plug for long.
