1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm | 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm | Redmi Note 12 is taller and slightly wider; A52 is a bit thicker, but these differences are minor and unlikely to impact general use. |
| Weight | 189g | 188g | Both phones are very similar in weight, making the user experience comparable in terms of hand-feel. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.67" | Redmi Note 12 has a slightly larger screen, which could be preferred for media consumption and gaming but may be less comfortable for smaller hands. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Both displays are equally sharp, providing comparable image quality. |
| PPI | 407 | 395 | Very similar pixel density, both offer sharp displays to the user. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colours, deep blacks, and good viewing angles, making them suitable for high-quality content consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Redmi Note 12 has a smoother screen experience, making scrolling and animations look more fluid, which is noticeable for daily use and gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | Redmi Note 12 has vastly superior outdoor visibility, making the screen usable in bright sunlight. Samsung A52 brightness data is unavailable. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) | Redmi Note 12 has a newer and more efficient chipset, leading to faster app loading and overall smoother performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 460,800 | Redmi Note 12 significantly outperforms A52 in benchmarks, meaning noticeable real world performance difference, such as faster app loading and smoother operation.. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 619 | Redmi Note 12 offers slightly better graphics processing, giving an edge in gaming and graphically intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Redmi Note 12 offers slightly longer battery life, allowing for more usage between charges. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Redmi Note 12 charges faster, reducing the time spent waiting for the phone to be ready. |
| Features | QC2.0, AFC | Non-removable | Samsung A52 has additional charging features. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", Sony IMX682 | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1 | Galaxy A52 has a higher resolution main sensor with a larger size and more light gathering potential. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX616 | 13MP, f/2.45 | Galaxy A52 produces significantly higher-resolution and brighter selfies. |
| Wide-angle lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4", Omnivision OV08D10 | Galaxy A52 has slightly better wide-angle images because of higher resolution. |
| Depth Sensor | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | Galaxy A52 offers a depth sensor for portrait photos. |
| Macro lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Galaxy A52 captures higher-resolution macro photos. |
| Video | 4K@30fps w/EIS, 1080p@60fps w/EIS | 1080p@30fps | Galaxy A52 can record 4k video and has more versatile video options with EIS. |
| DxOMark | N/A | Mobile: 69, Photo: 74, Video: 49 | Redmi Note 12 has some camera benchmark scores available, suggesting that its photo quality is competitive. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, OIS, Quad camera | Triple camera, PDAF, RAW | A52 offers OIS for better video and photo stabilization, while the Redmi has PDAF and RAW capture capabilities. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 14) | Android 12 | Redmi Note 12 ships with a newer OS, but A52 is upgradable. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | 802.11ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi MiMO | Both offer similar Wi-Fi performance; Redmi Note 12 supports Wi-Fi MIMO technology. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, LE, A2DP, EDR, HID, ANT+ | 5.1, LE, A2DP, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Redmi Note 12 has a newer Bluetooth version, potentially offering improved audio connection with supported devices and codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Redmi Note 12 supports more advanced GPS positioning, offering better accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both support two SIM cards, allowing users to manage multiple mobile numbers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both offer the same storage options, catering to different user storage needs. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 4/6/8 GB | Both offer multiple RAM options for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither device supports external storage, limiting the storage to the internal capacity. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio Features | Galaxy A52 has enhanced audio features such as Dolby Atmos, providing superior audio quality with stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor which can be considered more reliable and faster than basic sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Samsung Galaxy A52 offers better screen protection against scratches and minor impacts with Corning Gorilla Glass 5. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity | Both offer good sensor packages, A52 additionally features a Hall sensor and Geomagnetic sensor, while Redmi has a digital compass, and an ultrasonic proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Superior Camera System: Higher-resolution main and selfie cameras, an additional depth sensor, plus Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) provides significantly better picture quality, especially in low light, and more stable video recording.
- Enhanced Audio Quality: Dolby Atmos and Stereo Speakers provide a superior audio experience for media consumption and gaming.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers greater resistance to scratches and impacts than the Redmi Note 12's Gorilla Glass 3.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Advantages:
- Newer Chipset & Better Performance: The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset and higher AnTuTu score result in better overall performance, app loading, and responsiveness.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: The 120Hz display results in a smoother user experience when scrolling and playing games.
- Brighter Screen: 1200 nits of brightness provide significantly better outdoor visibility.
- Faster Charging & Larger Battery: The 33W charging and larger 5000mAh battery mean less time plugged in and longer time between charges.
- More advanced GPS: Offers more precise location data with additional satellite system.
Significant Trade-offs:
- A52: Older chipset resulting in slightly lower performance and less efficient battery usage. No screen brightness data available.
- Redmi Note 12: Less versatile camera system, especially for selfie quality, poorer audio experience.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize camera quality and audio experience, and want a balanced phone for media consumption.
- Use Cases:
- Social media enthusiasts who want high-quality photos and videos.
- Users who watch a lot of movies and videos, appreciating enhanced audio.
- General everyday users who prefer a good all-round phone with better screen protection.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, battery life, and a smooth display experience, and don't prioritize camera quality or audio experience.
- Use Cases:
- Gamers who need higher refresh rate and better processor performance.
- Users who are often outdoors and need a very bright screen.
- Users who require long battery life to manage a long day.
- Those who need a more precise GPS for mapping or navigation use.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is camera quality to you? If camera quality, specifically selfies, is a high priority, the A52 is the better choice.
- How much do you value a smooth display and long battery life? If you prioritize display smoothness and having a long battery life between charges, the Redmi Note 12 is the better choice.
- What kind of performance do you need from your phone? If you need a phone to be extremely responsive with smooth scrolling and faster app loading, the Redmi Note 12 is preferred due to its newer chipset.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If you're a social media influencer who posts photos and videos every day, the Samsung Galaxy A52 is recommended.
- Scenario 2: If you're a student who uses your phone for gaming, browsing, and social media, with a busy schedule, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: If you value screen protection and slightly better image quality in most conditions with enhanced audio, the Samsung Galaxy A52 would be a good choice.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12.
While the Samsung Galaxy A52 has a superior camera setup and audio system on paper, the practical benefits of the Redmi Note 12's faster chipset, smoother 120Hz display, brighter outdoor visibility, longer battery life, and faster charging outweigh those advantages for my needs. I value overall responsiveness and daily usability and would prefer a phone that is smooth, performs well, has good battery life, and charges quickly; the Redmi Note 12 addresses these requirements effectively, even if it sacrifices some features in the camera and audio.
