Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A52 vs. ZTE nubia Z50S Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm | 163.9 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm | ZTE is slightly taller and wider, may feel less ergonomic for smaller hands. |
| Weight | 189g | 228g | Samsung A52 is significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended use and easier to carry. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.8" | ZTE has a larger screen, providing a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1260x2800 | ZTE has a sharper display with more detail, better for reading text and viewing high-res images. |
| PPI | 407 | 452 | ZTE's higher pixel density results in a slightly clearer, less pixelated image. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and energy efficiency. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | ZTE provides smoother animations and scrolling, more fluid gaming experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1500 nits | ZTE's screen is significantly brighter, much better visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 (4 nm) | ZTE has a significantly more powerful chipset, leading to much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance. |
| Antutu Score | 341,212 | 1,579,720 | ZTE is substantially faster in benchmarks, better for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 740 | ZTE's GPU offers vastly superior graphics performance, leading to smoother gameplay and better graphics rendering. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5100mAh | ZTE offers better battery life, allowing users to go longer between charges. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 80W Fast Charging | ZTE charges significantly faster, reducing downtime and providing more convenience. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 64MP f/1.8, 1/1.7" | 54MP f/1.6, 1/1.49" | ZTE has a larger sensor, captures more light, potentially better low-light performance despite lower megapixel count. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | None | 8MP f/2.4 | ZTE has dedicated telephoto, enabling optical zoom and better portrait shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP f/2.2, 1/2.8" | 16MP f/2.5, 1/3.06" | Samsung offers higher resolution and wider aperture for better detail and low light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP f/2.2 | 50MP f/2.0 | ZTE's wide angle provides significantly higher resolution and detail. |
| Depth Lens | 5MP f/2.4 | None | Samsung has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP f/2.4 | None | Samsung offers a dedicated macro lens for close up photography. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps | ZTE records in higher resolutions and frame rates, more versatile for video creation. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS | EIS | Both offer electronic image stabilization for smoother videos. |
| Slow Motion | 120fps | 480fps | ZTE offers significantly higher slow-motion frame rates. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 14) | Android 13 | ZTE has a more up to date operating system out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | WiFi 7 (802.11be) | ZTE supports the latest Wi-Fi standards, offering faster and more reliable connections, including Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.3 LE | ZTE supports a more modern Bluetooth version, leading to better connectivity and efficiency with supported devices. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | ZTE offers more accurate location tracking with support for more satellite systems. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 256/1024 GB | ZTE offers much larger storage options, essential for storing large media files and applications. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 12/16 GB | ZTE offers significantly more RAM, resulting in smoother multitasking and better performance with demanding applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither offer expandable storage, limiting flexibility for adding storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers | Both have stereo speakers, Samsung includes Dolby Atmos while ZTE uses DTS for audio enhancements. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Basic | Both have basic fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Samsung provides a known layer of protection for the screen. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | ZTE has additional sensors for compass and ultrasonic proximity virtual features, enhancing functionality. Samsung also has additional sensors such as light and hall. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Ergonomic: Significantly lighter and slightly smaller, may be more comfortable for one-handed use and extended periods.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and wider aperture for potentially better selfies, especially in low light.
- Additional Camera Features: Includes dedicated macro and depth sensors for more creative photography options.
- Dolby Atmos Audio: Provides enhanced spatial audio, enhancing the listening experience.
- Known Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for better protection against scratches and impacts.
- Additional Sensors: Features sensors such as a light sensor, Hall and geomagnetic sensors.
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster processor and GPU, leading to a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience, especially in games and demanding apps.
- Higher Resolution, Brighter Display: A sharper display with significantly higher brightness for better outdoor visibility.
- Higher Refresh Rate: Smoother animations and scrolling for a more fluid user experience.
- Better Standard Camera Sensor: Larger sensor size, may be better low-light performance.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers optical zoom and enhanced portrait capabilities.
- Significantly Better Video Recording: Higher resolution video recording capabilities with 8K and higher frame rates.
- Faster Charging: Much faster battery charging, reducing downtime significantly.
- Larger Battery: Larger battery capacity for longer usage periods.
- More Storage and RAM: Offers far more storage and memory, essential for power users.
- Modern Connectivity: Supports the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards for faster connections.
- More Accurate Location Tracking: Supports more satellite systems for more accurate positioning.
- Additional Sensor: Features a compass and ultrasonic proximity sensor.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy A52: Sacrifices performance, display quality, and camera versatility for a more ergonomic, lighter design.
- ZTE nubia Z50S Pro: Heavier, may be less comfortable for some users.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy A52:
- Casual Users: Prioritize lightweight design and good selfie quality.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: May be a more affordable option (depending on pricing in market).
- Users Who Value Comfort: Prefer a smaller, lighter phone for ease of use throughout the day.
- Those who rarely game: If they don't do demanding tasks, they'll be fine with the performance.
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A52:
- Everyday Tasks: Web browsing, social media, casual photography.
- Basic Gaming: Handles less-demanding games well.
- Selfie Enthusiasts: Will like the front facing camera.
Ideal Users for ZTE nubia Z50S Pro:
- Power Users: Need the highest performance for multitasking, gaming, and demanding apps.
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: Value the versatile camera system.
- Users who prioritize display quality: Will appreciate the sharpness, brightness and refresh rate
- Gamers: Will be able to run graphically intensive games.
Use Cases for ZTE nubia Z50S Pro:
- High-Performance Gaming: Can handle the latest games smoothly.
- Professional Photography: Versatile camera system can be used to capture various images.
- Video Production: Higher resolution video recording is important for creators.
- Multitasking and Productivity: Handles many apps running simultaneously.
Price-to-Value: The ZTE nubia Z50S Pro offers a much higher price-to-value ratio due to its superior performance, display, and camera, if the price difference is not significant. The Samsung A52 is a budget-friendly, capable device, but it cannot compete with the performance of the ZTE.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is the main use case for my phone? (Casual use vs. heavy gaming, photography vs. basic use)
- How important is performance to me? (Do I need the fastest experience or is 'good enough' adequate?)
- How important is the size and weight of the phone? (Do I need something more ergonomic or do I prefer power and functionality?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User on a Budget: If you primarily use your phone for social media, browsing, and occasional photos, the Samsung Galaxy A52 is more than sufficient.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Media Enthusiast: If you need high performance for gaming, video editing, or heavy multitasking, the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is the clear choice.
- Scenario 3: Mobile Photographer/Videographer: If you need a versatile camera system with high-resolution video, then the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is better.
- Scenario 4: User with small hands: If you value comfort and light weight and have small hands, the Samsung Galaxy A52 is a more ergonomic phone for you.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally choose the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro. Although it's heavier, the massive performance difference, higher quality display, better camera, and faster charging make it a more compelling device overall. For my personal use, which includes photography, gaming, and general use, the ZTE's specifications are significantly better. While the Samsung is a capable phone and much lighter, the substantial trade-offs in performance, screen quality, and camera capabilities make it less attractive. If I was on an extremely tight budget, then the Samsung would be an option, but assuming that isn't the case, the ZTE is the clear winner. The difference in performance is extremely significant, and I personally place a very large value on a smooth user experience and the ability to run demanding applications.
