Okay, let's dive deep into this comparison between the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G and the Honor 90. I'm going to break down the specs, provide real-world context, and help you figure out which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G | Honor 90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm, 189g | 161.9 x 74.1 x 7.8 mm, 183g | Honor 90 is slightly taller and thinner, feeling a tad more premium and lighter in hand. A52s is bulkier. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass 5 screen | Unknown | A52s offers more screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Honor 90 gives you slightly more screen real estate for immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1200 x 2664 | Honor 90 offers a sharper and more detailed display due to higher pixel count. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 405 | 435 | Honor 90 will have slightly sharper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both provide vibrant colors and deep blacks; similar viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both phones. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 1600 nits | Honor 90 provides significantly better visibility in bright outdoor conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4nm) | Honor 90 will have faster processing and better power efficiency thanks to a newer, more refined chipset. |
| Antutu Score | 570,752 | 701,227 | Honor 90 will offer a snappier user experience, better multitasking, and superior gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 644 | Honor 90 offers a slight edge in graphics-intensive applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", Sony IMX682 | 200MP, f/1.9, 1/1.4", Samsung HP3 | Honor 90 has a significantly higher megapixel count and larger sensor for more detailed and dynamic photos. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.0 | 50MP, f/2.4 | Honor 90 has higher resolution for better selfies; A52s has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2 | None | A52s has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing expansive scenes. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | A52s offers slightly more depth information and better portrait quality. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | A52s can take close-up photos with its dedicated macro lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 12MP, f/2.2 | Honor 90 offers a single lens for both wide angle and macro functionality. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, EIS | 4K@30fps, EIS | Similar recording capabilities but Samsung has OIS. |
| DXOMark | Not Tested | Mobile (122) | Honor 90 is camera is quite decent, scoring 122 on DXOmark's benchmarks. |
| Features | Quad, OIS, Panorama | Triple, RAW, Night Mode | A52s excels in versatility, while Honor 90 focuses on advanced image processing and better low light. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Honor 90 offers a noticeably larger battery for better longevity. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 66W fast charging | Honor 90 charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 13 | Honor 90 is shipping with newer software and potentially a longer update lifespan. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, MiMO | Wi-Fi 6, MiMO | Similar Wi-Fi capabilities with the addition of MIMO on the Honor. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 LE, aptX, LDAC | Honor 90 has a more modern Bluetooth standard for better audio quality, power efficiency and faster transfer. |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Both have identical satellite positioning. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | Honor 90 provides more storage options for users with lots of media. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8/12/16 GB | Honor 90 has substantially more RAM for heavy users. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports SD card expansion. |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G:
Strengths:
- Versatile Camera System: Features a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens, providing flexibility in shooting scenarios. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) in the main camera adds more stability to images and videos, especially in lower light conditions.
- Software Support: Upgradable to Android 14, ensuring a longer lifespan with the latest features.
- Reliable Build: The Gorilla Glass 5 protection is a notable inclusion, providing some additional peace of mind.
Competitive Advantages:
- Offers a well-rounded camera system with OIS, wide-angle, and macro lens.
- Reliable build quality, a good display, and solid general performance.
Honor 90:
- Strengths:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and significantly brighter screen make it ideal for outdoor use.
- Powerful Performance: The Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chip, coupled with more RAM options, makes it a strong performer for multitasking and gaming.
- Faster Charging: 66W charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Main Camera Performance: The 200 MP sensor offers amazing detail and the camera has a DXOmark score of 122, which is decent.
- More Storage Options: More internal storage options are available
- Competitive Advantages:
- Significantly better display, faster processing, and faster charging than the A52s.
- Strong focus on photography with a larger sensor and a dedicated portrait/wide angle camera.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G:
- Best for: Users who prioritize versatility, a reliable camera with OIS, a well-built phone, and good all-around performance.
- Use Cases: Casual photography, social media, everyday tasks, moderate gaming, and reliable daily driver.
- Price-to-Value: A great mid-range option focusing on reliability and a versatile camera, great for those who prioritize a wide angle camera.
Honor 90:
- Best for: Users who prioritize display quality, performance, and faster charging, with a particular focus on photography (including a decent portrait camera).
- Use Cases: Multimedia consumption, gaming, photography enthusiasts, and anyone who needs a phone with excellent screen visibility and fast processing.
- Price-to-Value: The high refresh rate display and powerful processor, paired with fast charging make it a solid mid range choice.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
- How much do I value screen quality and outdoor visibility?
- If a bright, high-resolution display is crucial, the Honor 90 is a much better option.
- Do I need a versatile camera system with OIS and a dedicated wide angle lens or do I prefer the raw quality of 200mp camera?
- If you love to have multiple lens options, the A52s is a great choice, but if quality is your concern the Honor 90 has a larger sensor.
- How important is battery life and charging speed to me?
- The Honor 90 is better in these categories, with larger battery and significantly faster charging.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: The "Casual User": If you mainly browse the web, check social media, and take occasional photos, the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G is a well-rounded device that's reliable and versatile.
- Scenario 2: The "Multimedia Enthusiast": If you watch videos frequently, play graphics-heavy games, and need a bright display for outdoor use, the Honor 90 is the clear winner due to its superior screen and powerful processor.
- Scenario 3: The "Aspiring Photographer": If you want a flexible camera with a wide angle lens, the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G might be more appealing due to its wide angle lens and OIS. If quality is a priority, the Honor 90 is a better choice.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these phones, I would lean towards the Honor 90. Here's why:
- Display: As someone who often uses my phone outdoors, the brighter screen and sharper resolution is something I would highly appreciate.
- Performance: The newer Snapdragon chipset and greater RAM is crucial for me to have a seamless user experience.
- Battery & Charging: The large battery and super fast charging make the phone a powerhouse.
- Camera: While it doesn't have the same level of versatility, the raw quality of a 200MP sensor is something I would prioritize.
While the Samsung A52s 5G has a solid camera system with a wide angle and macro lens, the Honor 90 wins in almost every other aspect, and these features are more important to me. The significantly better display, faster charging, and newer processor make it the more compelling option for my needs.
Ultimately, both are excellent phones, and the "better" phone depends on individual priorities. But for me, the Honor 90’s combination of screen quality, performance and fast charging make it the clear winner.
