Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G and the Huawei nova Y90. We'll break down these phones from a user's perspective, focusing on real-world performance and practical differences.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G | Huawei nova Y90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-09-01 | 2022-07-27 | The nova Y90 is about 10 months newer, potentially having slight benefits in software and features. |
| Size | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 163.3 × 74.7 × 8.4 mm | The nova Y90 is a bit taller but equally slim. This might affect one-handed use for those with smaller hands. |
| Weight | 189g | 195g | The A52s 5G is slightly lighter, which could be noticeable during prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | The nova Y90 offers a slightly larger viewing area, which is good for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2388 | Both have similar sharpness, but it's marginal and most users wouldn't notice the difference. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 405 | 391 | Both offer good pixel density, ensuring crisp visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The A52s 5G has a superior AMOLED display with deeper blacks, higher contrast, and vibrant colors. It's also more power-efficient with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The A52s 5G provides smoother scrolling and animations due to the higher refresh rate, offering a more responsive experience. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | The A52s 5G is dramatically brighter for better visibility under bright sunlight. The value for the Huawei is clearly an error, should be considered much lower brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G 5G | Snapdragon 680 4G | The A52s 5G's Snapdragon 778G is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 570,752 | 249,000 | The A52s 5G scores more than twice the AnTuTu score of the nova Y90, so this will be a huge performance gap during demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 610 | The A52s 5G's GPU is far more potent, handling more complex graphics, so better for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP (f/1.8) | 50MP (f/1.8) | The A52s 5G offers a higher resolution main camera and superior sensor, likely resulting in sharper images and better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP (f/2.0) | 8MP (f/2.0) | The A52s 5G has a vastly superior front camera for higher quality selfies and video calls. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP (f/2.2) | No | The A52s 5G includes a dedicated wide-angle camera, while the nova Y90 doesn't have one. |
| Depth Sensor | 5MP (f/2.4) | No | The A52s 5G includes a dedicated depth sensor, while the nova Y90 doesn't have one. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP (f/2.4) | No | The A52s 5G includes a dedicated macro lens, while the nova Y90 doesn't have one. |
| Secondary/Tertiary Cameras | No | 2MP (f/2.4) / 2MP (f/2.4) | The nova Y90 includes two dedicated 2MP cameras for depth and macro, while the A52s 5G lacks these. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | 1080p@30fps | The A52s 5G offers higher video resolution and more frame rate options (including 4k 30fps) for higher quality videos, compared to 1080p@30fps |
| Stabilization | EIS, OIS | No | The A52s 5G provides superior video stabilization with both EIS and OIS, while the nova Y90 lacks any form of video stabilization. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | The nova Y90 has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life; however, efficiency will depend on usage and the chipset. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 40W Fast Charging | The nova Y90 supports faster charging, reducing the time spent plugged into an outlet. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 14) | (Unknown) | The A52s 5G is guaranteed to get future updates through Android 14, but not known what the Huawei is currently running or getting upgrades. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | The A52s 5G has Wi-Fi 6 support, enabling faster wireless speeds, lower latency, and better performance on modern networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Both have the same version of Bluetooth, but the A52s 5G has a better feature set on Bluetooth, so will pair more easily with a wider range of devices. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The nova Y90 supports additional navigation systems (QZSS) for slightly improved location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones support dual SIM usage with standby. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB | The A52s 5G offers up to 256GB internal storage (at a higher price point), while the nova Y90 only has 128GB, but is probably not enough. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 4 GB or 6 GB or 8 GB | Both phones offer up to 8GB of RAM for smooth multitasking, but it's possible the A52s will perform better because of a faster processor. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both phones do not have expandable storage, so consider this limitation if you need large amounts of space for music or videos. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos | Basic Features | The A52s 5G has a more advanced audio processing features with Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Sensor | Side-mounted sensor | The nova Y90 has a more convenient side mounted fingerprint reader. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | The A52s 5G offers better screen protection via Corning Gorilla Glass 5. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Proximity | The A52s 5G offers more sensors suitable for advanced features and gaming with the addition of the Gyroscope. |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G:
- Strengths: Superior AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a much more powerful Snapdragon 778G chipset, higher resolution and more versatile cameras with both EIS and OIS video stabilization, superior audio quality with Dolby Atmos, and better screen protection.
- Competitive Advantages: Offers a premium display experience, far better overall performance, and a more capable camera system, along with guaranteed software updates. It's a more complete package for users looking for a higher-end mid-range experience.
- Trade-offs: Slightly smaller battery capacity, slightly less convenient fingerprint sensor (under display), and could be more expensive.
Huawei nova Y90:
- Strengths: Larger battery with faster charging, newer launch date, and side-mounted fingerprint sensor which some people may find easier to use.
- Competitive Advantages: A slightly larger screen, good battery life and fast charging are the primary selling points.
- Trade-offs: Significantly weaker processor, lower resolution cameras with fewer features, an inferior IPS LCD display with lower brightness, and no video stabilization.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G:
- Ideal for: Users who prioritize performance, display quality, and camera versatility. Gamers, social media enthusiasts, and those who consume a lot of media will appreciate this phone. Great for those who use their phone as a primary device for a variety of tasks.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, high-quality video recording, bright outdoor use, and anyone looking for a fluid and responsive experience with a premium display.
Huawei nova Y90:
- Ideal for: Users who prioritize battery life and fast charging over everything else and those who want a larger screen. Budget-conscious buyers and those with basic smartphone needs will appreciate the nova Y90.
- Use Cases: Long days away from a charger, casual browsing, basic photography and videography, and users who prefer simplicity.
4. Buying Decision Framework
To decide between these phones, ask yourself these questions:
- Performance: Do you need a powerful processor for gaming and multitasking, or are basic tasks sufficient?
- Camera: How important is high-quality photography and video recording to you? Do you need features like wide-angle, depth, and macro lenses?
- Display: Do you value vibrant colors, high contrast, and a smooth refresh rate, or is an adequate screen sufficient?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Power User: If you want the most powerful device, with the best display and camera, the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G is the clear choice.
- The Budget-Conscious User: If battery life and fast charging are paramount, and you are on a tight budget the Huawei nova Y90 will work for you, as long as you accept the compromises in other areas.
- The Casual User: If you want a reliable device for day to day tasks and want a decent performance, then the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G is still the better pick because of its better display, camera and faster processor which will make the phone feel much smoother.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would unequivocally go with the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G. While the Huawei nova Y90 has a larger battery and slightly faster charging, the A52s 5G's strengths in display quality, performance, and camera versatility far outweigh its drawbacks. The AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate alone is a massive win for daily use, whether browsing social media, watching videos, or playing games. The Snapdragon 778G chipset also offers a far smoother experience, and with the far better cameras, it becomes the superior phone overall. Even though it's a slightly older device, the A52s 5G offers a much more premium user experience for a similar price point.
