Okay, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G and the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra. It's like pitting a seasoned middleweight champ against a newly crowned contender. One’s a known quantity, the other’s a burst of fresh energy. Let's break down what each offers and what it means for you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-09-01 | 2024-05-15 | Motorola is significantly newer, benefiting from newer tech. |
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | 161.1 × 72.4 × 8.6 mm | Motorola is slightly taller and narrower, while the A52s is wider, affecting one-handed feel. |
| Weight | 189g | 197g | A52s is lighter, which may be noticeable during prolonged use. |
| Build Quality | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass Victus | Motorola offers superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Motorola has a slightly larger display for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1220x2712 | Motorola's display is sharper with much more detail. |
| PPI | 405 | 446 | Motorola offers a crisper display for sharper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; minimal real-world difference. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Motorola provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 2500 nits | Motorola has dramatically better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) | Motorola’s chipset offers a major performance leap over the A52s. |
| AnTuTu Score | 570,752 | 1,523,879 | Motorola delivers much faster app loading, multitasking and gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 735 | Motorola has a more powerful GPU, making it better for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP (f/1.8, 1/1.7") | 50MP (f/1.6, 1/1.3") | Motorola has a larger sensor and wider aperture, likely resulting in better low-light and dynamic range, despite lower resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP (f/2.0) | 50MP (f/1.9, 1/2.76") | Motorola has a much higher resolution front camera with a wider aperture for better selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP (f/2.4, 1/2") | Motorola has a telephoto lens for enhanced zoom capabilities; A52s has none |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP (f/2.2) | 50MP (f/2.0, 1/2.76") | Motorola has a higher resolution wide angle camera with a wider aperture for better quality. |
| Depth Camera | 5MP (f/2.4) | None | A52s has a depth camera, Motorola does not |
| Macro Camera | 5MP (f/2.4) | None | A52s has a macro camera, Motorola does not |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps; 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps; up to 1080p@960fps | Motorola offers much higher slow motion options and has HDR video recording features. |
| Camera Features | Quad, OIS, PDAF, basic | Triple, OIS, PDAF, manual, RAW, night mode, better video. | Motorola offers more advanced photo and video features. |
| DXOMark Score | N/A | 146 overall (150 photo, 134 video) | Motorola's camera is highly rated, especially in photo quality. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Both have the same battery capacity, so similar endurance. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 125W fast charging | Motorola has dramatically faster charging; a huge convenience improvement. |
| Wireless Charging | No | 50W wireless + 10W reverse | Motorola offers extremely fast wireless charging with reverse wireless charging; A52s has none. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 14) | Android 14 (up to 17) | Motorola offers a newer Android version with more future updates. |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | Motorola supports a newer WiFi standard for faster speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 LE | Motorola has the newer Bluetooth version with better energy efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo, NavIC | Motorola supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Motorola supports eSIM and nano sim, A52s supports dual nano sim. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 512/1024 GB | Motorola has far more storage capacity. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 12/16 GB | Motorola has significantly more RAM for heavy multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports storage expansion |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Motorola boasts enhanced audio features with stereo speakers and better audio capture. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both devices offer a standard fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Samsung features an ultrasonic proximity sensor while Motorola has a standard proximity sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra's Dominance: The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is a powerhouse, winning in almost every category. It offers a much faster processor, a significantly brighter and sharper display, advanced camera features, much faster charging, wireless charging, a newer OS, more storage and RAM, and newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards. It's simply a newer, more advanced phone.
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G's Strengths: The A52s, while not as technically advanced as the Motorola, still holds up well as a solid mid-range device, particularly if you value a familiar ecosystem and have specific features like a depth and macro camera. The ultrasonic proximity sensor is also not present in the Edge 50 Ultra. It is also lighter and wider.
User Experience: The Edge 50 Ultra feels like a true flagship device thanks to its fluid performance and vibrant screen, making everyday tasks a breeze and even demanding games enjoyable. The Galaxy A52s is adequate for average use but will show its age in resource-intensive tasks.
Trade-Offs: The A52s is an older mid-range phone, the big advantage is in its price tag, likely being much cheaper than the Edge 50 Ultra. If the budget is a primary concern the A52s will be the best option. Otherwise, the Edge 50 Ultra simply offers a superior experience.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra: Ideal for tech enthusiasts, gamers, and users who demand top-tier performance, excellent camera quality, and fast charging. This phone is for those who value a premium experience, willing to pay the price for a truly cutting-edge device.
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G: This phone is best for budget-conscious users who are comfortable with a well-rounded mid-range device, especially if they are familiar with Samsung's ecosystem or value its inclusion of depth and macro cameras. It suits those who prefer a more classic device and may have limited needs and expectations of a smartphone.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
- What is your budget? If cost is a major limiting factor, the Galaxy A52s is likely more attainable, but at the expense of performance and future-proofing.
- How important is performance and speed? If you want a seamless experience with minimal lag, especially for gaming or heavy multitasking, the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is the clear winner.
- What are your primary use cases? For social media, emails, calls, and casual photography, the Galaxy A52s may suffice. However, if you need a top-tier camera, a vibrant display, and want to leverage the newest technologies, the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is the superior choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- The Casual User: If you primarily use your phone for basic tasks and want to save money, the Samsung Galaxy A52s may still be an adequate option.
- The Mobile Gamer: The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is the obvious choice with its powerful chipset, enhanced GPU, high refresh rate display, and fast charging.
- The Photography Enthusiast: The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra, with its bigger sensor, more advanced features, and superior video recording will give you the best picture quality and shooting experience.
- The Tech Fanatic: The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is the clear winner, offering the latest and greatest in mobile technology.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I'd go for the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra, hands down. It's the clear winner in almost every aspect. As someone who appreciates the cutting-edge and expects high performance for my daily tasks, and occasional gaming, the Edge 50 Ultra has the superior display, camera capabilities, and blazing-fast processing power. The fast charging and wireless charging capabilities are also a huge plus, which are not present in the A52s.
The extra cost is a worthwhile investment for the difference in quality and experience. The A52s is a good device, but it cannot compete with the improvements of the Motorola. For me, it is worth it to spend extra for the flagship experience.
