Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G vs ZTE nubia Z50S Pro - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date September 1, 2021 July 27, 2023
Release Year 2021 2023

Physical

Volume 100.87 cm³ 103.8 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.44 "/g 2.98 "/g
Weight 189 g 228 g
Height 159.9 mm 163.9 mm
Width 75.1 mm 76.3 mm
Thickness 8.4 mm 8.3 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Awesome Black
  • Awesome White
  • Awesome Purple
  • Awesome Mint
  • Black
  • Khaki
  • Silver/White

Display

Screen Size 6.5 " 6.8 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1260 x 2800
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 84.9 % 89.3 %
Pixel Density 405 PPI 452 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 800 nits N/A
Peak Brightness N/A 1200 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 106.51 mAh/in² 110.29 mAh/in²
Battery Density 44.61 mAh/cm³ 49.13 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4500 mAh 5100 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
GPU Adreno 642L Adreno 740 (719 MHz)

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 3.1
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 3.1

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 13
Maximum OS Version 14

Comparison Summary

Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G and the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro. I'll break down the specs, analyze their real-world implications, and help you decide which phone fits your needs best.

1. Specifications Breakdown

Here's a detailed table comparing key specs of both phones:

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A52s 5GZTE nubia Z50S ProReal-World Implications
Design
Launch Date2021-09-012023-07-27ZTE is much newer with newer tech
Dimensions159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm163.9 x 76.3 x 8.3 mmA52s is slightly more compact, ZTE is taller & wider
Weight189g228gA52s is noticeably lighter, better for prolonged use
Display
Size6.5"6.8"ZTE offers a slightly larger display
Resolution1080x24001260x2800ZTE has a noticeably sharper, more detailed display
Pixel Density (PPI)405452ZTE screen appears a bit crisper
TechnologyAMOLEDAMOLEDBoth offer vibrant colors, deep blacks
Refresh Rate120Hz120HzSmooth scrolling and animations on both
Brightness800 nits1500 nitsZTE significantly better outdoor visibility in bright light
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 778G (6nm)Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 (4nm)ZTE is vastly more powerful for all tasks
AnTuTu Score570,7521,579,720ZTE loads apps much faster, smoother gaming
GPUAdreno 642LAdreno 740ZTE has significantly superior graphics for gaming
Battery Life
Capacity4500mAh5100mAhZTE should provide longer battery life
Charging25W Fast Charging80W Fast ChargingZTE charges much faster
Camera
Standard Camera64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", Sony IMX68254MP, f/1.6, 1/1.49", Sony IMX800ZTE has larger sensor, wider aperture, better in low light.
Telephoto + PortraitNone8MP, f/2.4, Hynix HI-847ZTE has dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom
Selfie Camera32MP, f/2.016MP, f/2.5, OmniVision OV16A10A52s has higher resolution, wider aperture for selfies
Wide-Angle Lens12MP, f/2.250MP, f/2.0, Omnivision OV50D40ZTE has a higher resolution, wider lens for ultrawide pics
Portrait Mode5MP, f/2.4NoneA52s has dedicated lens to better capture depth in portrait
Macro Lens5MP, f/2.4NoneA52s has dedicated lens for macro photography
Video4K@30fps with EIS8K@30fps, 4K@120fps with EISZTE has higher video capabilities
Camera FeaturesOIS, PDAF, HDROIS, Gimbal, PDAF, RAW, Night ModeZTE offers more advanced modes, such as optical zoom and gimbal
Software
OSAndroid 11 (upgradable to 14)Android 13ZTE has a more recent OS out of the box
Connectivity
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 7ZTE offers faster speeds and lower latency
Bluetooth5.05.3 LEZTE has better energy efficiency and supports superior audio codecs
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GalileoA-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), etc.ZTE more accurate location tracking
SIMDual Nano SIMDual Nano SIMBoth support dual SIM functionality
Storage & RAM
Internal Storage128GB/256GB256GB/1024GBZTE offers more storage, great for large media libraries
RAM6GB/8GB12GB/16GBZTE has significantly higher RAM, better multitasking
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither support microSD cards
Audio
QualityDolby AtmosDTS/DTS X, Stereo SpeakersZTE delivers enhanced surround sound, better for immersion
Security
FeaturesFingerprint sensorFingerprint sensorBoth have a standard fingerprint sensor
Build Quality
Screen ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5UnknownA52s has superior screen protection

2. Key Insights

  • ZTE nubia Z50S Pro Advantages:

    • Raw Power: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 chipset provides significantly higher processing power and graphics capabilities.
    • Display Excellence: Higher resolution and brightness for superior visual clarity, especially outdoors.
    • Advanced Camera System: Larger sensors, wider apertures, a telephoto lens, plus 8K video recording make the ZTE more capable for photography.
    • Battery and Charging: Larger battery capacity combined with dramatically faster charging makes the ZTE better for heavy use and shorter down-time.
    • Newer Software & Connectivity: Ships with Android 13 and Wi-Fi 7 for modern experience.
    • Storage: Much larger internal storage options, up to 1TB.
  • Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G Advantages:

    • Compact Build: Lighter and more compact, which some users may prefer for ergonomics.
    • Screen Protection: Features Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for scratch resistance.
    • Selfie Camera: Higher resolution selfie camera for better quality pictures
    • Macro Lens and Depth Sensor: Dedicated lenses for these features, while ZTE lacks those features
      • Price Point: likely to be more budget-friendly.
  • Trade-offs:

    • The ZTE is larger and heavier, making it less comfortable for one-handed use and carrying around.
    • While the A52s has a capable camera, it doesn’t match the ZTE’s versatility or low-light performance.
    • The A52s has inferior performance and battery compared to the ZTE.

3. User Profiles and Recommendations

  • Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G:

    • Ideal for: Users who prefer a lighter, more compact device and prioritize a balanced smartphone with a solid camera and display.
    • Use Cases: Daily use, social media, casual photography, streaming video, and light gaming.
    • Price-to-Value: Offers excellent value for a mid-range phone in the used market.
  • ZTE nubia Z50S Pro:

    • Ideal for: Power users, mobile gamers, photographers, and anyone who wants the best performance and cutting-edge features.
    • Use Cases: High-end gaming, professional-grade photography, video editing, heavy multitasking, and users who consume a lot of media.
    • Price-to-Value: Priced higher, but justified by the advanced features and performance offered.

4. Buying Decision Framework

Here are three questions to guide your decision:

  1. Performance Needs:

    • Do you need the absolute best performance for demanding games and apps, or will a mid-range experience suffice?
      • If you crave the fastest speeds and best graphics, ZTE is the clear choice.
      • If performance is not a top priority, the A52s is a viable option.
  2. Display and Camera Priorities:

    • Is a high-resolution display with exceptional outdoor visibility crucial for you?
      • If the answer is yes, the ZTE’s screen shines.
    • Do you need a versatile camera system with a telephoto lens and high video quality, or do you need a better selfie and macro lens?
      • If you are a photography enthusiast, the ZTE's advanced setup will give you greater creative flexibility and performance.
      • If you care about selfie and macro shots, the A52s will better serve your needs.
  3. Form Factor and Battery:

    • Do you prefer a lighter, more compact design, or are you willing to handle a larger device for better performance?
      • If ergonomics and weight are crucial, the A52s wins.
    • Do you value extended battery life and fast charging above all else?
      • Then the ZTE's bigger battery and faster charging will be more useful.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Budget Conscious User: If price is the biggest factor and performance is not a high priority, and you like to take selfies or macro shots, the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G will serve you well, especially now that it's an older model that can be found at a good discount.
  • Mobile Gamer/Power User: If you need the best in gaming, app loading, and the most versatile cameras, the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro will offer the best performance and modern features.
  • Casual Photographer/Media Consumer: If you take photos and videos only every so often and don't need cutting-edge features, and want a lighter phone, the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G will give you solid camera performance and allow you to consume media comfortably.
  • Outdoor Enthusiast: If you work outdoors or frequently find yourself in bright sunlight, the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro display is significantly brighter and has much better visibility.

My Choice

Personally, I would choose the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro. My needs lean towards the highest performance possible and I prefer a top-tier camera system, and I value the much faster charging and better battery life. While the A52s is a good, more affordable phone, the Z50S Pro offers much more than it. As someone who uses my phone for heavy multitasking, occasional gaming, and photography, the difference in performance between the two is massive and justified the higher price tag. Plus, the screen quality and video capabilities of the Z50S Pro make a world of difference in daily use.

Alex Griffin
Alex Griffin

Technology analyst specializing in mobile devices and consumer electronics.

Core Expertise

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Consumer electronics evaluation
  • Technical specification interpretation
  • User experience insights

Professional Mission Empowering readers to make informed technology decisions by transforming intricate specifications into understandable, practical guidance.

Demystifying technology, one device at a time.