Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm, 169g | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm, 189g | S21 is smaller & lighter, better for one-handed use & pocketability. A52s is larger and heavier, which may feel more substantial. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.5" | A52s has a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing, S21 is a bit more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness and detail; both are sharp and clear. |
| PPI | 421 | 405 | Both are very similar, negligible difference for most users |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both provide vibrant colors and deep blacks; generally excellent for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, great for gaming and fluid UI experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 800 nits | S21's brighter screen is significantly better for outdoor visibility under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | S21's chipset is faster, leading to quicker app loading, smoother multitasking and superior gaming experience. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 570,752 | S21 has better overall performance by about 31%, which impacts the responsiveness of the phone. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 642L | S21 has a better GPU, translating to better graphics in games and graphically demanding apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4500mAh | A52s offers better battery life due to a larger capacity; could last longer on a single charge for most users. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | 25W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | Both support similar fast charging; however, the S21 also includes 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W, Non-removable | Non-removable | S21 has wireless and reverse wireless charging while A52s does not. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" sensor | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7" sensor | A52s has a higher resolution primary camera, capturing more detail. However, S21’s sensor is larger, which can mean better low light performance. |
| Telephoto+Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" sensor | N/A | S21 has a telephoto camera that is good for portrait photos, while A52s doesn’t have it. |
| Selfie | 10MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.0 | A52s offers higher resolution and slightly brighter aperture which makes it better for selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 12MP, f/2.2 | A52s features a wide-angle lens for capturing more of a scene in photos, lacking on the S21. |
| Portrait Depth | N/A | 5MP, f/2.4 | A52s has a dedicated portrait depth sensor for better bokeh effects. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 5MP, f/2.4 | A52s has a dedicated macro lens for detailed close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor | N/A | S21 includes a dedicated wide-angle macro, which makes it flexible for close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | S21 offers higher video resolution which is helpful for professional-grade content creation, while both offers video stabilization. |
| DxOMark Mobile | 111 | N/A | S21 has been tested for a mobile camera score, but not for A52s. |
| DxOMark Selfie | 132 | N/A | S21 has been tested for a selfie camera score, but not for A52s. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 15) | Android 11 (up to 14) | S21 has one more OS update, which will make it relevant for longer. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Both offer modern Wi-Fi standards for fast internet. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.0 | Similar Bluetooth versions; S21 has a few additional features. |
| GPS | Dual band GPS | Standard GPS | S21 supports more precise location tracking, while both provide accurate location. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both come with similar storage configurations; neither offers expandable storage. |
| RAM | 8GB | 6GB/8GB | S21 has 8GB of RAM, which aids in seamless multitasking, the A52s also has 8GB RAM variant. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phones support external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation Microphone | Dolby Atmos | S21 features enhanced sound with stereo speakers and noise cancellation, while both offer good sound experience with Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer similar biometric security for unlocking the phone. |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | S21 offers superior screen protection against scratches and impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Proximity, Barometer, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint | Ultrasonic proximity virtual, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint | S21 comes with additional sensors, while A52s comes with ultrasonic proximity. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset offers significantly better processing power and graphics, leading to faster performance for gaming and demanding apps.
- Brighter Display: The 1300 nits display provides superior outdoor visibility.
- Better Camera System: Features a telephoto lens, wider angle + macro lens and better video capture capabilities (up to 8K). DxOMark scores are available for the cameras, while the A52s has not been tested.
- Wireless Charging: Supports 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging for added convenience.
- Superior Build Quality: Features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for enhanced screen protection.
- Better Audio: Offers stereo speakers and noise-canceling microphone for better audio experiences.
- More OS Updates: Guaranteed one more OS update than the A52s.
- Additional Sensors: S21 has more environmental sensors including a barometer for advanced usage and gaming.
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G Advantages:
- Larger Display: The 6.5" screen is slightly larger, which could provide a more immersive experience.
- Larger Battery: The 4500mAh battery provides longer battery life.
- Versatile Camera System: Has a quad-camera setup including wide-angle, macro, and depth sensors, while the S21 has telephoto and wide angle + macro lenses.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: The 32MP front camera takes more detailed selfies.
- Newer Device: Launched about 7 months later than the S21.
Trade-offs:
- S21: The smaller battery and less versatile main camera compared to the A52s can be a drawback for some users.
- A52s: The A52s has a less powerful chipset and lower screen brightness, which can be a trade-off for power users and users in sunny conditions. It also does not include wireless charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Individuals who need top-tier processing power for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: Users who often use their phones in bright sunlight will benefit from the brighter display.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize better zoom capabilities, 8k videos and want the flexibility with the ultrawide + macro lens.
- Multimedia Consumers: Those who prioritize better audio quality and more immersion.
- Those who want wireless charging: Users who prioritize convenience.
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G Ideal Users:
- Casual Users: Those who need a dependable phone for daily tasks, social media, and general use.
- Battery Life Prioritizers: Users who prioritize longer battery life over ultimate performance.
- Social Media Enthusiasts: Those who take a lot of selfies or want the flexibility of the ultrawide and macro lens.
- Users with Budget Constraints: Those seeking a well-rounded smartphone that offers good value for the price.
Specific Use Cases:
- S21: High-end mobile gaming, professional photography/videography, outdoor navigation.
- A52s: Extended day-to-day use, social media content creation, casual gaming, capturing a variety of shots due to the quad camera system.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance?
- High Performance: Choose S21 for a faster processor and GPU.
- Adequate Performance: A52s is sufficient for most everyday tasks.
- Do you need superior outdoor visibility and wireless charging?
- Yes: Choose the S21 with its brighter display and wireless charging.
- No: A52s provides a good quality display for indoor use and wired charging.
- How important is battery life?
- Longer Battery Life: A52s offers better battery life for all day use.
- Sufficient Battery Life: S21's battery will likely last most of the day for casual users.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer: Choose the S21 for its more powerful chipset and superior graphics.
- Scenario 2: Frequent Traveler/Photographer: Choose the S21 for better camera versatility with the telephoto lens, enhanced video recording capabilities, and wireless charging.
- Scenario 3: Everyday User on a Budget: The A52s is an excellent choice for its great value, good battery life, larger display and versatile camera options.
- Scenario 4: Bright Sunlight Environments: The S21 is better due to its brighter display.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. While the A52s has a larger battery and a versatile quad-camera setup, the S21's superior performance, brighter display, better audio, superior build quality, wireless charging, and better long-term software support makes it the more compelling option for my needs. As a user who values a smooth experience, superior image quality, and a device that can keep up with more demanding tasks, the S21 offers a better overall package despite having a smaller battery and a bit less camera versatility. The ability to shoot 8k video and having a telephoto lens is also important for me.
