The smartphone landscape is littered with budget options, but choosing the right one can be tough. Today, we pit the ultra-affordable Blackview A52 against the OnePlus One, a phone that once redefined value. Can the modern A52 challenge a legend?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The OnePlus One, despite its age, still holds a significant edge in performance thanks to its Snapdragon 801. While the Blackview A52 offers a more modern design and potentially better software support, the OnePlus One's raw power and impressive battery life make it the winner for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 3, 4, 7, 17, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, November 22 | 2014, April. Released 2014, June |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, November 25 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 62 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.44 x 0.36 in) | 152.9 x 75.9 x 8.9 mm (6.02 x 2.99 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 183.6 g (6.49 oz) | 162 g (5.71 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~100.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~71.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| | - | CyanogenMod 13
Oxygen 2.1.4 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Quad-core 2.5 GHz Krait 400 |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A1 (22 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8974AC Snapdragon 801 (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8322 | Adreno 330 |
| OS | Android 12, Doke OS G0 3.0 | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP
other unspecified camera | - |
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 13 MP, f/2.0, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 4K(DCI)@24fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR, stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | Yes | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, dual mono speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Unspecified | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | 5180 mAh | Li-Po 3100 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Polar Night, Vitality Green, Ice Blue | Silk White, Sandstone Black |
| Models | - | A0001 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.62 W/kg (head) 0.75 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -94.1dB / Crosstalk -94.3dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 66h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 799 (nominal), 1.961 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 74dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 80dB |
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1230Basemark X: 13129 |
Blackview A52
- Very affordable
- Modern design
- Potentially better software support (though limited)
- Weak performance
- Mediocre camera
- Shorter battery life
- Lower build quality
OnePlus One
- Powerful Snapdragon 801 chipset
- Excellent battery life
- Good camera for its time
- Still relatively fast and responsive
- Older design
- Limited software updates
- May be difficult to find accessories
- Older technology
Display Comparison
Both phones feature displays with a respectable contrast ratio of 799 (nominal) and 1.961 in sunlight. However, the OnePlus One likely has better color accuracy and brightness due to its superior panel technology. The A52's display is likely adequate but not exceptional.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is difficult to definitively assess without detailed testing. However, the OnePlus One's camera was considered good for its time, and likely still outperforms the A52's camera, which is typical for budget phones. Expect better detail and dynamic range from the OnePlus One.
Performance
This is where the OnePlus One truly shines. The Snapdragon 801 is significantly more powerful than the Unisoc SC9863A1. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the OnePlus One. The A52 will handle basic tasks, but struggles with demanding applications.
Battery Life
The OnePlus One boasts an impressive endurance rating of 66 hours, a testament to its efficient hardware and large battery. The Blackview A52's battery life is likely shorter, though specific figures are hard to find. The OnePlus One wins hands down in this category.
Buying Guide
The Blackview A52 is ideal for users prioritizing a very low price point and a modern aesthetic. The OnePlus One is a better choice for those seeking a smoother, faster experience and longer battery life, even if it means dealing with an older device and potentially limited software updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Blackview A52 worth buying in 2024?
Only if your budget is extremely tight and you only need a phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light browsing. Don't expect high performance.
❓ Can I still find software updates for the OnePlus One?
Official updates have ceased, but custom ROMs are available from the community, offering continued functionality and security patches.
