Cubot C30 vs Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G: A Detailed Comparison

The smartphone market is flooded with options, but finding the right balance between price and performance can be challenging. We pit the Cubot C30, a budget-focused device, against the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G, a former mid-range champion, to determine which offers the most compelling package for today's users. This comparison focuses on core performance, camera capabilities, and overall user experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing smooth performance and a refined experience, the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 778G chipset provides a significant performance leap over the Cubot C30’s Helio P60, translating to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. While the C30 offers a lower price point, the A52s 5G’s superior processing power justifies the cost for most.

PHONES
Phone Names Cubot C30 Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2020. Released 20202021, August 17
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, September 01
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back
Dimensions157.1 x 76.4 x 8.5 mm (6.19 x 3.01 x 0.33 in)159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 2.96 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight190 g (6.70 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G72 MP3Adreno 642L
OSAndroid 10Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad48 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", AF 16 MP, (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single-32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
VideoYes4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single32 MP32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
VideoYes4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackUnspecifiedYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual Proximity Sensing
Battery
Charging-25W wired
Type4200 mAhLi-Ion 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, GreenAwesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Purple, Awesome Mint
Models-SM-A528B, SM-A528B/DS, SM-A528N
Price-£ 112.98 / € 249.47
SAR-0.72 W/kg (head)
SAR EU-0.88 W/kg (head)     0.84 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 113h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -27.5 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 429675 (v8), 506432(v9) GeekBench: 11060 (v4.4), 2801 (v5.1) GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Cubot C30

  • Significantly lower price point
  • Functional for basic smartphone tasks
  • 5G connectivity

  • Outdated Helio P60 chipset
  • Likely inferior camera performance
  • Unknown display quality

Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G

  • Powerful Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset
  • Bright and vibrant display (800 nits)
  • Faster 25W charging

  • Higher price compared to Cubot C30
  • Battery life is comparable, not superior
  • May be discontinued in some markets

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 800 nits, compared to the Cubot C30’s unspecified brightness. This higher peak brightness ensures excellent visibility outdoors, a crucial advantage for everyday use. While the A52s 5G’s contrast ratio is listed as 'Infinite (nominal)', suggesting a typical AMOLED panel, the C30’s panel characteristics are unknown. The A52s 5G’s display technology likely offers superior color accuracy and viewing angles, enhancing the overall visual experience.

Camera Comparison

Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but the specifics are limited. The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing expertise and potentially a larger sensor, though sensor size isn't specified. The Cubot C30’s camera system is likely more basic, focusing on affordability over image quality. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a precise comparison, but the A52s 5G is expected to deliver superior image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The presence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the A52s 5G, a common feature in this price range, would further enhance image and video stability.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Cubot C30’s MediaTek Helio P60 (12nm). The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon 778G delivers superior power efficiency and thermal performance, minimizing throttling during sustained workloads. Architecturally, the Snapdragon 778G features a 1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 prime core and 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 performance cores, alongside 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, offering a more modern and powerful configuration than the C30’s 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 and 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 setup. This translates to a noticeable difference in app launch speeds, multitasking responsiveness, and gaming performance.

Battery Life

Both the Cubot C30 and Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G share an endurance rating of 113 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Snapdragon 778G’s superior power efficiency could offset the potential difference in battery capacity (not specified for the C30). The A52s 5G supports 25W wired charging, allowing for faster replenishment compared to the C30’s likely slower charging speed. This faster charging capability provides a more convenient user experience, minimizing downtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the Cubot C30 if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. You're willing to accept compromises in performance and camera quality to save money. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G if you prioritize a responsive user experience, capable camera system, and 5G connectivity, and are willing to spend a bit more for a more polished and future-proof device.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 778G in the Samsung A52s 5G still a capable chipset in 2024?
Absolutely. While newer chipsets have emerged, the Snapdragon 778G remains a very capable performer for everyday tasks, social media, and even moderate gaming. It provides a smooth and responsive experience that many newer budget phones struggle to match.
❓ How does the Helio P60 in the Cubot C30 handle multitasking?
The Helio P60 is an older chipset and will struggle with heavy multitasking. Expect noticeable slowdowns when switching between multiple apps or running demanding applications simultaneously. It's best suited for running one app at a time.
❓ Will the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G receive further software updates?
Samsung typically provides several years of software support for its devices. While the A52s 5G is no longer the latest model, it should continue to receive security updates for the foreseeable future, though major Android version updates may be limited.
❓ Is the camera on the Cubot C30 suitable for casual photography?
The Cubot C30's camera is likely adequate for basic snapshots in good lighting conditions. However, expect limited performance in low-light environments and a lack of advanced features like OIS or sophisticated image processing.