Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The Honor 5X and Blackview A52 are both contenders in the budget phone arena, offering a range of features at accessible price points. But which one delivers the best overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor 5X edges out the Blackview A52 thanks to its significantly longer battery life and generally more refined software experience. While the A52 boasts a slightly newer chipset, the 5X's endurance and established reputation make it the more compelling choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 4, 5, 7, 12, 17 - Canada | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, October. Released 2015, November | 2022, November 22 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, November 25 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 151.3 x 76.3 x 8.2 mm (5.96 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) | 164.2 x 62 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.44 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 158 g (5.57 oz) | 183.6 g (6.49 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~72.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~100.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8939v2 Snapdragon 616 (28 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A1 (22 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 405 | PowerVR GE8322 |
| OS | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), EMUI 4 | Android 12, Doke OS G0 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 16GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP
other unspecified camera |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, 28mm (wide), AF | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, 22mm (wide) | 5 MP |
| Video | - | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Unspecified |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | 5180 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Black, Gold | Polar Night, Vitality Green, Ice Blue |
| Models | KII-L21, KII-L22, KII-L23, KIW-AL10, KIW-CL00, KIW-TL00, KIW-TL00H, KIW-UL00, KIW-L21, KIW-L22, KIW-L24, KII-L05 | - |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 76h
| - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 71dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 70dB
| - |
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 874Basemark X: 5009 | - |
Honor 5X
- Exceptional battery life (76h endurance)
- 1080p display for sharper visuals
- Established brand and software support
- Decent camera for the price
- Older chipset
- Design may feel dated
- Performance not ideal for demanding games
Blackview A52
- Slightly newer chipset (Unisoc SC9863A1)
- Potentially more modern design
- Affordable price
- Likely 720p display
- Shorter battery life
- Software support may be limited
- Less established brand
Display Comparison
Both phones feature relatively basic LCD displays. The Honor 5X has a 5.5-inch 1080p display, offering sharper visuals compared to the Blackview A52's likely 5.5-inch 720p display. Color accuracy and brightness are likely to be average on both.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is often a weak point in budget phones. The Honor 5X typically features a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. The Blackview A52 likely has similar specifications, but image processing and software optimization can vary significantly. Expect decent photos in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance will be limited on both.
Performance
The Blackview A52's Unisoc SC9863A1 chipset, built on a 22nm process, is theoretically more efficient than the Honor 5X's Snapdragon 616 (28nm). However, real-world performance might be similar. The A52's Cortex-A55 cores are newer, but the 5X's octa-core setup is well-established. Expect adequate performance for everyday tasks on both, but demanding games might struggle.
Battery Life
This is where the Honor 5X truly shines. Its endurance rating of 76 hours is exceptional. The Blackview A52's battery capacity is likely around 3000mAh, which is smaller than the 5X's, resulting in significantly shorter battery life.
Buying Guide
The Honor 5X is ideal for users prioritizing battery life and a stable software experience. The Blackview A52 might appeal to those seeking a slightly newer chipset and a more modern design, but be prepared for potential software quirks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Blackview A52 a good phone?
The Blackview A52 is a budget-friendly option, but it has limitations. It's suitable for basic tasks, but don't expect flagship performance or long-term software support.
❓ How does the Honor 5X's battery life compare to other phones?
The Honor 5X's 76-hour endurance rating is exceptional, significantly outperforming many modern smartphones, even those in higher price brackets.
