Huawei Nova 8 SE 4G vs Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G: A Detailed Comparison

The Huawei Nova 8 SE 4G and Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G represent compelling options in the competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a balanced experience, they take distinctly different approaches – Huawei prioritizing charging speed, and Samsung focusing on 5G connectivity and a more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 778G chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the Kirin 710A, offering smoother multitasking and a better gaming experience. While the Nova 8 SE boasts incredibly fast 66W charging, the A52s’ overall package is more well-rounded.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 8 SE 4G Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 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 / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 -
Launch
Announced2021, November 262021, August 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, November 26Available. Released 2021, September 01
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back
Dimensions161.5 x 74.8 x 7.5 mm (6.36 x 2.94 x 0.30 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
Weight180 g (6.35 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLEDSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetKirin 710A (14 nm)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G51 MP4Adreno 642L
OSHarmonyOS 2.0Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, Panorama, HDRLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 17mm (ultrawide) 2 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
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual Proximity Sensing
Battery
Charging66W wired25W wired
TypeLi-Po 3800 mAhLi-Ion 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, Aurora, SilverAwesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Purple, Awesome Mint
ModelsJSC-AL50SM-A528B, SM-A528B/DS, SM-A528N
PriceAbout 290 EUR£ 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)

Huawei nova 8 SE 4G

  • Blazing-fast 66W wired charging
  • Potentially more vibrant color science (Huawei style)
  • Competitive price point

  • Older, less powerful Kirin 710A chipset
  • Lacks 5G connectivity
  • Display brightness likely lower than A52s

Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G

  • Significantly more powerful Snapdragon 778G chipset
  • 5G connectivity for future-proofing
  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility

  • Slower 25W wired charging
  • May be slightly more expensive
  • Samsung’s One UI can be resource intensive

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 800 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Nova 8 SE. This translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels (based on market segment), the A52s’ higher brightness and 'Infinite' contrast ratio suggest a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience. The lack of refresh rate information for the Nova 8 SE puts it at a disadvantage, as the A52s likely offers a smoother 120Hz panel.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but specifics are limited. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the market positioning suggests the A52s likely has a more sophisticated camera system. Samsung typically prioritizes image processing and offers features like Single Take and Director’s View. The Nova 8 SE may focus on a more saturated, visually appealing aesthetic, common in Huawei’s image processing. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the Nova 8 SE is likely a marketing feature with limited real-world utility.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G’s Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G (6nm) is a significant leap ahead of the Huawei Nova 8 SE 4G’s Kirin 710A (14nm). The Snapdragon 778G features a more modern CPU architecture – a 1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 prime core alongside 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 cores, versus the Nova 8 SE’s 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 and 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 configuration. The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon also provides superior power efficiency and thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained workloads. This means the A52s will handle demanding games and applications with greater ease.

Battery Life

Both devices share an endurance rating of 113 hours, suggesting comparable battery life despite the difference in charging speeds. However, the Huawei Nova 8 SE 4G’s 66W wired charging is a game-changer. This allows for a full charge in approximately 35-40 minutes, while the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G’s 25W charging takes considerably longer. This difference is crucial for users who prioritize minimizing downtime and need a quick power boost.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Nova 8 SE 4G if you absolutely prioritize charging speed and frequently find yourself needing to top up your phone quickly. It’s a good option for users who don’t heavily rely on demanding apps or games. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G if you value performance, 5G connectivity, and a more future-proofed experience. It’s ideal for gamers, multitaskers, and those who want a phone that will remain responsive for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 710A struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Kirin 710A is likely to struggle with graphically intensive games at higher settings. You’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings and frame rate to achieve a playable experience. The Snapdragon 778G in the A52s 5G offers a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is the 66W charging on the Nova 8 SE compared to the 25W charging on the A52s 5G?
The Nova 8 SE can charge from 0-100% in approximately 35-40 minutes, while the A52s 5G takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours. This is a substantial difference, making the Nova 8 SE ideal for users who need a quick top-up.
❓ Is the lack of 5G on the Nova 8 SE a significant drawback?
It depends on your location and carrier. If 5G is widely available in your area and you have a 5G data plan, the A52s 5G offers a future-proofed experience. However, if 5G is not yet available or you don’t anticipate needing it, the Nova 8 SE’s 4G connectivity is sufficient.