The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G and LG Q52 represent different approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The A53 aims for broader appeal with 5G connectivity and a more modern chipset, while the Q52 focuses on delivering essential features at a lower price point. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is the superior choice. Its significantly more powerful Exynos 1280 chipset, brighter display, and 5G capabilities justify the price premium, offering a smoother and more future-proof experience. However, the LG Q52 remains a viable option for budget-conscious users prioritizing basic functionality.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66 - SM-A536U |
| 5G bands | - | 2, 5, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536U |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 2, 5, 48, 66, 77, 78, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536V |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 26. Released 2020, October 26 | 2022, March 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165 x 76.7 x 8.4 mm (6.50 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.94 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Exynos 1280 (5 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G68 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7X", 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 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (market/region dependent) |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silky White, Silky Red | Black, White, Blue, Peach |
| Models | LM-Q520N | SM-A536B, SM-A536B/DS, SM-A536U, SM-A536U1, SM-A5360, SM-A536E, SM-A536E/DS, SM-A536V, SM-A536W, SM-A536N, SM-S536DL |
| Price | About 240 EUR | $ 151.42 / £ 185.00 / € 169.14 |
| SAR | - | 0.75 W/kg (head) 1.58 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.89 W/kg (head) 1.60 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 113h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.5 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 329802 (v8), 379313 (v9)
GeekBench: 1891 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
LG Q52
- Significantly faster processor (Exynos 1280)
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- Faster 25W charging
- Higher price point
- Potential for software bloat (Samsung's One UI)
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
- More affordable price
- Acceptable battery life
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Slow processor (Helio P35)
- Lower display quality
- No 5G connectivity
- Slower charging speed
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 830 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the LG Q52. This higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. While the Q52’s display specs are limited, the A53’s 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a superior viewing experience with deeper blacks, likely utilizing a Super AMOLED panel. The A53’s larger screen size (assumed, based on market positioning) also contributes to a more immersive experience. The lack of refresh rate information for the Q52 suggests it likely operates at the standard 60Hz, while the A53 is expected to have a 120Hz panel, offering smoother scrolling and animations.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is expected to have a more sophisticated camera system. While specific sensor details are missing for both, Samsung typically employs larger sensors and more advanced image processing algorithms. The A53 likely benefits from features like optical image stabilization (OIS), which is absent on the Q52. The Q52’s inclusion of a 2MP macro camera is largely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit. The A53’s image processing will likely deliver more accurate colors, better dynamic range, and improved low-light performance. The A53’s video recording capabilities are also expected to be superior, potentially including 4K recording.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is powered by the Exynos 1280 (5nm), featuring a combination of 2x 2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 and 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This is a significant leap over the LG Q52’s MediaTek Helio P35 (12nm) with its 4x 2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The 5nm fabrication process of the Exynos 1280 results in greater power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling, allowing for sustained performance during demanding tasks. The A78 cores in the A53 provide a noticeable boost in single-core performance, while the higher core count and more efficient architecture deliver superior multi-core performance. The Q52 will struggle with graphically intensive games and multitasking.
Battery Life
Both phones share an endurance rating of 113 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G’s 25W wired charging capability is a significant advantage over the Q52’s unspecified charging speed. 25W charging allows for a much faster 0-100% charge time, minimizing downtime. While the Q52’s battery may last a similar amount of time on a single charge, the A53’s faster charging provides greater convenience. The Exynos 1280’s 5nm process also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially offsetting the impact of 5G connectivity on battery drain.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG Q52 if you need a functional smartphone for essential tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. You'll appreciate its affordability and acceptable battery life. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G if you prioritize performance for gaming and multitasking, want 5G connectivity for faster data speeds, and value a brighter, more vibrant display for media consumption. The A53 offers a more complete and modern smartphone experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the A53 5G tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 1280 can get warm under heavy load, its 5nm fabrication process and Samsung's thermal management solutions generally prevent significant throttling. Users report acceptable performance even during extended gaming, though sustained peak performance may be limited. The Q52's Helio P35 will likely throttle much more aggressively.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the LG Q52 actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Unfortunately, the 2MP macro camera on the LG Q52 is largely a marketing feature. The low resolution and lack of autofocus result in images that are often blurry and lack detail. It's unlikely to provide a significant improvement over using the main camera in standard photo mode.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G reliably maintain 60fps in demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G can generally maintain 60fps in PUBG Mobile with graphics settings set to medium. However, achieving consistently high frame rates on maximum settings may require reducing the graphics quality. The Exynos 1280 provides sufficient power for a smooth gaming experience, but it's not a flagship-level chipset.
