Motorola Edge 20 Lite vs Samsung Galaxy M52 5G: A Detailed Comparison

The Motorola Edge 20 Lite and Samsung Galaxy M52 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a balanced experience, they diverge significantly in their core hardware, particularly in chipset choice. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best overall package for various user needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Samsung Galaxy M52 5G emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 778G chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Motorola Edge 20 Lite’s Dimensity 720, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. While charging is slightly slower, the brighter display and comparable battery life make it a more well-rounded device.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Edge 20 Lite Samsung Galaxy M52 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, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 66 SA/NSA/Sub6SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2021, July 292021, September 24
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, August 16Available. Released 2021, October 03
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions165.9 x 76 x 8.3 mm (6.53 x 2.99 x 0.33 in)164.2 x 76.4 x 7.4 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.29 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight185 g (6.53 oz)173 g (6.10 oz)
 Water-repellent design-
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~86.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 90Hz, HDR10+Super AMOLED Plus, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC3Adreno 642L
OSAndroid 11, planned upgrade to Android 13Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Single-32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide)
Triple108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm Auxiliary lens64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7um, PDAF 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single32 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 0.7µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioFM radioUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging30W wired25W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsElectric Graphite, Lagoon GreenIcy Blue, Blazing Black, White
ModelsXT2139-1SM-M526BR, SM-M526BR/DS, SM-M526B, SM-M526B/DS
PriceAbout 160 EURAbout 300 EUR
SAR EU-0.79 W/kg (head)     1.40 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 123h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -30.0 LUFS (Average)
Performance- AnTuTu: 504424 (v9) GeekBench: 2796 (v5.1) GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Motorola Edge 20 Lite

  • Potentially faster charging (30W)
  • Lower price point (likely)
  • Clean Android experience (typical of Motorola)

  • Inferior chipset performance (Dimensity 720)
  • Likely lower display brightness
  • Less future-proof

Samsung Galaxy M52 5G

  • Superior chipset performance (Snapdragon 778G)
  • Brighter display (777 nits)
  • More efficient processor (6nm node)

  • Slower charging (25W)
  • Samsung’s One UI can be resource intensive
  • Potentially higher price

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy M52 5G boasts a significant advantage in display quality, achieving a measured peak brightness of 777 nits. This is crucial for outdoor visibility, a scenario where the Motorola Edge 20 Lite’s display specifications are not provided, suggesting it will likely fall short. While the M52 5G’s contrast ratio is listed as ‘Infinite (nominal)’ – a common marketing term – the higher peak brightness alone makes it the superior choice for media consumption and general usability. The lack of information regarding the Edge 20 Lite’s panel type (AMOLED vs LCD) further solidifies the M52 5G’s lead.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. However, given Samsung’s generally strong image processing algorithms and the M52 5G’s positioning, it’s reasonable to expect a more refined camera experience. The absence of sensor size or aperture information makes a direct comparison difficult, but Samsung’s history suggests a focus on delivering consistent image quality across various lighting conditions. The Edge 20 Lite’s camera performance is likely adequate for casual use, but the M52 5G is expected to offer more versatility and detail.

Performance

The core difference between these two phones lies in their chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy M52 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Motorola Edge 20 Lite’s MediaTek Dimensity 720 (7nm). The Snapdragon 778G features a more powerful CPU configuration – a 1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 prime core alongside 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 cores, compared to the Edge 20 Lite’s 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 setup. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive gaming experience. The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon 778G also contributes to better thermal efficiency, minimizing throttling during sustained workloads.

Battery Life

Interestingly, both the Motorola Edge 20 Lite and Samsung Galaxy M52 5G share an endurance rating of 123 hours, suggesting comparable real-world battery life despite differing charging speeds. The M52 5G supports 25W wired charging, while the Edge 20 Lite offers 30W. While the Edge 20 Lite *should* theoretically charge faster, the difference is likely minimal in practical use, and the comparable endurance ratings indicate efficient power management on both sides. The Snapdragon 778G’s 6nm process may contribute to slightly better efficiency, offsetting the slower charging speed.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Edge 20 Lite if you prioritize a lower price point and are a casual smartphone user who primarily focuses on everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light photography. Buy the Samsung Galaxy M52 5G if you value performance for gaming and demanding applications, appreciate a brighter and more vibrant display, and want a phone that will feel more future-proof thanks to its superior chipset.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 778G in the Galaxy M52 5G handle demanding games like Genshin Impact at high settings?
Yes, the Snapdragon 778G is a capable chipset for gaming. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it can comfortably run Genshin Impact at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. The 6nm process also helps to mitigate thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Does the Motorola Edge 20 Lite support carrier aggregation for faster 5G speeds?
While the specifications don't explicitly state carrier aggregation support for the Edge 20 Lite, it's likely to have limited support given the Dimensity 720's capabilities. The Samsung Galaxy M52 5G, with its Snapdragon 778G, is more likely to support a wider range of 5G bands and carrier aggregation features, resulting in potentially faster and more reliable 5G connectivity.
❓ How significant is the difference in charging speed between 25W and 30W?
The difference between 25W and 30W charging is typically around 15-20 minutes for a full charge, but this can vary depending on battery temperature and other factors. In real-world usage, the difference is often negligible, especially considering both phones have comparable battery capacities and endurance ratings.