The Oppo A93 5G and Samsung Galaxy A52 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price point, they diverge significantly in their internal hardware and feature sets, creating distinct user experiences. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 750G chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the A93 5G’s Snapdragon 480, coupled with a brighter, higher-quality display and faster 25W charging. While battery endurance is identical, the A52 5G’s overall refinement justifies the price difference.
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, January 14 | 2021, March 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, January 20 | Available. Released 2021, March 19 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 162.9 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm (6.41 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~407 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 101.0 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (HBM) |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 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 |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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 |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 25W wired, 50% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Aurora | Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Violet, Awesome Blue |
| Models | PCGM00, PEHM00, PEHT00 | SM-A526B, SM-A526B/DS, SM-A5260, SM-A526W, SM-A526U, SM-A526U1 |
| Price | About 260 EUR | $ 137.39 / £ 280.00 / € 115.49 |
| SAR | - | 0.74 W/kg (head) 0.53 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.05 W/kg (head) 1.42 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 111h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.5 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 334981 (v8), 386474 (v9)
GeekBench: 1820 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Oppo A93 5G
- Lower price point makes it accessible.
- 5G connectivity for future-proofing.
- Decent battery endurance.
- Significantly weaker processor performance.
- Likely lower-quality display.
- Slower charging speeds.
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
- Faster and more capable Snapdragon 750G.
- Brighter and higher-quality display.
- Faster 25W charging.
- Higher price compared to the Oppo A93 5G.
- Similar battery endurance to the A93 5G.
- May be slightly larger and heavier.
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 787 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Oppo A93 5G. This higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays feature an 'infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, the A52 5G’s superior brightness and likely better color calibration provide a more immersive viewing experience. The A93 5G’s display specifications are less detailed, suggesting a potentially lower-quality panel.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for both. However, the A52 5G’s positioning suggests a more sophisticated camera system. While both likely feature multiple lenses, the A52 5G benefits from Samsung’s image processing expertise, potentially delivering more accurate colors and better dynamic range. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) in the A52 5G (likely on the main sensor) is a significant advantage, reducing blur in low-light conditions and improving video stability. The A93 5G’s camera is likely more focused on basic functionality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Oppo A93 5G utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G (8nm), while the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G features the Snapdragon 750G 5G (8nm). The 750G, with its Kryo 570 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz, offers a clear advantage over the 480’s 2.0 GHz Kryo 460 cores. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. Both utilize an octa-core configuration (2x performance cores + 6x efficiency cores), but the architectural improvements in the 750G are substantial. The A52 5G will handle graphically demanding games with greater ease.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both the Oppo A93 5G and Samsung Galaxy A52 5G achieve an identical endurance rating of 111 hours. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The A52 5G supports 25W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 30 minutes, while the A93 5G is limited to 18W. This faster charging capability on the A52 5G is a practical benefit, reducing the time spent tethered to a power outlet. While both offer comparable battery life, the A52 5G’s charging speed provides a more convenient user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A93 5G if your primary concern is minimizing cost and you prioritize basic 5G connectivity for light tasks like browsing and social media. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G if you value smoother performance for gaming and multitasking, a more vibrant display for media consumption, and faster charging speeds to minimize downtime. The A52 5G is the better all-rounder.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 480 5G in the Oppo A93 5G sufficient for playing demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Snapdragon 480 5G can run PUBG Mobile, you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The Snapdragon 750G in the A52 5G offers a much more comfortable gaming experience with higher settings and more consistent performance.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G experience thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 750G is generally efficient, and the A52 5G’s design incorporates thermal management features. While some throttling may occur during prolonged, intensive gaming, it’s less likely to be severe compared to devices with less efficient chipsets. User reports suggest manageable temperatures.
❓ How does the 25W charging on the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G compare to the 18W charging on the Oppo A93 5G in real-world usage?
The A52 5G’s 25W charging significantly reduces charging time. Samsung claims 50% charge in 30 minutes, while the A93 5G will take considerably longer to reach the same level. This difference is noticeable for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
❓ Are there any significant software differences between Oppo's ColorOS and Samsung's One UI on these devices?
Yes. Samsung’s One UI is generally considered to offer a cleaner, more polished software experience with more frequent updates. Oppo’s ColorOS, while feature-rich, can sometimes feel cluttered and includes more pre-installed bloatware. This is a subjective preference, but One UI is often favored by users seeking a streamlined experience.