Oppo K9 vs Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range 5G Performance

The mid-range 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Oppo K9 and Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G represent compelling options. The K9 aggressively targets charging speed and raw processing power, while the A52s 5G focuses on a balanced experience with a proven track record for battery life and display quality. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and a well-rounded experience, the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G emerges as the winner. While the Oppo K9 boasts significantly faster charging, the A52s 5G’s Snapdragon 778G offers a more efficient architecture and comparable battery endurance, making it a more reliable daily driver.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo K9 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, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x -
Launch
Announced2021, May 062021, August 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, May 11Available. Released 2021, September 01
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back
Dimensions159.1 x 73.4 x 7.9 mm (6.26 x 2.89 x 0.31 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
Weight172 g (6.07 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 (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 90Hz, 430 nits (typ), 750 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.8 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7250-AC Snapdragon 768G 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 620Adreno 642L
OSAndroid 11, ColorOS 11.1Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-64 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
Single32 MP, f/2.4, (wide)32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple64 MP, f/1.7, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single32 MP, f/2.4, (wide)32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, 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, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual Proximity Sensing
Battery
Charging65W wired, 100% in 35 min25W wired
TypeLi-Po 4300 mAhLi-Ion 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, AuroraAwesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Purple, Awesome Mint
ModelsPEXM00SM-A528B, SM-A528B/DS, SM-A528N
PriceAbout 260 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)

Oppo K9

  • Blazing-fast 65W charging (35 minutes to 100%)
  • Potentially higher peak CPU performance with Snapdragon 768G
  • Competitive price point (likely)

  • Less efficient 7nm process compared to the A52s 5G’s 6nm
  • Unknown display specifications
  • Camera details are missing

Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G

  • More efficient Snapdragon 778G (6nm) for sustained performance
  • Brighter and more vibrant Super AMOLED display (800 nits)
  • Proven battery endurance (113h)

  • Slower 25W charging
  • May be slightly more expensive
  • Potential for software bloat (Samsung's One UI)

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G holds a clear advantage in display quality, boasting a measured peak brightness of 800 nits. While the Oppo K9’s display specifications are not provided, Samsung’s Super AMOLED panel delivers vibrant colors and excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. The A52s 5G’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) further enhances visual fidelity. Without knowing the K9’s panel type or brightness, it’s difficult to compete with Samsung’s established display technology.

Camera Comparison

Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for the Oppo K9. The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing expertise. Without knowing the K9’s main sensor size or aperture, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. It’s reasonable to assume the A52s 5G’s camera system is more refined, offering better dynamic range and low-light performance. The inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the A52s 5G is also a significant advantage for video recording.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Oppo K9 utilizes the Snapdragon 768G (7nm) while the A52s 5G features the Snapdragon 778G (6nm). The 778G’s 6nm process node is more efficient, translating to better thermal management and sustained performance under load. While the K9’s Kryo 475 Prime core clocks slightly higher at 2.8GHz versus the A52s’ 2.4GHz Cortex-A78, the 778G’s architecture – including its three Cortex-A78 cores – provides a more balanced and consistently powerful experience. The A52s 5G is likely to exhibit less throttling during extended gaming sessions.

Battery Life

Both phones achieve an impressive endurance rating of 113 hours, indicating similar real-world battery life despite differing battery capacities (not specified for the K9). However, the Oppo K9’s 65W wired charging is a game-changer, achieving a full charge in just 35 minutes. The A52s 5G’s 25W charging is considerably slower. This means the K9 can quickly top up its battery, mitigating any potential concerns about battery life, while the A52s 5G relies on its efficient chipset and battery optimization to maintain longevity.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo K9 if you absolutely need the fastest possible charging speeds and prioritize peak CPU performance for short bursts, like demanding app launches or quick gaming sessions. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G if you value a more balanced experience with a proven chipset, excellent display brightness, and long-term battery reliability, making it ideal for content consumption and everyday tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 768G in the Oppo K9 throttle under heavy gaming loads?
The Snapdragon 768G is a capable chipset, but its 7nm process is less efficient than the 6nm Snapdragon 778G in the A52s 5G. This means the K9 is more likely to experience thermal throttling during prolonged gaming sessions, potentially leading to reduced frame rates.
❓ How does the 25W charging on the Samsung A52s 5G compare to the Oppo K9's 65W in real-world usage?
While 25W is slower, the A52s 5G’s efficient chipset and battery optimization mean you won’t be constantly scrambling for a charger. The K9’s 65W is ideal for quick top-ups, but the A52s 5G provides a more relaxed charging experience.
❓ Is the Samsung A52s 5G's camera significantly better than the Oppo K9's?
Without detailed camera specs for the K9, it's difficult to say definitively. However, Samsung's image processing algorithms are generally well-regarded, and the A52s 5G likely benefits from a larger main sensor and OIS, resulting in better image quality, especially in low light.