The Oppo Reno5 F and Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a 5G experience without breaking the bank, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving that goal, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dives deep into the specifications and real-world implications to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the Reno5 F’s Helio P95, translating to smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a better gaming experience. While the Reno5 F offers 30W charging, the A52s 5G’s superior processing power makes it the more well-rounded choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 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 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 17 | 2021, August 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 17 | Available. Released 2021, September 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 160.1 x 73.2 x 7.8 mm (6.30 x 2.88 x 0.31 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 | 172 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 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 800 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6779V Helio P95 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GM9446 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 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 |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.4, 24mm (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.4, 24mm (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| 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 | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual Proximity Sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4310 mAh | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Fluid Black, Fantastic Purple | Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Purple, Awesome Mint |
| Models | CPH2217 | SM-A528B, SM-A528B/DS, SM-A528N |
| Price | About 250 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 Reno5 F
- Faster 30W wired charging
- Potentially more stylish design (subjective)
- May be more affordable depending on region
- Significantly weaker processor (Helio P95)
- Less efficient chipset (12nm process)
- Likely lower gaming performance
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
- Much more powerful Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset
- Superior thermal efficiency (6nm process)
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Better long-term performance and software support
- Slightly slower 25W charging
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 800 nits, compared to the Reno5 F’s unspecified brightness. This higher peak brightness ensures better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays feature an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for AMOLED panels), the A52s 5G’s superior brightness is a tangible advantage. Details regarding the Reno5 F’s panel technology (e.g., PWM dimming rate) are missing, making it difficult to assess its suitability for users sensitive to flicker.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but specifics are limited. Without detailed sensor size information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Snapdragon 778G’s image signal processor (ISP) is generally more advanced than the Helio P95’s, potentially leading to better image processing, especially in low-light conditions. The Reno5 F’s camera system likely focuses on software enhancements to compensate for the less powerful chipset. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device is unknown, but would be a significant advantage for video recording.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Oppo Reno5 F’s MediaTek Helio P95 (12nm). The Snapdragon 778G utilizes a more modern CPU architecture – a 1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 prime core alongside 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55 cores – compared to the Reno5 F’s 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 configuration. The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon 778G also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained workloads. This translates to a noticeably smoother experience in demanding tasks and games.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 113 hours, suggesting comparable battery life despite the Reno5 F’s 30W charging versus the A52s 5G’s 25W. This indicates that the more efficient Snapdragon 778G chipset offsets the slightly slower charging speed. While the Reno5 F can theoretically charge faster, the A52s 5G’s overall power efficiency likely results in similar real-world usage times. A full 0-100% charge on the Reno5 F will be quicker, but the A52s 5G will likely maintain performance for longer during intensive tasks.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo Reno5 F if you prioritize fast charging and a sleek design, and your usage primarily revolves around social media, light browsing, and casual photography. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G if you demand a more responsive user experience, enjoy mobile gaming, and value a more powerful processor for demanding applications. The A52s 5G is the better long-term investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 778G in the A52s 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 778G is known for its excellent thermal efficiency thanks to its 6nm process. While some heat generation is inevitable during intensive gaming, the A52s 5G is less prone to significant throttling compared to devices with less efficient chipsets like the Helio P95 in the Reno5 F. Samsung’s thermal management system also plays a role in mitigating heat buildup.
❓ Is the 30W charging on the Reno5 F a significant advantage over the A52s 5G’s 25W charging?
While 30W is faster on paper, the difference in charging times isn’t massive. The Reno5 F will likely charge slightly quicker, but the A52s 5G’s more efficient processor means it won’t need to be charged as frequently. The convenience of slightly faster charging is outweighed by the A52s 5G’s superior performance and battery efficiency.
❓ Can the Oppo Reno5 F handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high settings?
The Helio P95 in the Reno5 F can run PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to compromise on graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. Expect noticeable frame drops and stuttering at higher settings. The A52s 5G, with its Snapdragon 778G, will provide a much smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience at higher settings.