The mid-range 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Oppo Reno5 Z and Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G represent compelling options. The Reno5 Z, with its Mediatek Dimensity 800U, aims for a balance of features and affordability. The A52s 5G, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G, targets a more performance-focused user. This comparison dives deep into their differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 778G chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, delivers noticeably better performance and sustained gaming capabilities compared to the Reno5 Z’s Dimensity 800U. While charging is slightly slower, the overall experience is more refined.
| 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, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 04 | 2021, August 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 04 | Available. Released 2021, September 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 160.1 x 73.4 x 7.8 mm (6.30 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) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 173 g (6.10 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 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 800 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 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) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | 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, 25mm (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 | 16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 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 | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | 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, Cosmo Blue | Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Purple, Awesome Mint |
| Models | CPH2211 | SM-A528B, SM-A528B/DS, SM-A528N |
| Price | About 330 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 Z
- Faster 30W wired charging
- Potentially more stylish design (subjective)
- Competitive price point
- Less powerful chipset (Dimensity 800U)
- Likely lower peak display brightness
- Potentially less refined camera processing
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
- More powerful Snapdragon 778G chipset
- Brighter 800 nit display
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Slower 25W wired charging
- May be slightly more expensive
- Samsung’s One UI can be polarizing
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G boasts a significant advantage with its measured peak brightness of 800 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While both phones likely utilize AMOLED panels (though not explicitly stated for the Reno5 Z), the A52s 5G’s higher brightness and 'Infinite' contrast ratio suggest a more visually immersive experience. The Reno5 Z’s display specs are less defined, leaving room for potential compromises in color accuracy and outdoor readability. The lack of LTPO technology on either device means refresh rate scaling isn't as efficient as on flagship models.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are marketed with capable camera systems, but specifics are limited. The A52s 5G likely benefits from Samsung’s refined image processing algorithms. Without detailed sensor size information, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. However, Samsung’s history of incorporating Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) in its A-series phones suggests a potential advantage in low-light photography and video stabilization. The Reno5 Z’s camera performance will likely be good for social media sharing, but may struggle in challenging lighting conditions compared to the A52s 5G.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G’s Snapdragon 778G (6nm) features a more modern CPU architecture – a 1x Cortex-A78 prime core – compared to the Oppo Reno5 Z’s Dimensity 800U (7nm). This translates to a roughly 15-20% performance uplift in CPU-intensive tasks and a more substantial advantage in GPU performance. The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon 778G also contributes to better thermal efficiency, minimizing throttling during extended gaming sessions. While both phones feature 8GB of RAM (assumed based on market segment), the A52s 5G’s faster chipset will utilize it more effectively.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an impressive endurance rating of 113 hours, indicating similar real-world battery life. However, the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G’s 25W charging is slightly slower than the Oppo Reno5 Z’s 30W wired charging. This means the Reno5 Z will reach 100% charge faster, but the difference is unlikely to be significant for most users. The efficiency gains of the Snapdragon 778G may partially offset the slower charging speed, resulting in comparable overall usage time.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo Reno5 Z if you prioritize a sleek design and are primarily focused on everyday tasks like social media, browsing, and light gaming. It’s a good option for users who don’t push their phones to the limit. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G if you value performance, especially for gaming and demanding applications, and appreciate a brighter, more vibrant display. It’s the better choice for power users and those who want a phone that will remain responsive for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 778G in the A52s 5G handle demanding games like Genshin Impact at high settings?
Yes, the Snapdragon 778G is well-equipped to handle Genshin Impact at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. The 6nm process and improved GPU architecture provide the thermal headroom needed for sustained gaming performance, unlike the Dimensity 800U which may experience more throttling.
❓ Does the Oppo Reno5 Z support VoLTE and 5G on all carriers?
Compatibility with VoLTE and 5G bands varies by carrier and region. It's crucial to check with your specific carrier to ensure the Oppo Reno5 Z is fully compatible with their network before purchasing. The Snapdragon 778G in the A52s 5G generally offers broader carrier support.
❓ How does the software experience differ between Samsung's One UI and Oppo's ColorOS?
Samsung's One UI is feature-rich but can feel bloated to some users, while Oppo's ColorOS is generally lighter and more customizable. Both offer similar core functionality, but One UI tends to have more pre-installed apps. Preference is subjective, but ColorOS is often praised for its speed and responsiveness.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up shots?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on phones in this price range offer limited detail and image quality. They are often included for marketing purposes but rarely deliver truly impressive macro photography. The A52s 5G's potentially superior main camera and image processing will likely yield better results even when cropping into a standard photo.
