The Oppo Reno6 and Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, they take distinctly different approaches, particularly in their core processing power and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 778G chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a substantial performance uplift over the Reno6’s Snapdragon 720G, making it better suited for demanding tasks and gaming. However, the Reno6’s faster 50W charging is a notable advantage.
| 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, 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, July 27 | 2021, August 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 27 | Available. Released 2021, September 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 159.1 x 73.3 x 7.8 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) |
| 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 (~411 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM), 750 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | 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 | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 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 | 44 MP, f/2.4, 24mm (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 44 MP, f/2.4, 24mm (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS | 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 (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | - | 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 | 50W wired, PD2.0 | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4310 mAh | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora, Stellar Black | Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Purple, Awesome Mint |
| Models | CPH2235 | SM-A528B, SM-A528B/DS, SM-A528N |
| Price | About 150 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 Reno6
- 50W SuperVOOC charging is incredibly fast.
- Sleek and lightweight design.
- Competitive price point.
- Snapdragon 720G is outperformed by the 778G.
- Display brightness may be lower than the A52s 5G.
- Limited detailed camera specifications.
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
- Snapdragon 778G offers significantly better performance.
- 800 nits peak brightness for excellent outdoor visibility.
- Likely superior image processing capabilities.
- Slower 25W charging.
- May be slightly bulkier than the Reno6.
- Design is less visually striking than the Reno6.
Display Comparison
Both devices offer capable displays, but the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 800 nits, providing superior visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Reno6 (brightness data unavailable, but typically lower for this chipset tier). While both have an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for AMOLED panels), the A52s 5G’s higher brightness translates to a more vibrant and usable outdoor experience. The Reno6’s display specs are less defined, suggesting a potentially less impressive visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer capable photo and video recording, but detailed sensor information is limited. The A52s 5G likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing expertise, potentially delivering more refined images. Without specific sensor size or aperture data for the Reno6, it’s difficult to make a definitive statement. However, the A52s 5G’s processor provides more headroom for complex image processing algorithms, potentially leading to better low-light performance and dynamic range. The inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the A52s 5G is a significant advantage for video recording and low-light photography.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G’s Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) is a significant upgrade over the Oppo Reno6’s Snapdragon 720G (8nm). The 778G features 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 efficiency cores – compared to the Reno6’s 2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver configuration. This translates to approximately 40% faster CPU performance and a substantial GPU improvement, making the A52s 5G far more capable in graphically intensive games and demanding applications. The 6nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 113 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life despite the Reno6’s smaller battery capacity (not specified). However, the Reno6 compensates with its significantly faster 50W wired charging (PD2.0), allowing for a full charge in approximately 45-60 minutes. The A52s 5G’s 25W charging is considerably slower, taking closer to 90-120 minutes for a full charge. This makes the Reno6 the clear winner for users who prioritize quick top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo Reno6 if you prioritize incredibly fast charging and a sleek design, and your primary use case revolves around social media, casual gaming, and everyday tasks. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G if you demand smoother performance for gaming, multitasking, and content creation, and value a more powerful processor for long-term usability. The A52s 5G is the better choice for users who want a phone that will remain responsive for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 778G in the A52s 5G get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 778G is built on a 6nm process, which is more efficient than the 8nm process used in the Reno6’s Snapdragon 720G. This translates to better thermal management, meaning the A52s 5G is less likely to overheat and throttle performance during prolonged gaming. While some warmth is expected, it shouldn't become uncomfortably hot.
❓ 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 are of limited utility. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. They are often included for marketing purposes rather than providing a genuinely useful photographic experience. You're better off using the main camera and cropping for close-up shots.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G reliably maintain 60fps in demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 778G in the A52s 5G is capable of maintaining 60fps in PUBG Mobile at high graphics settings. It offers a significantly smoother gaming experience compared to the Reno6, which may struggle to maintain consistent frame rates at the same settings. The A52s 5G’s GPU provides the necessary horsepower for a fluid and responsive gaming experience.
❓ How does the charging speed of the Oppo Reno6 compare to other phones in its price range?
The Reno6’s 50W charging is exceptionally fast for its price range. Most competitors offer 18W or 25W charging, meaning the Reno6 can charge significantly faster – typically from 0-100% in under an hour. This is a major advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
