The Realme Narzo 30 Pro 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 in their approaches to performance and features. The Narzo 30 Pro leans heavily into processing power, while the Galaxy A52 5G prioritizes a refined user experience with a focus on display quality and Samsung’s established software ecosystem.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G is the better choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 800U chipset offers a slight edge in CPU and GPU performance. However, if a brighter, more visually appealing display and Samsung’s software are paramount, the Galaxy A52 5G is the more suitable option.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 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, 41, 77, 78, 79 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 / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, February 24 | 2021, March 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 04 | Available. Released 2021, March 19 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 162.2 x 75.1 x 9.1 mm (6.39 x 2.96 x 0.36 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 | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | 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 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 101.0 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz , 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (HBM) |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| 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 |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | - |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, PD, 50% in 25 min, 100% in 65 min | 25W wired, 50% in 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sword Black, Blade Silver | Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Violet, Awesome Blue |
| Models | RMX2117 | SM-A526B, SM-A526B/DS, SM-A5260, SM-A526W, SM-A526U, SM-A526U1 |
| Price | About 200 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) |
Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G
- Faster 30W charging with PD
- Potentially higher CPU performance with Dimensity 800U
- Likely more aggressive pricing
- Display likely inferior to A52 5G (IPS vs AMOLED)
- Camera specs are unknown, potentially less refined
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
- Brighter and more vibrant AMOLED display
- Samsung’s established software ecosystem and support
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Slower 25W charging
- Slightly lower CPU clock speeds
- Generally higher price point
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 787 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Narzo 30 Pro. This higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While the A52 5G’s contrast ratio is listed as ‘Infinite (nominal)’ – typical for AMOLED panels – the Narzo 30 Pro’s panel type is not specified, suggesting it likely uses an IPS LCD. This difference in panel technology impacts color vibrancy and black levels, favoring the A52 5G. Bezels and refresh rates are not specified for either device, but the A52 5G’s display is a clear advantage for visual experiences.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given Samsung’s history, the Galaxy A52 5G likely benefits from more sophisticated image processing algorithms and potentially better low-light performance. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on many phones in this segment is often a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit. The absence of detailed camera specs makes it difficult to definitively declare a winner, but Samsung’s brand reputation suggests a more refined camera experience.
Performance
The Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G is powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7nm), while the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G utilizes the Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8nm). The 8nm process of the Snapdragon 750G generally offers better power efficiency, but the Dimensity 800U’s CPU – with its 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 cores – provides a slight clock speed advantage over the A52 5G’s 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 cores. This translates to potentially faster app loading and smoother multitasking. However, real-world performance will depend on RAM management and software optimization. Neither device specifies RAM speed (LPDDR4X is likely), but the Dimensity 800U’s integrated 5G modem may offer slightly faster 5G speeds in certain scenarios.
Battery Life
Both the Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G and Samsung Galaxy A52 5G achieve an endurance rating of 111 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, their charging capabilities differ. The Narzo 30 Pro 5G supports 30W wired charging with PD, reaching 50% charge in 25 minutes and 100% in 65 minutes. The Galaxy A52 5G supports 25W wired charging, taking 30 minutes to reach 50%. While the A52 5G’s battery life is comparable, the Narzo 30 Pro 5G’s faster charging is a significant convenience factor.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G if you need a phone for demanding tasks like mobile gaming or frequent multitasking, and value faster charging speeds. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G if you prefer a vibrant display for media consumption, a more polished software experience, and a brand with a strong track record for software updates and support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 800U in the Narzo 30 Pro 5G throttle under sustained gaming loads?
While the Dimensity 800U is a capable chipset, throttling can occur under prolonged, demanding gaming sessions. The 7nm process helps mitigate this, but the phone’s thermal design will ultimately determine how well it manages heat. User reviews suggest moderate throttling after extended gameplay, but it’s generally manageable.
❓ Is the 25W charging on the Galaxy A52 5G slow compared to other phones in this price range?
25W charging is becoming increasingly common in the mid-range segment, but it's slower than the 30W charging offered by the Narzo 30 Pro 5G. While not exceptionally slow, it will take longer to fully charge the Galaxy A52 5G, especially if you frequently run out of battery.
❓ How does the 5G performance differ between the Snapdragon 750G and Dimensity 800U?
Both chipsets support 5G connectivity, but the specific 5G bands and modem capabilities differ. The Dimensity 800U’s integrated modem may offer slightly faster 5G speeds in certain regions and with specific carrier configurations. However, real-world 5G performance is heavily dependent on network availability and signal strength.
