The Realme Q and Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity and a solid user experience, they diverge significantly in their core hardware, particularly in the chipset department. This comparison will dissect those differences, helping you 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 5G chipset offers a substantial leap in processing power and efficiency compared to the Realme Q’s Snapdragon 712, making it better suited for demanding tasks and gaming. However, the Realme Q may appeal to budget-conscious buyers.
| 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, 4, 5, 8, 38, 39, 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 / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September. Released 2019, September | 2021, August 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, September 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3+), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 157 x 74.2 x 8.9 mm (6.18 x 2.92 x 0.35 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 | 184 g (6.49 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3+ | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 616 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), ColorOS 6 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 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/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
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 | 8 MP, AF | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual Proximity Sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired, 50% in 30 min | 25W wired |
| Type | 4035 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Light Green, Light Blue | Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Purple, Awesome Mint |
| Models | CPN-AL00, CPN-W09, CPN-L09 | SM-A528B, SM-A528B/DS, SM-A528N |
| Price | About 130 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) |
Realme Q
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional 5G connectivity
- Adequate battery life
- Significantly weaker processor
- Less detailed display specifications
- Uncertain camera performance
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
- Superior Snapdragon 778G 5G performance
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Faster 25W charging
- Likely higher price
- May not offer a drastically different battery life
- Samsung's software experience isn't for everyone
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 800 nits, compared to the Realme Q’s unspecified brightness. This translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays are likely to utilize AMOLED technology (based on market segment), the A52s 5G’s higher brightness and 'Infinite' contrast ratio suggest a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience. The Realme Q’s display specifications are less detailed, leaving questions about color accuracy and viewing angles unanswered.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. The A52s 5G likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing expertise and potentially a larger sensor, though this is unconfirmed. The Realme Q’s camera system is less defined, making it difficult to assess its image quality relative to the A52s 5G. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s safe to assume the A52s 5G will deliver more consistent and higher-quality results, particularly in low-light conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G’s Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) is a significant upgrade over the Realme Q’s Snapdragon 712 (10nm). 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 – versus the 712’s 2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver. This architectural advantage, coupled with the smaller 6nm process node, results in substantially improved CPU and GPU performance, and better power efficiency. The A52s 5G will handle demanding games and applications with greater ease and less thermal throttling.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 113 hours, suggesting comparable battery life despite the A52s 5G’s more powerful chipset. This is likely due to the 778G’s improved power efficiency. The A52s 5G supports 25W wired charging, slightly faster than the Realme Q’s 20W charging, allowing for quicker top-ups. While both offer adequate battery life, the A52s 5G’s faster charging provides a convenience advantage, potentially adding 50% charge in less time than the Realme Q’s 30-minute claim.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Q if you need a functional 5G smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and are prioritizing affordability above all else. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience for gaming, multitasking, and content creation, and are willing to spend a bit more for a significantly more capable device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 778G in the A52s 5G powerful enough for demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 778G is a capable chipset for gaming. It can handle Genshin Impact at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. The 6nm process and improved CPU/GPU architecture provide a significant advantage over the Snapdragon 712 in the Realme Q, resulting in a smoother gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G compared to the Realme Q?
The A52s 5G supports 25W charging, while the Realme Q supports 20W. While the difference isn't massive, the 25W charging will likely result in a slightly faster 0-100% charge time, and potentially a more significant boost in charge percentage over a shorter period (e.g., 15 minutes).
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 778G is generally well-regarded for its thermal efficiency. While some throttling is inevitable during prolonged, intensive gaming, the 6nm process node and Samsung’s thermal management design should mitigate this issue, providing a more consistent performance level compared to the Realme Q’s Snapdragon 712.
