The Realme Q3 5G and Samsung Galaxy A52 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive sub-$300 5G smartphone market. Both devices leverage the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G, but diverge in areas like display brightness and charging speed, creating a nuanced choice for budget-conscious consumers. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which phone delivers the most bang for your buck.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing display quality and a slightly more refined software experience, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is the better choice. However, the Realme Q3 5G offers faster charging and represents a compelling value proposition for those focused on core performance and speed.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 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, 28, 41, 78 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 / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 22 | 2021, March 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 29 | Available. Released 2021, March 19 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 162.5 x 74.8 x 8.8 mm (6.40 x 2.94 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 | 189 g (6.67 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 (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~407 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% 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 (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| 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) | - |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 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, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | - | 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, 100% in 63 min | 25W wired, 50% in 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver | Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Violet, Awesome Blue |
| Models | RMX3161 | SM-A526B, SM-A526B/DS, SM-A5260, SM-A526W, SM-A526U, SM-A526U1 |
| Price | About 170 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 Q3 5G
- Faster 30W charging significantly reduces downtime.
- Potentially better value for money due to lower price point.
- Snapdragon 750G provides solid 5G performance.
- Display brightness is likely lower than the A52 5G.
- Camera details are lacking, suggesting it may not be a key strength.
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
- Brighter 787 nit display enhances outdoor visibility.
- Samsung’s software ecosystem and potential for longer updates.
- Excellent 111-hour endurance rating for all-day battery life.
- Slower 25W charging compared to the Realme Q3 5G.
- Higher price point may be a deterrent for budget-conscious buyers.
Display Comparison
Both the Realme Q3 5G and Samsung Galaxy A52 5G utilize displays capable of rendering vibrant colors, but the Samsung pulls ahead with a measured peak brightness of 787 nits. This significantly improves outdoor visibility compared to the Realme Q3 5G, which lacks a published brightness figure. While both boast an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for OLED/AMOLED panels), the higher brightness of the A52 5G translates to a more dynamic and enjoyable viewing experience in bright conditions. The A52 5G’s display is likely to offer better readability under direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera system, but detailed sensor information is missing. Without specifics on sensor size, aperture, or optical image stabilization (OIS), a direct comparison is difficult. However, Samsung generally excels in image processing, potentially delivering more refined and visually appealing photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The absence of details on the Realme Q3 5G’s camera system suggests it may not be a primary selling point, while the A52 5G likely benefits from Samsung’s established camera algorithms.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration of 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570 cores. This means CPU performance will be virtually identical in day-to-day tasks and most gaming scenarios. The real-world performance difference will likely come down to RAM management and thermal throttling, areas not specified in the provided data. However, given the similar chipsets, the A52 5G’s potentially better thermal design (based on Samsung’s experience) could lead to slightly more sustained performance during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G boasts an endurance rating of 111 hours, indicating excellent battery life. While the Realme Q3 5G’s battery capacity is not specified, its 30W wired charging capability is a significant advantage over the A52 5G’s 25W charging. The Realme Q3 5G can reach 100% charge in 63 minutes, while the A52 5G only reaches 50% in 30 minutes. This faster charging speed is crucial for users who need to quickly top up their battery throughout the day. The A52 5G’s longer endurance rating suggests it can last longer on a single charge, but the Q3 5G’s faster charging mitigates this advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Q3 5G if you need rapid charging and prioritize maximizing performance-per-dollar, especially if you frequently game or stream content. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G if you prefer a brighter, more visually appealing display and value Samsung’s established software ecosystem and potentially longer-term software support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 750G in either phone struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 750G is a capable mid-range chipset. While it can run PUBG and Genshin Impact, you'll likely need to lower graphics settings to achieve consistently smooth frame rates. Thermal management will also play a role; the A52 5G *may* sustain performance slightly better due to Samsung’s potentially superior cooling, but both phones will experience some throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How does the charging speed difference impact daily use? Is 30W charging on the Realme Q3 5G truly a game-changer?
The 30W charging on the Realme Q3 5G is a significant advantage for users who frequently find themselves needing to quickly top up their battery. Reaching 100% in 63 minutes is considerably faster than the A52 5G’s slower charging. If you often forget to charge overnight or have a busy day with limited access to a power outlet, the Q3 5G’s faster charging will be a noticeable benefit.
❓ Given the lack of detailed camera specs, should I assume the Realme Q3 5G's camera is significantly worse than the A52 5G?
It's reasonable to assume the A52 5G has a more refined camera system. Samsung typically invests heavily in camera technology and image processing. The absence of detailed specs for the Q3 5G suggests it may prioritize other features over camera performance. However, 'worse' doesn't necessarily mean 'bad'; the Q3 5G's camera will likely be adequate for casual photography in good lighting conditions.
