Realme Q3 Pro 5G vs Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range 5G Contenders

The Realme Q3 Pro 5G and Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, they take different approaches to achieving this goal, primarily through chipset choice and feature prioritization. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw processing power and faster charging, the Realme Q3 Pro 5G emerges as the winner. Its Dimensity 1100 chipset offers a slight edge in CPU and GPU performance. However, the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G remains a strong contender, particularly for those valuing a proven track record and potentially more refined software experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme Q3 Pro 5G Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x -
Launch
Announced2021, April 222021, August 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, April 29Available. Released 2021, September 01
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back
Dimensions158.5 x 73.3 x 8.4 mm (6.24 x 2.89 x 0.33 in)159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 2.96 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight179 g (6.31 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 120HzSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 1100 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G77 MC9Adreno 642L
OSAndroid 11, Realme UI 2.0Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-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
Single16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide)32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)-
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide)32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (Dolby Atmos)Yes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual Proximity Sensing
Battery
Charging30W wired, 100% in 59 min25W wired
Type4500 mAhLi-Ion 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, Electric YellowAwesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Purple, Awesome Mint
ModelsRMX2205SM-A528B, SM-A528B/DS, SM-A528N
PriceAbout 210 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 Q3 Pro 5G

  • Faster 30W charging (full charge in 59 mins)
  • Potentially higher CPU performance due to higher clock speeds
  • Likely more aggressive pricing

  • Display brightness is unknown and potentially lower than A52s
  • Software experience may be less refined than Samsung’s One UI

Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G

  • Brighter 800 nit display for better outdoor visibility
  • Established brand reputation and software support
  • Potentially better multi-core performance

  • Slower 25W charging
  • Slightly lower peak CPU clock speeds

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G boasts a notably brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 800 nits, which translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. While the Realme Q3 Pro 5G’s display specs are not provided, Samsung’s panel offers an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting a superior viewing experience with deeper blacks. The A52s’ brightness advantage is crucial for outdoor use, while the Q3 Pro’s display quality remains unknown without further data. Both devices likely utilize AMOLED technology, common in this price bracket, but the A52s’ brightness gives it a clear edge.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. However, the camera experience will likely differ due to image processing algorithms and sensor choices. Without sensor size information, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. Samsung’s image processing is generally known for vibrant colors and strong contrast, while Realme often aims for a more natural look. The absence of details regarding OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device makes it impossible to assess low-light performance or video stabilization capabilities. The usefulness of any included 2MP macro cameras on either phone is questionable, offering limited practical benefit.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Realme Q3 Pro 5G features the Mediatek Dimensity 1100 (6nm), while the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (also 6nm). The Dimensity 1100’s CPU configuration – 4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – offers a higher peak clock speed compared to the A52s’ 1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55 setup. This suggests a potential advantage in single-core performance for the Q3 Pro. However, the A52s’ use of three A78 cores could provide better multi-core performance in certain workloads. Both chips are built on a 6nm process, indicating similar power efficiency, but the Q3 Pro’s higher clock speeds may lead to slightly higher thermal output under sustained load.

Battery Life

Both the Realme Q3 Pro 5G and Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G achieve an endurance rating of 113 hours, indicating comparable overall battery life. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The Q3 Pro supports 30W wired charging, achieving a full charge in 59 minutes, while the A52s is limited to 25W. This faster charging speed is a substantial advantage for the Q3 Pro, allowing for quicker top-ups and reduced downtime. While the A52s’ battery life is comparable, the Q3 Pro’s faster charging mitigates any potential concerns about running low on power.

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme Q3 Pro 5G if you need maximum performance for gaming or demanding applications and appreciate significantly faster 30W charging. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G if you prefer a phone with a brighter display, a potentially more polished software experience, and a well-established brand reputation, even if it means sacrificing a bit of raw processing speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 1100 in the Realme Q3 Pro 5G get noticeably hotter than the Snapdragon 778G during extended gaming sessions?
While both chips are 6nm, the Dimensity 1100’s higher clock speeds could lead to slightly more heat generation under sustained load. However, Realme’s thermal management implementation will play a crucial role. Real-world testing is needed to determine if throttling occurs and impacts performance significantly.
❓ Is the 25W charging on the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G slow compared to other phones in this price range?
25W charging is becoming increasingly common in the mid-range segment, but the Realme Q3 Pro 5G’s 30W charging offers a tangible advantage, reducing charging time by approximately 10-15 minutes for a full charge. It's not drastically slow, but the Q3 Pro is faster.
❓ How does Samsung's One UI compare to Realme UI in terms of bloatware and software updates?
Samsung's One UI has historically been criticized for pre-installed bloatware, though it has improved in recent iterations. Realme UI is generally considered lighter, but update frequency and long-term support can vary. Samsung typically offers longer software support for its devices.