The Realme Q3t and Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. Both devices center around Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset, promising strong performance. However, key differences in display technology, charging speeds, and subtle design choices create distinct user experiences, making a direct comparison crucial for informed buyers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a brighter display and established brand reliability, the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G is the better choice. However, the Realme Q3t offers faster 30W charging and potentially better value if price is the primary concern, despite a slightly less refined overall package.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 10 | 2021, August 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 15 | Available. Released 2021, September 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back |
| Dimensions | - | 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) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 144Hz, 600 nits | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 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 | - | 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 | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 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@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, 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, 50% in 25 min | 25W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora, Dark Blue | Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Purple, Awesome Mint |
| Models | - | SM-A528B, SM-A528B/DS, SM-A528N |
| Price | About 290 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 Q3t
- Faster 30W charging for quick top-ups
- Potentially better value for money
- Snapdragon 778G delivers strong performance
- Likely lower peak display brightness
- Less established brand reputation
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
- Brighter 800 nit display for outdoor visibility
- Excellent 113-hour battery endurance
- Established Samsung brand and software support
- Slower 25W charging
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
Both phones utilize OLED panels, but the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 800 nits, significantly exceeding what’s expected from the Q3t. This translates to superior visibility under direct sunlight. While both have an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for OLED), the higher brightness of the A52s 5G provides a more vibrant and engaging viewing experience. Realme doesn’t specify peak brightness, suggesting it’s lower. The A52s 5G’s display is likely to be more comfortable for extended outdoor use.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature capable camera systems, but detailed sensor information is limited. The focus should be on image processing. Samsung typically employs a more saturated and contrast-boosted image style, appealing to a wider audience. Realme often aims for a more natural look. Without specific details on sensor size and aperture, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner. The presence of 'Photo/Video' capabilities on both suggests similar feature sets, but Samsung’s established camera software and potentially better image stabilization (OIS is assumed, but not confirmed) give it a slight edge.
Performance
Both the Realme Q3t and Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G are powered by the Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) chipset, featuring the same Octa-core CPU configuration (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55). This means CPU performance will be virtually identical in day-to-day tasks and most gaming scenarios. However, thermal management could differ. While neither device is known for significant throttling, Samsung’s larger chassis *may* offer slightly better heat dissipation. Both likely utilize LPDDR5 RAM, but specific speeds aren’t provided, limiting a detailed comparison.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G achieves an impressive endurance rating of 113 hours, indicating excellent battery life. While the Realme Q3t’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the A52s 5G’s endurance suggests a well-optimized power management system. The Q3t compensates with 30W wired charging, allowing a 50% charge in just 25 minutes, significantly faster than the A52s 5G’s 25W charging. This difference is crucial for users who prioritize quick top-ups over all-day battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Q3t if you need rapid charging and are comfortable with a less-established brand to maximize value. It’s ideal for users who frequently top up their phones and prioritize speed over all else. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G if you prefer a brighter, more color-accurate display, a longer-established brand reputation, and a potentially more refined software experience, even if it means slightly slower charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 778G in the Realme Q3t throttle under sustained gaming loads?
While the Snapdragon 778G is a capable chipset, throttling can occur under prolonged, demanding gaming sessions. The Realme Q3t’s thermal management solution isn’t widely documented, but the A52s 5G’s larger chassis *may* offer slightly better sustained performance. Expect both phones to handle most games at high settings, but potentially with some frame rate dips during extended play.
❓ Is the 25W charging on the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G slow compared to the Realme Q3t's 30W?
Yes, the Realme Q3t’s 30W charging is noticeably faster, achieving 50% charge in 25 minutes. The A52s 5G’s 25W charging will take longer to reach a similar charge level. This difference is significant for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery throughout the day.
❓ How does the image processing differ between the Realme Q3t and the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G?
Samsung typically employs a more vibrant and saturated image processing style, enhancing colors and contrast for a visually appealing look. Realme often aims for a more natural and realistic color profile. This difference is subjective and depends on personal preference. Samsung’s processing is generally more 'social media ready' out of the box.
