The Samsung Galaxy A06 and Motorola Moto G52 represent compelling options in the sub-$200 smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price, they take different approaches to achieving this. The A06 relies on MediaTek's Helio G85, while the Moto G52 opts for Qualcomm's Snapdragon 680, creating a key divergence in performance and efficiency.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing efficiency and smoother multitasking, the Motorola Moto G52 is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 680, built on a 6nm process, offers superior power management compared to the Galaxy A06’s 12nm Helio G85. While the A06 boasts slightly faster charging, the G52’s overall experience is more refined.
| 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, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, August 16 | 2022, April 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, August 22 | Available. Released 2022, April 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 167.3 x 77.3 x 8 mm (6.59 x 3.04 x 0.31 in) | 160.1 x 74.5 x 8 mm (6.30 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 169 g (5.96 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent design |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~262 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~86.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G85 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 | Android 12, planned upgrade to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8 (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 25W wired | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Gold, White | Charcoal Gray, Porcelain White |
| Models | SM-A065F, SM-A065F/DS, SM-A065M, SM-A065M/DS | XT2221-1, XT2221-2 |
| Price | € 81.90 / $ 99.99 / £ 66.89 / ₹ 7,749 | About 470 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.44 W/kg (head) 1.08 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy A06
- Faster 25W wired charging
- Potentially slightly brighter display
- Samsung brand recognition
- Less efficient Helio G85 chipset
- 12nm process leads to more heat
- Likely less smooth multitasking
Motorola Moto G52
- More efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset
- 6nm process for better thermal management
- Smoother multitasking and app performance
- Potentially longer battery life
- Slightly slower 30W charging
- May have slightly lower peak brightness
Display Comparison
The Motorola Moto G52 and Samsung Galaxy A06 both feature displays adequate for their price point, but differ in key metrics. The Galaxy A06 achieves a measured peak brightness of 564 nits, providing acceptable visibility outdoors. However, the contrast ratio of 1484:1, while respectable, doesn’t indicate the use of advanced panel technology like AMOLED. We expect the Moto G52 to have a similar or slightly lower peak brightness, but its panel technology is likely IPS LCD, offering good color accuracy, though potentially lacking the vibrant colors of an AMOLED display. Bezels are expected to be similar on both devices, given their market segment.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the price bracket, both phones likely feature a primary camera around 13-50MP. The Moto G52’s Snapdragon 680 ISP (Image Signal Processor) is generally more capable than the Helio G85’s, potentially resulting in better image processing, especially in low-light conditions. We anticipate both phones will include auxiliary lenses, likely a depth sensor and a 2MP macro lens – the latter being of limited practical use in most scenarios. Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is unlikely on either device.
Performance
The core difference between these phones lies in their chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A06 utilizes the MediaTek Helio G85, a 12nm chip with an octa-core configuration (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55). The Motorola Moto G52, however, employs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G, fabricated on a more efficient 6nm process. This process node advantage translates to significantly better thermal management and power efficiency for the Moto G52. While the A06’s CPU has slightly higher clock speeds on its prime cores, the Snapdragon 680’s Kryo cores (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) are architecturally more advanced, leading to better sustained performance and reduced throttling under load. This means the Moto G52 will likely handle multitasking and moderately demanding apps more smoothly.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A06 delivers an active use battery score of 13:50h, a solid result for a budget device. The Motorola Moto G52, while lacking a specific runtime figure, benefits from the Snapdragon 680’s superior power efficiency. This suggests comparable or potentially longer battery life with similar usage patterns. The A06 supports 25W wired charging, while the Moto G52 offers 30W. This means the A06 will likely charge slightly faster, but the difference won’t be dramatic. The efficiency gains of the Snapdragon 680 will likely offset the slightly slower charging speed for most users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A06 if you prioritize faster wired charging and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Motorola Moto G52 if you value a more efficient processor for smoother app switching, longer battery life during moderate use, and a generally more responsive user experience, even if it means slightly slower charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the MediaTek Helio G85 in the Galaxy A06 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Helio G85 is known to generate more heat than the Snapdragon 680, especially during demanding tasks like gaming. While it won't necessarily become unusable, you may experience noticeable throttling – a reduction in performance to manage temperature – after extended gaming sessions. The 12nm process contributes to this, making the Moto G52 a better choice for gamers.
❓ Is the 30W charging on the Moto G52 significantly faster than the 25W charging on the Galaxy A06?
While 30W is technically faster than 25W, the difference in charging speed won't be dramatic in real-world use. Both phones will likely take around 1.5 to 2 hours to fully charge from 0%. The Moto G52’s efficiency gains mean you’ll likely spend less time plugged in overall, even with the slightly slower charging rate.
❓ Will the Moto G52 struggle with multitasking compared to more expensive phones?
The Snapdragon 680, combined with sufficient RAM (typically 4-6GB in this segment), provides a surprisingly smooth multitasking experience. While it won't match the performance of flagship devices, the Moto G52 handles everyday tasks and moderate app switching without significant lag, thanks to the 6nm process and efficient core design.
