OnePlus Nord 2T vs Samsung Galaxy A52: Which Mid-Range Phone Reigns Supreme?

The Samsung Galaxy A52 was a mainstay of the mid-range market, lauded for its balanced feature set and reliable performance. Now, the OnePlus Nord 2T enters the arena, promising faster charging and a more modern chipset. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which phone offers the best value in today's competitive landscape.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord 2T emerges as the stronger contender. Its Mediatek Dimensity 1300 chipset delivers a noticeable performance boost over the Snapdragon 720G in the A52, and the blazing-fast 80W charging significantly reduces downtime. While the A52 retains a slight edge in display brightness, the Nord 2T’s overall package is more compelling.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy A52 OnePlus Nord 2T
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands-1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2021, March 172022, May 19
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, March 26Available. Released 2022, May 21
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 2.96 x 0.33 in)159.1 x 73.2 x 8.2 mm (6.26 x 2.88 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight189 g (6.67 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~407 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 101.0 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM)AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 1300 (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 618Mali-G77 MC9
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad64 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-32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple-50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRAuto HDR
Single32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 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, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging25W wired, 50% in 30 min80W wired, PD
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsAwesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Violet, Awesome BlueGray Shadow, Jade Fog
ModelsSM-A525F, SM-A525F/DS, SM-A525M, SM-A525M/DSCPH2399, CPH2401
PriceC$ 699.00 / £ 129.99 / € 169.89€ 144.39 / $ 169.99 / ₹ 31,490
SAR EU0.35 W/kg (head)     0.84 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 105h Endurance rating 100h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -27.0 LUFS (Good) -25.6 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 261282 (v8) GeekBench: 5865 (v4.4), 1577 (v5.1) GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 490545 (v8) | 604467 (v9) GeekBench: 2790 (v5.1) GFXBench: 40fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy A52

  • Slightly longer battery endurance (105h)
  • Brighter display for outdoor use (794 nits)
  • Proven reliability and software support

  • Older, less powerful Snapdragon 720G chipset
  • Slower 25W charging

OnePlus Nord 2T

  • Faster and more efficient Dimensity 1300 chipset
  • Blazing-fast 80W wired charging
  • More modern processor architecture

  • Slightly lower battery endurance (100h)
  • Dimmer display (636 nits)

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A52 boasts a measured peak brightness of 794 nits, offering excellent visibility in bright conditions. However, the OnePlus Nord 2T, while dimmer at 636 nits, still provides a perfectly usable experience. Both displays share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting deep blacks. The A52’s Super AMOLED panel is known for its vibrant colors, but the Nord 2T’s display is no slouch. The difference in brightness is the most significant distinction, favoring the A52 for users frequently exposed to direct sunlight.

Camera Comparison

Both devices offer capable camera systems, but details are limited to 'Photo / Video' in the provided data. However, considering OnePlus’s recent focus on camera improvements and the Dimensity 1300’s image signal processor (ISP), the Nord 2T likely benefits from more advanced image processing algorithms. The A52’s camera is known for its consistent performance, but the Nord 2T’s newer chipset could offer advantages in low-light photography and dynamic range. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner, but the Nord 2T’s processing power suggests a slight edge.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord 2T’s Mediatek Dimensity 1300, built on a 6nm process, represents a significant leap over the Samsung Galaxy A52’s 8nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G. The Dimensity 1300’s octa-core configuration, featuring a high-clocked Cortex-A78 prime core, translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. While both phones are capable of handling everyday tasks, the Nord 2T will exhibit less strain during demanding games and resource-intensive applications. The 6nm node also contributes to improved thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling under sustained load.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy A52’s endurance rating of 105 hours is slightly better than the OnePlus Nord 2T’s 100 hours, indicating marginally longer battery life under typical usage. However, this advantage is offset by the Nord 2T’s dramatically faster 80W wired charging, which can replenish the battery from 0-100% in a fraction of the time compared to the A52’s 25W charging (50% in 30 minutes). This difference in charging speed is a game-changer for users who prioritize convenience and minimal downtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy A52 if you prioritize proven reliability, a slightly brighter display for outdoor visibility, and a longer track record of software support. Buy the OnePlus Nord 2T if you value faster performance for gaming and multitasking, incredibly rapid charging, and a more modern processor architecture for future-proofing.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 1300 in the Nord 2T get noticeably warmer than the Snapdragon 720G during extended gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 1300 is more powerful, its 6nm process generally leads to better thermal efficiency than the Snapdragon 720G’s 8nm node. This means the Nord 2T is *less* likely to experience significant throttling during prolonged gaming, and should maintain higher frame rates for longer periods. However, sustained heavy use will still generate heat on both devices.
❓ How much faster is the 80W charging on the Nord 2T compared to the 25W charging on the Galaxy A52 in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Nord 2T can fully charge from 0-100% in approximately 30-40 minutes, while the Galaxy A52 takes well over an hour. The A52 only reaches 50% charge in 30 minutes, highlighting the Nord 2T’s superior charging speed. This is a significant benefit for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Is the difference in display brightness between the two phones noticeable in everyday use?
The 158-nit difference in peak brightness (794 vs 636) is most noticeable when viewing the screen outdoors in direct sunlight. The Galaxy A52 will remain more readable in these conditions. However, indoors or in shaded areas, the Nord 2T’s display is still perfectly adequate and offers good color reproduction.