Samsung Galaxy A53 5G vs. A52: Which Mid-Range Samsung Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is the better buy. Its slightly improved battery life (113h vs 105h) and brighter display (830 nits vs 794 nits) offer tangible benefits. While the Exynos 1280 isn't a massive leap over the Snapdragon 720G, it provides a modern 5G connection and a more efficient 5nm process.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Samsung Galaxy A53 5G |
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66 - SM-A536U |
| 5G bands | - | 2, 5, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536U |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| - | 2, 5, 48, 66, 77, 78, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536V | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 17 | 2022, March 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 26 | Available. Released 2022, March 24 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.94 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-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 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~407 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 101.0 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Exynos 1280 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G68 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | 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 | 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 | - | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (market/region dependent) |
| - | Virtual proximity sensing | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 25W wired, 50% in 30 min | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Violet, Awesome Blue | Black, White, Blue, Peach |
| Models | SM-A525F, SM-A525F/DS, SM-A525M, SM-A525M/DS | SM-A536B, SM-A536B/DS, SM-A536U, SM-A536U1, SM-A5360, SM-A536E, SM-A536E/DS, SM-A536V, SM-A536W, SM-A536N, SM-S536DL |
| Price | C$ 699.00 / £ 129.99 / € 169.89 | $ 151.42 / £ 185.00 / € 169.14 |
| SAR | - | 0.75 W/kg (head) 1.58 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.35 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) | 0.89 W/kg (head) 1.60 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 105h | Endurance rating 113h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | -27.0 LUFS (Good) | -26.5 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 261282 (v8) GeekBench: 5865 (v4.4), 1577 (v5.1) GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 329802 (v8), 379313 (v9) GeekBench: 1891 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy A52
- Proven reliability and software optimization.
- Potentially lower price point due to age.
- Capable performance for everyday tasks.
- Older chipset and 8nm process.
- Slightly dimmer display.
- Lacks 5G connectivity.
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
- More efficient 5nm Exynos 1280 chipset.
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility.
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds.
- Potential for software quirks with newer chipset.
- May be slightly more expensive.
- Exynos chips have historically had thermal concerns (though not necessarily significant here).
Display Comparison
Both the A52 and A53 5G feature displays with an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting excellent black levels. However, the A53 5G pulls ahead with a measured peak brightness of 830 nits, compared to the A52’s 794 nits. This 4.4% increase translates to noticeably better visibility in direct sunlight. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, the A53 5G’s brighter panel is a clear advantage for outdoor users. The lack of LTPO technology on either device means refresh rate scaling isn't as efficient as on higher-end models, but both offer a smooth 120Hz experience.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. However, the A53 5G benefits from the newer image signal processor (ISP) within the Exynos 1280, potentially leading to improved image processing and noise reduction. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to definitively declare a camera winner. It's likely both phones offer similar overall image quality, with the A53 5G potentially excelling in low-light scenarios due to its more advanced processing capabilities. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both is largely a marketing feature with limited practical utility.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipset: the A52 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm), while the A53 5G features Samsung’s Exynos 1280 (5nm). The move to a 5nm process with the Exynos 1280 offers improved power efficiency, potentially leading to better sustained performance and reduced thermal throttling. The A53 5G’s CPU configuration – 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – represents a generational upgrade over the A52’s 2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver. While real-world performance differences may not be dramatic for typical usage, the A53 5G should handle demanding tasks and multitasking more effectively.
Battery Life
The A53 5G boasts a slightly longer endurance rating of 113 hours compared to the A52’s 105 hours. This 7.6% improvement is likely a combination of the more efficient 5nm Exynos 1280 chipset and potentially a slightly optimized battery management system. Both phones support 25W wired charging, with the A52 claiming a 50% charge in 30 minutes. While the A53 5G doesn’t explicitly state the same, it’s reasonable to expect similar charging speeds. The A53 5G’s improved efficiency means it can extract more usage from its battery, making it the better choice for heavy users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A52 if you prioritize a proven track record of reliability and can find it at a significantly discounted price. It remains a capable device for everyday tasks and media consumption. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G if you want 5G connectivity, a brighter screen for outdoor visibility, and the assurance of longer software support, even if it means a slightly higher initial investment.