Samsung Galaxy A52 vs A71: Which Samsung Mid-Ranger Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A52 is the better choice. Its significantly brighter display (794 nits vs 515 nits) and slightly more efficient Snapdragon 720G chipset provide a noticeably improved user experience, especially outdoors and during demanding tasks. The A71 remains a viable option for budget-conscious buyers.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Samsung Galaxy A71 |
| 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 / 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, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 17 | 2019, December 12. Released 2020, January 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 26 | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 163.6 x 76 x 7.7 mm (6.44 x 2.99 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 179 g (6.31 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~407 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 101.0 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) | Super AMOLED Plus |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730 (8 nm) - GlobalQualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) - Philippines |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.1 | |
| 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), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/240fps, 1080p@960fps; 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 | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| 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, proximity, compass |
| - | ANT+ | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 25W wired, 50% in 30 min | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Ion 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Violet, Awesome Blue | Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush Silver, Prism Crush Blue, Prism Crush Pink |
| Models | SM-A525F, SM-A525F/DS, SM-A525M, SM-A525M/DS | SM-A715F, SM-A715F/DS, SM-A715F/DSN, SM-A715F/DSM, SM-A715W, SM-A715X |
| Price | C$ 699.00 / £ 129.99 / € 169.89 | About 120 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.98 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.35 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) | 0.51 W/kg (head) 1.56 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -93.5dB / Crosstalk -92.6dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 105h | Endurance rating 102h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | -27.0 LUFS (Good) | -29.0 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 261282 (v8) GeekBench: 5865 (v4.4), 1577 (v5.1) GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 192 458(v7), 263396 (v8) GeekBench: 7039 (v4.4), 1733 (v5.1) GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy A52
- Significantly brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- More efficient Snapdragon 720G chipset
- Faster charging (50% in 30 minutes)
- Potentially higher price point
- Camera improvements may be incremental
Samsung Galaxy A71
- Lower price point
- Competent performance for basic tasks
- Reliable battery life
- Dimmer display, difficult to see in sunlight
- Older chipset with potentially lower efficiency
- Slower charging (unspecified time)
Display Comparison
The most immediately noticeable difference lies in the displays. The Galaxy A52 boasts a peak brightness of 794 nits, a substantial leap over the A71’s 515 nits. This translates to significantly better visibility in direct sunlight. Both phones share an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (Samsung’s marketing term for high contrast), but the A52’s higher brightness makes colors appear more vivid and punchy. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, the A52’s superior brightness suggests a more modern panel generation, potentially with improved efficiency. Bezels are comparable, but the A52’s brighter screen makes the overall viewing experience more immersive.
Camera Comparison
Both the A52 and A71 feature versatile camera systems capable of capturing both photos and videos. However, detailed sensor information is lacking in the provided data. Given the A52’s position as a successor, it likely benefits from improved image processing algorithms and potentially a more advanced main sensor. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is assumed on both, given Samsung’s typical implementation in this price range. The usefulness of the often-included 2MP macro cameras on both devices is questionable, offering limited detail and dynamic range. The real-world image quality difference will likely be subtle, favoring the A52 due to software optimizations.
Performance
Under the hood, the A52 features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm), while the A71 utilizes the Snapdragon 730 (8nm) – with a 730G variant available in the Philippines. While the 730 has a slightly higher clock speed (2.2 GHz vs 2.3 GHz on the A52’s prime core), the architectural improvements in the 720G, coupled with its newer fabrication process, likely result in comparable, if not slightly better, real-world performance. Both CPUs feature an octa-core configuration with a similar Kryo core arrangement (2x performance cores, 6x efficiency cores). The A52’s more modern chipset benefits from improved power efficiency, contributing to its slightly better endurance rating.
Battery Life
Both phones offer comparable battery life, with endurance ratings of 105 hours for the A52 and 102 hours for the A71. Despite having a similar battery capacity (not specified in the data), the A52’s more efficient Snapdragon 720G chipset contributes to its slightly longer endurance. Both support 25W wired charging, with the A52 claiming a 50% charge in 30 minutes, while the A71’s charging speed is not specified. The A52’s faster charging is a convenient advantage for users who need a quick power boost.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A52 if you prioritize a vibrant, easily visible display and smoother performance for everyday tasks and light gaming. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A71 if you are on a very tight budget and primarily need a reliable smartphone for basic communication and media consumption, and aren't concerned with having the brightest screen or fastest processor.