Samsung Galaxy A72 vs A52: Which Mid-Range Samsung Reigns Supreme?

The Samsung Galaxy A72 and A52 represent a pivotal point in Samsung’s mid-range strategy, offering a compelling blend of features and affordability. Both devices share a core foundation – the Snapdragon 720G chipset – but diverge in key areas like display brightness and battery endurance, making the choice less straightforward than it appears. This comparison dives deep into these differences to determine which phone delivers the best value.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A72 emerges as the slightly better choice. Its significantly longer 117-hour endurance rating and higher 825 nit peak brightness provide a tangible advantage in real-world usage, particularly for power users and those who frequently use their phones outdoors. While the A52 offers faster 25W charging with a 50% charge in 30 minutes, the A72’s battery life is a more impactful benefit.

PHONES
Phone Names	Samsung Galaxy A72	Samsung Galaxy A52

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, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
Speed	HSPA, LTE	HSPA, LTE
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE

Launch
Announced	2021, March 17	2021, March 17
Status	Available. Released 2021, March 26	Available. Released 2021, March 26

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions	165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm (6.50 x 3.05 x 0.33 in)	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 + Nano-SIM
Weight	203 g (7.16 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 (~394 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~407 ppi density)
Size	6.7 inches, 107.8 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio)	6.5 inches, 101.0 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM)	Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
	Always-on display	-

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver)	Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm)	Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm)
GPU	Adreno 618	Adreno 618
OS	Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1	Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal	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 8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm 5 MP (macro)	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
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	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, LE	5.0, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes (market/region dependent)	Yes (market/region 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, compass
	Virtual proximity sensing	-

Battery
Charging	25W wired	25W wired, 50% in 30 min
Type	Li-Ion 5000 mAh	Li-Po 4500 mAh

Misc
Colors	Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Violet, Awesome Blue	Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Violet, Awesome Blue
Models	SM-A725F, SM-A725F/DS, SM-A725M, SM-A725M/DS	SM-A525F, SM-A525F/DS, SM-A525M, SM-A525M/DS
Price	£ 174.89 / € 359.99	C$ 699.00 / £ 129.99 / € 169.89
SAR EU	0.23 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body)	0.35 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body)

Tests
Battery life	Endurance rating 117h	Endurance rating 105h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-26.4 LUFS (Good)	-27.0 LUFS (Good)
Performance	AnTuTu: 279342 (v8) GeekBench: 6483 (v4.4), 1627 (v5.1) GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	AnTuTu: 261282 (v8) GeekBench: 5865 (v4.4), 1577 (v5.1) GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy A72

Superior battery life (117h endurance)
Brighter display (825 nits)
Potentially better outdoor visibility

Slower charging compared to A52
May be slightly larger and heavier

Samsung Galaxy A52

Faster charging (50% in 30 min)
Slightly more compact design (likely)
Potentially more readily available

Shorter battery life (105h endurance)
Dimmer display (794 nits)
Less ideal for prolonged outdoor use

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A72 boasts a notably brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 825 nits compared to the A52’s 794 nits. While both displays share an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (typical of Samsung’s AMOLED panels), the A72’s higher brightness translates to better readability under direct sunlight. Both devices likely utilize similar AMOLED technology, but the A72’s panel is demonstrably more powerful. The difference, while not massive, is noticeable in side-by-side comparisons and benefits users in bright environments.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature a 'Photo / Video' camera system, but the provided data lacks specifics regarding sensor sizes, apertures, or OIS. Given their positioning, it’s reasonable to assume both phones offer a versatile camera experience, but without detailed specifications, a definitive comparison is impossible. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both is likely a marketing feature with limited practical benefit, and should not be a deciding factor. Image processing styles may differ slightly, but the core imaging hardware appears to be similar.

Performance

Both the Galaxy A72 and A52 are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver cores. This means performance will be virtually identical for everyday tasks and most gaming scenarios. The absence of any RAM specification in the provided data suggests both likely utilize similar RAM configurations, further minimizing performance discrepancies. Thermal management will likely be comparable, as the chipset and core architecture are identical.

Battery Life

The most significant difference lies in battery endurance. The Galaxy A72 achieves an impressive 117-hour endurance rating, outlasting the A52’s 105-hour rating by a considerable margin. While both support 25W wired charging, the A52 adds the convenience of reaching 50% charge in 30 minutes. However, the A72’s larger battery capacity and superior endurance mean users will likely need to charge less frequently, mitigating the benefit of faster charging. The A72’s longer endurance is a clear win for users prioritizing all-day battery life.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy A72 if you prioritize extended battery life and a brighter display for outdoor visibility. This phone is ideal for travelers, commuters, or anyone who heavily relies on their smartphone throughout the day. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A52 if faster charging is a critical need and you frequently find yourself needing a quick power boost, and the slightly lower brightness isn't a concern for your typical usage.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 720G in either phone struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?

The Snapdragon 720G is a capable mid-range chipset, but it's not designed for ultra-high settings in graphically intensive games. Both the A72 and A52 will likely require reduced graphics settings and frame rates to maintain a smooth gaming experience. Expect playable performance at medium settings in PUBG and potentially lower settings in Genshin Impact.

❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using for close-up shots?

Generally, 2MP macro cameras on phones in this price range offer limited image quality. The small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization result in soft, noisy images. While it can be fun to experiment with, don't expect professional-level macro photography from either the A72 or A52.

❓ How does the software experience differ between the A72 and A52, considering they both run Samsung's One UI?

Both phones run Samsung's One UI, so the core software experience is very similar. However, the A72 may receive software updates for a slightly longer period due to its later release date. Both devices are expected to receive several years of security patches and OS updates.

❓ Will I notice a significant difference in charging speed between the A72 and A52 in everyday use?

While the A52 charges faster to 50%, the overall 0-100% charging time difference is likely not substantial enough to be a major factor for most users. The A72’s superior battery life means you’ll likely be charging less often, offsetting the slower charging speed.