Samsung's 5G lineup can be confusing, with models like the F42 and M52 offering similar price points but vastly different internal hardware. This comparison dissects the key differences between these two devices, focusing on the impact of their respective chipsets and display technologies on real-world performance and user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy M52 5G is the superior choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G chipset delivers significantly better performance and efficiency than the F42's MediaTek Dimensity 700, complemented by a brighter display and faster 25W charging. While the F42 is more affordable, the M52 offers a more refined experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 | SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 29 | 2021, September 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 03 | Available. Released 2021, October 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 167.2 x 76.4 x 9 mm (6.58 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 164.2 x 76.4 x 7.4 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 203 g (7.16 oz) | 173 g (6.10 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~86.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 90Hz | Super AMOLED Plus, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI core 5 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide) |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7um, PDAF
12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1152p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | Unspecified |
| 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Matte Aqua, Matte Black | Icy Blue, Blazing Black, White |
| Models | SM-E426B, SM-E426B/DS | SM-M526BR, SM-M526BR/DS, SM-M526B, SM-M526B/DS |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| SAR | 0.47 W/kg (head) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.94 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) | 0.79 W/kg (head) 1.40 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 123h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.0 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 504424 (v9)
GeekBench: 2796 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy F42 5G
- More affordable price point
- 5G connectivity
- Acceptable battery life
- Less powerful processor
- Slower charging speed
- Potentially lower display quality
Samsung Galaxy M52 5G
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 778G
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Faster 25W charging
- Higher price compared to the F42 5G
- Similar battery endurance rating to the F42 5G
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy M52 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 777 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the F42. This makes the M52 far more usable outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays are described as having an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for AMOLED panels), the M52’s higher brightness translates to a more impactful HDR experience. The F42’s display specifications are less detailed, suggesting a potentially lower-quality panel overall.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Without information on sensor sizes, apertures, or image stabilization, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, given the M52’s overall positioning as a more premium device, it’s reasonable to assume it benefits from a more sophisticated camera system, potentially with a larger main sensor for improved low-light performance. The inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the M52 would be a significant advantage, but this is unconfirmed.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The M52 5G utilizes the Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm), featuring a prime Cortex-A78 core clocked at 2.4 GHz, alongside three additional Cortex-A78 cores at 2.2 GHz. This contrasts with the F42 5G’s MediaTek Dimensity 700 (7nm), which uses two Cortex-A76 cores at 2.2 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz. The Snapdragon 778G’s more modern architecture and higher clock speeds provide a substantial performance advantage in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended use. The M52’s GPU will also outperform the F42’s.
Battery Life
Both the F42 and M52 5G achieve an endurance rating of 123 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the M52 5G’s 25W wired charging is a significant advantage over the F42’s 15W charging. This translates to substantially faster charging times, reducing downtime and making it more convenient to top up the battery throughout the day. While battery capacity isn't specified, the faster charging speed of the M52 effectively mitigates any potential capacity differences.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy F42 5G if your primary concern is budget and you primarily engage in basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media browsing. Buy the Samsung Galaxy M52 5G if you prioritize smoother performance for gaming and multitasking, a brighter and more vibrant display for media consumption, and faster charging to minimize downtime.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Dimensity 700 in the F42 5G struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the MediaTek Dimensity 700 is a capable chip for everyday tasks, but it will likely struggle to maintain consistent frame rates in graphically intensive games like PUBG or Call of Duty, especially at higher settings. You may experience noticeable lag and stuttering. The Snapdragon 778G in the M52 5G offers a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy M52 5G get noticeably warmer during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 778G’s 6nm process node and efficient thermal design help to mitigate heat buildup. While some warmth is expected during extended gaming, the M52 5G is less prone to significant throttling compared to devices with less efficient chipsets. The F42 5G, with its Dimensity 700, is more likely to experience throttling under sustained load.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget and mid-range phones offer limited utility. Image quality is often subpar, lacking detail and sharpness. While they can be fun to experiment with, don't expect professional-level macro photography from either the F42 or M52 5G.
