Samsung Galaxy M52 5G vs Galaxy A52: The Ultimate Showdown

Choosing between two solid mid-range Samsung phones can be tough. The Galaxy M52 5G and Galaxy A52 both offer compelling features, but cater to slightly different needs. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which one deserves a spot in your pocket.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Galaxy M52 5G edges out the A52 thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 778G chipset and 5G connectivity. While the A52 boasts a slightly brighter display, the M52's performance advantage makes it the better overall choice for most users seeking a smooth, future-proof experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy M52 5G Samsung Galaxy A52
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bandsSA/NSA/Sub6-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2021, September 242021, March 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, October 03Available. Released 2021, March 26
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions164.2 x 76.4 x 7.4 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.29 in)159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 2.96 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight173 g (6.10 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~407 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~86.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 101.0 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED Plus, 120HzSuper AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm)
GPUAdreno 642LAdreno 618
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED 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
Single32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide)-
Triple64 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)-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide)32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioUnspecifiedFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
Battery
Charging25W wired25W wired, 50% in 30 min
TypeLi-Ion 5000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsIcy Blue, Blazing Black, WhiteAwesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Violet, Awesome Blue
ModelsSM-M526BR, SM-M526BR/DS, SM-M526B, SM-M526B/DSSM-A525F, SM-A525F/DS, SM-A525M, SM-A525M/DS
PriceAbout 300 EURC$ 699.00 / £ 129.99 / € 169.89
SAR EU0.79 W/kg (head)     1.40 W/kg (body)0.35 W/kg (head)     0.84 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 123h Endurance rating 105h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -30.0 LUFS (Average) -27.0 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 504424 (v9) GeekBench: 2796 (v5.1) GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 261282 (v8) GeekBench: 5865 (v4.4), 1577 (v5.1) GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy M52 5G

  • Superior Performance (Snapdragon 778G)
  • 5G Connectivity
  • Longer Battery Life (123h Endurance)
  • Modern Chipset (6nm)

  • Potentially less established software support compared to A52
  • Design might be less premium than A52

Samsung Galaxy A52

  • Slightly Brighter Display (794 nits)
  • More Established Device (longer software support history)
  • Good Value for Money

  • Slower Performance (Snapdragon 720G)
  • Shorter Battery Life (105h Endurance)
  • No 5G Connectivity

Display Comparison

Both phones feature vibrant Super AMOLED displays with a 90Hz refresh rate, offering smooth scrolling and animations. The Galaxy A52 measures a peak brightness of 794 nits, slightly exceeding the M52 5G's 777 nits. However, the difference is minimal and unlikely to be noticeable in most real-world scenarios. Both have excellent contrast ratios (Infinite nominal).

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer versatile camera setups, typically including a main lens, ultrawide lens, and macro lens. While specific megapixel counts may vary, image quality is generally comparable in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is decent on both, but the M52 5G's more powerful processor may allow for slightly better image processing. Video recording capabilities are similar, supporting up to 4K resolution.

Performance

This is where the M52 5G truly shines. Its Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset is considerably more powerful than the A52's Snapdragon 720G. Expect faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the M52 5G. The M52 5G's 6nm process also contributes to improved efficiency.

Battery Life

The Galaxy M52 5G holds a clear advantage in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 123 hours compared to the A52's 105 hours. This translates to significantly longer usage times between charges. The A52 does offer 25W wired charging with a 50% charge in 30 minutes, while the M52 5G also has 25W wired charging.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy M52 5G is ideal for users who prioritize performance, 5G connectivity, and a smoother overall experience. The Galaxy A52 is a good option for those who value a slightly brighter display and a more established, reliable device, especially if 5G isn't a necessity.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Galaxy M52 5G worth the extra cost over the A52?
If you prioritize performance and 5G connectivity, the M52 5G is definitely worth the investment. However, if you're on a tighter budget and don't need 5G, the A52 remains a solid choice.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Historically, the Galaxy A series has received slightly longer software support than the M series. However, Samsung has been improving support across its entire lineup.