Samsung Galaxy M62 vs A52: A Deep Dive into Samsung's Mid-Range Contenders

The Samsung Galaxy M62 and A52 represent two distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The M62, with its older flagship Exynos 9825 chipset, aims for raw power, while the A52 leverages the more efficient Snapdragon 720G and a brighter display. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A52 is the better choice. While the M62 boasts a more powerful processor on paper, the A52’s superior display brightness, efficient Snapdragon chipset, and comparable battery life provide a smoother, more refined daily experience. The M62’s advantage is limited to demanding tasks.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy M62 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
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2021, February 242021, March 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, March 03Available. Released 2021, March 26
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions163.9 x 76.3 x 9.5 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.37 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
Weight218 g (7.69 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning 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 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 101.0 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED Plus, 420 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.73 GHz Exynos M4 & 2x2.40 GHz Cortex-A75 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver)
ChipsetExynos 9825 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm)
GPUMali-G76 MP12Adreno 618
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 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
Quad64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens64 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), 1/2.8", 0.8µm-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radio, recordingFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 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 wired 4.5W reverse wired25W wired, 50% in 30 min
TypeLi-Po 7000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsLaser Green, Laser Gray, Laser BlueAwesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Violet, Awesome Blue
ModelsSM-M625F, SM-M625F/DSSM-A525F, SM-A525F/DS, SM-A525M, SM-A525M/DS
Price-C$ 699.00 / £ 129.99 / € 169.89
SAR EU0.68 W/kg (head)     1.17 W/kg (body)0.35 W/kg (head)     0.84 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 105h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -27.0 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 261282 (v8) GeekBench: 5865 (v4.4), 1577 (v5.1) GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy M62

  • More powerful processor (Exynos 9825) for demanding tasks
  • Reverse wireless charging capability
  • Potentially larger battery capacity (unconfirmed)

  • Older chipset architecture, potentially less efficient
  • Likely lower display brightness
  • Potentially more thermal throttling under sustained load

Samsung Galaxy A52

  • Brighter, more vibrant display (794 nits)
  • More efficient Snapdragon 720G chipset
  • Smoother overall user experience

  • Less powerful processor than the M62
  • No reverse wireless charging
  • May struggle with extremely demanding games at max settings

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A52 clearly leads in display quality, boasting a measured peak brightness of 794 nits. This significantly surpasses what we’d expect from the M62, making the A52 far more usable outdoors. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, the A52’s higher brightness and 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) translate to a more immersive viewing experience. The M62’s display specs are not provided, but given its positioning, it likely falls short of the A52’s capabilities.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specs are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the A52’s image processing is likely more refined, benefiting from newer algorithms. The M62’s older chipset might struggle with the same level of computational photography. It’s safe to assume both phones will deliver acceptable results in good lighting, but the A52 likely holds an edge in low-light performance and video stabilization.

Performance

The chipset is where the biggest difference lies. The Galaxy M62’s Exynos 9825 (7nm) was a flagship processor, featuring an octa-core configuration with powerful Cortex-A75 cores. However, it’s an older architecture. The A52’s Snapdragon 720G (8nm) is a more modern, efficient design. While the Exynos has a theoretical performance advantage, the Snapdragon 720G’s 8nm process and optimized cores deliver a smoother experience in sustained tasks due to better thermal management. The A52’s CPU, with its Kryo 465 Gold and Silver cores, is designed for efficiency, while the M62’s Exynos M4 cores prioritize peak performance.

Battery Life

Both the M62 and A52 achieve an endurance rating of 105 hours, indicating similar real-world battery life despite the M62’s potentially larger capacity (not specified). The A52 compensates with its more efficient Snapdragon 720G. The M62 supports 25W wired charging, while the A52 also supports 25W charging and can reach 50% charge in 30 minutes. The M62 also offers 4.5W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the A52.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy M62 if you prioritize maximum processing power for demanding applications like video editing or emulation, and are willing to accept potentially lower efficiency. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A52 if you value a brighter, more vibrant display, consistent performance, and a more balanced overall experience for everyday use and light gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 9825 in the M62 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9825 is a powerful chip, but its 7nm process is less efficient than the Snapdragon 720G’s 8nm process. This means the M62 is more prone to thermal throttling during extended gaming, potentially leading to performance drops. The A52’s Snapdragon 720G is designed for sustained performance.
❓ Is the 25W charging on both phones equally fast in real-world use?
While both support 25W charging, the A52 is specifically advertised to reach 50% charge in 30 minutes. The M62’s charging speed is not explicitly stated, but it’s likely slightly slower due to the larger battery capacity (if it is larger) and potentially less optimized charging circuitry.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 720G handle graphically intensive games like PUBG?
The Snapdragon 720G can comfortably run PUBG at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it won’t match the performance of flagship chipsets, it provides a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience. The M62’s Exynos 9825 *could* achieve higher frame rates, but may experience more noticeable throttling during extended gameplay.
❓ Is the difference in display quality between the M62 and A52 noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the A52’s 794 nits peak brightness makes a significant difference, especially outdoors or in brightly lit environments. Text and images will appear clearer and more vibrant on the A52, leading to a more enjoyable viewing experience.