The T-Mobile REVVL V+ 5G and Samsung Galaxy A52 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive sub-$300 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price, they take different approaches to achieving this, resulting in distinct strengths and weaknesses. This comparison dives deep into the hardware and features to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing display quality and a more refined software experience, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is the better choice. However, the T-Mobile REVVL V+ 5G offers a surprisingly competitive package, particularly for those focused on maximizing value and aren't as sensitive to display nuances.
| 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 | 2, 4, 5, 12, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, July 01. Released 2021, July 12 | 2021, March 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, March 19 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 173.7 x 77.5 x 7.1 mm (6.84 x 3.05 x 0.28 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 |
| Weight | - | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~257 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~407 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 112.3 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 101.0 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (HBM) |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7X", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 16 MP, (wide), AF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
2 MP | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | Yes | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 25W wired, 50% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Nebula Black | Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Violet, Awesome Blue |
| Models | - | SM-A526B, SM-A526B/DS, SM-A5260, SM-A526W, SM-A526U, SM-A526U1 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | $ 137.39 / £ 280.00 / € 115.49 |
| SAR | - | 0.74 W/kg (head) 0.53 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.05 W/kg (head) 1.42 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 111h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.5 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 334981 (v8), 386474 (v9)
GeekBench: 1820 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
T-Mobile REVVL V+ 5G
- More affordable price point
- Decent 5G performance for basic tasks
- Acceptable battery life
- Inferior display quality
- Less powerful processor
- Slower charging speed
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- More powerful Snapdragon 750G processor
- Faster 25W charging
- Higher price tag
- Similar battery life to REVVL V+ 5G
- Potentially bloated software
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G boasts a significant advantage in display quality, achieving a measured peak brightness of 787 nits. This is crucial for outdoor visibility, a scenario where the REVVL V+ 5G’s display specifications are not available for comparison, but likely falls short. While the A52 5G’s contrast ratio is listed as 'Infinite (nominal)', this is typical marketing language; the real benefit is the superior brightness and likely better color accuracy, making media consumption and general use more enjoyable. The lack of detailed display specs for the REVVL V+ 5G suggests a more basic panel.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is limited. The A52 5G likely benefits from Samsung’s established image processing algorithms and potentially a larger main sensor (though not specified). The REVVL V+ 5G’s camera system is likely more basic, focusing on providing acceptable image quality in good lighting conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the A52 5G is a common inclusion in this price range, but its utility is questionable due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).
Performance
Under the hood, the Galaxy A52 5G utilizes the Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm), while the REVVL V+ 5G is powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm). Both are octa-core CPUs with similar core configurations (2x high-performance, 6x efficiency), but the Snapdragon 750G’s 8nm process generally translates to better power efficiency and sustained performance. The A52 5G’s Kryo 570 cores are also architecturally more advanced than the Cortex-A76/A55 combination in the Dimensity 700. While day-to-day tasks will feel similar on both, the A52 5G will likely exhibit less throttling during extended gaming or demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both the T-Mobile REVVL V+ 5G and Samsung Galaxy A52 5G share an endurance rating of 111 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the A52 5G offers faster charging at 25W, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 30 minutes, while the REVVL V+ 5G is limited to 18W wired charging. This faster charging speed provides a significant convenience factor, allowing users to quickly top up their battery when needed. The similar endurance ratings suggest that despite the faster charging, the A52 5G doesn't sacrifice overall battery longevity.
Buying Guide
Buy the T-Mobile REVVL V+ 5G if you need a functional 5G phone with decent performance and are on a very tight budget, prioritizing affordability above all else. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G if you prefer a brighter, more vibrant display, a more polished user experience, and potentially better long-term software support, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Dimensity 700 in the REVVL V+ 5G capable of handling demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Dimensity 700 can run PUBG Mobile, you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The Snapdragon 750G in the A52 5G offers a more comfortable gaming experience with higher settings and less thermal throttling.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G receive regular software updates and security patches?
Samsung generally provides good software support for its A-series devices. The A52 5G has received multiple Android updates and security patches, and is likely to continue receiving them for a reasonable period. T-Mobile's update track record for the REVVL V+ 5G is less consistent.
❓ How significant is the charging speed difference between 18W and 25W?
The 25W charging on the A52 5G is noticeably faster, allowing you to add a substantial amount of charge in a short period. Reaching 50% in 30 minutes is a significant convenience compared to the slower 18W charging on the REVVL V+ 5G.
