The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Umidigi F3S and Motorola Moto G52 represent compelling options, but cater to slightly different priorities. The F3S focuses on offering a functional experience at an extremely low price point, while the Moto G52 aims for a more refined experience with a more efficient chipset and faster charging, albeit at a potentially higher cost.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing smooth daily performance and faster charging, the Motorola Moto G52 is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 680, built on a 6nm process, delivers a noticeable performance advantage and improved efficiency over the Umidigi F3S's Unisoc T610. However, the F3S remains a viable option for those on the tightest of budgets.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022 | 2022, April 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022 | Available. Released 2022, April 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 168.3 x 76.6 x 8.8 mm (6.63 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 160.1 x 74.5 x 8 mm (6.30 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 169 g (5.96 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent design |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1650 pixels (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 106.2 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~86.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, planned upgrade to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", AF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide)
5 MP (macro) | 50 MP, f/1.8 (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 30W wired |
| Type | 5150 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Hawaii Blue, Matte Silver, Starry Black, Sunglow Gold, Galaxy Blue | Charcoal Gray, Porcelain White |
| Models | - | XT2221-1, XT2221-2 |
| Price | - | About 470 EUR |
Umidigi F3S
- Extremely affordable price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Potentially larger battery capacity (speculation)
- Slow 10W charging
- Less powerful Unisoc T610 chipset
- Likely inferior camera performance
Motorola Moto G52
- More efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Faster 30W wired charging
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Higher price compared to Umidigi F3S
- May have less battery capacity (speculation)
- Motorola's software update commitment can be inconsistent
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Specifications are missing for both, but given the price points, expect 6.5-6.6 inch LCD panels with 720p or 1080p resolution. The Moto G52 likely benefits from Motorola’s color calibration, potentially offering more accurate colors. The absence of high refresh rates is expected, but the Moto G52 may have a slightly better viewing experience due to the more efficient chipset allowing for potentially higher peak brightness.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, given the price bracket, both phones likely feature a primary sensor around 13-50MP, paired with depth and macro lenses of questionable utility. The Snapdragon 680’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) in the Moto G52 likely offers superior image processing capabilities, resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction, especially in low-light conditions. Expect Motorola’s software optimizations to further enhance image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Moto G52’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm) is a significant upgrade over the Umidigi F3S’s Unisoc T610 (12nm). The 6nm process node translates to better power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling, meaning the Moto G52 will sustain peak performance for longer. The Snapdragon 680’s CPU configuration – 4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver – also provides a performance edge over the F3S’s 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55. This will be most noticeable in multitasking and more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Moto G52’s 30W wired charging is a major advantage over the F3S’s slow 10W charging. This translates to significantly faster top-ups, reducing downtime. While the F3S might have a slightly larger battery, the Moto G52’s more efficient Snapdragon 680 will likely deliver comparable or even better real-world battery life, coupled with the convenience of rapid charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Umidigi F3S if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media, and your budget is extremely limited. Buy the Motorola Moto G52 if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience for everyday use, appreciate faster charging, and are willing to spend a little more for a more efficient processor and potentially better software support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T610 in the Umidigi F3S struggle with multitasking or demanding apps?
Yes, the Unisoc T610 is a budget chipset and will likely exhibit slowdowns when running multiple apps simultaneously or playing graphically intensive games. It's best suited for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media browsing.
❓ How long does it realistically take to charge the Motorola Moto G52 from 0% to 100%?
With 30W charging, the Motorola Moto G52 should be able to charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 60-75 minutes, depending on battery capacity. This is a significant improvement over the much slower charging speed of the Umidigi F3S.
❓ Is the camera on either phone good enough for casual photography?
Both phones will be adequate for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions. However, the Motorola Moto G52 is likely to produce better results, particularly in low-light scenarios, due to its more capable ISP and image processing.
❓ Does the Motorola Moto G52 support 5G connectivity?
No, the Motorola Moto G52 uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G chipset, meaning it is limited to 4G LTE connectivity. The Umidigi F3S also does not support 5G.
