vivo S10 vs Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Power

The vivo S10 and Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both devices aim to deliver a 5G experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches to achieving this goal. The S10 prioritizes raw processing power with the Dimensity 1100, while the A52s 5G focuses on a well-rounded package with Samsung’s established software and display expertise.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing peak performance and faster charging, the vivo S10 is the better choice. Its Dimensity 1100 chipset offers a noticeable advantage in demanding tasks. However, the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G remains a strong contender, particularly for those valuing Samsung’s software ecosystem and proven battery endurance.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo S10 Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x -
Launch
Announced2021, July 152021, August 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, July 22Available. Released 2021, September 01
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back
Dimensions158.2 x 73.7 x 7.3 mm (6.23 x 2.90 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)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 1100 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G77 MC9Adreno 642L
OSAndroid 11, OriginOS 1.0Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1-
Main Camera
Dual44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF 8 MP, f/2.3, 105˚ (ultrawide)-
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED 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
Single-32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF 8 MP, f/2.3, 105˚ (ultrawide)-
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDRHDR
Single-32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C, 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual Proximity Sensing
Battery
Charging44W wired25W wired
Type4050 mAhLi-Ion 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Gradient Blue, YellowAwesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Purple, Awesome Mint
ModelsV2121ASM-A528B, SM-A528B/DS, SM-A528N
PriceAbout 370 EUR£ 112.98 / € 249.47
SAR-0.72 W/kg (head)
SAR EU-0.88 W/kg (head)     0.84 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 113h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -27.5 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 429675 (v8), 506432(v9) GeekBench: 11060 (v4.4), 2801 (v5.1) GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo S10

  • Faster 44W charging for quicker top-ups.
  • Potentially higher CPU performance with Dimensity 1100.
  • Likely better suited for demanding games and applications.

  • Camera specifications are unknown, potentially lagging behind Samsung.
  • Software experience may not be as refined as Samsung’s One UI.

Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G

  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility.
  • Samsung’s One UI offers a polished and feature-rich software experience.
  • Proven battery endurance with 113-hour rating.

  • Slower 25W charging compared to the vivo S10.
  • Chipset performance is slightly lower than the Dimensity 1100.

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 800 nits, which translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. While the vivo S10’s display specifications aren’t provided, Samsung’s panel offers an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting deep blacks. The A52s 5G’s brightness advantage is crucial for outdoor use, while the S10’s display quality remains unknown without further data. Both devices likely utilize AMOLED technology, common in this price bracket, but the A52s 5G’s measured brightness gives it a clear edge.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for the vivo S10. The Galaxy A52s 5G likely features a more refined image processing pipeline, benefiting from Samsung’s extensive camera expertise. Without knowing the S10’s main sensor size or aperture, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. The A52s 5G’s image quality will likely be more consistent across various lighting conditions, while the S10’s camera performance remains an unknown quantity. We can assume both phones will include standard features like night mode and portrait mode, but the A52s 5G’s established reputation suggests a more polished experience.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo S10’s Mediatek Dimensity 1100 (6nm) features a more aggressive CPU core configuration – four Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.6 GHz versus the Galaxy A52s 5G’s single 2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 and three additional 2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 cores within the Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm). This suggests the S10 will excel in multi-threaded workloads and sustained performance. While both are 6nm chips, the S10’s core count and clock speeds indicate a performance lead, particularly in gaming and demanding applications. The A52s 5G’s Snapdragon 778G is still a very capable chip, but the S10 has a theoretical advantage.

Battery Life

Both devices share an endurance rating of 113 hours, indicating similar real-world battery life despite differing charging speeds. The vivo S10’s 44W wired charging is significantly faster than the Galaxy A52s 5G’s 25W charging, allowing for quicker top-ups. While the A52s 5G’s battery life is comparable, the S10’s faster charging is a significant convenience factor. A full charge on the S10 will take considerably less time, making it ideal for users who frequently need to recharge their devices.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo S10 if you need a phone for intensive gaming, video editing, or multitasking, and value faster 44W charging. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G if you prefer a more balanced experience with a reliable battery, a bright and color-accurate display, and the familiarity of Samsung’s One UI software.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 1100 in the vivo S10 get noticeably warmer than the Snapdragon 778G during extended gaming sessions?
While both chips are 6nm, the Dimensity 1100’s higher clock speeds and core count could lead to more heat generation under sustained load. However, vivo’s thermal management implementation will play a crucial role. Without specific thermal testing data, it’s difficult to definitively say, but users should be aware of potential throttling during prolonged gaming.
❓ How does Samsung’s One UI software compare to vivo’s Funtouch OS in terms of bloatware and update frequency?
Samsung’s One UI has significantly improved in recent years, reducing bloatware and offering a more streamlined experience. vivo’s Funtouch OS has historically been criticized for pre-installed apps and a less intuitive interface. Samsung also generally provides more consistent and timely software updates compared to vivo, offering longer software support.
❓ Is the 25W charging on the Galaxy A52s 5G slow compared to the 44W on the S10, or is it still adequate for most users?
While 25W is slower than 44W, it’s still a respectable charging speed. The A52s 5G’s excellent battery life mitigates the slower charging somewhat. A full charge will take longer, but the phone’s endurance means you may not need to top up as frequently.