The mid-range 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G, with its Snapdragon 778G chipset, and the vivo V21e 5G, powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 700, both aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 778G chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage, particularly in demanding tasks and gaming, while maintaining comparable battery life thanks to efficient power management. The V21e 5G offers faster charging, but the A52s' overall package is more compelling.
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 24 | 2021, August 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 28 | Available. Released 2021, September 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 160.6 x 73.9 x 7.7 or 7.8 mm | 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 165 g or 167 g (5.82 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 11.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7X", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED 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/2.0, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual Proximity Sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired, 72% in 30 min | 25W wired |
| Type | 4000 mAh | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sunset Jazz, Dark Pearl | Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Purple, Awesome Mint |
| Models | V2055 | SM-A528B, SM-A528B/DS, SM-A528N |
| Price | About 310 EUR | £ 112.98 / € 249.47 |
| SAR | 0.86 W/kg (head) 0.72 W/kg (body) | 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 V21e 5G
- Superior processor performance with Snapdragon 778G
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Likely better camera image processing
- Efficient power management for sustained performance
- Slower charging speed (25W)
- Potentially less sleek design (subjective)
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
- Faster 44W wired charging
- Competitive price point
- Sleek and lightweight design
- Good battery endurance
- Less powerful processor (Dimensity 700)
- Display brightness likely lower than A52s
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 800 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the vivo V21e 5G. This higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays are likely to have an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for AMOLED panels), the A52s' superior brightness is a clear advantage. The lack of information on the V21e's panel technology (e.g., PWM dimming rate) raises potential concerns for users sensitive to screen flicker.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for the V21e 5G. The A52s 5G likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing expertise, potentially delivering more refined images. Without knowing the main sensor size or aperture of the V21e 5G, it’s difficult to assess its low-light performance. The A52s’ camera system, while not specified in detail here, typically includes features like Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) which the V21e 5G’s specs don’t mention, resulting in sharper images and smoother videos.
Performance
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) in the Galaxy A52s 5G represents a substantial leap in performance over the Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm) found in the V21e 5G. The Snapdragon 778G’s CPU configuration – a 1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 prime core alongside 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 cores – offers superior single-core and multi-core performance compared to the V21e’s 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 setup. The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon further enhances efficiency, potentially leading to better sustained performance under load. This difference will be most noticeable in graphically intensive games and demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both the vivo V21e 5G and Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G achieve an endurance rating of 113 hours, suggesting comparable overall battery life despite differing charging speeds. However, the V21e 5G’s 44W wired charging is significantly faster than the A52s 5G’s 25W charging. The V21e 5G can reach 72% charge in just 30 minutes, while the A52s 5G will take considerably longer. This makes the V21e 5G a better choice for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo V21e 5G if you prioritize incredibly fast 44W charging and a sleek design are paramount, and you primarily use your phone for everyday tasks like social media and light browsing. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G if you need a more powerful processor for gaming, multitasking, or content creation, and value a brighter, more vibrant display and a more robust overall experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 778G in the Galaxy A52s 5G get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 778G is known for its efficiency. While it will generate heat during prolonged gaming, the A52s 5G’s thermal management system is generally effective at preventing significant throttling, allowing for sustained performance. However, extremely demanding titles at maximum settings may still lead to some performance reduction over time.
❓ Is the 44W charging on the vivo V21e 5G compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers?
While vivo often supports PD charging standards, it's best to use the charger included in the box or a vivo-certified charger to ensure optimal charging speeds and compatibility. Using a non-certified PD charger *may* work, but could result in slower charging or potential compatibility issues.
❓ How does the Dimensity 700 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile?
The Dimensity 700 can run PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but you may need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. Expect medium settings to provide a balanced experience, while high settings may result in occasional stuttering. The Snapdragon 778G in the A52s 5G will offer a significantly smoother experience at higher settings.
