The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo V21e and Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. While both aim to deliver a balanced experience, they diverge significantly in their core hardware, particularly in chipset choice. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 778G chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the vivo V21e’s Snapdragon 720G, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. While the V21e boasts faster 33W charging, the A52s 5G’s overall package is more compelling.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 27 | 2021, August 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 05 | Available. Released 2021, September 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 161.2 x 74.4 x 7.4 mm (6.35 x 2.93 x 0.29 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 171 g (6.03 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 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, HDR10, 430 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 11.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 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 | Yes (market/region dependent) | 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual Proximity Sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 66% in 30 min | 25W wired |
| Type | 4000 mAh | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Diamond Flare, Roman Black | Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Purple, Awesome Mint |
| Models | V2061 | SM-A528B, SM-A528B/DS, SM-A528N |
| Price | About 240 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 V21e
- Faster 33W charging for quick power-ups
- Potentially sleeker design (based on vivo’s aesthetic)
- Competitive price point
- Less powerful Snapdragon 720G chipset
- Limited performance for demanding games
- Display specifications are unknown
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
- More powerful Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset
- Brighter 800 nit display for outdoor visibility
- Superior performance for gaming and multitasking
- Slower 25W charging
- Potentially less stylish design (subjective)
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G boasts a significant advantage with its measured peak brightness of 800 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even under direct sunlight. While the V21e’s display specifications are not provided, Samsung’s Super AMOLED panel typically delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks, with an 'Infinite' contrast ratio. The A52s 5G’s higher brightness is crucial for outdoor use, while the V21e’s display quality is likely adequate for indoor viewing. The lack of refresh rate information for the V21e is a notable omission, potentially putting it at a disadvantage against the A52s 5G if the latter features a higher refresh rate panel.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for the V21e. The A52s 5G likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing expertise, potentially delivering more refined images. Without knowing the main sensor resolution or aperture of the V21e, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. The A52s 5G’s camera system is likely to offer better low-light performance and dynamic range due to its more advanced image signal processor (ISP) integrated within the Snapdragon 778G. The presence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the A52s 5G (a common feature in Samsung’s A-series) would further enhance image and video quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the vivo V21e utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm), while the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G features the Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm). This is a substantial leap. The 778G’s Cortex-A78 prime core (2.4 GHz) offers significantly higher single-core performance than the 720G’s Kryo 465 Gold core (2.3 GHz). Furthermore, the 6nm fabrication process of the 778G results in improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling during sustained workloads. The A52s 5G’s CPU configuration – 1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78, 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78, and 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55 – is architecturally superior to the V21e’s 2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver. This translates to a smoother experience in demanding games and applications.
Battery Life
Both phones share an endurance rating of 113 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the V21e’s 33W wired charging is significantly faster than the A52s 5G’s 25W charging. The V21e can reach 66% charge in 30 minutes, while the A52s 5G will take longer. This faster charging is a key advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups. Despite the faster charging, the A52s 5G’s more efficient chipset may offset the difference in real-world usage, providing similar overall battery longevity.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo V21e if you prioritize fast charging and a sleek design, and your usage primarily revolves around everyday tasks like social media and light browsing. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G if you value performance for gaming and demanding applications, a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and a more future-proof 5G experience. The A52s 5G is the better option for power users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 778G in the A52s 5G get hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 778G’s 6nm process and efficient thermal design in the A52s 5G mitigate overheating. While some warmth is expected during extended gaming, it’s unlikely to experience significant throttling, providing a consistently smooth experience. The V21e’s 720G, while capable, is more prone to throttling under sustained load.
❓ Is the 25W charging on the A52s 5G a significant drawback compared to the V21e’s 33W?
While 33W is faster, the A52s 5G’s more efficient chipset means it consumes less power overall. This can partially offset the slower charging speed in daily use. The difference in charging time won’t be drastic for most users, and the A52s 5G’s superior performance provides a more substantial benefit.
❓ How does the 5G connectivity on the A52s 5G compare to the V21e?
The Snapdragon 778G in the A52s 5G has an integrated 5G modem that supports a wider range of 5G bands, offering potentially better 5G connectivity and speeds compared to the 720G in the V21e. This makes the A52s 5G more future-proof for 5G networks.
