Redmi K40 Gaming vs. Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Champions

The Xiaomi Redmi K40 Gaming and Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. The K40 Gaming aggressively targets gamers with its powerful Dimensity 1200 chipset and rapid 67W charging, while the A52s 5G prioritizes a balanced experience with a reliable Snapdragon 778G and a focus on everyday usability. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing gaming performance and rapid charging, the Xiaomi Redmi K40 Gaming is the clear winner. However, the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G offers a more refined, all-around experience with comparable battery life and a potentially more consistent software experience, making it ideal for everyday users.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Redmi K40 Gaming Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 421, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 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, April 272021, August 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, April 30Available. Released 2021, September 01
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5)Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back
Dimensions161.9 x 76.9 x 8.3 mm (6.37 x 3.03 x 0.33 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
Weight205 g (7.23 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
 Physical pop-up gaming triggers IP53, dust and splash resistantIP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 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 1200 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G77 MC9Adreno 642L
OSAndroid 11, MIUI 12.5Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB 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
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, Dual-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
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, HDR4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps, HDR4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio Tuned by JBL-
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavICGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual Proximity Sensing
Battery
Charging67W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 42 min25W wired
TypeLi-Po 5065 mAhLi-Ion 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Gray, Silver, Bruce Lee YellowAwesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Purple, Awesome Mint
ModelsM2012K10C, M2104K10ACSM-A528B, SM-A528B/DS, SM-A528N
PriceAbout 260 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)

Xiaomi Redmi K40 Gaming

  • Significantly faster 67W charging
  • More powerful Dimensity 1200 chipset for gaming
  • Potentially better cooling for sustained performance

  • MIUI software can be polarizing
  • Display specifications are less detailed

Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G

  • Balanced performance with the Snapdragon 778G
  • Samsung’s One UI offers a refined software experience
  • 800 nits peak brightness for excellent outdoor visibility

  • Slower 25W charging
  • Less powerful chipset for demanding games

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 800 nits, providing excellent visibility outdoors. While the Redmi K40 Gaming’s display specifications aren’t provided, it’s likely to be comparable, but without the measured data, we can’t confirm. Both devices likely utilize AMOLED panels given their market segment, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The A52s 5G’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) is typical of AMOLED technology. The lack of information on the K40 Gaming’s refresh rate or PWM dimming frequency makes it difficult to assess its suitability for users sensitive to flicker, a potential advantage for the A52s 5G if it employs a higher frequency.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are described as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. However, the camera experience is likely a key differentiator. Samsung’s image processing is generally known for its vibrant and saturated colors, while Xiaomi often aims for a more natural look. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. The A52s 5G likely benefits from Samsung’s established camera algorithms and potentially better low-light performance. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device would be a significant advantage, but is not specified in the provided data.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Redmi K40 Gaming features the Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6nm) with a more aggressive CPU configuration (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78, 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78, 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) compared to the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78, 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78, 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55). This translates to a noticeable performance advantage for the K40 Gaming in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. While both are built on a 6nm process, the Dimensity 1200’s higher clock speeds and core configuration provide a theoretical edge. The A52s 5G’s Snapdragon 778G, however, is known for its efficiency and stable performance, potentially leading to less thermal throttling during sustained workloads. The K40 Gaming’s focus on gaming suggests it may have more aggressive cooling solutions.

Battery Life

Interestingly, both phones share an endurance rating of 113 hours, suggesting comparable real-world battery life despite the K40 Gaming’s focus on power. However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The Redmi K40 Gaming’s 67W wired charging, supporting PD3.0 and QC3, can fully charge the device in just 42 minutes. The A52s 5G’s 25W charging is significantly slower. This means the K40 Gaming offers a much more convenient charging experience, allowing users to quickly top up their battery when needed. The comparable endurance ratings suggest the Dimensity 1200’s power consumption is well-managed, offsetting its higher performance demands.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K40 Gaming if you need uncompromising gaming performance, demand the fastest possible charging speeds, and are comfortable with Xiaomi’s MIUI software. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G if you prefer a more balanced smartphone experience, value a reliable camera system, and appreciate Samsung’s One UI software and long-term software support.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Redmi K40 Gaming overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 1200 is a powerful chipset, and while efficient, it can generate heat under sustained load. The K40 Gaming is marketed as a gaming phone, suggesting Xiaomi has implemented cooling solutions (like vapor chambers or graphite sheets) to mitigate throttling. However, without specific thermal testing data, it’s impossible to say definitively how well it performs compared to the A52s 5G’s Snapdragon 778G, which is known for its efficiency.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G receive regular software updates?
Samsung is known for providing relatively good software support for its A-series devices. The A52s 5G is likely to receive several years of security updates and potentially one or two major Android version updates. This is a significant advantage over some other brands in this price range, offering longer-term usability and security.
❓ Is the 67W charging on the Redmi K40 Gaming compatible with all USB-PD chargers?
The Redmi K40 Gaming supports USB Power Delivery (PD) 3.0, meaning it *should* be compatible with most USB-PD chargers. However, to achieve the full 67W charging speed, you’ll need a charger that specifically supports the PD 3.0 protocol and delivers sufficient wattage. Using a lower-wattage charger will result in slower charging times.