The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G represent compelling options in the competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a balanced experience, they take different approaches to achieving it. The Redmi Note 10 Pro Max focuses on maximizing value with a robust feature set, while the Galaxy A52s 5G prioritizes performance with a more modern chipset.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 778G chipset, built on a 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max’s Snapdragon 732G, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. While charging is slightly slower, the overall experience is more refined.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 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, March 04 | 2021, August 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 18 | Available. Released 2021, September 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 76.2 x 8.1 mm (6.48 x 3.00 x 0.32 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 | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| | IP53, dust and splash resistant | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10, 450 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7150 Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 12 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 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 |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 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, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual Proximity Sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 60% in 30 min, 100% in 75 min | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5020 mAh | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Night, Glacial Blue, Vintage Bronze | Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Purple, Awesome Mint |
| Models | M2101K6I | SM-A528B, SM-A528B/DS, SM-A528N |
| Price | About 220 EUR | £ 112.98 / € 249.47 |
| SAR | 0.83 W/kg (head) 0.65 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) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Max
- Faster wired charging (33W)
- Potentially larger battery capacity (typical for the series)
- Generally more affordable price point
- Less powerful Snapdragon 732G chipset
- 8nm process less efficient than 6nm
- Likely lower peak display brightness
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
- More powerful Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset
- 6nm process for better efficiency and thermal management
- Higher peak display brightness (800 nits)
- Slower wired charging (25W)
- Potentially higher price
- Battery life is comparable, not superior
Display Comparison
The Galaxy A52s 5G boasts a peak brightness of 800 nits, a significant advantage over what is expected from the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max (spec not provided, but typically around 450-500 nits in this segment). This translates to better visibility outdoors. Both phones feature an 'Infinite' (Samsung) or similar (Xiaomi) contrast ratio, typical for AMOLED panels. While both likely use AMOLED technology, the A52s 5G’s higher brightness and potentially better color calibration give it an edge for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are equipped with capable camera systems, but details beyond 'Photo/Video' are limited. However, the A52s 5G likely benefits from the more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Snapdragon 778G, enabling faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance. Sensor size and lens apertures would be key differentiators, but without specific data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. The Redmi Note 10 Pro Max may offer more megapixels in certain configurations, but megapixels aren't everything; image quality is more dependent on sensor size and processing.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G’s Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Max’s Snapdragon 732G (8nm). The 778G features a more powerful Cortex-A78 prime core (2.4 GHz vs 2.3 GHz Kryo 470 Gold) and a more efficient manufacturing process. This results in faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The 6nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. The A52s 5G’s CPU architecture, with its A78 cores, is demonstrably more capable than the Kryo 470 cores in the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 113 hours, suggesting comparable real-world battery life despite the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max’s larger battery (spec not provided, but typically 5000mAh in this series). The A52s 5G compensates for this with its more efficient chipset. The Redmi Note 10 Pro Max offers faster wired charging at 33W (60% in 30 min, 100% in 75 min) compared to the A52s 5G’s 25W, meaning quicker top-ups when needed. However, the A52s 5G’s efficiency means you may not need to charge as frequently.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Max if you prioritize maximizing value and are less concerned with absolute performance. It’s a solid all-rounder for everyday tasks and offers a competitive feature set at a lower price point. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G if you value a smoother, more responsive user experience, particularly for gaming and demanding applications. The superior chipset and 5G connectivity make it a future-proofed option.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 778G in the Galaxy A52s 5G experience thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 778G’s 6nm process and improved thermal design in the A52s 5G significantly mitigate thermal throttling. While some throttling is inevitable during prolonged, demanding gaming, it’s less pronounced than on devices with less efficient chipsets like the Snapdragon 732G in the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max.
❓ Is the 25W charging on the Galaxy A52s 5G a significant drawback compared to the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max’s 33W?
While 33W is faster on paper, the A52s 5G’s more efficient chipset means you’re less likely to need to top up as frequently. The difference in charging time for a full charge isn’t massive, and the convenience of less frequent charging may outweigh the slightly slower speed.
❓ How does the 5G connectivity of the Galaxy A52s 5G impact real-world usage compared to the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max (assuming the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max has limited 5G support)?
The Galaxy A52s 5G’s full 5G support provides access to faster mobile data speeds where available, resulting in quicker downloads, smoother streaming, and lower latency for online gaming. If you live in an area with robust 5G coverage, this is a significant advantage.
