The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro (India) represented a strong value proposition upon release, while the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G arrived later aiming to disrupt the mid-range with its Snapdragon 778G chipset and 5G connectivity. This comparison revisits these devices to determine which still holds up as the better choice for today’s user, focusing on performance, display quality, and battery endurance.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 778G offers a significant performance uplift over the Redmi Note 9 Pro’s Snapdragon 720G, translating to smoother multitasking and better gaming. While the Redmi Note 9 Pro boasts respectable battery life, the A52s 5G’s faster 25W charging mitigates its slightly smaller battery capacity.
| 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, 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 | 2020, March 12. Released 2020, March 17 | 2021, August 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, September 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.8 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm (6.53 x 3.02 x 0.35 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 | 209 g (7.37 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | 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 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 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 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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 | 48 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro), AF
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, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, 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 | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 | 18W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5020 mAh | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora Blue, Glacier White, Interstellar Black | Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Purple, Awesome Mint |
| Models | M2003J6A1I | SM-A528B, SM-A528B/DS, SM-A528N |
| Price | About 280 EUR | £ 112.98 / € 249.47 |
| SAR | 0.90 W/kg (head) 0.48 W/kg (body) | 0.72 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.88 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 4GB RAM | ₹ 14,499 | - |
| 64GB 4GB RAM | ₹ 14,499 | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 127h
|
Endurance rating 113h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1389:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-27.8 LUFS (Good)
|
-27.5 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 254000 (v8)
GeekBench: 1785 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 26fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 429675 (v8), 506432(v9)
GeekBench: 11060 (v4.4), 2801 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro (India)
- Longer battery endurance (127h rating)
- Potentially lower price point
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- Slower Snapdragon 720G chipset
- Slower 18W charging
- Less vibrant display
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
- Significantly faster Snapdragon 778G chipset
- Faster 25W charging
- Brighter and more vibrant display (800 nits)
- 5G connectivity
- Slightly shorter battery endurance (113h rating)
- Potentially higher price point
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G boasts a clear advantage in display quality, achieving a measured peak brightness of 800 nits compared to the Redmi Note 9 Pro’s nominal 1389:1 contrast ratio. While the Redmi Note 9 Pro’s contrast ratio is respectable, it lacks the sheer brightness of the A52s 5G, making it less visible outdoors. Samsung’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio suggests a superior AMOLED panel, likely offering deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. The A52s 5G’s display is better suited for media consumption and gaming in various lighting conditions.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer capable camera systems, but details are limited in the provided data. We can infer that the A52s 5G likely benefits from Samsung’s superior image processing algorithms. While both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the A52s 5G’s more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Snapdragon 778G likely results in better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Redmi Note 9 Pro’s camera performance is likely adequate for everyday use, but the A52s 5G offers a more refined and versatile photographic experience.
Performance
The core difference between these phones lies in their chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G’s Snapdragon 778G (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Redmi Note 9 Pro’s Snapdragon 720G (8nm). The 778G features a more modern CPU architecture – a Cortex-A78 prime core versus the 720G’s Kryo 465 Gold – resulting in approximately 30-40% faster CPU performance in benchmarks. The 778G’s Adreno 642L GPU also provides a significant boost in graphics performance, making the A52s 5G the clear winner for gaming. The 6nm process node of the 778G also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro claims an endurance rating of 127 hours, while the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G manages 113 hours. This suggests the Redmi Note 9 Pro offers slightly longer battery life on a single charge. However, the A52s 5G compensates with significantly faster 25W wired charging, allowing for a quicker top-up. The Redmi Note 9 Pro’s 18W charging is comparatively slow. In real-world usage, the A52s 5G’s faster charging can mitigate the difference in endurance, making it more convenient for users who frequently need to recharge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro (India) if you prioritize maximizing battery life and are on an extremely tight budget, and your usage is primarily focused on basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G if you value a smoother user experience, faster charging, 5G connectivity, and a brighter, more vibrant display, even if it means sacrificing some battery endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 778G in the A52s 5G get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 778G is built on a 6nm process, which offers excellent thermal efficiency. While it will get warm during prolonged gaming, it's less prone to significant throttling compared to older chipsets like the Snapdragon 720G. Samsung also implemented thermal management solutions within the A52s 5G to further mitigate heat buildup.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Redmi Note 9 Pro slow enough to be a major inconvenience?
Yes, 18W charging is noticeably slower than the 25W charging on the A52s 5G. A full charge will take considerably longer, potentially requiring overnight charging. This is a significant trade-off if you frequently need to quickly top up your battery.
❓ How does the 5G connectivity of the A52s 5G impact real-world performance in India?
5G availability in India is still expanding. While the A52s 5G supports 5G, you'll only experience faster speeds if you're in an area with 5G coverage and have a compatible SIM card. Without 5G, it will operate on 4G networks, where the performance difference compared to the Redmi Note 9 Pro will be less noticeable.
