The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G and ZTE Axon 20 4G represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The A52s 5G leverages Qualcomm’s 5G-capable Snapdragon 778G, while the Axon 20 4G opts for Unisoc’s UMS512T (Tiger T618). This comparison dissects their key differences, helping you determine which device best suits your needs and budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 778G chipset delivers significantly better performance, and the 5G connectivity offers future-proofing. While the Axon 20 4G offers a potentially lower price, the performance gap is substantial.
| 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 | LTE | 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, November 17. Released 2020, December 04 | 2021, August 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, September 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 172.1 x 77.9 x 8 mm (6.78 x 3.07 x 0.31 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 | 198 g (6.98 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 2460 pixels (~388 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.92 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc UMS512T / Tiger T618 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali G52 MP2 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 10, MiFavor 10.5 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide)
2 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 | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, HDR | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), under display | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, 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 | - | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4220 mAh | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Purple, Awesome Mint |
| Models | - | SM-A528B, SM-A528B/DS, SM-A528N |
| Price | About 370 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) |
ZTE Axon 20 4G
- Potentially lower price point
- Acceptable battery life
- Basic smartphone functionality
- Significantly weaker performance
- Outdated chipset architecture
- Likely inferior camera quality
- No 5G connectivity
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 778G
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Faster 25W charging
- Higher price compared to Axon 20 4G
- Battery life is comparable, not superior
- May not be significantly better in all camera scenarios
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G boasts a notably brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 800 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Axon 20 4G. This translates to better visibility outdoors. While both displays have an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for AMOLED panels), the A52s 5G’s higher brightness provides a more impactful viewing experience. The A52s 5G’s panel technology is likely Super AMOLED, known for its vibrant colors, while the Axon 20 4G’s panel type is not specified, potentially indicating a lower-tier panel.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but details are limited. Without specific sensor sizes or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, Samsung’s image processing algorithms are generally more refined, leading to more consistent and pleasing results. The Axon 20 4G’s camera system is likely to be more budget-focused, potentially lacking features like optical image stabilization (OIS) found in some A52s 5G configurations. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the Axon 20 4G is unlikely to significantly enhance the photography experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G’s Snapdragon 778G (6nm) is a significant leap ahead of the ZTE Axon 20 4G’s Unisoc UMS512T (12nm). The 778G features a more modern CPU architecture – a 1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 prime core alongside 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 cores – versus the Axon’s 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 configuration. The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon 778G also provides superior power efficiency and thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended use. This means the A52s 5G will handle demanding games and applications with greater ease.
Battery Life
Both devices share an endurance rating of 113 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Snapdragon 778G’s superior power efficiency could translate to slightly longer real-world usage on the A52s 5G. The A52s 5G supports 25W wired charging, allowing for faster top-ups compared to the Axon 20 4G’s charging speed, which is not specified but is likely slower.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Axon 20 4G if your primary concern is minimizing upfront cost and 5G isn't a priority. It's a viable option for basic smartphone tasks. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G if you value smooth performance for gaming and multitasking, want the benefits of 5G connectivity, and appreciate a brighter, more vibrant display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Unisoc T618 chipset in the Axon 20 4G sufficient for playing demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While PUBG Mobile may be playable on the Axon 20 4G, expect significantly reduced graphics settings and potential frame rate drops. The Unisoc T618 lacks the processing power and GPU capabilities of the Snapdragon 778G, resulting in a less smooth gaming experience.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G support carrier aggregation for improved 5G speeds?
Yes, the Snapdragon 778G in the Galaxy A52s 5G supports carrier aggregation, allowing it to combine multiple 5G channels for faster and more stable data speeds, provided your carrier supports it. This is a key advantage over devices with less capable 5G modems.
❓ How does the 12nm process node of the Unisoc T618 affect the Axon 20 4G's thermal performance?
The 12nm process node is less efficient than the 6nm node used in the Snapdragon 778G. This means the Unisoc T618 generates more heat under load, potentially leading to thermal throttling and reduced performance during prolonged use, such as extended gaming sessions.
❓ What type of display technology does the ZTE Axon 20 4G use?
The display technology used in the ZTE Axon 20 4G is not explicitly stated in the available specifications. It is likely an LCD or a lower-tier AMOLED panel compared to the Super AMOLED display found in the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G.
