Looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that doesn't completely compromise on features? The ZTE Blade A52 Lite and the Samsung Galaxy A22 5G are both contenders, offering affordability and a range of capabilities. But which one truly comes out on top?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A22 5G is the clear winner. While the ZTE Blade A52 Lite offers basic functionality, the A22 5G boasts a superior chipset, 5G connectivity, a brighter display, and a significantly more robust feature set, justifying its slightly higher price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, August 20 | 2021, June 03 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, August | Available. Released 2021, June 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.49 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) | 167.2 x 76.4 x 9 mm (6.58 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 203 g (7.16 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI core 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1152p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | Yes | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Green | Gray, White, Mint, Violet |
| Models | - | SM-A226B, SM-A226B/DS, SM-A226B/DSN, SM-A226BR, SM-A226BR/N, SM-A226L, SC-56B |
| Price | - | £ 92.00 / € 125.99 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.73 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 118h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1631:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.5 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 242155 (v8), 223188 (v9)
GeekBench: 6913 (v4.4), 1719 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
ZTE Blade A52 Lite
- Very Affordable
- Basic Functionality
- Octa-Core Processor
- Limited Performance
- Unknown Camera Quality
- Likely Slower Charging
- Lower Brightness Display
- No 5G
Samsung Galaxy A22 5G
- 5G Connectivity
- Faster Performance (Dimensity 700)
- Brighter Display
- Excellent Battery Life
- Better Camera (Expected)
- Slightly Higher Price
- 15W Charging (Not Fastest)
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A22 5G's display shines with a measured 385 nits of brightness, offering better visibility in outdoor conditions. While both have a 1631:1 contrast ratio (nominal for the A22 5G), the A22 5G's higher brightness gives it a noticeable edge. The Blade A52 Lite's display is adequate but lacks the vibrancy and brightness of the A22 5G.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the Galaxy A22 5G is expected to have a more capable camera system. Details on the Blade A52 Lite's camera are scarce, suggesting a more basic setup. The A22 5G likely offers better image quality, dynamic range, and video recording capabilities.
Performance
The Galaxy A22 5G's Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset (7nm) is a significant upgrade over the Blade A52 Lite's octa-core processor. The Dimensity 700's Cortex-A76 cores provide a substantial boost in performance for multitasking, gaming, and demanding apps. The Blade A52 Lite will feel sluggish in comparison.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A22 5G boasts an impressive endurance rating of 118 hours, indicating exceptional battery life. While the Blade A52 Lite's battery capacity is unknown, it's unlikely to match the A22 5G's longevity. The A22 5G's 15W wired charging is also a step up from the Blade A52 Lite's likely slower charging speed.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade A52 Lite is ideal for users on an extremely tight budget who primarily need a phone for basic calling, texting, and light social media use. The Samsung Galaxy A22 5G is a better choice for those who want 5G connectivity, a smoother performance, a better camera, and a more modern smartphone experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the ZTE Blade A52 Lite worth buying?
It's a viable option if you're on a very tight budget and only need basic smartphone functionality. However, the Samsung Galaxy A22 5G offers significantly more value for a slightly higher price.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A22 5G support 5G?
Yes, the Galaxy A22 5G is designed for 5G connectivity, offering faster download and upload speeds where 5G networks are available.
