Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is a mid-range smartphone that was released in March 2021. It is an upgraded version of the Galaxy A52, with faster 5G connectivity and a few other enhancements. The phone boasts a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display, a powerful Snapdragon 750G processor, and a quad-camera setup on the back. With a starting price of £299.99, the Galaxy A52 5G offers a lot of value for its cost. However, with so many mid-range smartphones on the market, it can be difficult to determine if this phone is the right fit for you.

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G boasts a sleek and modern design that is sure to turn heads. With a glass front and plastic back, the device feels sturdy and well-made in the hand. Its dimensions of 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) and weight of 189 g (6.67 oz) make it easy to hold and use, even with one hand.

The phone's ergonomic design ensures comfortable use, with easy access to all buttons and ports. The device comes in four color options, including Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Violet, and Awesome Blue, offering a range of choices to suit any personal style.

In terms of durability, the Galaxy A52 5G is rated IP67 dust and water-resistant, meaning it can withstand being submerged in up to 1m of water for 30 minutes. This protection offers peace of mind for those who may accidentally drop their phone in water or use it in harsher environments.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G offers a premium design and build quality that rivals even more expensive flagship devices. Its sleek design, sturdy construction, and water-resistant capabilities make it an attractive option for those looking for a high-quality phone at a reasonable price.

Display

The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G boasts a stunning 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and an aspect ratio of 20:9. The display is capable of producing vivid and accurate colors, thanks to its HDR10+ certification and 800 nits of brightness. The screen-to-body ratio of 84.1% ensures that the display takes up almost the entire front of the phone, providing an immersive viewing experience.

The display also offers a high refresh rate of 120Hz, resulting in smooth and fluid animations. This makes scrolling through social media, playing games, and browsing the internet a delight. Additionally, the display comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection, ensuring that it remains scratch-free and durable.

The touch sensitivity and responsiveness of the display are also commendable, making typing and navigating the phone a breeze. The Always-On Display feature is an added bonus, allowing users to check the time, date, and notifications without having to turn on the screen.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G's display is one of the best in its price range, offering a premium viewing experience with its vibrant colors, high refresh rate, and top-notch protection.

Performance

When it comes to performance, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G does not disappoint. Powered by a Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G chipset and an octa-core CPU that clocks at 2.2 GHz, this phone is built to handle the most demanding of tasks with ease. It also comes with a choice of 6GB or 8GB of RAM, depending on the version you choose, and up to 256GB of internal storage, with the option to expand it using a microSDXC card.

In real-world usage, the Galaxy A52 5G handles multitasking and app performance with ease, and the gaming capabilities of this phone are impressive too, thanks to the Adreno 619 GPU. We tested a few graphically intensive games and were pleased with the smooth gameplay and frame rates.

When it comes to benchmark scores, the Galaxy A52 5G delivers respectable results, with an AnTuTu score of 334981 (v8) and 386474 (v9), and a GeekBench score of 1820 (v5.1). These scores are in line with other mid-range phones in the market.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G offers solid performance that should satisfy most users. Whether you're a power user who demands a lot from your phone or a casual user who just wants a phone that works smoothly, the Galaxy A52 5G is a great choice.

Software and User Interface

The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G runs on the latest Android 11 operating system, with an upgrade to Android 13 and One UI 5.1 already in the works. One of the best things about the software on this device is the level of customization it offers, allowing users to personalize their experience to their liking. The One UI interface is clean, user-friendly, and easy to navigate, with intuitive controls that make it simple to access features and settings.

Pre-installed apps on the device are kept to a minimum, with only a handful of essential Samsung apps such as Bixby, Samsung Health, and Samsung Pay included. The lack of bloatware is a welcome change from other smartphones in this price range, making for a smoother and more streamlined experience.

One of the standout features of the software on the Galaxy A52 5G is the advanced gaming capabilities. The Game Launcher and Game Booster features make playing games on this device a seamless and immersive experience. Users can easily optimize their gaming performance, control notifications, and even record their gameplay.

The software on the Galaxy A52 5G is regularly updated, with security patches and bug fixes released on a monthly basis. This ensures that the device remains secure, stable, and up-to-date.

Overall, the software and user interface on the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G are top-notch. The level of customization and advanced features make it a joy to use, while the lack of bloatware ensures a smoother and more streamlined experience.

Camera

The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G boasts a quad-camera setup on the rear, with a 64MP primary shooter, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, a 5MP macro lens, and a 5MP depth sensor. The primary camera is capable of capturing highly detailed and sharp photos with excellent color accuracy in good lighting conditions. The ultra-wide lens is perfect for capturing landscapes or group photos, and the depth sensor helps to add a pleasing bokeh effect to portrait shots.

In low-light conditions, the camera performs well thanks to the optical image stabilization (OIS) and Night mode feature, which helps to reduce image noise and produce brighter and more detailed shots. The macro lens is also fun to use and allows you to get up close and personal with small objects.

The camera app is user-friendly and easy to navigate, with plenty of shooting modes and features to play around with. The 32MP front-facing camera is also impressive, producing sharp and detailed selfies with natural skin tones. It even has a software-based beauty mode that can be turned on or off depending on your preference.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G's camera is a solid performer, punching above its weight in its price range. While it may not be on par with the flagship devices, it's a great option for anyone looking for a mid-range phone with a capable camera.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G comes equipped with a variety of connectivity options to ensure that users stay connected no matter where they are. The device supports GSM, HSPA, LTE, and 5G networks, providing high-speed internet connectivity and reliable call quality.

In terms of wireless connectivity, the A52 5G offers Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac dual-band support, as well as Wi-Fi Direct for fast and easy file sharing. Bluetooth 5.0 with A2DP and LE support is also available, allowing users to connect to a variety of accessories and peripherals such as wireless speakers and headphones.

The device features GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, and BDS positioning capabilities, making it easy to navigate through unfamiliar territories. Additionally, NFC is available in select markets, allowing for contactless payments and other transactions.

The A52 5G also features a USB Type-C 2.0 port with OTG support, providing fast charging and data transfer capabilities. The device also has an FM radio receiver, allowing users to listen to their favorite radio stations without using their cellular data.

In terms of sensors, the A52 5G comes equipped with a fingerprint sensor located under the display, as well as an accelerometer, gyro sensor, and compass. The device also features virtual proximity sensing capabilities, allowing for an intuitive user experience.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G offers a comprehensive suite of connectivity and networking features, making it an ideal device for those who require reliable connectivity on the go.

Additional Features

The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is packed with several impressive additional features that make it stand out from the crowd. Firstly, it boasts water and dust resistance with an IP67 rating, meaning it can withstand submersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes without any damage. This is a useful feature for those who may accidentally drop their phone in water or get caught in a rainstorm.

Another great feature is the expandable storage options, with support for microSDXC cards up to 1TB. This means users can easily store a large amount of photos, videos, and other files on their device without worrying about running out of space.

The audio quality on the Galaxy A52 5G is impressive, with a 3.5mm headphone jack and stereo speakers that deliver clear and balanced sound. The phone also features a virtual proximity sensor that can detect when a user is on a call and adjust the audio output accordingly for an enhanced calling experience.

The speaker performance on the Galaxy A52 5G is also top-notch, with a loud and clear output that can fill a room with ease. The phone also supports a variety of audio codecs for high-quality streaming and playback of music and other media.

Other unique features of the Galaxy A52 5G include an always-on display that shows the time and notifications even when the phone is locked, and a fingerprint sensor that is located under the display for quick and secure unlocking. Overall, the additional features on the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G make it a compelling choice for those seeking a feature-packed smartphone.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G to other related phones, there are a few notable competitors to consider. One such phone is the Google Pixel 4a 5G, which offers a similar price point and 5G capability. While the Pixel has a slightly smaller screen size at 6.2 inches, it does have a higher resolution at 1080 x 2340 pixels. The Pixel also boasts a superior camera system with a 12.2 MP main camera and 16 MP ultrawide camera, but lacks the expandable storage options of the Galaxy A52 5G.

Another related phone to consider is the OnePlus Nord CE 5G, which has a slightly larger screen at 6.43 inches and a higher refresh rate at 90Hz. The Nord CE 5G also offers a more powerful processor with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G chipset, but has a lower resolution at 1080 x 2400 pixels and lacks the water and dust resistance of the Galaxy A52 5G.

Lastly, the iPhone SE (2020) is another related phone to consider, although it is not 5G capable. The iPhone SE has a smaller screen at 4.7 inches, but boasts a higher resolution at 750 x 1334 pixels. It also offers the Apple ecosystem and a powerful A13 Bionic chipset, but lacks expandable storage options and a headphone jack.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G offers a solid balance of features and specifications at a competitive price point, making it a strong contender in the mid-range smartphone market.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is an impressive mid-range smartphone that offers exceptional value for money. With its sleek design, vivid display, powerful processor, and versatile camera setup, it's a device that's hard to ignore. The phone's battery life is also impressive, making it perfect for on-the-go use.

While there are some minor drawbacks to the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G, such as the lack of a high refresh rate display, limited water resistance, and the absence of wireless charging, these are relatively minor compared to the phone's many advantages.

Overall, if you're in the market for a mid-range smartphone that packs a punch, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is definitely worth considering. It's an excellent choice for anyone looking for a device that combines affordability, performance, and style. So, if you're looking for a great phone at a reasonable price, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is definitely worth checking out!