RELEASE DATE AND PRICE
- Starts at $499 / £399 / AU$799
- cheaper than Galaxy S21
If you’re interested in buying the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G, you can get it for $499 / £399 or AU$799 SIM-free, or you can choose from a range of contract deals. Compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21 series, which starts at $799 / £769 / AU$1,249, the A52 5G is a much cheaper option that may be more appealing to budget-conscious buyers. However, it’s worth noting that the standard Galaxy A52 won’t be available in the US or UK, and the A52 5G is quite different from that model. The A52 5G has 5G connectivity and a higher refresh rate screen, while the non-5G version of the phone is available in Australia for AU$599.
DESIGN
- attractive colors
- Has a USB-C port and headphone jack
- Solid plastic build material
The Galaxy A52 5G may not have the flashy features of flagship smartphones, but it’s built solidly despite its plastic back and aluminum frame. It doesn’t feel as premium as Samsung’s high-end phones, but it’s still durable enough to hold comfortably. This smartphone is also larger than most budget handsets, with a 6.5-inch display and dimensions of 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4mm. It’s available in black, white, blue, or violet, with the latter two colors being particularly vibrant. The device is also IP67-certified for dust and water resistance. Samsung has retained the 3.5mm headphone jack on this model, which is located on the bottom edge alongside the USB-C port. On the right-hand edge of the phone, you’ll find a volume rocker and a power button. The screen has a punch-hole camera, which eliminates the need for a large bezel at the top.
SPECS AND PERFORMANCE
- Uses Snapdragon 750G chipset
- Connects to 5G
For those seeking blazing fast 5G connectivity, the latest Galaxy A series smartphone is a wise choice. While it currently provides access to next-gen internet, for most, it’s a solid investment for the future when the technology is more widespread.If you anticipate utilizing 5G capabilities in the future, we suggest selecting a phone with this feature, ensuring you won’t have to upgrade to take advantage of faster internet speeds once it becomes more readily available.Running the show is the octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G processor. While not top-of-the-line, it’s more than capable of most tasks, and its slight lags are unlikely to cause significant frustration. If gaming is your primary concern, it might be worth considering other options, but this phone is still competent.According to Geekbench 5, the device scored an average multi-core score of 1,623, lower than the more expensive Samsung Galaxy S21’s score of 2,699. The Moto G 5G Plus, which is slightly cheaper than the Galaxy A52 5G, scored 1,822, with similar performance scores. Although not revolutionary, the Galaxy A52 5G has enough power for the majority of users.Samsung offers the phone with either 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage or 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The latter model was not available in the US, UK, or Australia at the time of our review, so the former is the only option. MicroSD support up to 1TB is available if you need extra storage.This phone’s microSD support is a significant difference from Samsung’s flagship phones, which recently discontinued the feature. As a result, this handset can accommodate more storage than any variation of the Galaxy S21.The Galaxy A52 5G comes equipped with Samsung’s proprietary One UI 3.1 software, which is based on Android 11, providing users with the most recent Android features. Samsung has confirmed it will provide three years of upgrades as well as routine security patches.During our review, the phone’s software performed admirably, and if you’ve previously utilized an Android device, adjusting to this phone should be a seamless experience.
DISPLAY
- 5-inch display with FHD+ resolution
The Super AMOLED display of this smartphone boasts Full HD+ resolution and a brightness of 800 nits when set to maximum. If video streaming is your priority, you’ll love this display.Although the resolution is 1080 x 2400 pixels and has a pixel density of 407 ppi, it falls short of QHD screens on older Galaxy S series models.A punch-hole camera is present at the center of the top edge, and the bezels around the screen may be thicker than some prefer. However, the display looks great while watching videos or scrolling through social media feeds.Samsung has done a commendable job of concealing the punch-hole camera, which is a decent substitute for a notch at the top of the screen.The Galaxy A series has made significant strides in introducing a 120Hz display, a characteristic that is usually exclusive to high-end devices. This implies that the screen refreshes faster than most other smartphones, providing a smoother user experience when scrolling through social media or playing mobile games.This difference is quite noticeable, and once you experience it, it’s difficult to revert to a lower refresh rate. However, 120Hz isn’t a compelling reason to select this phone, as it performs well without significantly impacting battery life.You’ll notice a significant improvement in the display when playing mobile games and scrolling through social media feeds. If you don’t like the feature, you can turn it off in the settings, but we strongly suggest trying it first.Furthermore, the phone has an in-screen fingerprint scanner that generally works well. Although it may take a bit longer to read your fingerprints, it is functional, and you will most likely prefer to use it to unlock your phone.
CAMERA
- High-res 64MP main camera
- 12MP ultra-wide, 5MP depth-sensing and 5MP macro camera
- Has a 32MP selfie camera
The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G’s camera may sound impressive on paper, but we can confirm that its real-life performance is equally notable. It can even go head-to-head with the Google Pixel 4a, a top-tier camera phone in this price range.While it may not offer a flagship-level camera experience, the main shooter still produces excellent results in automatic mode and is easy to use. Though it doesn’t have many exciting features, this shouldn’t be a problem for most users.The camera boasts a 64MP main sensor with optical image stabilization and an f/1.8 aperture, which is just one of the four elements on the rear shooter. The other components include a 12MP ultra-wide camera, a 5MP depth scanner, and a 5MP macro camera.The main shooter is the most impressive part of the camera, as it delivers highly-detailed images with minimal lighting issues. However, the images tend to be saturated, which is typical of Samsung’s smartphone cameras.The 32MP selfie camera located inside the punch-hole at the top center of the screen captures satisfactory selfies and is useful for video calls. We don’t anticipate any problems with the camera quality on the front of the phone.
BATTERY LIFE
- 4,500mAh power pack
- Charges at 25W which isn’t too fast
The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is equipped with a 4,500mAh battery, and the company claims it can provide up to two days of battery life. However, in our testing, we found that it typically lasts for just one day of heavy usage. If you use your phone less frequently, you may be able to stretch the battery life to two days.Nonetheless, the battery life on the Galaxy A52 5G generally met our expectations, as it was able to last a full day during most of our testing. Typically, we charged it overnight with between 30% and 10% battery life remaining.On a particularly heavy usage day, we found that the phone’s battery drained by around 10 PM. However, if you don’t use your phone extensively, you should be satisfied with the battery life it provides.The Galaxy A52 5G features 25W fast charging, which can charge the phone up to 50% in just 30 minutes. However, the included charger in the box is only a 15W charger. While Samsung does provide a charger with this phone (unlike the Galaxy S21 range), if you want to take advantage of the top fast charging features, you’ll need to purchase a separate charger. We haven’t had the opportunity to test the company’s top charging technology on this phone yet.Finally, there’s no wireless charging available on the Galaxy A52 5G, so you’ll need to rely on a wired charger when you need to recharge.
VERDICT
The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G may not boast exceptional specifications or an incredibly low price, but it’s a dependable mid-range option that can compete with the Google Pixel 4a. While it may not be the most intriguing phone, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly substitute for other Samsung models, the Galaxy A52 5G is certainly worth considering.
SHOULD YOU BUY IT?
REASONS TO BUY:
- You’re looking for an impressive display.The Galaxy A52 5G boasts a stunning display that offers an exceptional viewing experience for gaming and video watching. Our experience with the phone confirms this claim, as the resolution produces clear and detailed images, and the 120Hz refresh rate matches that of premium smartphones.
- You want 5G connectivity.If you’re in the market for an affordable smartphone with 5G capabilities, the Galaxy A52 5G is a viable option. While 5G technology is not yet globally accessible, it provides faster internet speeds for those who can use it. Keep in mind, however, that it may not be accessible in all areas just yet.
- You prioritize solid battery life. If you’re searching for a phone that can endure a full day of use with moderate to heavy usage, the Galaxy A52 5G might be the one for you. It can sustain a full day of use, which is more than some other phones in this price range can offer. However, don’t expect much more than that.
REASONS NOT TO BUY:
- You need top power.While the Galaxy A52 5G is not a slow smartphone, there are other options available in this price range that offer more power. This means that you may not get the most optimal performance for the amount you pay.
- You’re looking for a revolutionary camera.While the rear camera on the Galaxy A52 5G is decent, it’s not a groundbreaking feature for the Galaxy A lineup. If you’re in search of something extraordinary, this device may not satisfy your needs.
- You’re seeking the most affordable phone available.The Galaxy A52 5G is not the most budget-friendly device on the market. There are other choices in the Galaxy A series, such as the Galaxy A42, or options from Xiaomi or Motorola that may better fit your financial plan.
