The Samsung Galaxy A52, a mid-range smartphone that attempts to strike a balance between design and performance, finds itself in a challenging landscape where the competition is fierce. While previous Galaxy A series models often fell short in performance compared to competitors within the same price range, Samsung has made efforts to improve the A52. But does it deliver on its promises? A deep dive into the Galaxy A52 reveals both strengths and weaknesses, ultimately painting a picture of a phone that might be aesthetically pleasing but struggles to compete with the value-driven offerings of other brands.
Samsung Galaxy A52 Price in India
The Samsung Galaxy A52 is available in India in two variants: one with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage priced at ₹26,499, and another with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage priced at ₹27,999. The phone comes in four color options: Awesome Blue, Awesome Violet, Awesome Black, and Awesome White.
Samsung Galaxy A52 Design
Design is undoubtedly one of the strongest points of the Galaxy A52, setting it apart from the crowd. The Awesome Blue finish of the review unit was truly eye-catching, instantly drawing attention. The matte finish effectively reduces fingerprints on the back, adding to its appeal. The Awesome Blue and Awesome Violet options offer a vibrant look, while the Awesome Black and Awesome White variants provide a more subtle aesthetic.
Sporting a large 6.5-inch Full-HD+ display with a hole-punch design, the Galaxy A52 boasts thin bezels on the sides, though the chin is slightly thicker. The plastic frame, while contributing to the overall premium look, might feel slightly less luxurious in hand. The power and volume buttons are conveniently located on the right side. The power button is easily accessible, but reaching the volume buttons requires a slight stretch. The left side of the phone remains button-free. The SIM tray, along with the secondary microphone, resides at the top. The Galaxy A52 is IP67 rated** for water and dust resistance, with a rubber seal around the SIM tray to ensure optimal protection. At the bottom, the phone features a USB Type-C port, a loudspeaker, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Weighing in at 189 grams and measuring 8.4mm in thickness, the Galaxy A52 is well-suited for single-handed use. The curved frame enhances comfort during prolonged holding. The rear houses a quad-camera module that protrudes slightly but blends seamlessly thanks to its matching color finish.
Samsung has incorporated a 4,500mAh battery, a respectable capacity considering the phone’s sleek profile. While the battery supports 25W fast charging, the box surprisingly contains a 15W charger.
Samsung Galaxy A52 Specifications
The Samsung Galaxy A52 features a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a Full-HD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. The display defaults to 90Hz but can be adjusted to 60Hz for enhanced battery life. Under the hood, the phone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G processor. Compared to other smartphones within the same price range, the processor might appear underpowered. Samsung offers variants with 6GB and 8GB of RAM, but the storage remains fixed at 128GB. The review unit was the base variant priced at ₹26,499.
The Galaxy A52 supports dual-SIM with a hybrid slot, meaning storage expansion comes at the cost of the second SIM. It offers Bluetooth 5, dual-band Wi-Fi, NFC, and support for four satellite navigation systems.
Samsung Galaxy A52 Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A52 delivers smooth performance, thanks to its powerful processor and high refresh rate display. The Super AMOLED display is sharp, boasts excellent viewing angles, and achieves sufficient brightness for outdoor use. The addition of stereo speakers enhances the viewing experience, particularly for videos.
While the Galaxy A52 delivers satisfactory performance, other smartphones within the same price segment pack more potent processors and offer superior performance. Benchmark tests reveal the Galaxy A52 achieved 275,686 points in AnTuTu and 8,401 points in PCMark Work 2.0. The Realme X3 SuperZoom, slightly more expensive than the Galaxy A52, scored significantly higher in these benchmarks due to its Snapdragon 855+ SoC, resulting in scores of 508,491 in AnTuTu and 11,756 in PCMark Work 2.0. The Galaxy A52 performed decently in graphics benchmarks, achieving 65fps in GFXBench’s T-Rex and 25fps in the Manhattan 3.1 scenes. The Samsung Galaxy F62, priced lower than the Galaxy A52, outperforms it in graphics benchmarks, while offering similar CPU benchmark scores.
The Galaxy A52 comfortably runs Call of Duty Mobile at high graphic and frame rate settings without any lag or stutter. After playing for 10 minutes, the battery usage showed a minimal decline of three percent. The phone remained barely warm to the touch post-gameplay.
The Galaxy A52 boasts a 4,500mAh battery that consistently lasts for over a day and a half with average usage. The phone achieved an impressive 17 hours and 47 minutes in the HD video loop test. Despite supporting 25W charging, the Galaxy A52 comes bundled with a 15W charger, which takes 30 minutes to reach 32 percent charge and one hour to reach 65 percent charge. Using a 25W adapter allows for faster charging.
Samsung Galaxy A52 Cameras
The Samsung Galaxy A52 features a rear quad-camera setup comprising a 64-megapixel primary camera, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide angle camera, a 5-megapixel macro camera, and a 5-megapixel depth sensor. For selfies, it has a 32-megapixel front shooter. The camera app mirrors the experience found on most other Samsung smartphones, making it user-friendly. The Scene optimiser efficiently detects scenes, often correctly identifying the subject and setting the scene for optimal results.
Daylight images captured with the Galaxy A52 were decent, appearing visually appealing on the Super AMOLED display of the phone itself. However, upon magnification on a larger screen, the details lack sharpness. The ultra-wide angle camera also produces images with less detail. Fortunately, the output lacks any barrel distortion.
Close-up photography with the Galaxy A52 delivered impressive results, capturing fine details. The Scene optimiser enhanced contrast without being overly aggressive. When shooting very close to a subject, the phone suggests switching to the macro camera. Even with the macro camera, the performance remained strong, delivering excellent detail at close range. The Galaxy A52 allows you to adjust the blur level prior to taking portrait shots. It efficiently detects faces even when wearing masks, a definite advantage. While beautification is enabled by default, it can be disabled to avoid excessive smoothening in the output.
Low-light images were merely average, with noise kept under control. The phone aggressively applies noise reduction, resulting in a slight watercolour effect in the output. The Night mode, requiring four to five seconds to capture a shot, produces an image with slightly more detail in the shadows. To minimize shaking, the Galaxy A52 slightly crops the frame during Night mode shots.
Selfies captured with the 32-megapixel front camera were sharp. It works effectively in portrait mode, simulating depth of field. Selfies taken in low light were clear, and noise was effectively controlled.
Video recording on the Galaxy A52 tops out at 4K 30fps for both the primary camera and the selfie camera. The rear camera features Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS), but a subtle shimmer is noticeable in the output. Stabilisation significantly improves using Super Steady mode, which relies on the ultra-wide angle camera for video capture. Footage shot in 4K lacks stabilisation.
Verdict
The Galaxy A52 boasts an appealing design and a welcome addition of IP67 water and dust resistance, a feature often missing from competitors in the segment. However, beyond these positives, the Galaxy A52 falls short. While it performs adequately in certain areas, competitors offer superior performance in the same price range. The Galaxy A52 isn’t the best performer, nor does it excel in camera capabilities. The phone’s target audience is likely design-conscious individuals, and its water resistance serves as a valuable bonus for those prone to accidental spills.
Seeking maximum value for money? The Galaxy A52 might not be the ideal choice. The Samsung Galaxy M51 and the Galaxy F62 provide strong alternatives at more affordable prices. If you’re willing to spend slightly more, the Realme X3 SuperZoom offers significantly better value than the Galaxy A52.
