Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Review: Buy This Phone

Samsung has made the best Android phone of 2021, the Galaxy S21 Ultra, however at greater than $1,000 it’s a severe funding. The Galaxy A52 5G prices lower than half of the quantity wanted to safe an S21 Extremely, however does that imply it’s not value contemplating? Samsung has made large strides ahead with the desirability and total skill of its mid-range A-series {hardware}, and whereas the A52 5G clearly isn’t the S21 Extremely’s equal, it has a fantastic deal going for it.

Whereas we count on smartphones to have first rate cameras and good software program, Samsung has considered what options will improve the A52 5G in a significant approach and added them. It turns a great telephone into a fantastic one. I’ve been dwelling with the Galaxy A52 5G, and that is what it’s like.

Design

Don’t spend too lengthy interested by what the Galaxy A52 5G is fabricated from, suppose extra about the way it seems to be and feels. The matte end again panel has a tender, glass-like end that’s heat to the contact whereas nonetheless offering a wise diploma of grip, and the chassis has a shiny chrome end. It’s not steel and the again panel isn’t glass, however from a distance, you’d by no means know. The digicam module seems to be a part of the again, furthering the phantasm of it being comprised of a significantly dearer materials than it truly is.

The white coloration of my assessment pattern seems to be wonderful and doesn’t appeal to disagreeable marks or fingerprints, though the chrome end on the perimeters has managed to select up just a few small scratches throughout my time with the telephone. You must look onerous to search out them although. Regardless of being 189 grams (6.6 ounces), it’s weighted completely and disguises this higher-than-expected mass very nicely.

One other welcome shock is the telephone nonetheless finds room for a 3.5mm headphone jack, alongside a USB-C charging port on the underside of the telephone, plus the SIM tray has area for a MicroSD card too. The telephone is 8.4mm thick and the general form is sort of “squared-off,” which ends up in the one slight draw back of the A52 5G in that it feels fairly huge, particularly when making an attempt to make use of it with one hand. It’s not not possible, however in comparison with a sleeker, extra curved telephone just like the OnePlus 9 Professional — which is sort of the identical width because the A52 5G — the vary of thumb motion is noticeably much less.

Nonetheless, this isn’t one thing distinctive to the Galaxy A52 5G, and slight chunkiness apart, it’s in any other case a fantastic trying, well-balanced, premium-feeling smartphone and not using a excessive value.

Display screen

Sure, the display screen does have a noticeable bezel, however no it doesn’t actually matter. The chin is the most important expanse, and even then the A52 5G nonetheless seems to be like a contemporary telephone. The 6.5-inch Tremendous AMOLED has a 2400 x 1080 pixel decision and a 120Hz refresh price, canceling out any considerations concerning the bezels. Once I began utilizing the Galaxy A52 5G, I had come straight from the cheaper $250 Nokia 5.4, which has one of many dimmest smartphone screens I’ve used. The A52 5G has double the brightness and is legible in most outside conditions, plus the viewing angles are wonderful.

It’s wonderful to have a look at. We at all times sang the praises of the display screen on the Galaxy S20, the Galaxy S20 FE, and even the Galaxy S10 earlier than it. You actually get the identical visible expertise as these telephones with the Galaxy A52 5G, however for a lot much less cash. Watching Carfection’s review of the Nomad R, the colours and vibrance of the environment leap off the display screen. Transferring to Evo’s comparison test of the car, and the A52 5G’s willingness to point out loads of element, and its wonderful distinction ranges, are all on show.

Add the 120Hz refresh price for clean scrolling all through the working system — it’s adjustable to 60Hz if you wish to prioritize battery life — and the small selfie digicam in a top-center hole-punch and the Galaxy A52 5G’s display screen is the same as some far dearer telephones. An actual excessive level of the telephone, up till you get to the safety.

The Galaxy A52 5G has an in-display fingerprint sensor, however sadly it’s not the upgraded variations used within the Galaxy S21 vary, however the older a lot much less dependable model that pissed off us concerning the Galaxy S20 Ultra and Note 20 Ultra. Its unreliability, the place it steadily refuses to acknowledge any enter, means I turned it off out of frustration, and that makes it a severe safety challenge. There’s face unlock to fall again on, however even this isn’t the quickest or most correct system. I’ve relied on a PIN to safe the A52 5G attributable to shortcomings attributable to the telephone’s {hardware}, and that’s not adequate.

Digicam

The neat five-camera module on the again of the Galaxy A52 5G has a 64-megapixel principal digicam with optical picture stabilization, Part Detection Autofocus, and an f/1.8 aperture. There’s a 12MP wide-angle digicam and a pair of 5MP cameras for macro and depth. It could shoot video at 4K and 30 frames-per-second (fps), plus there’s a Night time mode and Samsung’s Single Take mode too.

Pictures are usually good. On vivid days it doesn’t over-saturate and reveals a delightful palette with sufficient pop to make the photographs eye-catching. Nonetheless, there are occasions the place the digicam highlights inexperienced colours an excessive amount of, leading to a barely unnatural look, however that is principally when utilizing the wide-angle digicam. There’s additionally little or no consistency between the principle and wide-angle digicam, and a few may additionally discover the HDR impact is just too heavy-handed.

Portrait mode is first rate and finds its topic nicely, though edge-recognition doesn’t problem dearer Galaxy fashions. The Galaxy A52 5G’s digicam isn’t as completed because the Google Pixel 4a’s, and actually simply suffers from the identical points as older Samsung cameras — inconsistency and a few over-saturation — however I by no means selected to not take a photograph with it, and in day by day conditions it took images I discovered to be completely acceptable.

Software program and efficiency

It’s Android 11 with OneUI 3.1 put in on my assessment Galaxy A52, which is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G processor and 6GB of RAM. The software program is sort of the identical as that put in on the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra, so check out these critiques for better element. Crucially, I don’t have any considerations concerning the pace, smoothness, or performance of the software program on the A52 5G.

Samsung’s OneUI 3.1 is simple to make use of with clear menus and settings. The notifications are dependable and most might be interacted with, plus I just like the always-on display screen with its useful icons and huge time show. Samsung has eliminated (or hidden) its Samsung Day by day display screen and changed it with Google Information while you swipe to the correct on the house display screen, which I personally discover extra helpful. I’ve used OneUI lots this 12 months, and haven’t discovered it irritating (besides for the power key) or a poor performer and that pattern continues on the A52 5G.

Somewhat than use considered one of its personal Exynos processors, Samsung has outfitted the Galaxy A52 5G with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G octa-core chip, no matter whether or not you’re within the U.S. or the U.Ok. It’s nice for video games, with each Asphalt 9: Legends and Genshin Impression taking part in very nicely, with out producing a lot warmth. It doesn’t have the moment response you get with the Galaxy S21 Extremely, however I’ve been utilizing it day by day for regular duties and it hasn’t missed a beat. High-specs are at all times good, however the Snapdragon 750G does every little thing you want.

Battery life from the 4,500mAh cell has been excellent, with two days simply achievable with regular use. In case you go mad on video games it will change, however with normal use, some images and video, and the 120Hz display screen energetic, I’ve completed most days with greater than 50% remaining. Charging is wired solely at Samsung’s quickest 25W speeds, that means about 80 minutes to full. Wi-fi charging would have been a welcome addition, but it surely’s uncommon at this value.

Value and availability

The 6GB/128GB Galaxy A52 5G prices $499 within the U.S. and 399 British kilos within the U.Ok. It’s accessible via Samsung’s own online store and retailers together with Amazon. You should buy it within the white coloration seen right here, or in black, blue, or violet.

Our Take

What a fantastic telephone the Galaxy A52 5G is. It’s not overpriced, it seems to be actually good, is constructed very nicely, takes extremely shareable images, and is highly effective sufficient to do every little thing you want every day. The battery even lasts two days on a single cost. We actually count on that from any telephone lately, and the place the A52 5G actually wins is all of the extras Samsung has packed in.

The Galaxy A52 5G has a collection of helpful further options  — water resistance, a MicroSD card slot, and a 3.5mm headphone jack — you don’t at all times see on dearer telephones, plus 5G for the long run in order for you it. These aren’t gimmicks, they’re options you’ll really profit from, and that’s actually welcome. It’s additionally what elevates the telephone from being merely good, to being nice.

Whereas there are nonetheless many causes to purchase a flagship Galaxy S collection telephone, should you’re not that excited by top-level images or hardcore gaming, the A52 5G will fulfill nearly each different requirement for half the worth or much less. That’s good worth, and whereas we’re inundated with nice flagship telephones, the selection will get far slimmer the much less you wish to spend, so it’s nice to have the ability to make a robust suggestion right here.

Is there a greater various?

The Galaxy A52 5G’s greatest competitor is the Google Pixel 4a 5G, which additionally prices $499. If the digicam is a very powerful a part of your new telephone then it could be a greater buy, however the design and supplies can’t match the A52 5G. Since Samsung has strong software support for the long run, it manages to claw again some enchantment on this space.

It additionally takes on the OnePlus 8 within the U.S., which might be discovered for $500, but it surely’s significantly older than the model new A52 5G. Some may additionally take a look at the $399 Apple iPhone SE, which is sort of a distinct proposition. It’s smooth and superbly made, however a lot smaller and with a much less versatile digicam.

Within the U.Ok. the A52 5G’s value is much more aggressive, undercutting the Pixel 4a 5G and coming nearer to the Pixel 4a, that means it’s wonderful worth. There’s loads of competitors although, from the 280 British pound/$385 Realme 8 Pro and the 469 pound/$645 Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G to the 380 pound/$520 Oppo X3 Lite.

How lengthy will it final?

There’s some excellent news right here. The telephone has IP67 water- and dust-resistance ranking (sure, even with the three.5mm headphone jack) and Samsung says the telephone will obtain three Android model updates and safety updates for the subsequent 4 years. The 5G connection will imply it’s prepared to hook up with the quickest community ought to or not it’s accessible the place you reside too.

As well as, the MicroSD card slot expands the usual 128GB inside reminiscence, plus there’s NFC (on my U.Ok. model) for Google Pay, giving it every little thing you want from a smartphone. The Galaxy A52 5G ought to fortunately final for 2 to a few years offered you aren’t a hardcore gamer.

Must you purchase one?

Sure, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G’s skill, model, and efficiency exceed expectations.

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