Mid-range smartphones are full of surprises. They often bring premium features at a really attractive price. This is a recipe that Samsung offers especially with the Galaxy A series devices. Today we have the Samsung Galaxy A51 and Samsung Galaxy A52 smartphones in the ring.
According to Samsung, the Galaxy A51 is one of the brand's best-selling phones of all time. So it's no wonder that the A52's launch in March 2021 has garnered so much attention. Along with the Galaxy A52 5G, A32, and A72, the A52 has received praise from several outlets for its improvements.
But what exactly has Samsung improved on the Galaxy A52, and should you consider upgrading if you have the Galaxy A51? Which phone is best if you’re looking for a new phone right now? We explore these questions in our comparison. Jump straight to the desired section if you’re interested in a specific detail.
Take a shortcut:
- Galaxy A52 vs A51: specifications
- Price comparison
- Point for the Galaxy A52: updates in every detail
- In favor of the Galaxy A51: only if it's on sale
- Is the 5G version worth it?
- Conclusion
At the end of this article, I’ve included a conclusion with a purchase recommendation. Are you interested in the South Korean brand’s phones but looking for another model? Check out our list of the best Samsung smartphones. Maybe a more expensive or more affordable model will suit your needs better!
Galaxy A52 vs A51 on paper
As always, we start our NextPit comparison with a specs table. We can refer to this comparison later when we talk about the advantages and disadvantages of the devices. So where did Samsung improve?
Galaxy A51 vs. Galaxy A52: Straight to the point
| Model | Galaxy A51 | Galaxy A52 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Exynos 9611 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G |
| Memory (RAM / Storage) | Min: 4GB / 64GB Maximum: 8GB / 256GB | Min: 4GB / 128GB |
| Expandable memory? | Yes, MicroSD (combined) | Yes, MicroSD (dedicated) |
| Dual SIM | Yes | |
| Screen | 6.5-inch Super AMOLED 1,080 x 2,400 pixels at 60 hertz | 6.5-inch Super AMOLED 1,080 x 2,400 pixels at 90 hertz |
| Size | 158.5 x 73.6 x 7.9 mm | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm |
| Weight | 172 grams | 189 grams |
| Connectivity | LTE, WLAN 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C, NFC, GPS | |
| Main camera | 48 megapixels in 1/2.0″ at f/2.0 | 64 megapixels at 1/1.7″ to f/1.8″ (OIS) |
| Ultrawide camera | 12 megapixels at f/2.2 and 123° field of view | |
| Macro camera | 5 megapixels at f/2.4 | |
| Depth sensor | 5 megapixels at f/2.4 | |
| Front camera | 32 megapixels in 1/2.8″ at f/2.2 | |
| Video | max 4K at 30 frames per second | |
| Battery capacity | 4,000 mAh | 4,500 mAh |
| Charging technology | 15 Watt Wired Charging | 25 Watt Wired Charging |
| Authentication | Under-screen fingerprint sensor | |
| Operating system | Android 11, with Samsung One UI 3.1 | |
| Test | Galaxy A51 Review | Galaxy A52 5G Review |
It's worth considering the prices on the market and their drop after launch. Because while the Galaxy A52 was launched in March 2021, the Galaxy A51 has had much more time to become cheaper with its launch in January 2020.
Price comparison
That said, the asking prices for the two mid-range Samsungs are practically the same, varying according to store promotions. To tell the truth, at the time of publication of this comparison, the recently launched Galaxy A52 is even cheaper than the A51:
In the case of the Brazilian market, it is possible that the Galaxy A51 stocks are close to the end, already sold out in some stores or offered only via marketplace on some of the main websites.
Point for the Galaxy A52: updates in every detail
So let’s focus on the Samsung Galaxy A52 for a moment and see how relevant the improvements really are. Basically, Samsung has improved in every category. Above all, the higher refresh rate of 90 hertz is noticeable on the Super AMOLED display. In addition, the display is now protected by Gorilla Glass 5, while the A51 only has Gorilla Glass 3.
For added durability, the A52 is IP67 certified. The A51 lacks dust and splash protection. While the dimensions of the two phones are quite similar due to the same 6.5-inch display size, the A52 weighs more. While its predecessor weighed 172 grams, the Galaxy A52 weighs 189 grams.
Visually, the Galaxy A5 line hasn't changed that much from 2020 to 2021 / © NextPit
The number of megapixels in the main camera has also increased. Still integrated into a quad-camera setup, the Galaxy A52's main sensor offers 64 megapixels. The lens used is also slightly faster with an aperture of f/1.8 and, as an interesting innovation, Samsung uses optical image stabilization. The result is less blurry photos in key situations.
The other cameras on the back haven't changed. You can still switch to a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera with a 123-degree field of view. In addition, there's a macro camera and a depth sensor with 5 megapixels each. You can take selfies with 32 megapixels from the camera in the circular cutout on the display.
The quad camera has optical stabilization on the A52. A real advantage over the Galaxy A51 / © NextPit
As a newer device, the Galaxy A52 also packs more power. For this, Samsung relies on the Snapdragon 720G. The Galaxy A51 uses the South Korean company's own Exynos 9611. The speed advantage that the Snapdragon processor brings is due, among other things, to a different production process. While the Exynos 9611 is manufactured on a 10-nanometer process, the Snapdragon is manufactured on 8-nanometer. The processing speed of six of the eight CPU cores is also slightly higher.
Another highlight that should not be overlooked regarding Samsung: Samsung promises security updates for the Galaxy A52 for four years. With the Galaxy A51, the updates are also valid for four years (from the release date), but in this case you only have quarterly patches.
Last but not least, we notice two upgrades to the battery: not only has the Galaxy A52's battery increased from 4,000 to 4,500 mAh, it can also be recharged faster with 25 watts. With the Galaxy A51, fast charging only works at 15 watts.
In favor of the Galaxy A51: only if it's on sale
Let's move on to the arguments in favor of the Galaxy A51. As you can imagine after reading the last section, there isn't much left. The Galaxy A52 is a better phone in every aspect. The only thing left, therefore, would be a price advantage, which at the time of publication of the text is no longer the case.
The Galaxy A51's camera is not flush with the back cover / © NextPit
So, unless you find the Galaxy A51 on a really good deal or maybe your carrier offers a discount when you renew a postpaid plan, we can't recommend the 2020 model at this time. With Antoine recently tested the Galaxy A51, analyzing the model with the 2021 smartphone market in mind. You can find out how the mid-range model fared in the Samsung Galaxy A51 review.
For comparison purposes, the Zoom website shows that the Galaxy A51 cost around R$1,520 at the beginning of 2021, while the A52 was already sold for R$1,584. So, for those who are not in a hurry, it may be worth waiting for a promotion for one of the two models.
Is the 5G model worth considering?
If you're in doubt between the Galaxy A51 and the Galaxy A52, there's one detail we didn't mention before: the Galaxy A52 has also been released in a 5G version. In addition to support for the new mobile phone standard, you also benefit from a higher-quality screen.
In the same 6.5-inch format, the Super AMOLED screen offers a refresh rate of 120 hertz. In addition, the processor used is slightly more powerful. If you prefer to keep your phone for a long time, the extra cost may be worth it.
If you search online, you'll see that the Galaxy A51 also had a 5G version, but it wasn't officially launched in Brazil. But since the model is practically nonexistent in Brazil, it's better to go straight to the A52 5G, which in turn has very limited (and expensive) availability in Brazilian stores.
Conclusion
Rarely has the winner of a NextPit comparison won so easily as it did today! The Samsung Galaxy A52 is the better phone, with the same form factor at a virtually identical price. But it's upgrades like the higher refresh rate display and the better quad camera setup on the back that make it worth paying a little more for.
Additionally, the Galaxy A52 brings a higher frequency of security updates and finally includes an IP certification. Since the Galaxy A52 is relatively new on the market, you can still count on good deals for the model.
Is the upgrade worth it?
While the Galaxy A52 emerges as the clear winner in our comparison, an upgrade isn't absolutely necessary for those using the A51. After all, most of the improvements are related to details that aren't as noticeable in everyday life. For example, optical image stabilization theoretically ensures better photos, but if you only take photos during the day, you'll hardly take advantage of the feature.
So, if you already have a Galaxy A51, you don't necessarily need to part with the coins to change your device. Or do you have a different opinion? Feel free to tell me in the comments if you agree with my reasoning and which device you ended up choosing.