Samsung Galaxy A52 review

The Samsung Galaxy A52 is a solid mid-range smartphone that checks several important boxes. It features a high refresh rate display, making for a smooth visual experience, and an IP67 rating, providing protection against water and dust. The camera setup is decent, with a quad-camera configuration on the rear and a 32MP front-facing camera. In terms of performance, the A52 is powered by a mid-range chipset that handles everyday tasks with ease. However, it may not be the best choice for those who want a more powerful processor or advanced features. The camera takes good photos in well-lit conditions, but struggles in low-light situations. The ultrawide camera performs relatively better at night, capturing decent shots despite some visible noise. Portrait mode is also effective, with natural and convincing background blur. Video recording is a highlight of the A52's camera capabilities, with excellent 4K video quality and good color consistency across all cameras. However, zooming in can reveal some softness and noise, especially at higher zoom levels. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A52 is a reliable mid-range smartphone that offers a good balance of features and performance. While it may not be the most impressive device in its class, it is definitely worth considering for those who want a solid camera, high refresh rate display, and decent battery life.

Build Quality and Design

The Samsung Galaxy A52 is a well-crafted mid-range smartphone that impresses with its sturdy build quality and thoughtful design. While it may not be as premium as some of its higher-end counterparts, the A52 feels substantial in the hand, weighing just 175g. The phone's IP67 rating ensures that it can withstand dust and water ingress, making it a great option for those who lead active lifestyles or work outdoors. The sleek glass sandwich design is also a nice touch, with a sturdy metal frame holding everything together. One of the standout features of the A52's design is its excellent display. While not as vibrant as some other mid-range phones, the 6.5-inch Super AMOLED screen is crisp and clear, with good color accuracy and decent viewing angles. The bezels are slim, making it feel like a more premium device. The phone's dimensions are also compact and easy to handle, despite its large display. At just 8.9mm thick, the A52 is surprisingly pocketable, making it a great option for those who prefer a more modest-sized smartphone. In terms of design, the A52 takes a familiar Samsung approach with its Infinity-O screen and a minimalist aesthetic that eschews unnecessary frills and flourishes. While some may find it a bit bland, I think this understated design is actually quite refreshing in today's era of overly flashy smartphones. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A52's build quality and design are a major strength for a mid-range device. It feels solid, well-made, and easy to use – exactly what you want from a phone that won't break the bank. If you're looking for a reliable and feature-packed smartphone without the hefty price tag, the A52 is definitely worth considering.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy A52's battery life is a mixed bag, with some aspects exceeding expectations while others fall short. In our testing, the phone's 4500mAh battery provided decent runtime, lasting around a day and a half with moderate use. However, during intense usage sessions, such as gaming or video streaming, the battery life took a hit. We saw a significant drop in battery percentage, which may be attributed to the phone's high refresh rate display. To mitigate this, Samsung has included various power-saving features, including an Ultra Power Saving mode that limits screen brightness and background data usage. On the plus side, the Galaxy A52's battery life was impressive during our standard usage tests. We managed to squeeze out a full day of use with just one charge, with some juice left over for the next morning. However, heavy users may find themselves needing to recharge mid-day. It's worth noting that Samsung has included fast charging capabilities on the Galaxy A52, which can replenish 50% of the battery in just 30 minutes. This is a welcome feature, especially for those who need to top up their phone quickly. Overall, while the Galaxy A52's battery life may not be the longest-lasting in its class, it's still respectable and should meet the needs of most users. Just be aware that intense usage sessions may require more frequent recharging.

Display

The Samsung Galaxy A52 boasts an impressive display that makes it a standout in the mid-range segment. The phone's screen is a vibrant and crisp 6.5-inch Super AMOLED panel that delivers excellent color accuracy and contrast ratios. One of the most notable features of this display is its high refresh rate, which tops out at 90Hz. This makes for smooth and seamless scrolling, gaming, and general use experience. The screen's high pixel density also means that text and images are rendered with great clarity, making it a pleasure to watch videos or browse through web pages. In addition to its impressive display quality, the Galaxy A52's screen is also protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which provides a good level of scratch resistance. The phone's IP67 rating, on the other hand, means that it can withstand being submerged in water for up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. The display's high refresh rate and AMOLED panel make it an excellent choice for those who enjoy gaming or watching videos on their phone. However, it's worth noting that some users may find the screen to be a bit too large and unwieldy, especially if they have smaller hands. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A52's display is one of its strongest features, and it's certainly a highlight of this mid-range device. While there are some minor quibbles with the screen's size and materials used, it remains an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality display in their smartphone.

Camera

The camera on the Samsung Galaxy A52 is an interesting mix of good and bad. On one hand, it produces excellent results in certain situations, but on the other hand, it falls short in others. When it comes to low-light photography, the main camera performs very well for a mid-ranger. Nighttime photos have good definition and low noise, with colors being well retained. The dynamic range is impressive, especially when looking at how highlights are rendered. However, night mode is a disappointment. Photos come out with a crop to 12 megapixels, meaning they're not as wide as regular auto mode shots. Highlights get clipped and shadows get darker compared to the regular auto mode. The ultrawide camera, on the other hand, is a pleasant surprise. It captures nice and even color rendition, despite visible noise upon close examination. This camera punches above its weight in terms of nighttime photography, especially for the class. However, night mode in the ultrawide is an even bigger flop than on the main camera, with glaring color artifacts that render photos unusable. Portrait mode is good but not impressive. The background blur is natural and convincing, but subject separation can trip up occasionally, especially with more complex backgrounds or crazy hair. Macro shots are impressive, with a wide focus plane and detailed results despite the lack of autofocus. The selfie camera takes 8 megapixel stills with solid detail and decent noise performance. Skin tones can be inconsistent, but there's also auto HDR and scene optimizer for better dynamic range. Selfie portraits are surprisingly pleasant, with nice subject separation. When it comes to video recording, the main camera produces excellent results at 4k resolution, with natural color reproduction and minimal noise. The ultrawide camera has more noise, especially in shadows, but still delivers solid performance. Video stabilization is available for both cameras, but only at full HD.

Price and Value

The Samsung Galaxy A52 is a mid-range smartphone that has garnered attention for its impressive features at an affordable price point. But does it offer good value, considering the options available in the market? Firstly, let's talk about the pricing of the device. The Samsung Galaxy A52 is priced around $450, which is a reasonable amount considering its specs and features. In comparison to other mid-range smartphones like the Poco F3 and Redmi Note 10 Pro, the A52 offers a more premium feel and build quality. One of the standout features of the A52 is its high refresh rate display, which provides a smooth visual experience. Additionally, it has an IP67 rating, making it water-resistant and durable. The device also boasts a quad-camera setup, with a 64MP primary sensor, 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 5MP depth sensor. While the camera performance is decent, it's not exceptional. However, considering the price point, it's a good compromise. Furthermore, the A52's battery life is satisfactory, with a large 4500mAh cell that can easily last a day with moderate usage. In terms of value for money, I would say that the Samsung Galaxy A52 offers a great balance between specs and price. It's not as powerful as some of its competitors, but it makes up for it with its more premium build quality and feature-rich display. If you're looking for a mid-range smartphone that won't break the bank, the A52 is definitely worth considering. Overall, I would give the Samsung Galaxy A52 4 out of 5 stars for its value proposition. It's not perfect, but it offers a great balance between price and features, making it an excellent choice for those in the mid-range market.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy A52 is a mid-range powerhouse that delivers impressive performance in various aspects. The phone's processor handles demanding tasks with ease, making it suitable for multitasking and gaming. The device's high refresh rate display provides a smooth visual experience, while the efficient battery life ensures that you can enjoy your favorite games or movies without worrying about running out of juice. In terms of performance, the Galaxy A52 is one of the best mid-range phones available in the market. It can handle demanding tasks such as 3D gaming and video editing with ease, thanks to its powerful processor and sufficient RAM. The phone's interface is also snappy and responsive, making it a pleasure to use. One of the standout features of the Galaxy A52 is its ability to handle resource-intensive apps without breaking a sweat. Whether you're playing graphics-heavy games or using demanding productivity apps, this phone can keep up with your needs. The device's performance is further enhanced by its efficient cooling system, which helps to prevent overheating during prolonged use. Additionally, the Galaxy A52's high refresh rate display provides an immersive visual experience, making it ideal for gaming and video streaming. The screen is vibrant and colorful, with fast response times that ensure smooth motion and minimal lag. In summary, the Samsung Galaxy A52 is a performance powerhouse that delivers impressive results in various aspects. Its powerful processor, efficient battery life, and high refresh rate display make it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a mid-range phone that can handle demanding tasks with ease.

Pros

1. Excellent camera performance

2. High refresh rate display

3. IP67 rating

4. Good macro shots

5. Solid selfie quality

6. Video recording capabilities

Cons

1. Night mode disappointment

2. No proper telephoto lens

3. Limited zoom capabilities