The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G vs A52 5G In-depth Comparison: Should You Upgrade?

Introduction

So, finally, Samsung has just announced the long-awaited Samsung Galaxy A53 5G smartphone, and as tradition, this will later come to be its most popular midrange phone for the year 2022, but before that happens, let’s compare this phone against its 2021’s predecessor, the Galaxy A52 5G, to see their differences and similarities, and above all, to see if this new model is worth upgrading to if you already own the Galaxy A52 5G.

So, you’re ready?

Sure, then let’s, begin. #enjoy.

This comparison will be done by first doing a head-to-head spec comparison of the two phones, and after that, we’ll be comparing them in detail.

So, let’s start with the head-to-head spec comparison.

Also read: Our Samsung Galaxy A53 5G first hands-on review, and impressions.

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G vs Galaxy A52 5G Spec Comparison

Specifications	Samsung Galaxy A53 5G	Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
Launch Date	March 17, 2022	March 17, 2021
DESIGN
Dimensions	159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.94 x 0.32 in)	159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 2.96 x 0.33 in)
Weight	189 g (6.67 oz)	189 g (6.67 oz)
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Features	IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 mins)	IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 mins)
DISPLAY
Size	6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio)	6.5 inches, 101.0 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)
Panel	Super AMOLED	Super AMOLED
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, (~405 PPI density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, (407 PPI density)
Aspect Ratio	20:9	20:9
Features	120Hz refresh rate	120Hz refresh rate
	HDR10	HDR10
	Always-on display	Always-on display
CAMERAS
Rear	64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7X", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS.	64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7X", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS.
	12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm	12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm
	5 MP, f/2.4, (macro)	5 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
	5 MP, f/2.4, (depth)	5 MP, f/2.4, (depth)
Features	LED flash	LED flash
	auto-HDR	auto-HDR
	Panorama	Panorama
Video Recording	4K@30fps	4K@30fps
	1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS	1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Front	32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm.	32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm.
Features	HDR	HDR
Video Recording	4K@30fps	4K@30fps
	1080p@30/60fps	1080p@30/60fps
HARDWARE
Processor	Exynos 1280 (5 nm)	Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)
CPU	Octa-core (2.4 GHz & 2.0 GHz)	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570)
GPU	Mali-G68	Adreno 619
RAM & Storage	6GB + 128GB	6GB + 128GB
	8GB + 128/256GB	8GB + 128/256GB
SOFTWARE
Android Version	Android 12	Android 11 (upgradable to Android 12)
Custom UI	Samsung's One UI 4.1	Samsung's One UI 3.1 (One UI 4.0 with Android 12)
BATTERY
Size	5000 mAh	4500 mAh
Charging	Fast charging up to 25W (Charger not included in the box)	Fast charging up to 25W (15W charger included in the box)
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, USB On-The-Go	USB Type-C 2.0, USB On-The-Go
MISCELLANEOUS
Bluetooth	5.1	5.0
Fingerprint Reader	Yes, under-display (Optical)	Yes, under-display (Optical)
Face Unlock	Yes, 2D	Yes, 2D
IP Rating	Yes, IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 mins)	Yes, IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 mins)
Speakers	Stereo speakers	Stereo speakers
3.5 mm Jack	No	Yes
Wireless Charging	No	No
Reverse Wireless Charging	No	No

So, having seen the spec comparison between these two phones, now let’s go into the details.

Design & display

Speaking of design, it’s safe to say that the new Galaxy A53 5G phone is simply a photocopy of the older phone. I mean, placing both phones side-by-side while faced down on a surface, you’ll really have a hard time telling them apart.

Same dimension, and same camera module and arrangement, and even when you flip them over to their fronts, it’s the same story still. In fact, this time, it’s even harder to tell them apart, because they both have the same screen size, and same centered hole-punch camera arrangement on them.

But on the flip side, for those who are really keen on knowing the differences between these two phones in terms of looks, coming to the rear camera module, if you look closely, you’ll notice that the camera module on the new phone is more squared off on the edges than it is on the older Galaxy A52 5G, giving it this masculine look, and slightly less curvy than the A52’s is.

Another thing is that the Galaxy A53 5G is actually smaller in dimension than the A52 5G, but this is something you wouldn’t really notice by just looking at both phones side-by-side until you hold them both in your hands, and start to notice that the A53 5G actually fits more comfortably in the hands, and easier to use with one hand as well.

And one last difference between the two phones in terms of design that you might or might not notice at first glance is the removal of the 3.5 mm headphones jack from the Galaxy A53 5G, which is present on the A52 5G.

But aside from these little most non-noticeable differences, the phones are basically the same both on the back, and fronts.

And speaking of fronts, both phones are fitted with 6.5 inches 1080p 120Hz Super AMOLED displays, and there are basically no differences between them.

Also read: The best Samsung phones you can find today with 90 & 120Hz high refresh rate displays.

Other features that are not visible, but are there are the IP67 dust and water resistance rating on both, the pair of stereo speakers, one on the top and the other one at the bottom, and the Corning Gorilla Glass 5 screen protection on both as well.

So, in terms of the design and display, I’ll say it’s a tie, as there’s basically no difference or factors to choose one over the other.

Performance & software

Now, this is where things begin to look and act different, as in terms of performance, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G comes fitted with Samsung’s new 5nm processor, the Exynos 1280, while the A52 5G uses the Snapdragon 750G variant, which is an 8nm processor.

On paper, the Exynos 1280 is more powerful than the Snapdragon 750G, because not only is built on a smaller and more efficient 5nm node, but it also uses more powerful Cortex A78 and A55 CPU cores clocked at 2.4 GHz and 2 GHz respectively, while the Snapdragon 750G uses the older Cortex A77 and A55 CPU cores clocked at 2.2 GHz and 1.8 GHz respectively as well.

Compare now: Samsung’s Exynos 1280 processor vs Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 750G processor.

So, both will give you decent gaming and day-to-day performance in terms of usage, but the Galaxy A53 5G should have an edge and give slightly better performance.

And coming to the software, while being a 2021 device, the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G came with Android version 11 with Samsung’s One UI 3.1 software out of the box, with Samsung making a pledge of up to 3 years of major Android updates and 4 years of security updates for the phone, of which the phone is already running on the latest Android 12 version with One UI 4.0 UI on it as part of the pledge that Samsung made.

And coming to the A53 5G, by default, the phone comes with Android 12 version with One UI 4.1 software version of the box, with Samsung making an even bigger pledge of up to 4 years of major Android version updates, and 5 years of security updates.

So, in terms of future-proofing, both phones are clearly future-proof as they will be supported up to 2024 and 2026 respectively.

So, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is clearly the winner here, as it has a new and slightly better processor, and has longer software support than its predecessor, but that doesn’t make the A52 5G bad at all, as 2024 is still a pretty long period.

Cameras

Now, coming to the cameras, and once again, there are basically no differences between them on the outside, as both phones are fitted with exactly the same camera sensors and lenses, both on the front, and back.

So, we’re looking at a 64MP main camera on the back that is fitted with OIS, and following that is a 12MP ultrawide camera, a 5MP macro camera, and lastly, a second 5MP depth sensor.

And coming to the front, there you can find a 32MP front-facing camera neatly fitted inside the centered hole punch cutout.

Both phones are can record videos at up to 4K resolution, and at a maximum framerate of 30fps, or 1080p at 30 and 60fps, and these are available for both the front and rear cameras.

Now, coming to the actual picture quality, well, due to improved image processing that was made possible by the Exynos 1280 chipset used on the Galaxy A53 5G, it tends to take better-looking photos than the Galaxy A52 5G.

But that’s not to say that the A52 5G takes bad photos in any way, no, that’s not what I mean at all. What I mean is, the photos of the Galaxy A53 5G are more detailed and sharper, have better dynamic range handling, and with more true-to-life colors.

You can see the video below to see the full head-to-head camera comparison between the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G and the A52 5G, both in terms of photos, and videos.

Battery & charging

In terms of power, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G comes with 500 mAh more battery capacity than the A52 5G, maxing out at 5000 mAh, while the A52 5G follows closely with a 4500 mAh capacity one.

Both phones support a maximum of 25W fast charging speeds, but where the Galaxy A52 5G has the upper hand is the fact that it comes with a charger in the box, though not the compatible 25W charger, a 15W variant instead, but a 15W is better than nothing, as the Galaxy A53 5G doesn’t come with a charger in the box.

And in terms of battery life, the Galaxy A53 5G should give you slightly better battery life as not only does it come with a bigger capacity battery, but it also uses a more efficient 5nm processor.

Conclusion: Should you upgrade?

The answer is “NO“.

If you already own the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G, then I don’t see any point in upgrading to the new A53 5G, as it’s just basically the same phone as the A52, only with a newer processor, and a slightly bigger battery.

They both have the same design, same displays, same camera hardware, same IP67 dust and water resistance rating, same stereo speaker setup, and even if the Galaxy A53 5G has a longer software update and support timeline, 3 years of support for the A52 5G is not bad at all, and it’s even already running on the latest Android 12 version, making it on par with the A53 in terms of software.

But if you own older phones such as the Samsung Galaxy A51, the A50, A70, A32, and anything lower, then the Galaxy A53 5G will definitely be a worthy upgrade from any of those phones mentioned above.

And that wraps it up for today on the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G, and the A52 5G in-depth comparison.

If you have any questions, kindly leave them in the comments section below, and if you enjoyed reading this article and at the same time, found it helpful, then kindly give it a thumbs up by sharing it, and as always, I’ll see y’all tomorrow, #peace out.