Samsung is increasingly strengthening its mid-range phone lineup. They recently launched the updated Galaxy A series with the new Galaxy A72 and A52 5G , among others. When Samsung offered us the chance to test both phones and bring you our reviews, my first thought was, "They're so similar, I wouldn't know which one to buy." So now that I've had the chance to play around with them for the past few weeks, I want to share my experience, what sets them apart, and which one I think is the better buy.
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G and A72, video analysis
They look like an S21, but they are not
At first glance it is obvious that both phones have a design completely inspired by the company's highest range of mobiles.
At the back, the aesthetics of both are identical, with a silky plastic cover that ends, in the upper left corner, in a vertical module that houses their cameras, about which I will tell you all the details later.
The back is very attractive, all molded in a single piece, with no gaps between the camera and the back. Both models will be available in four different colors: light blue, white, violet, and classic black . Aesthetically, as I mentioned, they're identical.
The borders are also a carbon copy of each other, being able to find the same elements in the exact same place. Yes, I would like to highlight that both obviously incorporate the 3.5mm headphone jack, something that many people still continue to claim.
And, if we move to the front, once again we find the same screen except for two details. We're looking at Super AMOLED panels with FullHD+ resolution , and at the top, we can see the hole-punch cutout for its single front-facing camera.
A camera will be used for the facial recognition system, and of course, it will be supported by the fingerprint reader that both models include under the screen. I've had mixed feelings about these unlocking systems. The facial recognition is about average for what you'd find on the market; it's not the fastest, but it's not too slow either.
What I would appreciate if the manufacturer changed is in reference to the fingerprint reader. The recognition in both mobiles seems to me that it does it well, that is to say, I have not seen myself in the situation that no matter how much I place the fingerprint, it does not recognize me. But I think the feel is terribly slow, which weighs down the experience. Although, I'm telling you, I think it's something they could easily fix.
Returning to these screens, where we do find a clear difference between the two is in two aspects. Regarding size, the Galaxy A72 has a larger screen at 6,7 inches , while the Galaxy A52 5G comes in at 6.5 inches . Personally, I prefer the more manageable size of the A52, as it's easier to handle.
On the other hand, another difference between these panels lies in the refresh rate. While the A72 has a 90Hz refresh rate , the A52 reaches up to 120Hz . This is something you'll appreciate if you use your phone a lot, but in everyday use, that extra bit doesn't make a huge difference.
On both phones the content looks incredibly good, with very vivid colors and great contrast thanks to Super AMOLED technology. It is true that, for the issue of consuming series, perhaps that little plus of a larger size may be a better option. But, as I was saying, in this section I would stay with the Galaxy A52 5G because I prefer phones that are somewhat more restrained in size.
Power with small (but big) differences
Turning now to the section on what both models hide under their screens, I would like to focus more on the experience I have had with each one, since the data can be confusing. Although hey, if you are one of those who enjoys seeing all these technical aspects, you can take a look at this comparative table:
| Galaxy A72 | Galaxy A52 5G | |
|---|---|---|
| PROCESSOR | Snapdragon 720G | Snapdragon 750G |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 619 |
| RAM | 6GB - 8GB | 6GB - 8GB |
| STORAGE | 128GB - 256GB | 128GB - 256GB |
As you can see, at first glance both models (once again) are extremely similar. This time, Samsung has opted to include a Snapdragon processor in both instead of its own Exynos chips. But, although they appear almost identical, the differences lie in the small details.
Both phones perform incredibly well with simple tasks, browsing websites, checking social media, and navigating the system. As you probably know, we're dealing with the latest version of the manufacturer's interface, One UI 3.1 , which runs on top of Android 11. There's not much we can tell you about it that you don't already know. They're constantly improving it; it's becoming more polished and works perfectly. However, remember that if you prefer stock Android, you'll find a few extra features here.
But, when it comes to squeezing performance in both cases, it is where the differences are noticed. It is nothing abysmal, but while in the Galaxy A72 I have noticed some jerks when playing powerful games like Asphalt 9 or COD mobile, the A52 5G has worked like silk.
Other aspects in terms of specifications, and where I have to give Samsung a bit of a talking-to, are the batteries. While the A72 has a 5.000 mAh battery , the A52 5G opts for 4.500 mAh . And don't get me wrong, I think both phones have excellent battery capacity. With either one, you can easily get through the day, and depending on how much you use them, you might even get a day and a half of use.
Where I think the manufacturer should have focused more is on the charging system. Both phones have 25W fast charging , which isn't bad, but the competition already includes much faster systems in cheaper phones. Something I hope Samsung addresses in future releases.
Solvent camera set, but not outstanding
And now I'll talk about that aspect that's paramount for many of us before buying a new phone: the cameras . Once again, to help you compare them in the best way, I've included a table showing what both options offer:
| Galaxy A72 | Galaxy A52 5G |
|---|---|
| Wide - 64MP, f/1.8 | Wide - 64MP, f/1.8 |
| Wide Angle - 12 MP, f/2.2, 123º | Wide Angle - 12 MP, f/2.2, 123º |
| Macro - 5MP, f/2.4 | Macro - 5MP, f/2.4 |
| Telephoto - 8 MP, f/2.4, x3 | Depth - 5MP, f/2.4 |
| Selfie - 32MP, f/2.2 | Selfie - 32MP, f/2.2 |
In both cases we find ourselves, again, with an almost identical camera pack except for the change between telephoto with x3 optical zoom of the Galaxy A72 for the depth sensor of the A52 5G.
How do both mobiles behave in this section? Well, to be honest, it's hard for me to differentiate between one and the other. When the light conditions are good, both take decent photos, with correct colors and manage HDR without too many problems.
I want to mention that the wide-angle lens , while not perfect, seems somewhat better than other phones I've tested in a similar price range. As for the telephoto lens , as expected, the A72 wins, since the other model offers 2x zoom, but it's digital. And regarding the macro lens , I wasn't expecting anything spectacular, but that's exactly what I found.
The selfie camera follows the same pattern . The photos are average compared to what you'd find on the market, although the colors are slightly more muted than those taken with the main sensor.
Moving on to video, both phones record at a maximum quality of 4K at 30 fps . The quality is about average, as I mentioned in the photography section. When the light is good, we can get decent colors, although, of course, don't expect the sharpest image in the world. I would have liked Samsung to improve the stabilization a bit more, as there's quite a bit of vibration in the image when walking. This is somewhat improved by using the super stable mode.
Galaxy A72 vs A52 5G, which is better?
Now that I have told you the main aspects of both phones, let me tell you about the price and which one seems to me to be the best option.
The Galaxy A72 and A52 5G launched at €449 and €429 respectively. However, they can currently be found on Amazon for €409 and €375.
See offer on Amazon See offer on AmazonI really like both phones in design, especially the back, which is very beautiful, although it is still plastic and not a premium material. Then, regarding the operation, the two comply quite well although, yes, when it comes to squeezing them, the A52 5G responds better. And, in the cameras section, we are facing a solvent pack but without too much fanfare.
Personally, if I had to choose one of the two, I would go for the Galaxy A52 5G. We have a modeled design, with better specifications (including 5G), a somewhat more restrained size and at a lower price.
What about the competition? Is what Samsung offers with these phones enough? This is one of the most complicated ranges of smartphones and the smallest detail marks the decision. They seem like good phones to me, although details such as fast charging or the fact that something else does not stand out in the photograph can be a slight ballast.
Of course, knowing and seeing how the prices of this range drop, I would not lose sight of future offers for both models that can be a great option for many people.
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