Galaxy A52 or A53: which mid-range model is better?
With the Galaxy A53 5G, Samsung is launching the successor to its successful Galaxy A52 series. Unlike this one, only one A53 variant appears – at least for the time being. Therefore, the comparison here also refers to the standard model of the A52 series, we also mention special features of the A52 5G or A52s 5G.
Galaxy A52 vs. A53: Who comes out on top?
Samsung A52 or A53: spot the difference!
From the front, both models are very similar: A modern, large OLED display with a diagonal of 6.5 inches fills the majority (84 percent) of the front surface, the edges around it are visibly thicker than in top smartphones like this S22. The front camera is hidden behind a small hole at the top of the display. A fingerprint sensor is hidden under the display. Both models have a pleasantly matt plastic on the back – in the test it was slightly more scratch-resistant on the A53 (3 instead of 2 Mohs). Both are waterproof (IP67 certified). But if you look closely, you can see a difference: With the A53, the transition to the block of four cameras is smoother. But the difference on the underside is more important: the A53 lacks the jack socket here.
Intermediate status: When comparing the case design, both models are on par – 1:1. Limitation: If you want to use headphones or headsets with a cable, you should rather use the A52.
Galaxy A52 vs A53
A52 or A53: who is faster?
The Galaxy A53 comes with the brand new Samsung processor Exynos 1280, the Galaxy A52 works with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G. But there is a surprise when checking the processor speed: In the Geekbench 5.1 benchmark test, the A53 is only slightly faster than the A52 (roughly on par with the A52 5G with Snapdragon 750G), and in some practical tests it is even slower than the A52 . This becomes all the more astonishing as soon as you look at the “s” model of the A52, the Galaxy A52s. Because the model, which was released in summer 2021, is much faster in multi-core applications than the A53 with the Exynos 1280 processor of 2022. Fast mobile communications with 5G are only available in the A53 or in the 5G variant A52 5G (in stores hard to come by) and in the A52s 5G. Amazing: Samsung only installs one WLAN antenna in the A53, the A52 is theoretically twice as fast with two antennas (866 instead of 433 Mbps) and can also use the advantages of MIMO technology for better reception.
Intermediate status: Both A-models offer a usable, but not good working pace, the stalemate remains – 2:2. But there is a secret winner out of competition: the Galaxy A52s is still faster than the A53 and also has 5G.
The best Samsung phones
Samsung
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Per
Very bright OLED
Good battery life
against
No jack socket
No power supply included
Samsung
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Per
Super display – large, sharp, high-contrast and extremely bright
WiFi 6E
against
Big and heavy
No memory card slot
Samsung
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Per
Enormously bright and large OLED
Good battery life
against
No jack socket
No power supply included
Samsung
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Per
Brilliant big screen
Top photo quality in daylight
against
Insecure Face Unlock
No jack socket
Samsung
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Per
Large and extremely bright display
Extreme camera zoom
against
Insecure facial recognition
No jack socket
Samsung
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Per
Fast processor
Bright, high-contrast display
against
Display could be sharper
No memory card slot
Samsung
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against
No jack socket
No memory card slot
Samsung
Details about the test
against
Loads slowly
No UWB (Ultra Wide Band Short Distance)
Samsung
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Per
High speed
Big, bright, sharp display
against
Slippery back
thick camera
Samsung
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Per
Giant display in cell phone format
Great contrasts and colors
against
Sensitive folding display
Folding curvature visible in the display
Complete list: The best Samsung phones
Bright OLEDs for summer
As expected, both models offer great displays with strong colors and crisp contrasts – thanks to OLED. With a resolution of 2400×1080 pixels, the resolution is also high enough. But what about the brightness? The test in the laboratory shows that there is nothing to complain about in either of the two test candidates, the maximum brightness is practically identical at 1066 cd (A52) and 1047 cd (A53). This ensures that e-mails can also be read on summer days. By the way, the high-speed A52s showed a not quite as bright display with 813 candelas. Both models offer an increased refresh rate for buttery smooth scrolling. The A53 creates either 60 or 120 Hertz (120 Hertz ex works), the A52 reaches a maximum of 90 Hertz.
Intermediate result: The slightly higher hertz number is hardly significant, both test candidates each receive a point in the duel for their excellent displays – 3:3.
Battery life in the test
The battery runtime is the strength of the entry-level and mid-range. In the endurance test in the COMPUTER BILD laboratory (in various applications executed with a robot finger), both devices delivered a similarly good runtime of around ten hours (exactly ten hours for the A52, 9:37 hours for the A53). Surprising at first glance, because the A53 has a larger battery capacity of 5,000 milliampere hours (mAh) than its predecessor (4,500 mAh). The A53’s factory refresh rate of 120 Hertz may result in higher power consumption. The A53 supports more powerful fast charging than the A52 (with 25 instead of 15 watts), but there is no longer a power adapter in the box. The test of the best mobile phone power supplies provides more information.
Intermediate status: The A52 lasts a few minutes longer than the A53 (at 120 Hertz), but the A53 optionally charges faster – the old difference (4:4) remains.
The best cell phone chargers
Samsung
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Fast charging up to 25 watts
Fast charge in 15 min: 28% Galaxy S21
against
Not optimized for fast charging on iPhone
anchor tech
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Test score on iPhone 12: 1.1
Test grade on the Galaxy S21: 2.5
against
Fast charging only up to a maximum of 20 watts
Ugreen
USB-C Charger 20W (60450)
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Per
Test score on iPhone 12: 1.2
Test grade on the Galaxy S21: 1.5
Aukey
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Charging for two devices in parallel (USB-A, USB-C)
Test grade 1.2 on the Apple iPhone 12
Aukey
PA-B3 OMNIA Mix 65W Dual Port PD Charger
Details about the test
Per
Test score on iPhone 12: 1.2
Test grade on the Galaxy S21: 2.4
Apple
USB-C Power Adapter 20W (MHJE3ZM/A)
Details about the test
Per
Test score on iPhone 12: 1.3
Fast charge in 15 min: 30% iPhone 12
Complete List: The Best Cell Phone Chargers
Camera: 64 megapixels, no tele
On paper, the A52 and A53 have the same camera equipment: main camera with 64 megapixels, ultra-wide-angle camera with 12 megapixels and, as an extra, a macro camera and a depth-assist lens (5 megapixels each). The image quality of the photos is very decent in both cases, as long as no large zoom levels are selected. However, the A53 delivered slightly better results in all test categories, such as stronger contrasts and more details. Selfies are better too. However, the A53 tends towards exaggerated colors. The optical video stabilization in the A53 works much more effectively.
Intermediate status: In the camera test, the A53 moves into pole position thanks to slight advantages: 5:4
Shot with the standard camera: A52 vs. A53. The A53 shows more detail but overdoes it with the color of the leaves with unnatural greens.
Ultra wide-angle camera: The Galaxy A53 produces more detailed photos than the A52.
Zoom camera comparison (factor 10): Galaxy A52 vs. A53. Both models are poorly suited for zoom shots, but the A53 delivers a little more detail.
An A model offers updates through 2026
Samsung has been doing well for software updates for some time now, promising about three years of major Android updates (four years of security patches) for the A52. But the A53 goes even further. As with the S series, Samsung is giving the A53 an extended update guarantee for the first time: four years of fresh Android updates and five years of security patches are guaranteed. That’s a year longer than the A52 and on par with the Galaxy S22. Since the A52 is already a year older, it will probably get its last major update in 2024 with Android 15, while the A53 will probably only get Android 17 in 2026. The 5G equipment also makes the A53 more future-proof.
Intermediate status: Thanks to a longer update guarantee and 5G, the Galaxy A53 is more future-proof – and moves up to the winner’s podium with 6:4.
High-contrast OLED display
Waterproof
Moderate pace of work
No jack socket
Very bright, high-contrast OLED
90 Hertz display
Camera with a long shutter lag
No 5G
Waterproof
Good pace of work
No tele lens
No wireless charging
Conclusion: Galaxy A53 or A52 – or an alternative?
The differences between the two generations are small. But thanks to a slightly better camera (probably due to more advanced image processing), longer updates and 5G, the Galaxy A53 emerges as the winner of the comparison. But if you value speed, you’d better use another alternative: The Galaxy A52s has a much faster processor than the A53. A price comparison is also recommended before making a purchase decision. At the time of testing, the Galaxy A53 was available from 350 euros, the Galaxy A52 from 260 euros and the Galaxy A52s from 320 euros (as of April 21, 2022).
