Samsung Galaxy A52s: Enhanced Performance and 5G Connectivity Elevate Mid-Range Experience

Samsung’s latest mid-range Galaxy A-series devices have focused more on aesthetics and functionality rather than just processing power. The Galaxy A52 (Review) certainly presented an appealing design for a mid-range smartphone but lagged behind in performance against its rivals. With the introduction of the Galaxy A52s, Samsung has upgraded the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G chipset to the more powerful Snapdragon 778G, which also enables 5G connectivity. Will this enhancement be sufficient to compete with recently released models like the Realme GT Master Edition and the Realme GT, both of which are well-priced? After spending a few hours with the Samsung Galaxy A52s, here are my initial impressions.

The Samsung Galaxy A52s serves as a mid-year refresh of the Galaxy A52, which debuted in March this year. The Galaxy A52s has a starting price of Rs. 35,999 in India for the entry-level 6GB RAM and 128GB storage model. An 8GB RAM version with the same storage capacity is available for Rs. 37,499. Interestingly, both configurations are currently priced around Rs. 33,990 on Amazon. For my review, I received the 8GB RAM model in the Awesome White color. Other color options include Awesome Black and Awesome Violet.

The Samsung Galaxy A52s features a Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate

Design-wise, the Galaxy A52s is virtually indistinguishable from the Galaxy A52. It sports a plastic frame and a back panel made of polycarbonate. The matte finish gives it a slightly upscale appearance. The camera arrangement is modern and minimalistic, with noticeable cutouts for the lenses while the rest of the module integrates seamlessly into the back.

There’s a 6.5-inch full-HD+ Super AMOLED display with a punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera. The refresh rate has been increased to 120Hz from the Galaxy A52’s 90Hz, which should attract gamers. The bezels appear slimmer on the sides compared to the top and bottom edges. The Galaxy A52s is equipped with stereo speakers, where the earpiece also functions as a secondary speaker. Located next to the USB Type-C port at the bottom is a 3.5mm headphone jack. Like the Galaxy A52, this phone is rated IP67 for dust and water resistance.

There are no changes concerning camera specifications. The setup comprises a 64-megapixel primary camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, a 5-megapixel macro camera, and a 5-megapixel depth sensor. A 32-megapixel front camera is responsible for selfies. The Galaxy A52s houses a 4,500mAh battery supporting 25W fast charging, though, like the Galaxy A52, it comes with a 15W charger in the box. The phone operates on One UI 3.0, which is based on Android 11.

The back panel of the Samsung Galaxy A52s is constructed from polycarbonate and has a somewhat premium feel

With its hardware, the Samsung Galaxy A52s emerges as a strong contender that sits between the upper mid-range segment and the lower premium tier. At a starting price of Rs. 35,999 in India for the base 6GB RAM variant, the Galaxy A52 boasts several appealing features, including an upgraded processor, stereo speakers, a contemporary design, and an IP67 rating.

The new Snapdragon 778G chipset from Qualcomm performs well, as evidenced by the Realme GT Master Edition (Review) (starting from Rs. 25,999) and provides the A52s with a necessary performance boost, complete with 5G capability. However, with options like the Realme GT (First Impressions) featuring a cutting-edge Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor and other attractive alternatives such as the OnePlus 9R (Review) and Xiaomi Mi 11X Pro (Review) also priced under Rs. 40,000, it seems that Samsung is still focusing on users who value design. Ultimately, much will hinge on the performance of the Galaxy A52s’s cameras and whether they can rival the quality offered by similarly priced premium devices. This is one aspect I intend to examine thoroughly, so stay tuned for a comprehensive review of the Samsung Galaxy A52s, which will be available shortly.