Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more.
Samsung Galaxy A52 announced: A fast display at a low price
Samsung just unveiled a slew of Galaxy A phones at its latest Unpacked event, but none might be more important than the A52 and A52 5G. Both represent upgrades to the heart of the A series, the A51, and this year they push the boundaries of what you’d expect from a mid-range Samsung phone.
Unlike the ostensibly higher-end Galaxy A72, the A52 comes in a 5G variant and boasts the most powerful display technology of Samsung’s budget range — more on that in a minute. This is the device you want if you’re looking for a few Galaxy S-like features while spending far less.
Read on for the full specs sheet and a closer look at the features Samsung brings to the table with the Galaxy A52.
Samsung Galaxy A52 specs and features
| Samsung Galaxy A52 | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G | |
|---|---|---|
Display | Samsung Galaxy A52 6.5-inch Super AMOLED FHD+ (2,400 x 1,080) Infinity-O (display cutout) 407ppi 90Hz refresh rate | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G 6.5-inch Super AMOLED FHD+ (2,400 x 1,080) Infinity-O (display cutout) 407ppi 120Hz refresh rate |
Processor | Samsung Galaxy A52 Unnamed octa-core CPU | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Unnamed octa-core CPU |
RAM | Samsung Galaxy A52 4, 6, or 8GB | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G 6 or 8GB |
Storage | Samsung Galaxy A52 128 or 256GB microSD support (up to 1TB) | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G 128 or 256GB microSD support (up to 1TB) |
Power | Samsung Galaxy A52 4,500mAh battery 25W fast wired charging No wireless charging | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G 4,500mAh battery 25W fast wired charging No wireless charging |
Cameras | Samsung Galaxy A52 Rear: 1) 64MP main Optical image stabilization (OIS) Auto-focus (AF) 0.8µm, ƒ1.8 2) 12MP ultra-wide Fixed focus (FF) 1.12µm, ƒ2.2 3) 5MP macro 1.12µm, ƒ2.4, FF 3) 5MP depth sensor 1.12µm, ƒ2.4, FF Front: 1) 32MP main 0.8µm, ƒ2.2, FF | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Rear: 1) 64MP main Optical image stabilization (OIS) Auto-focus (AF) 0.8µm, ƒ1.8 2) 12MP ultra-wide Fixed focus (FF) 1.12µm, ƒ2.2 3) 5MP macro 1.12µm, ƒ2.4, FF 3) 5MP depth sensor 1.12µm, ƒ2.4, FF Front: 1) 32MP main 0.8µm, ƒ2.2, FF |
Audio | Samsung Galaxy A52 Bluetooth 5.0 Stereo speakers 3.5mm headphone jack | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Bluetooth 5.0 Stereo speakers 3.5mm headphone jack |
Connectivity | Samsung Galaxy A52 LTE only (no 5G support) Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth 5.0 NFC support | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G 5G Sub6 (FDD & TDD) Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth 5.0 NFC support |
Security | Samsung Galaxy A52 In-display fingerprint sensor IP67-rated against water/dust Face unlock (insecure) | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G In-display fingerprint sensor IP67-rated against water/dust Face unlock (insecure) |
Software | Samsung Galaxy A52 Android 11 One UI 3.0 | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Android 11 One UI 3.0 |
Dimensions and weight | Samsung Galaxy A52 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4mm 189g | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4mm 189g |
Colors | Samsung Galaxy A52 Awesome Violet, Awesome Blue, Awesome White, Awesome Black | Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Awesome Violet, Awesome Blue, Awesome White, Awesome Black |
There’s no doubt that Samsung wants you to focus on the Galaxy A52’s display. The 5G model centers on a 6.5-inch FHD+ AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate — the first time such a fast display has reached a Galaxy A phone. You’ll have to settle for a 90Hz rate with the LTE model, but you’re still getting smooth visuals regardless of the device you pick.
After that, Samsung has primarily focused on the Galaxy A52’s cameras. Like the A72, you’ll now get a higher-resolution 64MP main camera with a brighter f/1.8 aperture. Other cameras are largely unchanged, but they still offer versatility with a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera, a 5MP f/2.4 macro cam and a 5MP f/2.2 depth sensor. A 32MP f/2.2 front camera handles selfies.
See also: The best Samsung phones
Don’t worry about the 120Hz display impacting battery life — Samsung has increased the Galaxy A52’s battery to 4,500mAh (from the A51’s 4,000mAh) regardless of model. Both A52 variants are reasonably lifeproof with IP67-rated water and dust resistance.
Samsung will only say that both phones are using “octa-core” processors, topping out at 2.2GHz in the 5G phone and 2.3Ghz in the LTE edition. Rumors have swirled that Samsung might switch from Exynos chips to the Snapdragon 720G (in the base A52) and Snapdragon 750G (A52 5G), but those haven’t been confirmed as we write this.
Price and availability
Full price details for Samsung’s Galaxy A52 line were unavailable as of this writing. Samsung said that it’ll have more to share on the Galaxy A52 series US launch “in the coming weeks.” However, UK customers can expect to buy the A52 5G for £399 (~$554). We’d expect US pricing to sit closer to the $499 of the A51 5G. That’s well below the original $699 price of the Galaxy S20 FE, Samsung’s most affordable 120Hz phone until now.