Samsung has plenty of popular models that are hogging the spotlight right now but the underrated Galaxy A Series deserves some attention too. The Galaxy A52 and its successor the Galaxy A53, for example, may not be the flashiest models but they’re reliable and sensible mid-range phones that are just as capable as the flagships. That said, these two are pretty similar so it might be confusing to choose the best one for you. To help you out, here’s an in-depth comparison of their design, cameras, performance, and battery life.
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Samsung Galaxy A53 vs A52 Comparison Chart
Design
The Samsung Galaxy A52 and A53 are practically twins.
There’s not much to talk about in the design department because the Samsung Galaxy A52 and A53 are practically twins. They both have 6.5-inch Super AMOLED displays with an impressive 120Hz refresh rate and FHD+ resolution. Their chassis are of the same durability as well, both rated at IP67 which means they can withstand water and dust. Flip them over and you’ll see that their camera systems are both made up of four sensors and are in the exact same spot on the left hand corner. As for their selfie cams, they’re out front in the form of a punch hole.
But if you were to look closely at their specs, you will see a couple of differences between these A Series models. For starters, the A53 is ever so slightly smaller than its predecessor and its bezels are a tiny bit slimmer as well. Also, Samsung has managed to give it a bigger battery without increasing its weight. None of these are noticeable just by holding the phones though so they’re not a big deal. However, the A53 does come in an interesting new color that Samsung has dubbed “Amazing Peach”.
Cameras
The Samsung Galaxy A53 has improved night and portrait modes but otherwise has the same camera specs as the A52.
Once again, Samsung didn’t really do anything to upgrade the Galaxy A53’s cameras. Just like its successor, its main camera has a 64MP sensor with an aperture of f/1.8. As for its ultra-wide camera, it’s at 12MP while the two cameras for depth and macro shots are at 5MP each. Meanwhile, the selfie camera in the front enjoys a 32MP resolution. While the Galaxy A52 and A53 are identical in terms of camera specs, you can enjoy a little bit more quality with the A53 thanks to the AI of its new processor.
The more capable AI has improved the A53’s night mode so you can expect your photos to come out sharper in low light conditions. The same goes for the portrait mode, resulting in a clearer distinction between the subject and the blurred out background. However, Samsung’s Object Eraser is available for both the A53 and A52. This software feature allows you to magically erase any unwanted elements in a photo such as reflections, shadows, things, and even people.
Processor and Software
The Samsung Galaxy A53 and A52 run on different processors.
This is the part where we can finally see some significant differences between the Samsung Galaxy A53 and A52. The A53 is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 1280, an octa-core 5nm chipset that’s designed for mid-range Galaxy phones. This makes it one of the first few models in the A series to swap out the usual Snapdragon processor for an Exynos one. However, this isn’t necessarily an upgrade compared to the A52’s Snapdragon 750G and is certainly a downgrade versus the Snapdragon 778G that’s inside the A52s.
It’s hard to know for sure how the A53 compares to the A52 in terms of performance. For now, all we can really rely on are Samsung’s claims. According to them, we can expect the A53 to have a faster performance by 6%, improved graphics performance by 33%, and faster neural performance by up to 42%. And because the Exynos chip relies on a newer manufacturing process, it might be more energy-efficient as well.
As for software, Samsung provides excellent support for its mid-range phones. The A52, which ships with the Android 11, gets three years’ worth of OS updates. The A53 gets to enjoy an even longer life, set to receive four years of OS updates and five years of security updates.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A53 has a bigger battery than the A52.
Samsung has equipped the Galaxy A53 with a 5,000mAh battery which trumps the A52’s 4,500mAh cell. With its bigger battery and 5nm chipset, the A53 should be able to outlast the A52 and get through an entire day of heavy use without any problems. As for charging, both models are capable of fast charging although the A53 will probably take longer to achieve a full charge because of its bigger battery. Also, you should note that the A53 doesn’t ship with a power adapter so you’ll need to spend more if you don’t have one yet.
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A53 isn’t a full upgrade to the A52.
Samsung Galaxy A53
Samsung Galaxy A52
If you already have the Samsung Galaxy A52, save your money and pass on the Samsung Galaxy A53. This new model doesn’t quite deserve to be called an upgrade because save for a couple of minor improvements, it’s practically the same as its predecessor. All it really has is a more efficient processor and a bigger battery with longer life. However, the A53 would be an excellent purchase for those who are looking for a reliable mid-range phone. What’s great is that it actually costs less than the A52’s launching price, retailing at just $450.
FAQs
The Samsung Galaxy A53 just hit the shelves on April 1, 2022.
The Samsung Galaxy A53 is powered by the Exynos 1280, an octa-core 5nm chipset that’s designed for mid-range Galaxy phones. As for battery, it’s equipped with a 5,000mAh cell.
The Samsung Galaxy A53’s launch price is $450 which is actually cheaper than the A52’s launch price of $500.
If you already have the Samsung Galaxy A52, save your money and pass on the Samsung Galaxy A53. This new model doesn’t quite deserve to be called an upgrade because save for a couple of minor improvements, it’s practically the same as its predecessor.