Samsung Galaxy M52 overview: Naked necessities

Constructing a mid-range phone isn’t difficult, however staying related within the area is a complete totally different ball recreation. It takes greater than specs to be aggressive. These specs must be backed up by worth, nice design, and imaging capabilities. All of this may sound apparent, however discovering that stability is essential, and never each cellphone can obtain it. With the Galaxy M52, Samsung is making some concessions over its earlier mid-ranger, the M51, whereas bolstering different facets of the cellphone. Within the Android Authority Samsung Galaxy M52 overview, we see if the rejigged specs and Samsung’s concentrate on model cachet can tackle extra densely packed spec sheets from the competitors.

• Samsung Galaxy M52 (6GB / 128GB): Rs. 24,990
• Samsung Galaxy M52 (8GB / 128GB): Rs. 27,990

The Samsung Galaxy M52 follows up final yr’s Galaxy M51 as a mid-range possibility for customers who need greater than the fundamentals. The cellphone is out there in two totally different configurations with the one distinction being the quantity of RAM. The Galaxy M52 serves because the highest-end gadget in Samsung’s M sequence portfolio with the Galaxy A52s serving as an improve possibility for customers who need extra.

Learn extra: The best Samsung phones

The Galaxy M52 is being fielded in three totally different colours, nonetheless, solely the Icy Blue and Blazing Black variants can be found in India. In Europe, the cellphone is out there in a white possibility as properly. For the second, the cellphone is just accessible in Poland, although a wider launch ought to comply with quickly, with pricing to be confirmed.

The one solution to really describe the Galaxy M52 is that, properly, it’s a Samsung. It’s bought the unmistakable shiny plastic again, with a design that takes cues from the Galaxy S21 series whereas making apparent downgrades in construct high quality. A pinstripe that runs all the way in which throughout the again panel provides some visible id to an in any other case drab gadget.

It’s not low cost per se — the wonderful weight distribution is noticeable — however you may definitely really feel that the cellphone is constructed to a price. Furthermore, the again panel is extraordinarily susceptible to fingerprints and scratches which takes away from the texture of the cellphone. That very same feeling extends to the mid-frame as properly. That mentioned, the side-mounted fingerprint scanner is a helpful addition and I discovered it to be very fast at unlocking the cellphone.

Samsung’s made an enormous deal of the show on the Galaxy M52 and that’s for good purpose. The 6.7-inch Tremendous AMOLED show is fingers down the most effective in its phase, with top-notch colour copy as soon as set to the pure colour profile, in addition to unbelievable brightness ranges.

Additional, the 120Hz show really elevates the consumer expertise and provides an additional diploma of smoothness to interface navigation. Sadly, Samsung isn’t providing an adaptive refresh rate right here so you may be locked to both 120Hz or 60Hz relying on the profile you go for. Just like the Galaxy A52s that we reviewed lately, bezels are on the bigger facet however that’s comprehensible right here given the market positioning. The cellphone comes outfitted with Gorilla Glass 5 for defense, which is an older grade from Corning however is totally honest for the value.

All in all, the Galaxy M52 is a reasonably commonplace mid-ranger with an equal measure of inclusions and omissions. A superb show, tight tolerance ranges, and customarily okay construct high quality are a particular constructive, however the fingerprint-prone shiny plastics, lack of safety in opposition to the weather, and absence of stereo audio system make sure that the cellphone falls wanting excellence.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G chipset is quick changing into the processor of selection within the mid-range phase exterior the US and the Galaxy M52 is not any exception. The octa-core chipset pairs 4 Cortex A78 cores with 4 Cortex A55 cores for a great quantity of CPU grunt, and backs it up with 5G compatibility as properly.

Learn extra: Snapdragon SoC guide — All of Qualcomm’s smartphone processors explained

On a regular basis use poses no drawback for the cellphone. Samsung’s software program optimization is throughout nice and regular duties like popping out and in of the digital camera, net searching, and social media use are predictably good. Gaming efficiency, nonetheless, tremendously relies on the software program in query. Whereas shooters like Name of Responsibility: Cell posed no points, titles like Battle Grounds Cell: India exhibited dropped frames and pop-in. General, the efficiency right here ought to suffice for many informal customers whereas players have a number of different options that could be higher suited to their use case.

Whereas the Samsung Galaxy M51 launched a really large 7,000mAh battery, the M52 is making do with a 5,000mAh cell that’s extra consistent with mid-range rivals. Regardless of that, the cellphone delivers virtually a day and a half of use. My use case includes plenty of electronic mail, social media, Slack, and some cellphone requires good measure. On days once I pushed the cameras and examined out video games, the cellphone nonetheless had sufficient juice to final me a full day. For customers who wish to eke out much more battery life, there’s all the time the choice to change to 60Hz, however most shouldn’t really feel the necessity for it.

Regardless of the lengthy battery life, Samsung’s reluctance to incorporate a quick charger within the field continues to be irksome. Whereas the Galaxy M52 helps 25W charging, which continues to be gradual as snails in comparison with some competing units from Chinese language OEMs, most customers will likely be relegated to the 15W speeds through the charger included within the field. Charging the cellphone takes simply wanting two hours, and I’d advocate most customers to purchase a compatible fast charger with the Power Delivery PPS standard for the cellphone. The cellphone doesn’t have wi-fi charging assist both, however that’s a given within the phase.

The Samsung Galaxy M52 is supplied with a typical trifecta of cameras together with a 64MP main shooter paired with a 12MP ultra-wide sensor, in addition to a 5MP macro digital camera. It’s a quite common configuration amongst mid-range smartphones, although Samsung may’ve tried to be a bit extra aggressive with a devoted telephoto shooter.

Associated: The best budget camera phones you can buy

Picture high quality from the first digital camera is satisfactory. Samsung’s white stability metering on the Galaxy M52 seems to veer in direction of cooler settings which may be very evident in all the photographs. The mid-afternoon images I took appear to be one thing that was shot late within the night. Actually, the cellphone seems to be overcompensating for restricted dynamic vary by boosting publicity ranges. Noise ranges in well-lit conditions are in management, although you may see some digital smearing within the foliage when you crop in shut.

Samsung’s aggressive firming down of skies can also be clear in wider pictures. The blue ranges seem unnatural with a really distinct HDR look. The ultra-wide camera particularly suffers from critical fringing, with lack of particulars across the edges. The usual shot doesn’t fare a lot better both. The dynamic vary is restricted and the article appears to be like darkish regardless of ample gentle.

As soon as once more, the ultra-wide digital camera disappoints with its dealing with of edges and element. The distortion correction right here is objectively dangerous. Moreover, the digital camera handles direct gentle fairly poorly, with blown-out highlights and flaring.

The M52 makes do with software zoom and cropping into the 64MP sensor for a 2x zoomed-in shot. In good lighting, outcomes are first rate, although the sharpening algorithms are inclined to go overboard with noticeable sharpening artifacts.

The devoted 5MP macro mode on the Samsung Galaxy M52 is able to getting near the topic and has ample element. Nonetheless — you guessed it — the white stability ranges are utterly off and publicity ranges are set too excessive.

Surprisingly, the digital camera fares fairly properly in dim gentle and indoor situations. You’ll definitely discover noise within the pictures however pictures are sharp and have a good quantity of element regardless of the missing dynamic vary. Evening mode boosts brightness ranges additional and also you’ll get a considerably brighter picture.

Over to the front-facing 32MP digital camera. By default, the digital camera crops right into a wider body to present you a close-up picture. Coloration accuracy is sweet with glorious particulars. The white stability continues to err on the facet of cooler shades however it’s not too dangerous, all issues thought-about. The dynamic vary isn’t significantly nice, as you may discover with the burnt-out highlights within the wide-angle shot.

Equally, portrait mode might be utilized to each the usual and ultra-wide pictures. Edge detection is fairly good, with the cellphone drawing an correct define even round my curly head. The default bokeh separation can look a bit jarring, however you may regulate the extent of bokeh after the very fact for a extra pure depth of area impact.

Video recording on the Galaxy M52 goes as much as 4K at 30fps. The standard isn’t significantly good, with restricted dynamic vary and boosted publicity ranges. Moreover, the dearth of picture stabilization means you’ll want to carry the cellphone very nonetheless to get first rate footage.

Put merely, the Galaxy M52 cameras are fairly poor, even for the value. You’ll be able to check out full decision digital camera samples through this Google Drive hyperlink.

• Software program: Whereas the bloatware scenario on the Galaxy M52 is nowhere close to as dangerous as on different Samsung telephones I’ve examined, I nonetheless counted about fifteen apps on the Indian unit I had available. You’ll be able to delete a few of them, however sadly not all of them. There’s additionally ample notification spam in addition to a daring widget urging you to put in extra apps. Actually, this push in direction of putting in further software program begins proper from the setup course of itself. It’s all a bit a lot and mars one of the best facets of Samsung’s One UI skin.
• Audio: Whereas I’ve already touched upon the speaker high quality, the dearth of stereo audio system continues to be an enormous miss right here. Furthermore, the cellphone doesn’t have a headphone jack both — a wierd selection contemplating Samsung’s Galaxy A telephones have one.
• 5G assist: The Galaxy M52 helps all kinds of 5G bands which ought to make it a great match each in India and Europe. The dearth of mmWave assist — largely reserved for flagships — shouldn’t be a difficulty right here for the reason that cellphone isn’t on sale within the US.
• Wi-Fi 6: The cellphone additionally helps the Wi-Fi 6 commonplace making it an important futureproofed selection for dwelling networking.
• MicroSD assist: The Galaxy M52 has microSD assist for reminiscence growth, albeit through a hybrid slot so that you’ll lose Twin-SIM capabiitilies.
• Software program updates: Samsung is promising two years of Android updates in addition to 4 years of safety patches for the Galaxy M52. Whereas that doesn’t match the Galaxy S, Galaxy Z, or high Galaxy A promise of three years of platform upgrades, it’s an appropriate stage of long-term assist that bests a lot of the competitors.

The Samsung Galaxy M52 enters a really crowded area, particularly in India the place excessive specs and worth are desk stakes. With pricing beginning at Rs. 24,990 (~$337), the cellphone has plenty of established competitors. Whereas the Galaxy M52 fares properly on a efficiency entrance and the show delivers the products, the missing construct high quality and downright poor cameras fall beneath commonplace in a aggressive value tier.

The Poco F3 GT (Rs. 26,999) with its Mediatek Dimensity 1200 chipset is a straightforward suggestion for cellular players looking for extra energy. The cellphone impresses not simply with its efficiency, but additionally the distinctive magnetic triggers that may really elevate your recreation. The common Poco F3 (£329) is one other performance-oriented different for consumers in Europe that mixes a Snapdragon 870 chipset with first rate imaging credentials.

See additionally: The best phones under 30,000 rupees in India

For many who need a cleaner software program expertise, there’s the OnePlus Nord 2 (£399/Rs. 29,999) that, as soon as once more, has a strong Dimensity 1200 chipset and higher, albeit barely inconsistent, cameras.

In the meantime, Motorola is bringing a loaded spec sheet to the desk with its near-stock software program, 144Hz AMOLED show, and a 108MP digital camera on the Edge 20 (£429/Rs. 29,999).

Lastly, there’s the ol’ trustworthy Google Pixel 4a ($350/Rs. 25,999) that’s getting a bit lengthy within the tooth on the specs entrance however makes up for it with a helpful and compact construct, long-term software program assist, and an exemplary digital camera.

The Samsung Galaxy M52 isn’t probably the most thrilling launch from the South Korean large, however the cellphone contains all of the necessities you’d count on. Specifically, the massive and vibrant show units the cellphone aside. Moreover, the Snapdragon 778G chipset is a stable performer, although Samsung’s battery optimizations appear to throttle efficiency in just a few video games.

One of many Samsung Galaxy M52’s sore spots comes with the poorly optimized cameras which fall behind these discovered on one of the best funds shooters, however my principal gripe with the cellphone is the construct high quality. Merely put, you count on higher at this value. A budget-feeling plastics simply don’t stay as much as market expectations. Nonetheless, that’s simply overcome with a case. What can’t be overcome is the bloatware scenario, in addition to lacking options like an IP score or stereo audio system. That’s an extended string of misses in a class that’s already filled with hits.