What Makes the Samsung Galaxy M52 5G Worth Buying?
The Samsung Galaxy M52 5G arrived in October 2021 as one of the most well-balanced mid-range 5G phones Samsung had produced for the budget-conscious segment. At 173 grams and just 7.4mm thin, it’s the kind of phone that doesn’t feel like a compromise — it feels deliberate. That slim, light profile combined with a 120Hz Super AMOLED Plus display and the Snapdragon 778G chipset gives it a premium day-to-day feel that outpaces its price positioning.
The 120Hz refresh rate on a Super AMOLED Plus panel is the experience centerpiece. Scrolling is visibly smoother, animations feel more fluid, and the display’s AMOLED technology delivers the deep blacks and vibrant colors that LCD screens simply can’t replicate. At 6.7 inches and 393 ppi with an 86.4% screen-to-body ratio, it’s an immersive panel protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5 — a meaningful scratch and drop protection upgrade over cheaper glass alternatives at this tier.
The Snapdragon 778G 5G is where the M52 5G really separates itself from the crowd. Built on a 6nm process with a prime core at 2.4 GHz and three performance cores at 2.2 GHz, it’s a genuinely capable chipset — fast enough for demanding games at good settings, multitasking across many apps, and smooth camera processing. The Adreno 642L GPU handles graphically intensive titles without the stuttering that entry-level chips show under load. This is proper mid-range performance, not a step below it.
Camera capability is strong across the board. The 64 MP main sensor (1/1.97″, f/1.8, PDAF) captures detailed, well-exposed images in daylight. The 12 MP ultrawide with a 123-degree field of view covers group shots, architecture, and landscapes with genuine breadth. Both the rear and front cameras record 4K video at 30fps — a feature the Samsung Galaxy M51 predecessor also offered, and one that remains uncommon at this price point. The 32 MP selfie camera is one of the better front shooters in its class for detail and accuracy.
- Display: 6.7″ Super AMOLED Plus, 120Hz, 393 ppi — smooth and vivid
- 5G: Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) — capable chipset with future-ready connectivity
- Build: 173g and 7.4mm thin — exceptionally slim for a 6.7-inch phone
- Rear Camera:Â 64 MP main + 12 MP ultrawide + 5 MP macro
- Video:Â 4K@30fps on both rear and front cameras
- Selfie Camera:Â 32 MP for high-resolution front-facing photography
- Wi-Fi 6:Â Fast, reliable wireless in congested environments
- Navigation: GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS — five-system satellite coverage
- NFC:Â Contactless payments and tag scanning included
Things to Know Before Choosing the Samsung Galaxy M52 5G
The M52 5G is an available device rather than discontinued, but its 2021 launch means software support has a defined endpoint. It launched on Android 11 and was updated to Android 13 with One UI 5.1 — two major OS upgrades. That’s a reasonable but not generous update run, and Samsung’s active security patch schedule for this model has wound down. Buyers who need current Android for compliance, banking app security, or enterprise requirements should verify the latest patch level before purchasing.
The microSDXC expansion slot shares the SIM tray, which means dual SIM use and storage expansion cannot happen simultaneously. For buyers who rely on two SIM cards and also need more than 128GB of storage, this is a genuine constraint. Samsung offers 6GB and 8GB RAM variants but only in 128GB storage configurations — there’s no higher native storage option, making the SD card trade-off more impactful for heavy storage users.
The 3.5mm headphone jack is absent on the M52 5G. Users who switched from wired earphones on the Samsung Galaxy M51 (which retained the jack) will need to transition to Bluetooth audio or use a USB-C adapter. The Bluetooth 5.0 connection quality is solid for wireless audio, but it’s a step that won’t be welcome for everyone, particularly those who use wired audio for noise isolation on commutes.
The 5,000 mAh battery is capable but charged at 25W — the same speed as the M51. Given the M52 5G is a thinner and lighter phone, the charging hardware is appropriate, but full charge times will run over an hour and a half from empty. There is no wireless charging. The 5 MP macro camera performs adequately for close-up shots but is the weakest element of the triple-camera system and should be treated as a bonus rather than a primary shooting tool.
Is the Samsung Galaxy M52 5G Right for You?
The M52 5G was built to hit a clear sweet spot: maximum display and performance quality for buyers who don’t need or want to spend on flagships. Three years post-launch, it still makes a strong used-market case for specific buyer types.
Media consumers and social media enthusiasts will find the 120Hz Super AMOLED Plus display one of the most satisfying screens available at this price tier on the used market. Streaming video, scrolling through feeds, and playing games all benefit from the combination of AMOLED color quality and the smoothness that 120Hz provides. The high screen-to-body ratio means very little display real estate is lost to bezels.
Content creators and mobile photographers who want camera versatility at a mid-range price will appreciate the 64 MP main sensor’s detail output, the genuinely wide 123-degree ultrawide lens, and — critically — 4K video recording on both front and rear cameras. The 32 MP selfie camera produces sharp, high-resolution front images that rival far more expensive devices.
5G early adopters and performance-focused mid-range buyers benefit from the Snapdragon 778G’s processing power. Games load faster, multitasking is smoother, and 5G network access future-proofs the device for faster data speeds as network coverage continues expanding. The five-system satellite navigation stack (including QZSS, which very few devices in this price range include) adds precision location tracking.
The M52 5G is less appropriate for users who need the 3.5mm jack, those who require current Android security updates for work purposes, or anyone who needs simultaneous dual SIM and expanded storage. Students comparing new devices may find better software longevity in current-generation Samsung A-series phones at similar price points.
Best Alternatives to the Samsung Galaxy M52 5G
For buyers evaluating alternatives, these options cover adjacent priorities:
- Samsung Galaxy A53 5G: A direct competitor in the Samsung lineup with IP67 water resistance, a 64 MP camera, 120Hz Super AMOLED, and Android 14 support — stronger software longevity and added water protection for buyers who can stretch slightly more.
- Samsung Galaxy M53 5G: The M52 5G’s successor with a 108 MP main camera, a more capable chipset, and updated software — the natural next step for buyers who want the latest M-series evolution.
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G: A competing 5G mid-ranger with a 108 MP camera and 67W fast charging at a competitive used price — better for buyers who prioritize faster charging and higher camera resolution.
- OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G: Offers a 65W fast charger, a 90Hz AMOLED display, and a capable Dimensity 900 chipset — better charging speed for buyers who find 25W too slow.
Samsung Galaxy M52 5G Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Samsung Galaxy M52 5G display really 120Hz and is it noticeable?
Yes, the Galaxy M52 5G features a genuine 120Hz Super AMOLED Plus panel, and the difference from standard 60Hz displays is immediately noticeable in everyday use. Scrolling through feeds, swiping between apps, and navigating menus all feel visibly smoother. Combined with AMOLED’s deep blacks and high color saturation, the result is a display experience that typically requires spending significantly more to match on other devices. At 393 ppi across 6.7 inches, text and images are sharp and detailed without visible pixelation.
What Android version does the Samsung Galaxy M52 5G support?
The Galaxy M52 5G was updated to Android 13 with One UI 5.1, its final major OS update after launching on Android 11. Samsung provided two major Android upgrades for this device. Active security patching has since concluded. Buyers who handle sensitive accounts, banking apps, or enterprise data on their phone should verify the current patch status and factor in that security updates are no longer actively issued for this model.
Does the Samsung Galaxy M52 5G have a headphone jack?
No. The Galaxy M52 5G does not include a 3.5mm headphone jack. Audio connectivity relies on the USB Type-C 2.0 port with OTG support, or wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.0 with A2DP and LE. Buyers switching from the Galaxy M51 — which retained the 3.5mm jack — will notice this change immediately. A USB-C to 3.5mm adapter resolves the compatibility issue for wired earphones, though it adds a step to the daily routine.
How good is the camera on the Samsung Galaxy M52 5G?
The Galaxy M52 5G’s camera system is one of the stronger setups available at its price tier on the used market. The 64 MP main sensor captures highly detailed images with accurate colors and good subject separation in daylight. The 12 MP ultrawide’s 123-degree field of view is genuinely broad — useful for landscapes, interiors, and group shots where a standard lens can’t capture the full scene. Both front and rear cameras record 4K at 30fps, and the 32 MP selfie camera delivers sharp, high-resolution front photos and 4K front video. The 5 MP macro fills out the triple-camera count but is a secondary tool rather than a primary shooting option.
Does the Samsung Galaxy M52 5G support NFC?
Yes. The Galaxy M52 5G includes NFC, enabling contactless payments through compatible apps like Google Pay, along with NFC tag reading and device-to-device data transfers. The side-mounted fingerprint scanner provides fast biometric authentication for payment confirmation. NFC inclusion is standard on most Samsung mid-range phones but is worth confirming for buyers comparing against competing brands where it’s sometimes omitted at this price point.