Galaxy A52 5G vs Galaxy S21 5G
Shop Samsung Galaxy
Galaxy A52 5G
Starting at
£136.62£399.00 new
Galaxy S21 5G
Starting at
£171.33£1,125.00 newWhat's the difference between the Galaxy A52 5G and Galaxy S21 5G?
Galaxy A52 5G vs S21 5G comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the Galaxy A52 5G starts at £136.62, £34.71 less than the Galaxy S21 5G.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) on the Galaxy A52 5G, Exynos 2100 (5 nm), Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) on the Galaxy S21 5G.
- The Galaxy S21 5G has more RAM: 8 GB vs 6 GB.
- The Galaxy A52 5G has a bigger battery: 4500 mAh vs 4000 mAh.
Galaxy A52 5G vs Galaxy S21 5G specs
The Galaxy A52 5G and Galaxy S21 5G both offer 5G connectivity and Android operating systems from 2021 but serve different user needs. The Galaxy A52 5G has a larger battery and screen, plus a higher resolution front and main camera, making it suitable for those who prioritise photography and longer use between charges. The Galaxy S21 5G has a more powerful chipset and more RAM, supporting smoother multitasking and demanding apps. It also offers a premium Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen, dual SIM options including eSIM, and more storage choices. Choose the A52 5G for a bigger display and expandable storage, or the S21 5G for performance and flexible SIM setups.
Galaxy A52 5G vs Galaxy S21 5G price
Colour
Galaxy A52 5G vs Galaxy S21 5G battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery size, software updates, and operating system.
Battery Capacity
The Galaxy A52 5G has a larger 4500 mAh battery suited for longer use between charges, which benefits users who spend extended time away from a charger. The Galaxy S21 5G has a 4000 mAh battery, which still supports a full day of typical use but may require more frequent charging for heavy users.
Battery
Foldable
Software updates
Year of release
Galaxy A52 5G vs Galaxy S21 5G performance
Performance depends on the chipset, RAM, and storage options. Both phones offer solid performance for everyday tasks, but differences in hardware suit different users.
Chipset and Speed
The Galaxy S21 5G uses a more advanced chipset built on a 5 nm process, available as Exynos 2100 or Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888, which delivers stronger performance for demanding apps and smoother multitasking. The Galaxy A52 5G has the Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G built on 8 nm, suitable for everyday use and moderate multitasking.
Memory and Storage
The Galaxy S21 5G comes with 8 GB RAM and offers 128 GB or 256 GB storage options, ideal if you run many apps at once or store large files. The Galaxy A52 5G has 6 GB RAM and 128 GB storage, fitting for typical daily use. The A52 5G also supports microSDXC cards for extra storage, which suits users who prefer to expand memory with a card.
Chipset
RAM
Galaxy A52 5G vs Galaxy S21 5G screen
Screen quality affects viewing experience for videos, browsing, and gaming. Both phones share the same resolution and refresh rate, but screen size and type differ.
Screen Size and Type
The Galaxy A52 5G offers a larger 6.5 inch Super AMOLED screen, which provides more space for watching videos or reading. The Galaxy S21 5G has a slightly smaller 6.2 inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen, which delivers brighter colours and higher contrast, suiting users who want vivid display quality in a more compact phone.
Refresh Rate and Resolution
Both devices support a smooth 120 Hz refresh rate and share the same 1080 x 2400 resolution, making scrolling and animations fluid and sharp on either screen.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Galaxy A52 5G vs Galaxy S21 5G camera
Camera quality varies between these two devices, impacting selfies and main photography. Front and main camera megapixels offer different detail levels.
Front Camera
The Galaxy A52 5G has a 32 megapixel front camera for sharp selfies and video calls, which suits users who prioritise detailed self-portraits. The Galaxy S21 5G has a 10 megapixel front camera, still good for video calls and selfies but with fewer pixels.
Main Camera
The Galaxy A52 5G features a 64 megapixel main camera, capturing more detail in photos, which benefits photography enthusiasts. The Galaxy S21 5G has a 12 megapixel main camera designed for balanced image quality, suitable for everyday snapshots and video.
Front camera
Main camera
Galaxy A52 5G vs Galaxy S21 5G size and design
Other features include connectivity, physical dimensions, SIM options, and additional hardware, which affect how you use the phone daily.
SIM and Storage Expandability
The Galaxy S21 5G supports dual physical SIM and eSIM, offering flexibility if you want two phone numbers or data plans. The Galaxy A52 5G uses a single physical SIM and includes a microSDXC slot, allowing storage expansion with a memory card.
Audio and Ports
The Galaxy A52 5G includes a 3.5 mm headphone jack alongside USB-C, useful if you prefer wired headphones without an adapter. The Galaxy S21 5G has only a USB Type-C port, supporting modern wired or wireless audio options.
Size and Weight
The Galaxy A52 5G is larger at 159.9 mm height and 75.1 mm width, weighing 189 g, which suits users who want a bigger screen and don't mind extra size. The Galaxy S21 5G is more compact at 151.7 mm height and 71.2 mm width, and lighter at 169 g, making it easier to hold and carry.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Galaxy A52 5G or Galaxy S21 5G: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy A52 5G if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £136.62, £34.71 less than the Galaxy S21 5G
- you want a bigger battery (4500 mAh vs 4000 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (6.5 inch vs 6.2 inch)
Buy the Galaxy S21 5G if
- you want more RAM (8 GB vs 6 GB)
- you want a lighter build (169 g vs 189 g)
What our customers say
Customers who bought the Galaxy A52 5G mention mixed experiences with condition, including some issues with battery life and camera faults, but many find the phone in excellent condition with good battery life and ease of use. Some appreciate the modern features and feel the phone suits users who want a larger screen and solid everyday performance.
Buyers of the Galaxy S21 5G consistently report excellent condition, often describing the phone as looking like new with minimal wear. They praise the battery condition, smooth performance, and appreciate the dual SIM functionality. Many customers recommend this phone for its quality and reliability, noting the phone suits those who want a compact device with strong performance and flexible SIM options.
Overall, the Galaxy A52 5G appeals to users seeking a larger screen and expandable storage, while the Galaxy S21 5G fits those valuing performance, a premium screen, and dual SIM capability.
Galaxy A52 5G vs Galaxy S21 5G FAQs
Galaxy A52 5G vs S21 5G comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) on the Galaxy A52 5G, Exynos 2100 (5 nm), Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) on the Galaxy S21 5G. The Galaxy S21 5G has more RAM: 8 GB vs 6 GB.
The Galaxy A52 5G is cheaper refurbished, from £136.62 compared with £171.33 for the Galaxy S21 5G.
The Galaxy A52 5G has a bigger battery: 4500 mAh vs 4000 mAh.
The Galaxy A52 5G has a higher-resolution main camera: 64 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
Updates for the Galaxy A52 5G ended in Mar 2025. Updates for the Galaxy S21 5G ended in Feb 2026.
Refurbished, the Galaxy A52 5G comes in 128GB, and the Galaxy S21 5G in 128GB and 256GB.
