Samsung Electronics’ mid-to-low-end phones, Galaxy A series, are becoming virtually a’semi-premium phone’ from a’supply-type’ model due to extensive product specifications (specs) enhancements.
The Galaxy A52 (4G), Galaxy A52 5th generation (5G), and Galaxy A72 (4G), which were introduced through the’Galaxy Awesome Unpack (Public)’ event on the afternoon of the 17th, are comparable to the premium phones of the Galaxy S series in the market. Good reviews come out. This is the first time that Samsung is holding an unpack event with the release of the A series.
![Samsung Electronics opened'Samsung Galaxy Awesome Unpack' online on the 17th and unveiled three types of'Galaxy A'series smartphones. The photo is Samsung Galaxy A52·A72 Awesome Violet. [사진 삼성전자]](https://i0.wp.com/pds.joins.com/news/component/htmlphoto_mmdata/202103/18/aa6ca8da-e48b-4ccb-8b65-c73d32872a6e.jpg?w=560&ssl=1)
Samsung Electronics opened’Samsung Galaxy Awesome Unpack’ online on the 17th and unveiled three types of’Galaxy A’series smartphones. The photo is Samsung Galaxy A52·A72 Awesome Violet. [사진 삼성전자]
Anti-shake, dustproof/waterproof, even stereo speakers
The features are not much different from premium phones. In the case of the Galaxy A52 5G, the battery capacity is 4500mAh, which is larger than the basic Galaxy S21 (4000mAh). The screen refresh rate (a unit that indicates how many scenes are displayed per second) is 120 Hz. The 64 megapixel rear main camera has an optical image stabilization function (OIS). It also includes waterproof and dustproof functions of IP67 grade (protection for 30 seconds at a depth of 1m). Until now, Samsung has applied the 120㎐ refresh rate, OIS, and waterproof and dustproof functions only to premium phones.
For the first time in the Galaxy A series, Dolby Atmos was also installed on stereo speakers. Normally, the Galaxy A supports mono speakers, so you had to use earphones to listen to stereo sound.
Camera dual pixel, wireless charging function omitted
The Galaxy A52 supports a 3.5mm wired earphone jack and a micro SD (up to 1TB) slot that disappeared from the Galaxy S21. A charger is also included in the package. The storage memory and RAM capacity are also not much different from the basic model of the Galaxy S21, which is 256 gigabytes (GB) and 8 GB, respectively. For the Galaxy A52, you can choose between 128GB of memory and 6GB of RAM, and 256GB of memory and 8GB of RAM. Nevertheless, the price was set at 429 euros (about 580,000 won) based on the Galaxy A52 5G. Some Galaxy users say, “The cost-performance ratio (price/performance) of the Galaxy A52 is too high, so there is no difference from the basic model of the premium phone, the Galaxy S21.”
Among the premium features, the Galaxy A52 is missing the dual pixel and wireless charging function of the front and rear cameras. Dual Pixel is a technology in which the camera automatically focuses like a human eye, and sharp images can be captured even when taking dynamic scenes of sports.
However, experts emphasize, “No matter how much premium features are added to the Galaxy A series, it cannot become a premium phone.” This is because the application processor (AP) that acts as the brain of a smartphone is different. The Galaxy A52 is equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 750G, and the Galaxy S21 is equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888, which is exclusively for flagship smartphones, and Samsung’s Exynos 2100.
Samsung Electronics’Galaxy A52·A52 5G·A72′ unveiled. Graphic = Reporter Park Kyung-min [email protected]
Expert “The fundamental difference in smartphone’brain’”
Ahn Ki-hyun, executive director of the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association, said, “The latest APs installed in premium phones include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphic processing unit (GPU), and a neural network processing circuit (MPU) that acts as an artificial intelligence (AI).” This MPU provides the software’s processing speed, natural operation, and an optimized experience for users.” It is said that APs for mid- to low-end phones cannot implement AI-based optimization performance.
“It is a general trend to increase the cost-performance ratio, such as 80% of smartphones released by China Oneplus and 58% of Xiaomi phones, with 4 rear cameras,” said No Geun-chang, head of Hyundai Motor Securities Research Center. It is necessary to increase the market share of smartphones by installing the Galaxy S series, and to increase the premium competitiveness through the advancement of the technology of the Galaxy S series.”
Roh Tae-moon, head of Samsung Electronics’ wireless business division (president), said, “The Galaxy A series to be released this time demonstrates Samsung’s willingness to provide the latest innovations and powerful functions to more people.”
The Galaxy A models announced this time will be released sequentially from Europe on the 17th. Whether it will be released in Korea and the schedule has not been decided yet. In the industry, the only 5G model, the Galaxy A52 5G, is expected to be released in Korea from April to May.
Reporter Park Hyung-soo [email protected]
