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Samsung Galaxy A52 to Buy in 2026: Price, Specs & Worth

Mason Reed Parker • 2026-06-10 • Reviewed by Oliver Bennett

A phone that was a solid mid-range pick in 2021 can still turn heads if the price is right. The Samsung Galaxy A52 now trades hands for a fraction of its original cost, which makes it tempting for anyone looking to stretch a budget.

Release year: 2021 ·
Display: 6.5-inch Super AMOLED, 120Hz ·
Processor: Snapdragon 720G (4G) / Snapdragon 750G (5G) ·
Battery: 4500 mAh ·
Main camera: 64 MP (OIS) ·
Current price range (used): €150 – €300

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • March 2021: Launched (The Irish Times)
  • 2024: Final major OS update (Android 14) (YouTube review 2026)
  • 2025-2026: Security updates likely ended (YouTube review 2026)
4What’s next
  • Device is no longer sold new by Samsung – only used/refurbished (Refurbed Ireland) (DoneDeal)
  • Prices continue to drop on Irish ad sites (DoneDeal)

Six key facts that frame the Galaxy A52’s current standing in 2026:

Release date March 2021
Original OS Android 11
Latest OS Android 14 (One UI 6)
Security updates Quarterly until 2024, likely ended
Weight 189g
Dimensions 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm

Is the Samsung Galaxy A52 old?

Five years is a long time for a phone – software updates stop, batteries degrade, and newer models leap ahead. The Galaxy A52 was announced in March 2021 and hit Irish shelves soon after, as reported by The Irish Times (technology section).

How old is a Samsung A52?

  • Launched: March 2021 (The Irish Times)
  • Age in mid-2026: ~5 years and 3 months

Does the Galaxy A52 still get software updates?

  • Shipped with Android 11, received Android 12, 13, and 14 (YouTube tech reviewer)
  • Security updates were quarterly until 2024 – likely ceased by 2026 (same source)
Bottom line: The Galaxy A52 is an old device by any standard. Software support has ended, and new security patches are no longer expected. For casual use it still works, but sensitive apps (banking, payments) face increasing risk.

The implication: any buyer must weigh the low price against the growing vulnerability of an unsupported device.

The trade-off

Buyers who prioritise security over price should avoid the A52. Those who treat it as a secondary or offline device get a capable screen and camera for very little money.

How much does the A52 cost now?

Price erosion for a five-year-old phone is brutal – and that’s good news for bargain hunters. The Galaxy A52’s original Irish RRP of €349 (4G) and €429 (5G) has dropped by more than half.

What is the Samsung A52 original price?

  • Original RRP (4G): €349 (The Irish Times)
  • Original RRP (5G): €429 (TechRadar)

What is the Samsung A52 5G price in Ireland?

  • New on Adverts.ie: €220 (Adverts.ie)
  • Refurbished 4G 128GB on Refurbed.ie: €339 (marked 66% off RRP) (Refurbed Ireland)
  • UK PriceRunner lowest: £280 (~€325) (PriceRunner)
  • Used A52s 5G on DoneDeal: ~€80 (DoneDeal)

Where can I buy a Galaxy A52 in Ireland?

  • Refurbed.ie (refurbished, warranty included) (Refurbed Ireland)
  • DoneDeal / Adverts.ie (peer-to-peer used) (DoneDeal, Adverts.ie)
  • Amazon UK (third‑party sellers, £200-£250) (PriceRunner)
  • GetLocal.ie (price comparison) (GetLocal.ie)
The upshot

Irish buyers face a wide spread: refurbished units from €220, used from €80. The cheapest route is DoneDeal, but you lose warranty and return rights. Refurbed.ie adds a safety net for around €50 more.

The pattern: the price gap between risky and safe buys is narrow, making warranty-backed refurbished units the smarter choice for a daily driver.

How much is my Galaxy A52 worth?

If you already own an A52 and are thinking of selling, values have settled into a tight band. Trade-in and resale data give a clear picture.

Samsung A52 trade-in value

  • Swappa (US): ~$180 (4G) / ~$220 (5G) as of June 2026 (Swappa market data)
  • CompareMyMobile sell price: ~€150-€200 (PriceRunner)

Galaxy A52 resale value 2026

  • CEX Ireland buy price: ~€130-€170 (CeX Ireland)
  • Lowest DoneDeal listing for A52s 5G: €80 (DoneDeal)
Bottom line: Expect €80-€170 for a private sale in Ireland, more for mint-condition 5G variants. Trade-in via CEX or Samsung is lower but instant.

The catch: sellers who want top euro must go private, but buyers who trade in accept a discount for speed and convenience.

Is the Samsung A52 a good phone?

“Good” depends on the price you pay and what you expect from a five-year-old mid-ranger. Expert reviews from 2021 still ring true today – with caveats.

Is the Galaxy A52 good for gaming?

  • Snapdragon 720G (4G) / 750G (5G): adequate for casual games (PUBG, Clash Royale) (TechRadar)
  • 120Hz display smooths scrolling but frame‑rates will drop in heavy titles (The Irish Times)

How does the Galaxy A52 compare to newer models?

  • PCMag UK (2021): “the best mid-range phone of 2021” (PCMag UK)
  • Consumer Reports praised camera and battery life (Consumer Reports)
  • vs 2025 mid‑rangers: loses on processor performance and software support (TechRadar)
The catch

The A52’s 120Hz OLED and OIS camera are still rare at this price point even in 2026 – but the chipset and lack of future updates mean you’re trading longevity for those features today.

What this means: the A52 offers premium display and camera hardware at a budget price, but only if you can accept that the phone will not get more powerful over time.

Samsung Galaxy A52 specs and features

Eight specs that define what you actually get, before and after the price drop:

Display 6.5-inch Super AMOLED, 120Hz, Full HD+
Processor Snapdragon 720G (4G) / Snapdragon 750G (5G)
RAM 6GB or 8GB
Storage 128GB or 256GB (microSD up to 1TB)
Main camera 64 MP (OIS), 12 MP ultrawide, 5 MP macro, 5 MP depth
Front camera 32 MP
Battery 4500 mAh, 25W charging
Other IP67, headphone jack, USB-C, 5G on 5G model

Galaxy A52 5G vs 4G differences

  • 5G model: Snapdragon 750G vs 720G (TechRadar)
  • Rest of hardware identical (The Irish Times)

Galaxy A52 camera quality

  • 64 MP main with OIS: solid daylight shots, acceptable low light (The Irish Times)
  • 32 MP selfie: detailed but slightly oversharpened (TechRadar)

Upsides

  • 120Hz OLED display – still smooth in 2026
  • 64 MP camera with OIS – punches above its price
  • IP67 water resistance – rare in budget segment
  • Headphone jack and microSD – vanishing features
  • Cheap on used market (€80+)

Downsides

  • Software updates ended – security risk
  • Aging chipset – lags in demanding apps
  • Battery may be degraded in used units
  • No wireless charging
  • No longer sold new with warranty

Galaxy A52 timeline

The phone’s journey from flagship mid-ranger to budget buy, year by year:

  • March 2021 – Samsung Galaxy A52 launched with Android 11 (The Irish Times)
  • 2022 – Android 12 update (YouTube tech reviewer)
  • 2023 – Android 13 update (YouTube tech reviewer)
  • 2024 – Android 14 (final major OS update) (YouTube tech reviewer)
  • 2025-2026 – Security updates likely ceased (YouTube tech reviewer)
Bottom line: The A52 received three major OS upgrades – better than most mid-range rivals – but the window for security fixes has now closed. For a buyer in 2026, that’s the single biggest risk.

The implication: the device’s strong update history is now a liability — past support doesn’t protect future banking logins.

What we know – and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Released March 2021 (The Irish Times)
  • Android 14 available (YouTube tech reviewer)
  • IP67 water and dust resistance (TechRadar)
  • Headphone jack present (The Irish Times)

What’s unclear

  • Exact date security updates stopped – Samsung doesn’t publish for older models (YouTube review 2026)
  • Remaining stock of new units in Irish retail – likely zero
  • Exact end-of-life date for security updates – estimated but not confirmed by Samsung

The picture: confirmed features are solid, but the unknown end-of-life timeline means any buyer is betting on hope rather than guarantees.

Expert perspectives on the Galaxy A52

“The best mid-range phone of 2021.”

PCMag UK (tech review outlet)

“Solid and cost-effective 5G option.”

— The Irish Times (Ireland’s leading daily)

“Offers 5G and a 120Hz refresh rate at a price far below what is normally needed for those features.”

— TechRadar (tech deals and reviews)

“A solid camera system with optical image stabilisation – unusual at this level.”

— Consumer Reports (independent product testing organisation)

The Galaxy A52 was once the benchmark for affordable smartphones with flagship-like features. In 2026, it’s a niche buy: a cheap, well-built backup phone or a capable camera tool for those who don’t need the latest apps. The real question is whether saving €150 on the purchase price is worth the headache of an unsupported device.

For an Irish buyer on a tight budget, the choice is clear: pick up a used A52 for €80-€120 as a secondary phone, or spend €220 on a refurbished unit with a warranty if you need a daily driver. Either way, accept that banking apps and security patches are no longer guaranteed – and plan accordingly.

If you are looking for a more immediate deal, check out the guide on prices for 2025 to compare current offers.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Galaxy A52 support 5G?

Yes, the Galaxy A52 5G model (Snapdragon 750G) supports 5G networks. The standard A52 (Snapdragon 720G) is 4G only. (TechRadar)

Is the Galaxy A52 waterproof?

It has an IP67 rating, meaning it can survive submersion in 1 metre of fresh water for up to 30 minutes. Not waterproof for swimming or high-pressure water. (The Irish Times)

Does the Galaxy A52 have a headphone jack?

Yes, the Galaxy A52 retains the 3.5mm headphone jack – a feature dropped from most newer phones. (The Irish Times)

Can the Galaxy A52 charge wirelessly?

No, the Galaxy A52 does not support wireless charging. It charges via USB-C at up to 25W. (TechRadar)

What is the screen size of the Galaxy A52?

The Galaxy A52 has a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. (The Irish Times)

Does the Galaxy A52 have expandable storage?

Yes, it has a microSD slot supporting cards up to 1TB in addition to its internal 128GB or 256GB. (TechRadar)

Is the Galaxy A52 good for photography?

The 64MP main sensor with optical image stabilisation produces detailed photos in good light. The 12MP ultrawide is useful for landscapes. Low-light performance is average. (The Irish Times)



Mason Reed Parker

About the author

Mason Reed Parker

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.