LG Q52 Quad Cameras & MediaTek P35: Full Specs

The LG Q52 does have a quad-camera setup on the rear and is powered by the MediaTek Helio P35 processor. You get a 48MP main sensor, a 5MP ultra-wide, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 2MP macro lens, paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. This combination targets budget-conscious buyers who want versatile photography and dependable everyday performance rather than flagship speed.

What the LG Q52 Actually Offers

The LG Q52 was released in late 2020 as part of LG’s budget Q series, aimed at markets like South Korea. It sits below the LG Q92 but shares a similar design language. The phone features a 6.6-inch IPS LCD with a 720p+ resolution (1600 x 720 pixels) and a 60Hz refresh rate. It runs on Android 10 with LG’s custom UI, and LG later confirmed an update to Android 11.

Key specifications include:

Processor: MediaTek Helio P35 (12nm, octa-core Cortex-A53 up to 2.3GHz)
RAM/Storage: 4GB RAM, 64GB internal storage (expandable via microSD up to 2TB)
Rear cameras: 48MP main (f/1.8), 5MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 115° FOV), 2MP depth, 2MP macro
Front camera: 13MP (f/2.0)
Battery: 4000mAh with 15W fast charging
Other: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, MIL-STD-810G durability rating, IP68 water resistance (in some variants)

The phone lacks 5G, which is expected at this price point in 2020. It also has a headphone jack and a USB-C port, features that are increasingly rare.

Understanding the MediaTek Helio P35

The Helio P35 is a mid-range chipset announced in late 2018, but it was still widely used in budget phones in 2020–2021. It uses an older 12nm process, which means it’s not as power-efficient as newer 7nm or 8nm chips. The CPU consists of eight Cortex-A53 cores, a common design for efficiency, but it lacks the high-performance Cortex-A75/A76 cores found in more powerful chips.

In practice, the Helio P35 handles daily tasks like web browsing, social media, and video streaming smoothly. It can run light games like Subway Surfers or Candy Crush without issues, but heavier titles like PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact will require low graphics settings and may still experience frame drops. The PowerVR GE8320 GPU is the main bottleneck for gaming.

Benchmark scores for the P35 are roughly around 100,000 on AnTuTu v8, which places it below the Snapdragon 665 and slightly above the Snapdragon 450. It’s not a performance monster, but it’s adequate for a budget phone.

Quad Camera System: What Each Lens Does

The quad-camera setup is the main selling point of the LG Q52. Here’s what each sensor contributes:

48MP Main: Uses pixel-binning to produce 12MP images by default, which improves low-light performance. You can manually switch to full 48MP resolution for more detail in good lighting.
5MP Ultra-wide: Offers a 115° field of view, useful for landscapes, group shots, and architecture. The resolution is low, so images can look soft when zoomed in.
2MP Depth: Helps with portrait mode by creating a depth map for background blur. The effect is software-driven, so it works best with a single subject.
2MP Macro: Lets you focus on objects as close as 4cm. The low resolution means macro shots are not very detailed, but they are fun for quick close-ups.

The camera app includes modes like AI Cam (scene recognition), Night mode, and manual pro mode. Video recording is capped at 1080p at 30fps, which is standard for the price. The front 13MP camera is fine for selfies and video calls, but it lacks autofocus.

Performance and Battery Life in Real Use

With the Helio P35 and 4GB RAM, the LG Q52 delivers a smooth experience for basic tasks. Apps open reasonably quickly, and multitasking is manageable as long as you don’t have too many heavy apps running simultaneously. The phone may stutter when switching between demanding apps or when using the camera continuously.

Battery life is a strong point. The 4000mAh battery easily lasts a full day with moderate use, and even two days for light users. The 15W charger takes about 2 hours to fully charge, which is slow by today’s standards but acceptable for the era. The phone supports fast charging, but you’ll need to buy a compatible charger if it’s not included in the box.

Thermals are also well-managed; the phone doesn’t get uncomfortably hot during extended use, thanks to the efficient Cortex-A53 cores.

Software and Updates

The LG Q52 launched with Android 10 and LG’s UX 9.0 skin. LG later rolled out Android 11, which brought some UI refinements and new features like notification history. However, LG announced its exit from the smartphone business in 2021, so the Q52 will not receive Android 12 or later updates. Security patches have also stopped, which is a concern for long-term use.

The software is relatively clean, with some pre-installed LG apps like QuickMemo+ and LG Health. You can uninstall most of them. The phone also supports Widevine L1, so you can stream HD content from Netflix and YouTube.

Common Problems and How to Address Them

Users have reported a few issues with the LG Q52:

Slow camera shutter: The camera app can take a second to focus and capture. Try using the pro mode or disabling AI Cam to speed it up.
Notification delays: Some apps may not send notifications promptly due to battery optimization. Go to Settings > Apps > [App] > Battery and set it to ‘Unrestricted’.
MicroSD card compatibility: The phone supports up to 2TB, but some cards may not work due to formatting. Use exFAT format for cards larger than 32GB.
No more updates: Since LG exited the phone market, there are no new Android versions. If you need the latest OS, consider a custom ROM, but that’s risky and may void warranty.

How It Compares to Other Budget Phones

In its price range, the LG Q52 competes with phones like the Samsung Galaxy A21s, Xiaomi Redmi Note 9, and Motorola Moto G9 Play. Compared to those:

The Galaxy A21s has a similar 48MP quad camera but uses an Exynos 850 chip, which is slightly slower than the P35.
The Redmi Note 9 offers a better Helio G85 chip and a larger 5020mAh battery, but its camera lacks a dedicated macro lens.
The Moto G9 Play has a cleaner Android experience and a 5000mAh battery, but its camera is only a triple setup.

The LG Q52 stands out for its IP68 water resistance and MIL-STD-810G durability, which are rare at this price. If those matter to you, it’s a solid choice. Otherwise, you might get better performance elsewhere.

Should You Buy It in 2024?

As of 2024, the LG Q52 is an older budget phone. If you can find it new for a very low price (under $150), it can still serve as a basic smartphone for calls, messaging, and light apps. However, the lack of software updates and the aging processor mean it’s not ideal for heavy use or long-term investment.

Consider these points:

Pros: Durable build, water resistance, decent camera versatility, good battery life.
Cons: No more updates, weak gaming performance, low-resolution display, slow charging.

If you prioritize durability and camera fun over performance, it’s a viable option. But for most people, a newer budget phone from 2023 or 2024 will offer better value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the LG Q52 support 5G?

No, the LG Q52 is a 4G LTE phone. It does not have a 5G modem, so it cannot connect to 5G networks.

Can the LG Q52 run PUBG Mobile smoothly?

PUBG Mobile can run, but only on low graphics settings with a frame rate of around 30fps. You may experience occasional stutters, especially in crowded areas. It’s playable but not ideal.

How many cameras does the LG Q52 have in total?

There are four rear cameras (48MP + 5MP + 2MP + 2MP) and one 13MP front camera, making a total of five cameras on the device.

Is the LG Q52 water-resistant?

Yes, the LG Q52 has an IP68 rating, meaning it can withstand immersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. It also meets MIL-STD-810G military durability standards.

Does the LG Q52 have a headphone jack?

Yes, it has a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is convenient for wired earphones.

Can I expand the storage on the LG Q52?

Yes, the phone has a dedicated microSD card slot that supports cards up to 2TB. You can easily add more storage for photos and videos.

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