Apple iPhone 12 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy A32 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date October 23, 2020 February 25, 2021
Release Year 2020 2021

Physical

Volume 77.62 cm³ 98.24 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.23 "/g 3.48 "/g
Weight 189 g 184 g
Height 146.7 mm 158.9 mm
Width 71.5 mm 73.6 mm
Thickness 7.4 mm 8.4 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Graphite
  • Pacific Blue
  • Awesome Black
  • Awesome White
  • Awesome Blue
  • Awesome Violet

Display

Screen Size 6.1 " 6.4 "
Resolution 1170 x 2532 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 87.1 % 84.6 %
Pixel Density 460 PPI 411 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 800 nits 800 nits
Peak Brightness 1200 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 75.65 mAh/in² 122.07 mAh/in²
Battery Density 36.27 mAh/cm³ 50.9 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 2815 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm) Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Apple GPU (4-core graphics) Mali-G52 MC2

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features Lightning 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System iOS Android
Initial OS Version 14.1 11
Maximum OS Version 18 13

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProSamsung Galaxy A32Practical Impact
Dimensions146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm158.9 × 73.6 × 8.4 mmA32 is taller, wider, and thicker, making it less pocketable and harder to use one-handed.
Weight189g184gNegligible weight difference; unlikely to be noticeable.
BuildPremium materials (likely glass and stainless steel)Plastic build (assumed)iPhone 12 Pro feels more premium and durable in hand.

Display

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProSamsung Galaxy A32Practical Impact
Size6.1"6.4"A32 provides a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption.
Resolution1170x25321080x2400iPhone 12 Pro has a sharper display, resulting in finer details and crisper text.
Pixel Density460 ppi411 ppiiPhone 12 Pro has a sharper display.
TechnologyOLEDAMOLEDBoth offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; the difference is minimal.
Refresh Rate60Hz90HzA32 has smoother scrolling and animations.
Brightness1200 nits0 nits (Specification Missing)iPhone 12 Pro is significantly brighter, offering much better visibility in direct sunlight.

Performance

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProSamsung Galaxy A32Practical Impact
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5 nm)Mediatek Helio G80 (12 nm)iPhone 12 Pro offers significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
AnTuTu Score1,082,644200,458iPhone 12 Pro is vastly more powerful, making it more future-proof.
GPUApple GPU (4-core)Mali-G52 MC2iPhone 12 Pro delivers superior graphics performance for demanding games and applications.

Camera

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProSamsung Galaxy A32Practical Impact
Main Camera12MP, f/1.664MP, f/1.8A32 captures more detail in bright light due to higher megapixel count; iPhone 12 Pro performs better in low light due to wider aperture and superior image processing.
Selfie Camera12MP, f/2.220MP, f/2.2A32 captures more detailed selfies in good lighting conditions.
Telephoto LensYes (12MP, f/2.0)NoiPhone 12 Pro offers optical zoom for closer shots without quality loss.
Ultrawide LensYes (12MP, f/2.4)Yes (8MP, f/2.2)iPhone 12 Pro captures wider scenes with more detail.
Macro LensNoYes (5MP, f/2.4)A32 allows for close-up shots of small subjects.
Video RecordingUp to 4K 60fps HDRUp to 1080p 30fpsiPhone 12 Pro records higher quality, more detailed, and more stable video.
FeaturesOIS, Night Mode, RAWPanorama, HDRiPhone 12 Pro offers better low-light performance, image stabilization, and more control over image processing.

Battery

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProSamsung Galaxy A32Practical Impact
Capacity2815mAh5000mAhA32 offers significantly longer battery life.
Charging20W Fast Charging, Wireless ChargingNo Fast Charging (Likely 15W)iPhone 12 Pro charges faster and offers wireless charging convenience.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Advantages:

  • Significantly faster performance: The A14 Bionic chip provides a vastly superior user experience for all tasks, from gaming to general usage.
  • Superior Camera System: Offers better image quality, especially in low light, optical zoom, and higher-quality video recording.
  • Premium Build Quality: More durable and feels more luxurious.
  • Brighter Display: Better outdoor visibility.
  • Wireless Charging: Adds convenience.

Samsung Galaxy A32 Advantages:

  • Much Longer Battery Life: The 5000mAh battery provides significantly longer usage between charges.
  • Higher Refresh Rate Display: Smoother scrolling and animations (90Hz vs. 60Hz).
  • Macro Lens: Allows for close-up photography.
  • Fingerprint Sensor: Provides a convenient and secure way to unlock the phone.

Trade-offs:

  • iPhone 12 Pro: Shorter battery life compared to the A32.
  • Galaxy A32: Significantly lower performance and a less premium camera system.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Apple iPhone 12 Pro:

  • Ideal User: Power users, photographers, videographers, gamers, and anyone who values performance, camera quality, and a premium user experience.
  • Use Cases:
    • Shooting high-quality photos and videos for social media or professional use.
    • Playing demanding mobile games.
    • Running resource-intensive applications.
    • Working outdoors in bright sunlight.

Samsung Galaxy A32:

  • Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and a larger screen for media consumption.
  • Use Cases:
    • All-day use without needing to recharge frequently.
    • Watching videos and movies.
    • Basic photography and social media use.
    • Users who prefer a physical fingerprint sensor.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions to Consider:

  1. What is your budget? The iPhone 12 Pro is significantly more expensive.
  2. How important is performance to you? If you need a fast and responsive phone, the iPhone 12 Pro is the clear choice.
  3. How important is battery life to you? If you need all-day battery life, the Galaxy A32 is the better option.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Professional Photographer/Videographer: Choose the iPhone 12 Pro for its superior camera system and video recording capabilities.
  • Scenario 2: Casual User with Long Commute: Choose the Galaxy A32 for its long battery life and larger screen for entertainment.
  • Scenario 3: Mobile Gamer on a Budget: Neither phone is ideal. Consider other options that balance performance and price.

My Choice

If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Apple iPhone 12 Pro. While the Samsung Galaxy A32 offers a significantly better battery life and a lower price point, the iPhone 12 Pro's advantages in performance, camera quality, display brightness, and overall user experience are too significant to ignore.

As someone who uses their smartphone for a variety of tasks, including demanding applications, photography, and occasional gaming, the iPhone 12 Pro's A14 Bionic chip would provide a much smoother and more responsive experience. The superior camera system would also allow me to capture higher-quality photos and videos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The brighter display is also crucial as I often use my phone outdoors.

While the shorter battery life of the iPhone 12 Pro is a drawback, I am willing to compromise on this aspect in exchange for the overall performance and feature set that it offers. The 20W fast charging and wireless charging capabilities also help to mitigate the battery life concerns.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.