Apple iPhone 12 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy A32 5G - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date October 23, 2020 January 22, 2021
Release Year 2020 2021

Physical

Volume 77.62 cm³ 113.71 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.23 "/g 3.17 "/g
Weight 189 g 205 g
Height 146.7 mm 164.2 mm
Width 71.5 mm 76.1 mm
Thickness 7.4 mm 9.1 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 " 6.5 "
Resolution 1170 x 2532 720 x 1600
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 87.1 % 81.6 %
Pixel Density 460 PPI 270 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 60 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 800 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 1200 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 75.65 mAh/in² 118.34 mAh/in²
Battery Density 36.27 mAh/cm³ 43.97 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 2815 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm) Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Apple GPU (4-core graphics) Mali-G57 MC3

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 A32 5GPractical Impact
Dimensions146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm164.2 × 76.1 × 9.1 mmThe iPhone 12 Pro is significantly more compact. The A32 5G might be harder to use one-handed and less pocketable.
Weight189g205gThe iPhone 12 Pro is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use.
BuildNot specifiedNot specifiedWithout build material information, we can't assess durability or premium feel.

Display

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProSamsung Galaxy A32 5GPractical Impact
Size6.1"6.5"The A32 5G offers a larger viewing area, which is preferable for media consumption and gaming.
Resolution1170x2532720x1600The iPhone 12 Pro has a much sharper and more detailed display. Text and images will appear clearer.
PPI460270The iPhone 12 Pro's higher pixel density results in a noticeably crisper image, especially for reading and viewing high-resolution content.
TechnologyOLEDTFT LCDThe iPhone 12 Pro's OLED display offers superior contrast, color accuracy, and black levels compared to the A32 5G's LCD.
Refresh Rate60Hz60HzBoth displays have a standard 60Hz refresh rate, providing similar smoothness in everyday use.
Brightness1200 nits0 nitsThe iPhone 12 Pro is much more visible in bright sunlight, making it easier to use outdoors. The A32 5G has an unspecified brightness.

Performance

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProSamsung Galaxy A32 5GPractical Impact
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm)The A14 Bionic is significantly faster and more efficient. The iPhone 12 Pro will handle demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking much better.
AnTuTu Score1,082,644249,720The iPhone 12 Pro delivers a far smoother and more responsive user experience overall, with quicker app loading and better graphics performance.
GPUApple GPU (4-core graphics)Mali-G57 MC3The iPhone 12 Pro's GPU will provide superior graphics performance, leading to better gaming and smoother video playback.
RAM6 GB4 GB or 6 GB or 8 GBThe A32 5G can have more RAM, which potentially improves multitasking capabilities depending on the specific configuration.

Camera

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProSamsung Galaxy A32 5GPractical Impact
Main Camera12MP, f/1.6, 1/2.55", 1.4µm48MP, f/1.8, 1/2", 0.8µmWhile the A32 5G has a higher megapixel count, the iPhone 12 Pro's larger aperture and pixel size typically result in better low-light performance and dynamic range.
Telephoto Lens12MP, f/2.0NoneThe iPhone 12 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, allowing for closer shots without digital degradation.
Ultrawide Lens12MP, f/2.48MP, f/2.2The iPhone 12 Pro has a higher megapixel count.
Macro LensNone5MP, f/2.4The A32 5G has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots of small subjects.
Selfie Camera12MP, f/2.213MP, f/2.2The selfie cameras are comparable.
Video RecordingUp to 4K@60fps with HDRUp to 4K@30fpsThe iPhone 12 Pro offers more versatile video recording options, including higher frame rates at 4K resolution.
Video StabilizationYesNoThe iPhone 12 Pro offers better video stabilization.
DXOMark Score127 (Mobile), 132 (Selfie)N/AThe iPhone 12 Pro has a higher camera rating.

Battery

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProSamsung Galaxy A32 5GPractical Impact
Capacity2815mAh5000mAhThe A32 5G is likely to have significantly longer battery life due to its much larger battery capacity.
Charging20W Fast Charging, Wireless Charging15W Fast ChargingThe iPhone 12 Pro charges slightly faster with wired charging and also offers wireless charging.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip offers significantly faster performance, making it ideal for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
  • Higher Quality Display: The OLED display with higher resolution and brightness provides a much better viewing experience with sharper images, more vibrant colors, and better outdoor visibility.
  • Better Camera System: The advanced camera system with a dedicated telephoto lens, better low-light performance, and superior video recording capabilities makes it a better choice for photography enthusiasts.
  • Premium Build Quality: Although not explicitly stated, iPhones are generally known for their premium build quality and materials.
  • Wireless Charging: Support for MagSafe and Qi wireless charging provides more convenient charging options.
  • Software ecosystem: iOS is well known for its easy to use interface and better security.

Samsung Galaxy A32 5G Advantages:

  • Significantly Longer Battery Life: The much larger battery capacity offers significantly longer battery life, making it suitable for users who need all-day power without frequent charging.
  • Larger Display: The bigger screen is advantageous for media consumption, gaming, and accessibility.
  • Expandable Storage: (Not applicable as neither phone has it)
  • More RAM (Potentially): Depending on the configuration purchased, the A32 5G could have more RAM, which can aid in multitasking.
  • Dedicated Macro Lens: The macro lens allows for taking detailed close-up shots.

Trade-offs:

  • The iPhone 12 Pro sacrifices battery life and screen size for superior performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.
  • The Samsung Galaxy A32 5G prioritizes battery life and screen size at the expense of performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Apple iPhone 12 Pro:

  • Ideal User: Professionals, creatives, and users who prioritize performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and a premium user experience.
  • Use Cases:
    • Professional photography and videography.
    • Gaming and other graphically intensive applications.
    • Demanding multitasking and productivity.
    • Users deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem.

Samsung Galaxy A32 5G:

  • Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life, a larger screen, and essential smartphone features.
  • Use Cases:
    • All-day use without frequent charging.
    • Media consumption and casual gaming.
    • Users who prefer the Android operating system.
    • Basic photography and social media.

Price-to-Value Ratio:

  • The Samsung Galaxy A32 5G offers a better price-to-value ratio for users with basic smartphone needs.
  • The Apple iPhone 12 Pro provides a higher value for users who demand premium features and performance, but at a significantly higher cost.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The iPhone 12 Pro is a premium device and will cost significantly more.
  2. How important is battery life? If all-day battery life is essential, the A32 5G is the clear winner.
  3. How do you intend to use the phone? If performance, display quality, and camera capabilities are paramount, the iPhone 12 Pro is the better choice.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: You need a reliable phone for everyday tasks, social media, and occasional photos, and battery life is a priority. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A32 5G.
  • Scenario 2: You are a content creator who needs a powerful phone with a great camera for photos and videos. Recommendation: Apple iPhone 12 Pro.
  • Scenario 3: You want the best possible display quality and performance for gaming and media consumption, and you're willing to pay a premium. Recommendation: Apple iPhone 12 Pro.

My Choice

If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Apple iPhone 12 Pro.

While the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G offers a longer battery life, the iPhone 12 Pro excels in the areas that I value most in a smartphone: performance, display quality, and camera capabilities. As someone who frequently uses my phone for photography, video recording, and graphically intensive tasks, the iPhone 12 Pro's A14 Bionic chip and advanced camera system would provide a superior user experience. The brighter and sharper OLED display would also be a significant advantage for media consumption and everyday use.

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
  • Digital media communication
  • Technical storytelling
  • User-centric technology insights

Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.