Apple iPhone 12 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy M32 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date October 23, 2020 June 28, 2021
Release Year 2020 2021

Physical

Volume 77.62 cm³ 99.02 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.23 "/g 3.56 "/g
Weight 189 g 180 g
Height 146.7 mm 159.3 mm
Width 71.5 mm 74 mm
Thickness 7.4 mm 8.4 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Graphite
  • Pacific Blue
  • Black
  • Light Blue

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 % 83.9 %
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 50.49 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 M32Practical Impact
Dimensions146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm159.3 x 74 x 8.4 mmiPhone 12 Pro is smaller and easier to handle in one hand. M32 might be better for media consumption due to larger size.
Weight189g180gM32 is slightly lighter, which might be noticeable during extended use.
BuildUnspecifiedUnspecifiedWithout build material specifications, durability is unknown.

Display

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProSamsung Galaxy M32Practical Impact
Size6.1"6.4"M32 provides a larger viewing area for multimedia and gaming. iPhone 12 Pro is more pocketable.
Resolution1170x25321080x2400iPhone 12 Pro has a sharper, more detailed display.
Pixel Density (PPI)460411iPhone 12 Pro's higher PPI results in crisper text and images.
TechnologyOLEDAMOLEDBoth offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; differences are subtle.
Refresh Rate60Hz90HzM32 offers smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience.
Brightness (nits)12000iPhone 12 Pro is significantly brighter, offering better outdoor visibility, especially in direct sunlight.

Performance

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProSamsung Galaxy M32Practical Impact
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5 nm)Mediatek Helio G80 (12 nm)iPhone 12 Pro offers vastly superior performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
AnTuTu Score1,082,644204,000iPhone 12 Pro is significantly faster and more responsive in all areas.
GPUApple GPU (4-core)Mali-G52 MC2iPhone 12 Pro provides much better graphics performance for gaming and graphically intensive applications.
RAM6GB4/6/8GBM32 offers more RAM configurations which could help with multitasking depending on the configuration.

Camera

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProSamsung Galaxy M32Practical Impact
Main Camera12MP, f/1.664MP, f/1.8M32 captures more detail in good lighting. iPhone 12 Pro excels in low-light conditions due to wider aperture and superior image processing.
Ultrawide Camera12MP, f/2.48MP, f/2.2iPhone 12 Pro captures wider and more detailed ultrawide shots. M32's wider aperture might allow slightly better low-light performance.
Telephoto Lens12MP, f/2.0NoneiPhone 12 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities for closer shots without digital distortion.
Front Camera12MP, f/2.220MP, f/2.2M32 captures more detailed selfies.
Macro LensNone2MP, f/2.4M32 allows for close-up macro photography.
Depth SensorNone2MP, f/2.4M32 enhances portrait mode with better background blur.
Video RecordingUp to 4K@60fpsUp to 1080p@30fpsiPhone 12 Pro records much higher quality videos with better stabilization.
DxOMark (Mobile)127N/AiPhone 12 Pro has a significantly better camera system overall.
OISYesNoiPhone 12 Pro has Optical Image Stabilization, which allows for less blurry photos

Battery

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProSamsung Galaxy M32Practical Impact
Capacity2815mAh5000mAhM32 offers significantly longer battery life.
Charging20W25WM32 charges slightly faster.
Wireless ChargingYes (MagSafe & Qi)NoiPhone 12 Pro offers convenient wireless charging options.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip provides exceptional speed and responsiveness, ideal for demanding applications and gaming.
  • Better Camera System: Offers higher quality photos and videos, especially in low light, with features like optical zoom and excellent stabilization.
  • Higher Quality Display: Sharper and brighter display improves the viewing experience, especially outdoors.
  • Premium Build Quality: This cannot be confirmed without specific build information.
  • Wireless Charging: Offers convenience in charging

Samsung Galaxy M32 Advantages:

  • Larger Battery: Significantly longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging.
  • Larger Display: Provides a more immersive experience for media consumption.
  • Higher Refresh Rate: Smoother scrolling and animations.
  • Macro and Depth Cameras: Offers more versatility in photography.
  • Fingerprint Sensor: Easier and more secure unlocking.

Trade-offs:

  • Choosing the iPhone 12 Pro means sacrificing battery life and a larger screen for superior performance and camera quality.
  • Choosing the Samsung Galaxy M32 means sacrificing performance and camera quality for longer battery life and a larger screen.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Ideal Users for Apple iPhone 12 Pro:

  • Professionals: Need a powerful and reliable device for demanding tasks like video editing, photography, and running complex applications.
  • Enthusiast Photographers/Videographers: Want a high-quality camera system with advanced features and excellent image stabilization.
  • Gamers: Desire smooth and responsive gaming performance.
  • Users in Bright Environments: Need a bright screen for good visibility in direct sunlight.

Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy M32:

  • Budget-Conscious Users: Seeking a feature-rich phone at an affordable price.
  • Multimedia Consumers: Enjoy watching videos and playing games and prioritize a large screen and long battery life.
  • Everyday Users: Need a reliable phone for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and communication.

Specific Use Cases:

  • iPhone 12 Pro:

    • Shooting professional-quality videos for YouTube or other platforms.
    • Playing graphically intensive games.
    • Using augmented reality applications.
    • Working outdoors in bright sunlight.
  • Samsung Galaxy M32:

    • Binge-watching TV shows and movies on the go.
    • Playing casual games.
    • Using the phone for extended periods without needing to charge.
    • Taking close-up photos of flowers or insects.

Price-to-Value Ratio:

  • The Samsung Galaxy M32 offers excellent value for its price, providing a large screen, long battery life, and decent performance for everyday tasks.
  • The iPhone 12 Pro is a more premium device with a higher price tag, but it offers superior performance, camera quality, and build quality.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The iPhone 12 Pro is significantly more expensive.
  2. How important is performance? If you need a fast and responsive phone for demanding tasks, the iPhone 12 Pro is the better choice.
  3. How important is battery life? If you prioritize long battery life, the Samsung Galaxy M32 is the clear winner.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Long Battery Life Needed: Choose the Samsung Galaxy M32.
  • Scenario 2: Performance and Camera Quality are Paramount: Choose the iPhone 12 Pro.
  • Scenario 3: Balanced Needs with a Moderate Budget: Evaluate if the M32 is sufficient, or if the increased cost of the iPhone 12 Pro is justifiable for its added capabilities.

Personal Choice

If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Apple iPhone 12 Pro. While the larger battery of the Samsung Galaxy M32 is appealing, the superior performance of the A14 Bionic chip and the significantly better camera system of the iPhone 12 Pro are more important to me. I often take photos and videos, and I appreciate having a phone that can handle demanding applications without lag. The brighter, sharper display is also a plus. Although the battery life is shorter, I am willing to trade that for the other benefits.

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
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.