Apple iPhone 12 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 3.72 "/g 3.17 "/g
Weight 164 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
  • Black
  • Red
  • Blue
  • White
  • Green
  • Purple
  • 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 625 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 12Samsung Galaxy A32 5GPractical Impact
Dimensions146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm164.2 × 76.1 × 9.1 mmA32 5G is larger, making the iPhone 12 more pocketable and easier to handle for smaller hands.
Weight164g205giPhone 12 is significantly lighter, improving comfort during prolonged use.

Display

FeatureApple iPhone 12Samsung Galaxy A32 5GPractical Impact
Size6.1"6.5"A32 5G offers a larger viewing area, better for media consumption and multitasking.
Resolution1170x2532720x1600iPhone 12 has a much sharper and more detailed display, enhancing the viewing experience.
PPI460270iPhone 12's higher pixel density results in crisper text and images.
TechnologyOLEDTFT LCDiPhone 12's OLED offers superior contrast, color accuracy, and deeper blacks compared to the A32 5G's LCD.
Brightness1200 nits0 nitsiPhone 12 is easier to view outdoors in bright sunlight due to its much higher peak brightness.
Refresh Rate60Hz60HzBoth provide standard smoothness in everyday use.

Performance

FeatureApple iPhone 12Samsung Galaxy A32 5GPractical Impact
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm)iPhone 12's A14 Bionic offers significantly faster performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
AnTuTu Score1,083,947249,720The iPhone 12 provides a vastly smoother and more responsive user experience.
GPUApple GPU (4-core graphics)Mali-G57 MC3iPhone 12 delivers superior graphics performance, resulting in smoother gameplay and better visual fidelity.

Camera

FeatureApple iPhone 12Samsung Galaxy A32 5GPractical Impact
Standard Camera12MP, f/1.6, 1/2.55"48MP, f/1.8, 1/2"A32 5G captures more detail in good lighting, while iPhone 12's wider aperture allows for better low-light performance. iPhone 12 is likely to have better dynamic range due to image processing.
Selfie Camera12MP, f/2.213MP, f/2.2Similar selfie performance.
Wide Angle Lens12MP, f/2.48MP, f/2.2iPhone 12 captures more detail in wide-angle shots. The Samsung has a slightly wider aperture, which is better for low light.
Portrait Mode (depth)N/A2MP, f/2.4A32 5G has a dedicated depth sensor for potentially better portrait mode effects.
Macro LensN/A5MP, f/2.4A32 5G allows for close-up photography of small objects.
VideoUp to 4K@60fps with HDRUp to 4K@30fpsiPhone 12 offers higher frame rate recording at 4k.
DxOMark (Mobile)117N/AiPhone 12's camera quality is objectively superior based on DxOMark scores.
Camera FeaturesOIS, Optical Zoom, RAW, Night ModeDigital Image StabilizationiPhone 12 offers better stabilization, optical zoom capabilities, and advanced features like RAW capture and Night Mode for superior image quality.

Battery

FeatureApple iPhone 12Samsung Galaxy A32 5GPractical Impact
Capacity2815mAh5000mAhA32 5G is likely to offer significantly longer battery life, especially for moderate users.
Charging20W Fast Charging15W Fast ChargingiPhone 12 charges faster, reducing downtime.
Wireless Charging15W MagSafe, 7.5W QiN/AiPhone 12 offers convenient wireless charging options.

Storage

FeatureApple iPhone 12Samsung Galaxy A32 5GPractical Impact
Internal Storage64/128/256GB64/128GBiPhone 12 offers a higher storage option for users with extensive media libraries.
RAM4GB4/6/8GBA32 5G with 6 or 8GB RAM offers smoother multitasking.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither phone supports expandable storage, limiting flexibility.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Apple iPhone 12 Advantages:

  • Significantly faster performance: The A14 Bionic chip is much more powerful than the Dimensity 720, resulting in a smoother and more responsive user experience.
  • Superior display quality: The OLED display with higher resolution and brightness offers better visuals than the LCD on the A32 5G.
  • Better camera: The iPhone 12's camera system, supported by features like OIS and Night Mode, delivers higher-quality photos and videos.
  • Wireless charging: MagSafe and Qi wireless charging offer added convenience.
  • More premium build: Although not specified, iPhones generally have better build quality.

Practical Implications:

  • iPhone 12 is ideal for users who demand high performance, value a superior display, and prioritize camera quality.
  • It's better suited for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and content creation.

Samsung Galaxy A32 5G Advantages:

  • Significantly larger battery: The 5000mAh battery provides much longer battery life.
  • Larger display: The 6.5" display is better for media consumption.
  • Macro lens: Allows for close-up photography.
  • Potentially more RAM: Depending on the configuration, the Samsung may have more RAM.

Practical Implications:

  • A32 5G is ideal for users who prioritize battery life and want a larger screen for watching videos and browsing the web.
  • Its macro lens adds versatility to the camera system.

Trade-offs:

  • Choosing the iPhone 12 means sacrificing battery life and a larger screen for significantly better performance and a superior display and camera.
  • Choosing the A32 5G means longer battery life and a lower-quality camera, display, and overall performance.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Apple iPhone 12:

  • Ideal Users:
    • Power users who demand smooth performance and responsiveness.
    • Photography enthusiasts who want a high-quality camera.
    • Users who value a premium display and compact design.
  • Specific Use Cases:
    • Gaming
    • Video editing
    • Social media content creation
    • Professional photography

Samsung Galaxy A32 5G:

  • Ideal Users:
    • Users who prioritize long battery life.
    • Budget-conscious consumers.
    • Users who prefer a larger screen for media consumption.
  • Specific Use Cases:
    • All-day use without needing to charge.
    • Watching movies and TV shows on the go.
    • Casual photography and social media sharing.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. How important is performance to you? (Gaming, multitasking, app loading speeds)
  2. What is your budget? (The iPhone 12 is significantly more expensive)
  3. How much do you value battery life versus display and camera quality?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: High performance and camera are critical: Choose the iPhone 12.
  • Scenario 2: Battery life is the top priority: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G.
  • Scenario 3: Balance between performance and battery within a budget: You might need to consider other phones in the market as the A32 5G leans heavily towards battery at the expense of performance, and the iPhone 12 is much more expensive.

My Choice

If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Apple iPhone 12. While the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G has a tempting battery life, the overall experience offered by the iPhone 12 is far superior for my needs. I value the smooth performance, the crisp and vibrant OLED display, and the significantly better camera system. I am also entrenched in the Apple ecosystem, which makes the iPhone 12 a more seamless choice. While the battery life is shorter, it is manageable, and I am willing to trade that for the performance and camera capabilities.

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.