Apple iPhone 12 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 3.72 "/g 3.56 "/g
Weight 164 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
  • Black
  • Red
  • Blue
  • White
  • Green
  • Purple
  • 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 625 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

Here's a detailed comparison of the Apple iPhone 12 and Samsung Galaxy M32:

FeatureApple iPhone 12Samsung Galaxy M32Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm159.3 × 74 × 8.4 mmiPhone 12 is more compact and pocketable. M32 might feel bulky to some.
Weight164g180giPhone 12 is noticeably lighter, improving comfort during extended use.
BuildPremium materials (glass & aluminum)Plastic frameiPhone 12 feels more premium and durable.
Display
Size6.1"6.4"M32 offers a larger viewing area for media consumption and gaming.
Resolution1170x25321080x2400iPhone 12 has a sharper display, resulting in crisper images and text.
Pixel Density460 ppi411 ppiiPhone 12 has a noticeably sharper display.
TechnologyOLEDAMOLEDBoth deliver vibrant colors and deep blacks, with slight differences in color calibration.
Refresh Rate60Hz90HzM32 offers smoother scrolling and animations.
Brightness1200 nits0 nitsiPhone 12 is much more visible in direct sunlight. The M32 brightness is unknown from the data.
Performance
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5 nm)Mediatek Helio G80 (12 nm)iPhone 12 offers significantly faster performance for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. A14 is more future-proof.
AnTuTu Score1,083,947204,000iPhone 12 has dramatically faster performance.
GPUApple GPU (4-core)Mali-G52 MC2iPhone 12 provides superior graphics performance for gaming and graphically intensive apps.
RAM4GB4/6/8GBM32 (with 6/8GB) can handle more apps running in the background, reducing the need to reload apps frequently.
Camera
Main Camera12MP (f/1.6)64MP (f/1.8)M32 captures more detail in well-lit conditions. iPhone 12 excels in low-light performance due to wider aperture and image processing.
Ultrawide12MP (f/2.4)8MP (f/2.2)iPhone 12 has a sharper ultrawide lens. M32 has slightly better low light performance
Selfie Camera12MP (f/2.2)20MP (f/2.2)M32 captures more detailed selfies.
Macro LensN/A2MP (f/2.4)M32 can take close-up photos of small objects.
Depth SensorN/A2MP (f/2.4)M32 offers potentially better portrait mode effects with background blur.
Video RecordingUp to 4K 60fpsUp to 1080p 30fpsiPhone 12 captures higher quality videos with better stabilization and dynamic range.
DxOMark (Main)117N/AiPhone 12 generally offers better image quality and video performance.
Battery
Capacity2815mAh5000mAhM32 is likely to provide significantly longer battery life.
Charging20W25WM32 charges slightly faster.
Wireless ChargingYes (MagSafe & Qi)NoiPhone 12 offers convenient wireless charging.
Software
OSiOS 14.1 (upgradeable)Android 11 (upgradeable)iOS is known for its simplicity and security. Android offers greater customization.
Connectivity
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 5iPhone 12 supports a newer Wi-Fi standard for faster speeds.
Bluetooth5.15.0iPhone 12 has slightly better Bluetooth capabilities.
SIMNano SIM + eSIMDual Nano SIMM32 allows for two physical SIM cards.
Storage
Internal64/128/256GB64/128GBiPhone 12 offers a larger maximum storage option.
ExpandableNoNoNeither phone supports microSD card expansion.
Security
BiometricsFace IDSide-mounted Fingerprint SensorFace ID offers secure and convenient facial recognition. Fingerprint sensor provides reliable biometric authentication.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Apple iPhone 12 Advantages:

  • Significantly faster performance: The A14 Bionic chip provides a vastly superior experience for gaming, demanding apps, and overall responsiveness.
  • Higher quality display: Sharper, brighter display with excellent color accuracy.
  • Superior camera system: Better image quality, especially in low light, and 4K video recording.
  • Premium build quality: More durable and luxurious feel.
  • Wireless charging: Offers convenient wireless charging capabilities.
  • Stronger brand reputation: Provides access to Apple's ecosystem and customer support.

Samsung Galaxy M32 Advantages:

  • Significantly larger battery: Provides much longer battery life for all-day use.
  • Higher resolution main camera: Captures more detail in well-lit conditions.
  • Expandable storage: Offers the option to increase storage capacity via microSD card (though this is incorrect in the supplied data).
  • Headphone Jack: Includes 3.5mm headphone jack
  • More RAM options: Available with up to 8GB of RAM for smoother multitasking (6GB and 8GB variants).
  • Lower price: Offers a more affordable entry point.
  • 90Hz Refresh Rate: Offers smoother animations and refresh rate.

Trade-offs:

  • Choosing the iPhone 12 means sacrificing battery life and expandable storage for performance and camera quality.
  • Choosing the Galaxy M32 means compromising on processing power and display quality for battery life and affordability.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Apple iPhone 12:

  • Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, camera quality, and a premium user experience, and are invested in the Apple ecosystem.
  • Use Cases:
    • Mobile gaming: Handles demanding games with ease.
    • Photography and videography: Captures high-quality photos and videos in various conditions.
    • Content creation: Suitable for editing photos and videos on the go.
    • Professional use: Runs productivity apps smoothly and reliably.

Samsung Galaxy M32:

  • Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and a large display for media consumption.
  • Use Cases:
    • Daily communication: Making calls, sending messages, and browsing social media.
    • Streaming movies and videos: Large display and long battery life are ideal for media consumption.
    • Casual gaming: Can handle less demanding games.
    • Users needing a phone with long battery life for travel or work.

4. Decision Framework

Here are three key questions to help buyers decide:

  1. What is your budget? The Galaxy M32 is significantly more affordable.
  2. How important is performance? If you need a phone for demanding tasks, the iPhone 12 is the clear choice.
  3. How much do you value battery life? If all-day battery life is essential, the Galaxy M32 is the better option.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Student on a budget: The Galaxy M32 provides a large screen for studying and entertainment at an affordable price.
  • Scenario 2: Photography enthusiast: The iPhone 12's superior camera system and image processing make it the better choice for capturing high-quality photos and videos.
  • Scenario 3: Mobile gamer: The iPhone 12's powerful processor and GPU deliver a smoother gaming experience.
  • Scenario 4: Frequent traveler: The Galaxy M32's long battery life is ideal for users who are constantly on the move and may not have easy access to charging.

Which phone I would choose and why

Given the information at hand, I would choose the Apple iPhone 12. My reasoning stems from prioritizing performance, camera quality, and the overall user experience. While the Samsung Galaxy M32 offers a larger battery and a lower price point, the iPhone 12's A14 Bionic chip provides a significant advantage in terms of speed and responsiveness, which is crucial for multitasking, gaming, and future-proofing the device. Additionally, the iPhone 12's superior camera system, particularly its low-light performance and video recording capabilities, aligns with my interest in photography and videography. The premium build quality and access to Apple's ecosystem are also factors that contribute to my preference for the iPhone 12, despite its smaller battery capacity. Although battery life is a concern, I am willing to compromise on that aspect for the enhanced performance and camera capabilities offered by the iPhone 12.

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.

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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.