1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 5G | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.2 × 76.1 × 9.1 mm | 163.6 × 74.7 × 9.1 mm | Similar sizes. A32 5G is slightly wider, Magic4 Pro is slightly taller. |
| Weight | 205g | 209g | Virtually the same; both feel similarly weighty in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.81" | Magic4 Pro has a larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1312x2848 | Magic4 Pro is much sharper, better for detailed content and text readability. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 460 | Magic4 Pro provides a significantly sharper and clearer display |
| Technology | TFT LCD | OLED | Magic4 Pro offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Magic4 Pro provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1000 nits | Magic4 Pro is much better for outdoor visibility in sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Magic4 Pro is significantly faster, handles demanding apps and games much better. |
| AnTuTu Score | 249,720 | 945,832 | Magic4 Pro offers noticeably smoother and more responsive performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 730 | Magic4 Pro has superior graphics processing for gaming and graphics-intensive applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/2", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56", 1.0µm | Magic4 Pro has slightly higher resolution and larger sensor; may result in slightly better image quality, particularly in low light. |
| Rear Telephoto/Portrait | None | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.7µm | Magic4 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoomed photos and portrait mode. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.4 | Similar selfie quality, A32 has a slightly better aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | None | A32 5G has a dedicated wide angle lens for ultrawide shots. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | None | 0.3MP | Magic4 Pro has a depth-sensing sensor, potentially improving portrait mode |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | A32 has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | A32 5G has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 50MP, f/2.2 | Magic4 Pro has a versatile ultrawide lens which can take macro pictures. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS | Magic4 Pro has better video features including HDR and EIS for better video quality and stabilization. |
| DXOMark Score | Not Available | Mobile: 126 (Photo: 132, Video: 117) | Honor Magic4 Pro's camera performance has been rated by DXOMark and is good. |
| Camera Features | Basic | Advanced, OIS, Laser AF, RAW, Night Mode | Magic4 Pro has more advanced camera features for superior photography. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4600mAh | A32 5G has a slightly larger battery; may result in marginally longer battery life |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging, 100W Wireless Charging, Reverse Charging | Magic4 Pro charges much faster, has wireless charging and reverse charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 12 | Magic4 Pro has a slightly newer OS, but both have similar feature sets. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Magic4 Pro supports Wi-Fi 6, offering faster Wi-Fi speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Magic4 Pro has a slightly newer Bluetooth standard, offering better connectivity |
| GPS | Standard GPS | Advanced, Dual-Band | Magic4 Pro has more advanced GPS for better location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 256GB/512GB | Magic4 Pro offers significantly more storage space. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB | Magic4 Pro has more RAM, which means smoother performance and multitasking |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for additional storage through microSD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers | Magic4 Pro provides better audio quality with DTS / DTS X and stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted | Basic | A32 uses side mounted, while Honor Magic4 Pro uses basic. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones' screen protection levels are unknown. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Proximity, Fingerprint, Compass, Gyroscope | Magic4 Pro offers more sensors, making it more suitable for gaming and AR. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A32 5G Advantages:
- Slightly Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery could provide marginally longer battery life for very basic usage.
- Wide Angle Lens: Dedicated 8MP wide-angle lens for ultrawide photos, unavailable on the Magic4 Pro.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated 5MP macro lens for close-up shots, unavailable on the Magic4 Pro.
- More affordable: The A32 5G is an older, less premium phone and will be significantly more affordable.
Honor Magic4 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset offers much faster processing, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Much Sharper Display: Higher resolution OLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate provides a dramatically better viewing experience.
- Superior Camera System: Includes telephoto lens, ToF sensor, better main sensor, advanced features, OIS, and much better video recording.
- Much Faster Charging: 100W fast charging is significantly faster than 15W, and 100W wireless charging is also included.
- More Storage and RAM: Comes with significantly more storage and RAM, improving overall performance.
- Enhanced Connectivity: Supports newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards for faster and more reliable connections.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers and DTS/DTS X sound technology improve the overall audio experience.
- Better GPS: Provides much more accuracy in navigation.
- More Sensors: Includes a compass and gyroscope, enhancing gaming and AR experiences.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy A32 5G compromises significantly on display quality, performance, camera quality, and charging speed for a lower price point.
- The Honor Magic4 Pro has a slightly smaller battery capacity, but this is offset by the much faster charging speed.
- The Honor Magic4 Pro does not have a dedicated macro lens or ultrawide lens, although it has a single lens that does both well.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A32 5G:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize basic smartphone functionality, long battery life over high performance and good camera.
- Use Cases: Basic social media use, light browsing, casual gaming, daily communication, users who value a wide angle and a dedicated macro camera.
- Price-to-Value: Good for those who need a basic phone at the lowest possible cost; the phone is now very old and its low price reflects that.
Honor Magic4 Pro:
- Ideal User: Power users, photography enthusiasts, gamers, and those who want a high-quality multimedia experience.
- Use Cases: Demanding mobile games, high-quality content creation, extensive social media use, professional photography, watching movies and videos.
- Price-to-Value: Offers excellent value for the high-end features, performance and camera quality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget?
- If on a tight budget, the A32 5G is cheaper, but has big compromises in display, camera, and performance.
- How important is performance and a high-quality screen to you?
- If you need the best performance and a high-quality display the Magic4 Pro is necessary.
- What are your most important usage scenarios?
- If you mainly do basic tasks, the A32 5G may suffice; if you need high-end performance, the Magic4 Pro is essential.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget & Basic Use: If your budget is extremely limited and you only need basic smartphone functions, the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G is a reasonable choice.
- Scenario 2: Prioritize Performance & Display: If you want a fast phone with a top-tier display for gaming, content creation, and media consumption, the Honor Magic4 Pro is the better option.
- Scenario 3: Photography is Key: If you frequently take pictures and want great quality, video and flexibility, then the Honor Magic4 Pro is the way to go.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Honor Magic4 Pro. Despite the slightly smaller battery and higher price point, its superior performance, significantly better display, exceptional camera system, and blazing-fast charging capabilities make it a far more compelling device for my usage needs. I value smooth performance, a high-quality display for media consumption, and a versatile camera for capturing high-quality photos and videos, and the Magic4 Pro delivers on all fronts. The faster charging is also a huge plus for me, especially because I don't often remember to charge my phone overnight. The A32 5G is just too much of a compromise for my needs and the technology is starting to feel outdated.
