Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A32 5G vs. Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 5G | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.2 × 76.1 × 9.1 mm | 161.7 × 76.3 × 8.5 mm | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is slightly more compact and thinner, making it easier to handle. |
| Weight | 205g | 190g | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is lighter, enhancing comfort during prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2412 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a much sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 395 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers a significantly sharper and more detailed display. |
| Technology | TFT LCD | AMOLED | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors, superior in direct sunlight and when viewing HDR content. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus provides noticeably smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is vastly better for outdoor use in bright sunlight due to its higher brightness |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers much faster processing, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance due to the more advanced chipset. |
| AnTuTu Score | 249,720 | 805,721 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has vastly superior performance in benchmarks, meaning significantly faster app loading and overall responsiveness. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Mali-G610 MC4 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a more powerful GPU, offering better graphics for gaming and other demanding applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same battery capacity, suggesting similar battery life for general use. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 50W fast charging | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus charges significantly faster, reducing charging time considerably. |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | No significant difference in everyday use, but Li-Ion is generally more common and offers faster charging (as implemented here). |
| Camera | |||
| Standard (Main) | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/2", 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56", 1.00µm | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a larger sensor and larger pixel size, which captures more light, likely resulting in better low-light photos; the 2 MP resolution difference is unlikely to be noticeable. |
| Selfie | 13MP, f/2.2 | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus captures much more detailed selfie photos due to its higher megapixel count and larger sensor. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | Not present | Samsung Galaxy A32 5G offers a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more of a scene. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not present | Samsung Galaxy A32 5G has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode effects |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | Not present | Samsung Galaxy A32 5G provides a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots |
| Wide Angle + Macro | Not present | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus uses its ultrawide camera as a macro lens, combining two features into one |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps, No EIS | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@60/120fps with EIS | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers more stable video with EIS. |
| Slow Motion | 120fps | 240fps | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus captures higher quality slow motion videos. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 (upgradable to 17) | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus comes with a newer version of Android and will receive more future updates, ensuring it remains up to date for longer. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus supports Wi-Fi 6, offering faster and more efficient wireless connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a more up-to-date Bluetooth version, offering better connection stability and lower power consumption. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), NavIC System | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus uses more satellite positioning systems, resulting in better location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64 GB or 128 GB | 256 GB | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers significantly more internal storage for apps, media, and files |
| RAM | 4 GB or 6 GB or 8 GB | 12 GB | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has more RAM, for much better multi-tasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows additional storage via SD card. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a slight edge in audio features offering higher quality audio playback, better audio separation and immersion, better voice capture |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Basic | Both phones feature a fingerprint sensor for biometric unlocking, however the one on the Galaxy A32 is side-mounted, which is considered to be superior to a basic one in some cases. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has better scratch and impact resistance due to the protection offered by Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has more sensors, enabling more features for gaming, AR, and other applications. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A32 5G Advantages:
- Dedicated Camera Lenses: The A32 5G includes dedicated wide-angle, macro and depth lenses, offering more flexibility for various photo types.
- Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus: It offers a slightly more advanced audio experience with these features, for people who are concerned about high-fidelity sound.
- Potentially lower price: This older phone can be found at a lower price point, although the Nothing Phone (2a) is a mid-range phone, which also offers great value.
Practical Implications: The Samsung Galaxy A32 5G caters well to users who value having specific lenses for varied photography, those who prioritize audio fidelity and those who are on a stricter budget.
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster processor and more RAM for smoother multitasking and gaming.
- Better Display: Higher resolution, AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate and much higher brightness for excellent image quality and visibility.
- Faster Charging: 50W fast charging drastically reduces charging time.
- Advanced Camera Sensor: Larger sensor captures more light for better low-light photos.
- Newer Software: Comes with a newer version of Android and will likely receive more updates.
- Better Build Quality: More durable screen due to Corning Gorilla Glass 5
- Improved Audio: Better overall audio experience due to the inclusion of Hi-Res Audio and Stereo Speakers.
Practical Implications: The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers a premium user experience with its superior display, performance, and camera quality, with features that suit modern smartphone usage needs.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy A32 5G sacrifices performance, display quality, and camera sensor quality for the sake of dedicated lens options and affordability.
- The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus gives up a dedicated wide-angle, portrait and macro lens for the benefits of having a better ultrawide, performance and display.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A32 5G Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those seeking a more affordable smartphone with basic 5G connectivity.
- Photography Beginners: Users who want a wide range of lenses for varied photo opportunities but who don't need high-end image quality.
- Users with Basic Needs: Those who mostly use their phone for calls, texts, social media, and some light browsing.
Use Cases:
- Casual social media browsing and communication.
- Basic mobile photography.
- Light gaming or streaming.
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize speed and smooth performance for gaming and multitasking.
- Multimedia Consumers: Those who enjoy watching videos and consuming content on a high-quality screen.
- Photography Focused Users: Users who want to be able to take quality pictures with their smartphone and aren't too bothered with having a wide variety of lenses.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Those who appreciate modern software, fast charging, and newer technologies.
- Modern users: Those who want a smartphone that is up-to-date and will continue to be supported with software updates for a long time.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming with demanding graphics.
- High-quality media consumption and creation.
- Smooth multi-tasking and app switching.
- Capturing high-quality pictures and video
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy A32 5G offers decent value for its price, providing basic functionality and a variety of lenses for photography.
- The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers much greater value, providing a premium experience with its superior performance and display, and a more up-to-date user experience for a very reasonable price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If budget is your top priority, the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G will be more appealing but with significant compromises in terms of performance and experience.
- How important are display quality and performance? If you value a smooth, vibrant, and responsive experience, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the clear choice.
- What type of photography do you prioritize? If you value a wide range of dedicated lenses, the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G may be of interest, however the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is a much better all-round camera for those looking for high quality images and video.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic User on a Strict Budget: If you need a phone for basic functions and you are on a tight budget, the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G is the better option. Be prepared for a basic user experience.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Media Consumption Focused User: If you enjoy mobile gaming and consuming a lot of multimedia, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is superior due to its superior display, performance, and audio.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If you value a versatile camera, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the better choice for high-quality pictures and videos.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. While the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G offers dedicated camera lenses, the overall user experience of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is significantly better.
The superior display, much faster performance, longer software support, better battery charging speeds, higher quality camera and superior build quality make the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus a much more appealing choice for a better smartphone experience that is also very reasonably priced, without breaking the bank. While the A32 5G may seem appealing for its dedicated lenses, the actual picture quality and video quality from the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus are noticeably better due to its larger sensor and newer processing. For me, the additional benefits of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus vastly outweigh the benefits of the A32 5G, making it the clear winner.
