Samsung Galaxy A32 5G vs Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date January 22, 2021 August 9, 2021
Release Year 2021 2021

Physical

Volume 113.71 cm³ 110.64 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.17 "/g 3.17 "/g
Weight 205 g 205 g
Height 164.2 mm 164 mm
Width 76.1 mm 75.8 mm
Thickness 9.1 mm 8.9 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Awesome Black
  • Awesome White
  • Awesome Blue
  • Awesome Violet
  • Black
  • Red
  • Blue

Display

Screen Size 6.5 " 6.5 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 720 x 1600
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 81.6 % 82.1 %
Pixel Density 270 PPI 270 PPI
Refresh Rate 60 Hz N/A
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 118.34 mAh/in² 118.34 mAh/in²
Battery Density 43.97 mAh/cm³ 45.19 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm) Exynos 850 (8 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Mali-G57 MC3 Mali-G52

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 11
Maximum OS Version 13 13

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A32 5GSamsung Galaxy A12 NachoPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions164.2 × 76.1 × 9.1 mm164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mmMinimal size difference, both feel similar in hand.
Weight205g205gBoth feel equally substantial when held.
Display
Size6.5"6.5"Identical screen sizes for similar viewing experiences.
Resolution720x1600720x1600Both offer a similar level of screen clarity; neither is particularly sharp, especially for larger display sizes.
PPI270270Similar sharpness, fine details may not be very crisp.
TechnologyTFT LCDPLS LCDTFT LCD typically offers slightly better viewing angles and contrast compared to PLS LCD.
Refresh Rate60Hz60HzStandard refresh rate, not as smooth as 90Hz or 120Hz displays.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsBoth have the same peak brightness, although the actual numerical value is not known.
Performance
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm)Exynos 850 (8 nm)Dimensity 720 provides significantly better performance, faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capability.
Antutu Score249,720117,300Galaxy A32 5G is much faster, resulting in a smoother user experience.
GPUMali-G57 MC3Mali-G52Mali-G57 MC3 offers better graphics performance, which leads to better gaming performance.
Camera
Standard Camera48MP, f/1.848MP, f/2.0Galaxy A32 5G's wider aperture (f/1.8) allows more light, improving low-light photos.
Selfie Camera13MP, f/2.28MP, f/2.2Galaxy A32 5G provides higher resolution selfies with more detail.
Wide Angle Lens8MP, f/2.25MP, f/2.0Galaxy A32 5G's wide-angle lens captures more detail, while the A12 Nacho's wider aperture may result in slightly better low light performance.
Portrait Mode2MP, f/2.42MP, f/2.4Similar performance for depth-of-field effects.
Macro Lens5MP, f/2.42MP, f/2.4Galaxy A32 5G macro lens can capture more detailed close-up shots.
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps1080p@30fpsGalaxy A32 5G supports 4K video recording for higher quality footage; also supports faster slow-motion capabilities.
Camera Features4K Video, Digital image stabilization, Ultra stable video, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation.Phase detection autofocus (PDAF)Galaxy A32 5G offers higher video recording features, while A12 has PDAF for faster focusing.
Battery
Capacity5000mAh5000mAhBoth phones have similar battery capacity for comparable battery life.
Charging15W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer15W Fast Charging, Li-IonSimilar charging speeds, difference in battery tech not significant in daily use.
Software & Connectivity
OSAndroid 11 (upgradable to 13)Android 11 (upgradable to 13)Both have similar software and are both upgradeable to Android 13.
Wi-Fi802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi DisplayGalaxy A32 5G has dual-band Wi-Fi for more stable connectivity.
Bluetooth5.1 LE, A2DP, EDR, HID, LE5.0 LE, A2DP, LEGalaxy A32 5G offers slightly newer and more feature-rich Bluetooth connection.
Storage
Internal64GB/128GB32GB/64GB/128GBA12 has a smaller 32GB option, both top out at 128GB.
RAM4GB/6GB/8GB3GB/4GB/6GBGalaxy A32 5G has a higher RAM ceiling, meaning better multitasking.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither offer expandable storage.
Audio
QualityDolby Atmos, Dolby Digital PlusDolby AtmosGalaxy A32 5G offers a more comprehensive audio experience with Digital Plus.
Security
FeaturesSide-mounted fingerprint sensorSide-mounted fingerprint sensorBoth phones have the same security features.
Build Quality
Screen ProtectionUnknownUnknownExact screen protection unknown.
Sensors
SensorsFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, GeomagneticFingerprint, Proximity, AccelerometerGalaxy A32 5G has one additional sensor.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Samsung Galaxy A32 5G Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: The Mediatek Dimensity 720 chipset offers significantly better CPU and GPU performance, making it faster for everyday tasks, gaming, and multitasking.
  • Better Camera System: Improved main, selfie, wide-angle, and macro cameras, leading to better photo quality and video recording capabilities. It also supports 4K video.
  • Enhanced Connectivity: Newer Bluetooth 5.1 and dual-band Wi-Fi improve connectivity and transfer speeds.
  • Improved Audio: Dolby Digital Plus offers better surround sound experience.
  • More RAM Options: Up to 8GB of RAM allows for smoother multitasking and gaming experience.

Practical Implications: The A32 5G feels faster, offers a better camera experience (particularly in video), and provides a more future-proof device for resource-intensive applications.

Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho Advantages:

  • Wider Aperture on Wide Angle Lens: May perform slightly better in low-light conditions for wide-angle photos.
  • Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF): Offers faster and more reliable autofocus for its standard camera.
  • More Storage Options: Includes a 32GB base model for users on a tighter budget.

Practical Implications: The A12 Nacho has a small edge in specific camera scenarios.

Significant Trade-offs:

  • The A32 5G provides a notably better user experience due to its superior performance, at the cost of potentially a slightly higher price.
  • The A12 Nacho is more budget-friendly but sacrifices performance and camera quality.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Samsung Galaxy A32 5G Ideal Users:

  • Performance-Oriented Users: Individuals who frequently use apps, multitask, and play mobile games.
  • Photography Enthusiasts: Those who value good quality photos and videos from their smartphone cameras, including 4K recording.
  • Users Who Value Connectivity: People who want fast Wi-Fi and robust Bluetooth connections.
  • Long-Term Users: A more powerful phone for future-proofing.

Specific Use Cases:

  • Smoothly handling demanding mobile games like PUBG or COD Mobile.
  • Recording high-quality 4K videos for vlogs or personal projects.
  • Quickly switching between multiple apps without lag for productivity purposes.
  • Enjoying immersive audio while watching movies or listening to music

Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho Ideal Users:

  • Budget-Conscious Buyers: Individuals looking for an affordable smartphone for basic tasks.
  • Light Users: Those who primarily use their smartphone for social media, calls, and light browsing.
  • Users Focused on Basic Photography: Those who need a decent camera for everyday use but do not require high-end features.

Specific Use Cases:

  • Simple social media scrolling and casual web browsing.
  • Basic mobile photography and sharing photos on social media.
  • Making phone calls and sending messages.
  • Running a single app at a time without encountering performance issues.

Price-to-Value Ratio:

  • The A32 5G offers better value for those willing to invest in performance and camera quality.
  • The A12 Nacho is a good option for budget-conscious users who prioritize cost-effectiveness over advanced features.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. How important is performance for you?
    • If you play games or use multiple apps, performance should be a significant factor.
  2. What level of camera quality do you need?
    • If you take a lot of photos and videos, you may want better quality results from a capable camera system.
  3. What's your budget?
    • If you are on a very tight budget, the A12 Nacho may be the better option.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Heavy Smartphone User

    • Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A32 5G. The superior performance and camera quality outweigh the higher price.
  • Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious User

    • Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho. It meets basic needs at an affordable price.
  • Scenario 3: Casual User

    • Recommendation: Consider the A12 Nacho for its budget-friendly price, but know you will have better performance and camera with the A32 5G.

My Choice

If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G. My primary reason for this choice stems from its superior performance, driven by the Mediatek Dimensity 720 chipset. This difference alone would translate to a much smoother and more responsive user experience in my daily usage, from browsing and app launching to gaming. Additionally, the enhanced camera system and the inclusion of 4K video capabilities would align better with my needs. Despite the slightly higher price, the A32 5G's long-term value and overall user experience would make it the more worthwhile investment. The A12 Nacho would be a better choice if budget was the only and most limiting factor.

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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