Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A32 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy A22
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 5G | Samsung Galaxy A22 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-22 | 2021-07-01 | The A22 is newer by about 5 months, potentially having newer software features and updates. |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 76.1 x 9.1 mm | 159.3 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm | The A32 5G is slightly larger and thicker, which might be less comfortable for smaller hands. |
| Weight | 205g | 186g | The A22 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.4" | Negligible difference in screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1600 | Both have the same HD+ resolution, which may appear less sharp than higher-resolution displays. |
| Pixel Density | 270 PPI | 274 PPI | Both have very similar pixel density - negligible practical difference |
| Technology | TFT LCD | AMOLED | The A22's AMOLED display offers deeper blacks, richer colors, and better power efficiency, particularly in dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The A22's 90Hz refresh rate provides a smoother visual experience for scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | The peak brightness is not provided, making real-world visibility under direct sunlight hard to assess. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm) | Mediatek Helio G80 (12 nm) | The A32 5G has a newer chipset, but the A22 has better real-world performance according to AnTuTu scores. |
| AnTuTu Score | 249,720 | 379,800 | The A22 performs significantly better in benchmarks, indicating better overall responsiveness and app performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Mali-G52 MC2 | While different, real-world gaming performance is impacted more by the overall AnTuTu score, which favors the A22. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/2" | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/2" | Both phones have identical standard cameras on paper. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.0 | The A32 5G has a higher resolution selfie camera, but the A22 has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.2 | The A32 5G has a higher-resolution wide-angle camera. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.4 | The A22 has a higher resolution depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | The A32 5G includes a dedicated macro lens. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps | 1080p@30fps | The A32 5G supports 4K recording. Both support 1080p at 120fps for slow-motion. |
| DxOMark | Not Available | Main: 48, Photo: 0, Video: 0 | The A22's camera has been benchmarked by DxOMark, providing a relative idea of quality. However, the scores provided are not very informative. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple Camera, 4K Video, etc | Triple Camera, Night Mode, 4K Video, etc. | A32 has a Quadruple camera, A22 has Night Mode. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery capacities, suggesting similar battery life. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | Both support 15W fast charging, which is fairly standard but not exceptionally fast. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 13 | Android 11, upgradable to 13 | Both can be upgraded to Android 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both offer dual-band WiFi support. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.0 | The A32 5G has a slightly newer Bluetooth standard for potentially better connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Both have the same GPS capabilities. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | Unknown | The A32 5G has 64 GB or 128GB of storage. The A22's storage variants are not listed. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | Unknown | A32 has 4/6/8 GB of RAM. The A22's RAM options are not listed. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Both offer Dolby Atmos audio enhancements |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both have side-mounted fingerprint scanners. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A32 5G Advantages:
- 4K Video Recording: Captures videos in higher resolution for better detail and clarity.
- Higher Resolution Wide-Angle Lens: The 8MP wide-angle lens captures more detailed wide-angle photos compared to the A22's 5MP lens.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Allows capturing of extreme close up shots, which is absent in the A22
- Potentially More RAM and Storage Options: The A32 5G has more RAM options and two storage variants (64GB/128GB), while details of the A22's options are missing from this data.
- Newer Bluetooth Standard: Bluetooth 5.1 versus 5.0 which may offer slightly improved performance.
Samsung Galaxy A22 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology offers better contrast, colors, and efficiency than the A32 5G's TFT LCD.
- Smoother Display: The 90Hz refresh rate provides a smoother experience than the A32 5G's 60Hz screen.
- Better Performance: Higher AnTuTu scores suggest better overall performance, with faster app loading and smoother multitasking.
- Lighter Build: More comfortable to hold and use for extended periods.
- Wider Aperture Selfie Camera: The f/2.0 aperture on the front camera will perform better in low-light situations
- Night Mode: The night mode will allow for better photos in low light conditions.
- Higher Resolution Depth Camera: better portrait mode photos
- DxOMark Score: While not very informative, the A22 has been benchmarked, providing a reference point for camera quality.
Trade-offs:
- The A32 5G offers better video recording and a macro lens but has a less impressive display and a heavier build.
- The A22 has a better display, performance and is lighter but has a less capable wide-angle camera and lacks a macro lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A32 5G Ideal User:
- Casual videographers: Those who value 4K video recording and video stability.
- Macro Photography Enthusiasts: Users who enjoy taking close-up photos.
- Users needing More RAM and Storage: If the missing data for the A22 confirms less ram/storage the A32 might be better for multitaskers.
Use Cases:
- Recording family events in high resolution.
- Macro photography of nature and small objects.
- Basic gaming, social media use and regular mobile activities
Samsung Galaxy A22 Ideal User:
- Media consumers: Users who prioritize a high-quality screen for watching videos and browsing content.
- Performance seekers: Users who prioritize smooth app performance and fast multitasking.
- Comfort-conscious users: Users who value lightweight designs and comfortable handling.
- Selfie Enthusiasts: For users who enjoy taking selfies, especially in low-light.
- Low-light Photography Enthusiasts: Users who would make use of the "Night Mode" feature
Use Cases:
- Watching movies and videos on a vibrant screen.
- Playing casual games.
- Heavy social media use and browsing.
- Taking selfies
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize display quality and smoothness over camera features? If yes, the A22 is better suited.
- Is 4K video recording or macro photography a must-have for you? If yes, the A32 5G will be preferred.
- How much do you value portability and comfort? If those are crucial, the A22 is the better option
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User, Media Consumption: Choose the Galaxy A22 for its superior AMOLED display and smoother 90Hz refresh rate. The better benchmark performance will also make the experience snappier.
- Scenario 2: Budget Vlogger/Photographer: The Galaxy A32 5G offers 4K video recording and a macro lens if you need these.
- Scenario 3: Daily Use, Performance Matters: The Galaxy A22 is better for performance based on the provided benchmark scores, even if its missing RAM/Storage specifications would indicate a lower storage capacity.
- Scenario 4: Budget Conscious buyer: If the price is comparable, the A22 offers a better overall experience, and is the better buy.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy A22. My primary reasons are:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate is a significant upgrade over the A32 5G's LCD panel. This would be much better for media consumption and general use.
- Better Performance: The higher AnTuTu score indicates that the A22 would be noticeably faster and smoother in day-to-day tasks.
- Lighter and More Comfortable: I prefer lighter phones, and the A22's weight of 186g vs the 205g of the A32 5G is a noticeable difference.
While the A32 5G has 4K recording and a macro lens, these features are not as important to me as the better display and performance. The A22's overall experience would be more enjoyable for my daily usage. Additionally, the missing specifications for the A22 regarding RAM and storage might mean that the A32 5G is the better option in those two fields. However, if prices are comparable I would still prefer the A22.
