1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 5G | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.2 × 76.1 × 9.1 mm, 205g | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm, 227g | The S21 Ultra is slightly taller and thinner but notably heavier, impacting comfort during extended use. The A32 is lighter and may be easier to handle. |
| Build | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | S21 Ultra has much better screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.8" | S21 Ultra has a slightly larger screen, offering more viewing area for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1440 x 3200 | S21 Ultra's display is much sharper, resulting in crisper text and images. |
| Pixel Density | 270 PPI | 515 PPI | S21 Ultra has significantly higher pixel density, leading to superior visual clarity. |
| Technology | TFT LCD | AMOLED | S21 Ultra's AMOLED display provides richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast, enhancing the overall viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | S21 Ultra offers smoother scrolling and animations, which is particularly noticeable in fast-paced content and gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1500 nits | S21 Ultra's display is significantly brighter, offering much better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm) | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | S21 Ultra's chipset offers much higher performance, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities. |
| AnTuTu Score | 249,720 | 749,000 | S21 Ultra has much better benchmark scores, indicating superior performance in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Mali-G78 MP14 | S21 Ultra's GPU offers significantly better graphics performance, essential for smooth gaming and graphics-intensive apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Both phones have similar battery capacity, suggesting similar battery life under comparable usage. |
| Charging | 15W | 25W | S21 Ultra charges faster, reducing downtime for users. |
| Features | Non-removable | Wireless charging, reverse charging, non-removable | S21 Ultra has wireless and reverse wireless charging, offering greater convenience. The A32 only has the basic feature. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/2", 0.8µm | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33", 0.8µm | S21 Ultra's main camera has much higher resolution, larger sensor capturing more detail and light. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | None | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65", 1.22µm | S21 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto/portrait lens for enhanced zoom and portrait photography. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2 | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65", 0.7µm | S21 Ultra's selfie camera has a much higher resolution, resulting in more detailed self-portraits and video calls. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65", 1.22µm | S21 Ultra offers more advanced zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | None | A32 has a dedicated wide-angle lens allowing for ultra-wide photography. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | A32 has a dedicated depth camera for enhanced portrait effect. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | A32 has a dedicated Macro lens for capturing detailed close-up photos. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm | S21 Ultra has a combined wide-angle/macro lens offering versatile macro-photography. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps, 720p@960fps | S21 Ultra supports much higher video resolutions and frame rates, enabling professional video recording with advanced features, while both support slow-motion recording at different frame rates. |
| DxOMark | Not tested | Mobile (115), Selfie(135) | S21 Ultra has been tested for camera quality, with results of 115 for main camera and 135 for front camera. The A32 was not tested. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, up to 13 | Android 11, up to 15 | S21 Ultra will receive more OS upgrades, ensuring the user has access to the latest features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | S21 Ultra supports Wi-Fi 6, offering faster Wi-Fi speeds, lower latency, and better performance on crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | S21 Ultra has a newer Bluetooth version with more advanced features, such as enhanced audio codecs and connection stability. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | S21 Ultra offers more accurate GPS positioning by supporting more satellite bands. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | S21 Ultra offers more internal storage, which is crucial for users with large media libraries and apps. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 12GB/16GB | S21 Ultra has significantly more RAM, ensuring smoother multitasking and better performance with demanding applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, potentially limiting storage space for heavy users. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | S21 Ultra has a slight edge in audio features offering enhanced spatial audio, higher quality audio playback, clearer calls, better audio separation and immersion |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Samsung Galaxy A32 5G features a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor which may be more convenient for some users |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | S21 Ultra includes additional sensors for advanced features and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A32 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle for extended periods.
- Dedicated Wide-Angle, Macro and Depth Lens: Offers more diverse camera options for different photography needs.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Potentially more convenient for some users
Practical Implications: The A32 5G is better for users who prioritize a lighter phone and versatile photography at a lower price point.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Sharper, brighter AMOLED with a higher refresh rate, resulting in much better viewing experience.
- Significantly Higher Performance: Powerful chipset for smooth multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications.
- Advanced Camera System: Higher resolution main and selfie cameras, with telephoto lenses for better zoom, better quality photos and videos with more features.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Capabilities: Greater convenience in day-to-day use.
- More Internal Storage and RAM: Provides greater capacity for storing files and ensures more efficient multitasking capabilities.
- Higher Video Quality: 8k video recording provides professional-grade video content creation.
- Better Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and newer Bluetooth support for faster speeds and improved network performance.
- Better Build Quality: More robust screen protection with Gorilla Glass Victus.
- More Software Updates: Receives more software updates, guaranteeing users get new features and security enhancements over time.
Practical Implications: The S21 Ultra 5G excels for users who demand top-tier performance, a premium visual experience, professional-grade photography and video capabilities, and latest software updates.
Trade-offs:
- The A32 5G trades performance and display quality for a lower price and lighter design.
- The S21 Ultra 5G prioritizes premium features and performance, which leads to a higher price and heavier build.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A32 5G Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users seeking a reliable 5G phone.
- Users who prioritize a lighter phone with good battery life.
- Users who prefer a versatile camera setup, including dedicated wide-angle, macro and depth lenses.
- Users who do not require the absolute highest performance for gaming or heavy multitasking.
Use Cases:
- Everyday social media browsing and communication.
- Casual photography with a preference for wide-angle, macro and depth shots.
- Long battery life usage for users on the go.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a premium display and top-tier performance.
- Professional users who need high-quality camera capabilities, including better zoom and video features.
- Users who engage in heavy multitasking, gaming, and other demanding applications.
- Users who prefer wireless charging and reverse charging.
- Users who want the most advanced features and latest software updates.
Use Cases:
- Professional photography and videography with advanced editing.
- Intensive gaming and other demanding applications with high visual fidelity.
- Users who require the fastest performance for productivity and multitasking.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- A32 5G: Offers good value for budget-conscious users who want 5G connectivity without premium features.
- S21 Ultra 5G: Provides high value for users who are willing to pay extra for a top-tier experience, cutting-edge technology and premium build quality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The S21 Ultra is significantly more expensive than the A32 5G.
- What is my primary use case? Am I a casual user or a power user who needs the best performance?
- What do I prioritize most: lightweight design and versatile camera, or a premium display and advanced camera system?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User - If the budget is the primary concern and you need a phone for everyday tasks, the A32 5G is a solid choice.
- Scenario 2: Performance User: If you want to play demanding games, multitask heavily, and want top-tier camera quality, the S21 Ultra 5G is the preferred option.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If you need a professional-grade camera system with advanced zoom, RAW mode and video capabilities, the S21 Ultra is the better option. If a versatile camera system with dedicated wide-angle, macro and depth lenses is more your need, then A32 is your choice.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would go with the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. Although it's significantly more expensive, the superior display (AMOLED with 120Hz refresh rate), much higher performance (Exynos 2100), and the drastically better camera system (108MP main, telephoto lenses, 8K video) make it worth the premium. For someone who uses their phone heavily for media consumption, photography, and demanding apps, the S21 Ultra offers a much more satisfying experience. While the A32 5G offers better value for those on a strict budget, the sheer jump in quality and capabilities with the S21 Ultra justifies the extra cost for my personal needs. The difference in performance is so significant, particularly for gaming and multitasking, that I'd prefer the more future-proof option. Additionally, the better build quality, and additional features like wireless charging and reverse charging further seal the deal for me.
