Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A32 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 5G | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Z Fold5 offers a unique, larger screen experience when unfolded, better for multitasking and media consumption. |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 76.1 x 9.1 mm | 154.9 x 129.9 x 6.1 mm | A32 5G is taller and thicker; Z Fold5 is wider, especially unfolded. Z Fold5 has a larger overall volume |
| Weight | 205g | 253g | A32 5G is lighter, more comfortable for extended use. Z Fold5 feels denser due to size and build materials. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 7.6" | Z Fold5 offers a significantly larger screen, ideal for viewing content and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1812x2176 | Z Fold5 has much sharper visuals, with more detail and clarity. |
| Pixel Density | 270 ppi | 373 ppi | Z Fold5 has a noticeably sharper display due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | TFT LCD | Unspecified | A32 5G uses a basic TFT LCD, Z Fold5 has unspecified display technology, we can assume it is AMOLED for a premium device, offering better color reproduction and contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Z Fold5 has much smoother scrolling and animations, significantly enhancing user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness. This is a value that can be assumed to be incorrect. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) | Z Fold5 has a much more powerful, faster processor, providing superior performance for all tasks, including gaming and heavy app usage. |
| AnTuTu Score | 249,720 | 1,538,914 | Z Fold5 offers far superior performance, with faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and much better gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 740 | Z Fold5 offers significantly better graphics capabilities, leading to better gaming and visual experiences. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4400mAh | A32 5G has a slightly larger battery, potentially giving better battery life. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Z Fold5 charges significantly faster, reducing charging times. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Non-removable, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W | Z Fold5 has additional charging features, it can charge other devices, reverse wireless charging, and bypass charging to prevent overcharging |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/2" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57" | Z Fold5 has a slightly higher resolution and larger sensor, offering superior image quality, especially in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2 | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" | A32 5G has a slightly higher resolution, but the sensor size for the Z Fold5 implies better image quality. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP, f/2.4 | Z Fold5 has optical zoom capability, enabling better zoom shots. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.2 | Z Fold5 has higher resolution, likely leading to better wide-angle shots. |
| Portrait Mode Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | A32 5G has a dedicated depth lens for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | A32 5G has a dedicated macro lens for detailed close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps with HDR, EIS, 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS | Z Fold5 offers much higher video recording quality with 8K, plus HDR and EIS support. |
| DXoMark | Not Tested | Overall: 128; Photo: 127; Video: 123 | Z Fold5 has significantly better camera performance according to DXoMark. |
| Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Noise reduction, Time-Lapse, 4K Video, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), AutoFraming, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Laser AF, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), NPU AI Engine, Dual front camera, Under display camera, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | Z Fold5 provides a more comprehensive feature set for photography, offering better versatility and pro-level options |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 13 (Upgradable to 17) | Z Fold5 has a newer OS and will receive longer software support, providing newer features and security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be | Z Fold5 has significantly better WiFi with support for WiFi 6E and 7, offering faster speeds and better reliability. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.2 LE | Z Fold5 has a newer Bluetooth version, offering better connectivity and more advanced features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | Z Fold5 has more satellite navigation options for better positioning in complex environments. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | Z Fold5 offers the versatility of eSIM alongside a physical SIM, while the A32 5G is limited to dual physical SIMs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 256GB/512GB/1024GB | Z Fold5 provides much more storage options, ideal for users with large media libraries or many apps. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 12GB | Z Fold5 has significantly more RAM, providing superior multitasking performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Z Fold5 provides superior audio experience with stereo speakers, better for media consumption. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones use side-mounted fingerprint sensor for biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unspecified | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Z Fold5 has a superior screen protection technology. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Gravity, Hall | Z Fold5 has a comprehensive sensor set, providing a better experience for gaming, navigation, and health monitoring. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A32 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle for extended periods.
- Larger Battery Capacity: Potentially better battery life for everyday usage.
- More Affordable: Significantly lower cost point.
- Dedicated Macro and Portrait Cameras: While not highest quality, provides more camera lens options.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Advantages:
- Foldable Design: Large immersive screen when unfolded, great for multitasking and media.
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, refresh rate, and likely technology.
- Much Higher Performance: Significantly faster processor and more RAM.
- Advanced Camera System: More versatile camera setup, better image quality, and professional video recording capabilities.
- Faster Charging: Significantly reduces charging times.
- Premium Build: Features like Gorilla Glass Victus 2 provide better durability.
- Latest Software and Connectivity: Offers modern features, more robust support.
- More storage options: Offers options with much more storage.
Significant Trade-offs:
- A32 5G: Trade-offs are in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities for a more budget-friendly price.
- Z Fold5: Trade-offs are in size, weight, and substantially higher cost. It's less pocketable and more cumbersome to hold for longer time.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A32 5G:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users, everyday users who prioritize practicality and battery life over top-tier performance.
- Use Cases:
- Casual browsing, social media, basic apps.
- Users who prioritize cost-effectiveness.
- Those wanting a lightweight and relatively compact phone.
- Users who prioritize battery life and less frequent charging.
- Price-to-Value: Offers good value for basic smartphone needs.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5:
- Ideal User: Power users, professionals, tech enthusiasts who demand the best performance, a large screen, and premium features.
- Use Cases:
- Multitasking, media consumption, gaming, professional content creation.
- Users who value the latest technology.
- Those who want a tablet-like experience in a phone form factor.
- Users who want a top-of-the-line camera for photos and video.
- Price-to-Value: Offers premium features and performance, but at a very high price point.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Primary Use Cases: What will you use the phone for the most?
- Form Factor Preference: Do you prefer a standard phone or the advantages of a large foldable screen?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: If your main concern is price and you need basic smartphone functionalities for everyday tasks, the A32 5G is a reasonable option.
- Power User: If you need top-of-the-line performance for heavy multitasking, gaming, content creation, and you are not overly concerned with the price, the Z Fold5 is a powerful, advanced option.
- Media Enthusiast: The Z Fold5 is better suited for media consumption due to its large, high-resolution screen and enhanced audio capabilities.
- Casual Photographer: The Z Fold5 will perform significantly better, but the A32 provides more camera lens options to play with.
Personal Choice and Reasoning
If I were to choose, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5.
While the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G is a very practical device, and offers great battery life, the Z Fold5 presents a superior user experience in almost every metric. The significantly higher performance (516% higher AnTuTu score), combined with the much better display and camera capabilities make it the better option for power users who value top-tier performance and capabilities. The foldable design is a unique advantage for multitasking and consuming media, which is something that you can't find on a typical device. Despite the drawbacks of its bulkier size and higher price, the Z Fold5 offers a future proof experience, whereas the A32 5G would feel outdated much sooner. For those who can afford the price, the Z Fold5 provides a device that excels in all aspects, whereas the A32 5G presents more tradeoffs for basic use.
