Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A32 5G vs. Sony Xperia 1 IV
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 5G | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.2 × 76.1 × 9.1 mm | 165 × 71 × 8.2 mm | Xperia 1 IV is narrower and thinner, potentially more comfortable for one-handed use; A32 5G is slightly more bulky. |
| Weight | 205g | 185g | Xperia 1 IV is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.5" | Both have the same screen size, but the experience differs significantly due to resolution and technology. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1644x3840 | Xperia 1 IV offers a significantly sharper display with much higher pixel density, resulting in clearer text, images, and videos. |
| PPI | 270 | 643 | Xperia 1 IV provides a noticeably clearer and sharper viewing experience. |
| Technology | TFT LCD | OLED | Xperia 1 IV has superior color accuracy, deeper blacks, and better contrast, resulting in a more vibrant and enjoyable viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Xperia 1 IV offers smoother scrolling, animations, and a more responsive user interface; better for gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is unknown, but OLED generally has better outdoor visibility than LCD. Note this is incomplete and a critical spec for many users. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) | Xperia 1 IV’s chipset is significantly more powerful, providing faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and enhanced gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 249,720 | 1,076,100 | Xperia 1 IV delivers a much smoother and faster experience overall. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 730 | Xperia 1 IV has a more powerful GPU, which translates to better graphics performance in games and demanding applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage. |
| Charging | 15W | 30W | Xperia 1 IV charges significantly faster, reducing time spent waiting for a full charge. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Non-removable | Xperia 1 IV’s bypass charging feature can help reduce battery wear while gaming or using demanding apps while plugged in. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens Res. | 48MP | 12MP | A32 5G has a higher megapixel count, which can result in more detail in good lighting conditions, however, the Xperia 1 IV has a larger sensor with larger pixels that has better overall image quality in various conditions |
| Standard Lens Ap. | f/1.8 | f/1.7 | Xperia 1 IV has a slightly wider aperture, allowing more light to reach the sensor, potentially improving low-light performance. |
| Selfie Lens Res. | 13MP | 12MP | Both have similar selfie camera resolutions. |
| Selfie Lens Ap. | f/2.2 | f/2.0 | Xperia 1 IV has a slightly wider aperture, potentially better for selfies in low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 12MP | Xperia 1 IV has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom capabilities; A32 5G relies on digital zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP | 12MP | Xperia 1 IV's wide-angle lens has a higher resolution, which should result in greater clarity. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | None | Yes | Xperia 1 IV has a ToF sensor to measure depth, which can help improve bokeh and other camera features. |
| Portrait mode | Yes | None | A32 5G has a dedicated depth sensor which will help take portrait mode pictures. |
| Macro lens | Yes | None | A32 5G has a dedicated macro lens, which can be used for closeup photography. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps | 4K@120fps | Xperia 1 IV offers significantly better video recording capabilities, including higher frame rate and more stabilization features. |
| Stabilization | No | Yes | Xperia 1 IV has OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) and EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization) which provide much smoother videos. |
| Slow-motion | 120fps | 960fps | Xperia 1 IV is capable of much slower slow-motion video recording, capturing unique action shots. |
| DxOMark | Not Tested | 105 Main Score | Sony's camera has been tested by DxOMark, indicating that the camera is of high quality for photos and videos. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (max 13) | Android 12 (max 13) | Xperia 1 IV comes with a newer version of Android out of the box, but both are updatable to 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Xperia 1 IV supports the faster Wi-Fi 6 standard, for better performance, higher speeds, and lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Xperia 1 IV features a more recent Bluetooth version with additional features and better efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Xperia 1 IV utilizes more satellite systems for better positioning accuracy in various locations. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Both have dual sim capabilities, but the Sony has an eSIM that can help with digital carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 256GB/512GB | Xperia 1 IV offers significantly more storage space, essential for users who store many large files, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 12GB/16GB | Xperia 1 IV has substantially more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and gaming without slowdowns. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage via microSD card. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Xperia 1 IV offers a more immersive and higher-quality audio experience due to Hi-Res Audio and stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones feature a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for fast and secure unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Xperia 1 IV has superior scratch protection on the screen. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Xperia 1 IV has a more comprehensive sensor suite, beneficial for gaming and fitness tracking apps. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A32 5G Advantages:
- Lower Cost: The A32 5G is significantly more affordable, making it accessible to budget-conscious users.
- Dedicated Macro and Portrait Lenses: The A32 5G offers dedicated macro and portrait lenses, adding flexibility for close-up shots and bokeh effects.
- Dual Sim: The A32 5G can use two physical sims at the same time, which is useful for those who require two numbers.
Sony Xperia 1 IV Advantages:
- Superior Display: The OLED display with a much higher resolution and 120Hz refresh rate provides a vastly superior viewing experience.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset and greater RAM result in smoother, faster performance for all tasks.
- Superior Camera System: The Xperia 1 IV has much better video recording features, a dedicated telephoto lens with optical zoom, and better low-light performance due to the wider aperture and larger pixel size on the main camera.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging results in faster recharge times compared to the A32 5G’s 15W.
- Bypass charging: Bypass charging enables you to plug in your phone while gaming or using demanding apps while reducing battery strain.
- Better Audio: Hi-Res Audio and stereo speakers offer a better audio experience.
- More Advanced Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 result in faster and more stable connections.
- Better Build: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers superior protection against scratches, and the phone has a more premium feel.
- More RAM & Storage: Up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage provide ample space and smooth multitasking.
- eSIM Support: The Xperia 1 IV offers an eSIM option in addition to a physical nano-SIM, which allows for digital carrier switching.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Xperia 1 IV comes at a higher price point compared to the Galaxy A32 5G.
- The Galaxy A32 5G trades processing power and screen quality for a more budget-friendly cost.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A32 5G Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals looking for an affordable smartphone with basic functionality.
- Everyday Users: Those who primarily use their phone for calls, social media, and casual browsing.
- Users who value macro and depth cameras.
- Users who need two physical sims.
Use Cases:
- Reliable performance for standard apps, calls, and social media.
- Suitable for taking casual photos, with dedicated portrait and macro cameras.
- Long battery life is suitable for moderate usage.
Sony Xperia 1 IV Ideal User:
- Power Users: Individuals who demand high performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Users who value high-quality displays and audio for consuming videos, movies, and music.
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: Those who want advanced camera features, including telephoto zoom and high-quality video recording.
- Users who want cutting edge performance and features
Use Cases:
- Smooth gaming with high-frame-rate visuals.
- Professional-quality photo and video capture capabilities.
- Enjoying movies and videos with exceptional clarity and audio.
- Using demanding apps, including video editing and 3D modeling.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone? The A32 5G is significantly more affordable.
- Primary Use: What will you primarily use the phone for? Casual use vs. demanding tasks, gaming, photography.
- Display and Media Consumption: How important is a high-quality display and audio for your daily usage? The Xperia 1 IV is superior here.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Needs: If your budget is limited, and you mainly use your phone for basic tasks, the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G is suitable.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Multimedia are Key: If you require high performance, a top-tier camera, and an excellent display, the Sony Xperia 1 IV is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: Photography Focus: If taking macro and portrait photos is a top priority, the A32 5G is slightly better due to its dedicated lenses. However, the overall camera quality of the Xperia 1 IV will be better overall.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would personally go for the Sony Xperia 1 IV. While it is significantly more expensive than the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G, the overall value proposition is significantly better. The higher-quality display with a 120Hz refresh rate, much more powerful processor, significantly better camera system, faster charging, better build quality, and superior audio capabilities make it a more well-rounded and future-proof device.
While the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G is more affordable and better for macro and depth photography, and has the ability to use two physical sims, it falls behind the Xperia 1 IV in almost every other aspect. The Xperia 1 IV provides a premium user experience with smoother performance, better gaming, and excellent photo/video capabilities. The better display, better audio, and enhanced features are worth the extra cost for my usage patterns and needs.
