Samsung Galaxy A32 5G vs TCL 40 SE - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
TCL 40 SE
TCL 40 SE
Tcl

General

Launch Date January 22, 2021 April 4, 2023
Release Year 2021 2023

Physical

Volume 113.71 cm³ 109.18 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.17 "/g 3.55 "/g
Weight 205 g 190 g
Height 164.2 mm 167.9 mm
Width 76.1 mm 76.5 mm
Thickness 9.1 mm 8.5 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Awesome Black
  • Awesome White
  • Awesome Blue
  • Awesome Violet
  • Dark grey
  • Twilight purple

Display

Screen Size 6.5 " 6.75 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 720 x 1600
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 81.6 % 85.6 %
Pixel Density 270 PPI 260 PPI
Refresh Rate 60 Hz 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A 450 nits
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 118.34 mAh/in² 109.96 mAh/in²
Battery Density 43.97 mAh/cm³ 45.89 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5010 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm) Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
GPU Mali-G57 MC3 PowerVR GE8320

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 13
Maximum OS Version 13

Comparison Summary

Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A32 5G vs. TCL 40 SE

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A32 5GTCL 40 SEPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions164.2 × 76.1 × 9.1 mm167.9 × 76.5 × 8.5 mmTCL 40 SE is slightly taller and thinner, while the A32 5G is a bit thicker. Minor differences, won't drastically affect handling.
Weight205g190gTCL 40 SE is noticeably lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use.
Display
Size6.5"6.75"TCL 40 SE has a slightly larger screen, providing a marginally more immersive viewing experience.
Resolution720x1600720x1600Both offer the same resolution; clarity will be similar.
PPI270260Very similar pixel density, both will appear equally sharp to the naked eye.
TechnologyTFT LCDIPS LCDTCL 40 SE has better display technology (IPS) offering better viewing angles and color reproduction compared to TFT LCD.
Refresh Rate60Hz90HzTCL 40 SE's 90Hz refresh rate results in smoother scrolling and animations, a better experience when navigating the UI and gaming.
Brightness0 nits900 nitsTCL 40 SE is dramatically brighter, offering better outdoor visibility, particularly in bright sunlight.
Performance
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm)Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm)Dimensity 720 (A32 5G) offers significantly better performance for gaming and multitasking compared to the Helio G37 (TCL 40 SE).
AnTuTu Score249,720160,000Galaxy A32 5G offers significantly better performance in benchmarks, which translates to faster app loading, better multitasking, and improved gaming.
GPUMali-G57 MC3 (ARM Mali-G57)PowerVR GE8320 (PowerVR GE832)The A32 5G's GPU provides superior graphics performance, crucial for gaming and graphically intensive applications.
Camera
Standard Camera48MP, f/1.8, 1/2", 0.80µm50MP, f/1.85, 0.70µmTCL 40 SE has higher megapixel count, but the A32 5G has a slightly wider aperture and larger sensor with larger pixels, leading to better low-light photos.
Selfie Camera13MP, f/2.28MP, f/2.0A32 5G has higher resolution front camera, while the TCL 40 SE has slightly wider aperture that could offer slightly better low light selfie.
Wide Angle8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µmNoneSamsung A32 5G offers more versatility with a wide-angle lens to capture more expansive scenes, while TCL does not offer any wide angle lens.
Portrait(depth)2MP, f/2.42MP, f/2.4, 1.75µmSimilar depth camera performance, providing similar quality in portrait mode.
Macro Lens5MP, f/2.42MP, f/2.4, 1.75µmA32 5G has a higher resolution macro camera, allowing for more detailed close-up photos, while TCL 40 SE has smaller resolution macro lens.
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps1080p@30fpsA32 5G can record in 4K and also supports 1080p@120fps for higher quality video, while TCL 40 SE is limited to 1080p.
Battery
Capacity5000mAh5010mAhBoth offer similar battery capacity, expect comparable battery life.
Charging15W18WTCL 40 SE charges slightly faster, which is helpful for quick top-ups.
Software
OSAndroid 11 (up to 13)Android 13TCL 40 SE has a newer Android OS out of the box, which could mean longer support and more features over time.
Storage
Internal64/128 GB128/256 GBTCL 40 SE offers more storage options, which is beneficial for users who store a lot of media.
RAM4/6/8 GB4/6 GBSamsung A32 5G has a variant with more RAM, good for multitasking and gaming.
ExpandableNoNoNeither phone supports expandable storage.
Audio
QualityDolby Atmos, Dolby Digital PlusStereo SpeakersSamsung A32 5G offers a slightly better audio experience due to Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus, enhancing spatial sound and surround sound, while TCL 40 SE offers stereo speakers for louder and balanced audio playback.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Samsung Galaxy A32 5G Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: The Dimensity 720 chipset offers significantly better performance than the Helio G37 in the TCL 40 SE, suitable for gaming and multitasking.
  • Better Camera Versatility: The inclusion of a wide-angle lens, higher-resolution macro lens and the ability to record 4K videos provides a far superior camera setup for capturing more scenarios.
  • More RAM Option: An 8GB RAM variant is beneficial for users who multitask extensively or enjoy mobile gaming.
  • Better Audio Quality: Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus enhance the audio experience with enhanced spatial audio and surround sound.
  • Faster Video Recording: Offers 1080p@120fps recording

TCL 40 SE Advantages:

  • Newer OS: Comes with Android 13 out of the box, offering more up-to-date features and potentially longer software support.
  • Larger and Brighter Display: Slightly larger screen size with significantly higher brightness, better for outdoor viewing.
  • Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate provides a more fluid user experience when scrolling and navigating the UI.
  • Lighter Design: The phone is 15g lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use.
  • Faster Charging: 18W charging is slightly faster than the 15W of the A32 5G.
  • Higher Storage Option: Offers up to 256GB of internal storage.

Trade-offs:

  • The A32 5G sacrifices newer OS for superior performance and a more versatile camera system.
  • The TCL 40 SE offers a more modern display and slightly faster charging but lacks the raw performance and camera versatility of the A32 5G.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Samsung Galaxy A32 5G Ideal User:

  • Gamers: The superior chipset, GPU, and RAM options make this phone much better for gaming.
  • Photography Enthusiasts: The wide-angle lens, higher resolution macro lens, 4k video recording and all the features provide a more versatile experience for capturing photos and videos.
  • Multitaskers: The option for 8GB RAM makes this a good choice for users who use a lot of apps simultaneously.
  • Users Who value Performance over a newer OS: For people who care more about smooth performance and camera versatility.

Use Cases:

  • Mobile gaming with better performance
  • Capturing a variety of photos and videos with different focal lengths.
  • Heavy multitasking between apps
  • Media consumption with enhanced audio experience.

TCL 40 SE Ideal User:

  • Casual Users: Those who prioritize display quality, a newer OS, and lighter weight over raw performance.
  • Outdoor Users: The higher screen brightness makes this a good choice for use in bright sunlight.
  • Media Consumers: A larger and smoother display is ideal for watching videos and browsing the web.
  • Users Who Prefer Newer Software: The latest OS can be appealing to users wanting the latest features.

Use Cases:

  • Watching videos and browsing the internet outdoors.
  • Everyday social media use and light mobile gaming
  • Users who prefer newer OS version and smoother display.

Price-to-Value Ratio:

  • The A32 5G may have a slightly higher price but offers a performance and camera upgrade.
  • The TCL 40 SE may offer a better value for users focused on display and a newer operating system for a potentially lower price.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions to Ask Before Buying:

  1. How important is gaming and overall performance? If high performance is critical, the A32 5G is much better.
  2. Do you need a versatile camera system? If so, the A32 5G is superior due to its wide-angle lens, higher-resolution macro lens and 4k video recording capability.
  3. What are your display needs? If you value smooth scrolling and outdoor visibility more, the TCL 40 SE is better.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Frequent gamer and multimedia creator: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G for its powerful chipset, versatile camera, and better video recording.
  • Scenario 2: Mostly casual user focusing on media consumption and web browsing: Choose the TCL 40 SE for its brighter, larger, and smoother display and newer operating system.
  • Scenario 3: User who prioritizes battery life and faster charging: The TCL 40 SE offers slightly faster charging and similar battery life and should be a go to for this use case.

What I would choose and why:

If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G. While the TCL 40 SE has a newer operating system and a better display for outdoor usage, the A32 5G offers superior performance, a more versatile camera system, and better audio. As someone who uses their phone for a variety of tasks, including mobile gaming and content creation, the A32 5G's superior chipset, better camera, and 8gb ram option makes it much better suited for my use case. The 4k video recording, wide-angle lens, and higher-resolution macro lens in the A32 5G camera would make capturing photos and videos much more enjoyable.

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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