1. Specifications Comparison
Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 5G | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Design | |||
Dimensions | 164.2 × 76.1 × 9.1 mm | 164 × 76.4 × 8.9 mm | Similar physical size, slight difference in thickness is negligible. |
Weight | 205g | 229g | Samsung A32 5G is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for longer use. The Red Magic 9S Pro may feel more substantial in hand. |
Display | |||
Size | 6.5" | 6.8" | Red Magic 9S Pro has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming. |
Resolution | 720x1600 | 1116x2480 | Red Magic 9S Pro offers much sharper visuals with a significantly higher pixel count, reducing pixelation and enhancing clarity for all tasks. |
PPI | 270 | 400 | Red Magic 9S Pro provides a crisper, more detailed image due to higher pixel density. Text and images will appear much clearer. |
Technology | TFT LCD | AMOLED | Red Magic 9S Pro offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. It also provides better viewing angles and power efficiency with dark themes. |
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Red Magic 9S Pro provides smoother scrolling, transitions, and animations making general use and gaming feel much more fluid. |
Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness. It is unknown if these are their real max brightnesses. |
Performance | |||
Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Red Magic 9S Pro's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance. |
AnTuTu Score | 249,720 | 2,369,542 | Red Magic 9S Pro scores much higher in benchmarks, indicating vastly superior real-world performance for demanding tasks and future-proofing. |
GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 750 | Red Magic 9S Pro has a significantly more powerful GPU, resulting in much better graphical performance for gaming and other GPU intensive applications. |
Battery | |||
Capacity | 5000mAh | 6500mAh | Red Magic 9S Pro has a larger battery offering potential for longer battery life between charges. Actual battery life will vary based on usage. |
Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 80W Fast Charging | Red Magic 9S Pro charges significantly faster, reducing the time spent plugged into the wall. This is beneficial for users who need to top up their phone quickly. |
Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both phones share these battery features: Non-removable |
Camera | |||
Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/2", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.57", 1.0µm | Red Magic 9S Pro has a slightly higher resolution sensor with larger pixel size. This suggests better low-light performance and slightly more detailed images. |
Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.0, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | Red Magic 9S Pro's higher resolution, larger sensor, wider aperture may lead to better quality selfies, especially in lower light conditions. |
Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Red Magic 9S Pro has a significantly higher resolution wide angle camera with a slightly wider aperture for superior wide-angle shots. |
Portrait mode | 2MP, f/2.4, | N/A | The A32 has a dedicated depth sensor which may help with portrait mode shots, which the red magic lacks. |
Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | The A32 has a higher resolution macro lens compared to the red magic. |
Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps | Red Magic 9S Pro provides more video recording options with up to 8K recording. The additional 1080p@240fps mode provides greater flexibility for slow-motion footage. |
Video Stabilization | No | Yes | Red Magic 9S Pro provides video stabilization, which reduces shakiness and produces smoother video. |
Software | |||
OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 | Red Magic 9S Pro has a more modern OS out of the box with better features and security updates. The A32 has software that is outdated, but can be upgraded. |
Connectivity | |||
WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual band | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be, Dual Band, Wi-Fi MiMO | Red Magic 9S Pro supports the newest WiFi standard, offering better performance, lower latency, and access to the 6GHz band, as well as MIMO. |
Bluetooth | 5.1 LE, A2DP, EDR, HID, LE | 5.2 LE, A2DP, LE, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Red Magic 9S Pro has a newer Bluetooth version. It also supports additional audio codecs for better wireless audio quality. |
GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Red Magic 9S Pro supports more satellite systems for enhanced location accuracy and faster lock times. |
SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both phones support dual SIM and dual standby. |
Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB or 128 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB | Red Magic 9S Pro offers significantly more storage space for apps, media, and games. |
RAM | 4 GB, 6GB or 8 GB | 12 GB or 16 GB | Red Magic 9S Pro has significantly more RAM which leads to better multitasking, better performance and future-proofing. |
Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
Audio | |||
Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | The Red Magic 9S Pro has better overall audio with enhanced surround sound, better audio separation and voice capture. |
Security | |||
Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Samsung A32 5G features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor; Provides basic biometric security |
Build Quality | |||
Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | ZTE Nubia Red Magic 9S Pro has much better protection. |
Sensors | |||
Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Red Magic 9S Pro has more sensors, which allow for more functionality like compass and gyroscope, essential for some games and apps. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A32 5G Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: Significantly lighter (205g vs. 229g), making it more comfortable for extended use.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint: More advanced fingerprint sensor.
- Portrait Mode (Depth) Camera: Has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait shots.
- Macro Camera: Higher resolution macro camera (5MP vs 2MP)
ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED, higher resolution, higher PPI, and 120Hz refresh rate offers much better visual experience and smoother scrolling.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip offers vastly superior performance for gaming, demanding apps, and multitasking.
- Much Larger Battery & Faster Charging: 6500mAh battery and 80W charging allows for longer usage and faster charging times.
- Superior Camera Quality: Generally has superior sensors and capabilities across various lenses, with higher resolutions and wider apertures, leading to better photos and video, especially wide angle shots.
- Video stabilization: Has video stabilization
- Newer Software: Comes with a newer Android 14 version, and better future update support.
- Newer Connectivity Standards: Faster WiFi 7, and Bluetooth 5.2.
- More RAM and Storage: 12GB/16GB RAM and 256GB/512GB of storage allow for more multitasking, apps and files.
- Better Audio: Enhanced audio with DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers and 3 microphones.
- Better Build Quality: Better screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
More Sensors: Has Compass and Gyroscope for more advanced apps/games. Trade-offs:
Samsung A32 5G: Lighter and has a portrait mode and macro lens, at the cost of performance, display quality, battery, and charging.
- ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro: Heavier, and lacks a dedicated depth sensor, at the benefit of all other areas.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A32 5G Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious users: Seeking an affordable 5G smartphone.
- Casual users: Primarily using their phone for basic tasks, social media, and web browsing.
- Users needing light weight: Prefer a lighter phone for extended use.
- Users who care about portrait mode/macro shots: Will take advantage of the dedicated sensors.
Use Cases:
* Daily social media browsing.
* Web browsing and light application use.
* Casual photography where image quality isn't top priority.
* Basic mobile gaming.
ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro Ideal Users:
- Mobile Gamers: Demanding high-end performance and a high refresh rate display.
- Power Users: Requiring smooth multitasking and fast performance for demanding apps.
- Media Consumers: Wanting a high-quality display and long battery life for watching videos and content.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Looking for the best photo quality and recording.
- Users looking for good overall features: Want the best overall performance, software, connectivity, and build quality
Use Cases:
* High-end mobile gaming with maximum settings.
* Smooth multitasking with multiple apps open.
* Watching HDR videos.
* Photography and videography, with high quality and stabilization.
* Using the latest software and connectivity standards.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy A32 5G offers a decent experience for its budget price point.
- The ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro commands a higher price but offers top-of-the-line performance and features, making it worth it for those who value performance, gaming, media consumption, and camera.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? The A32 will be much cheaper than the red magic.
- What will you use the phone for? Basic tasks or gaming, video editing, and high end photography?
- Which features are most important to you? A lightweight phone with macro and portrait or a high-end device with a superior display, performance, and camera?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User: If cost is the primary concern and you only need a basic 5G phone for daily use, the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G is a reasonable option.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer/Power User: If you prioritize performance, gaming, or heavy multitasking, the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro is the clear choice.
- Scenario 3: Content Creation/Media Consumption: If you value display quality, high-resolution video, and want a great camera experience, the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro is superior due to its display, camera, and recording capabilities.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would absolutely choose the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro. Here's why:
While the Samsung A32 is significantly lighter and has a better fingerprint sensor, and some dedicated sensors that the Red Magic lacks, the Red Magic is superior in nearly every other way. It's a more modern phone that provides a much better display, significantly higher performance, more battery, and faster charging. The camera is also generally much better, and more capable. I do not value the portrait mode or macro as much, so the Red Magic is a clear winner for my use case. Even if I were not a gamer, the greatly improved performance, the vastly improved screen quality, and the better camera more than outweigh the slight disadvantage in weight and the lack of a dedicated depth sensor. The extra RAM, storage, and software are also a major factor for me. The increased future proofing offered by the red magic is also important. In short, the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro provides a superior overall experience, making it well worth the premium for those who need high performance and the latest technology.