Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A32 vs. Apple iPhone 15 Plus
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158.9 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm, 184g | 160.9 × 77.8 × 7.8 mm, 201g | A32 is more compact and lighter, easier for one-handed use; iPhone 15 Plus is larger, heavier, may feel more substantial. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | iPhone 15 Plus offers more screen real estate for media consumption, gaming, and productivity. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1290x2796 | iPhone 15 Plus has a sharper and more detailed display, improving visual clarity. |
| PPI | 411 | 460 | iPhone 15 Plus offers slightly crisper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast; AMOLED slightly better black levels |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 60Hz | A32 has smoother scrolling and animations; iPhone 15 Plus might feel less fluid in comparison. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2000 nits | iPhone 15 Plus offers significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G80 (12 nm) | Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) | iPhone 15 Plus provides vastly superior performance, handling demanding apps, games, and multitasking with ease. |
| AnTuTu Score | 200,458 | 1,470,000 | iPhone 15 Plus is significantly faster, app launching, gaming and overall responsiveness. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 (ARM Mali-G52 2EEMC2) | Apple GPU (5-core graphics) | iPhone 15 Plus has a much more powerful GPU, better for gaming, video editing and other intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4383mAh | A32 has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life on a single charge. |
| Charging | Li-Ion | 20W fast charging, Li-Ion, 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi | iPhone 15 Plus supports fast charging and wireless charging, offering more flexible charging options. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64.2MP, f/1.8 | 48MP, f/1.6, 1/1.5", 1.00 µm | A32 has higher MP, but iPhone 15 Plus has a larger sensor, wider aperture, and larger pixel size, generally better low light performance and image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/1.9, 1.12 µm | A32 has higher MP selfie camera, but iPhone 15 Plus has a wider aperture and larger pixels, better low light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | None | A32 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for group shots and landscapes. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | A32 has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode with bokeh effect. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | A32 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 12MP, f/2.4 | iPhone 15 Plus has an ultrawide lens capable of macro shots. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@60fps, HDR, Stereo, Slow-motion | iPhone 15 Plus captures much higher quality videos with better stabilization, HDR, stereo audio, and slow-motion. |
| DxOMark Score | N/A | 145 (Photo: 147, Video: 153) | iPhone 15 Plus has a significantly better camera performance in both photos and videos. |
| Camera Features | Various | Cinematic Mode, OIS, RAW, Night Mode, Pro Video | iPhone 15 Plus has more advanced features for creative photography, videography, and challenging conditions. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 13) | iOS 17 (up to 18) | iPhone 15 Plus provides a smoother, more refined and integrated user experience with long term software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi ac | WiFi 6 (ax) | iPhone 15 Plus offers faster, more efficient WiFi performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 LE | iPhone 15 Plus has a newer, more efficient Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | iPhone 15 Plus has more satellite systems for more precise location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | iPhone 15 Plus supports eSIM for more flexible carrier options, A32 uses two physical SIMs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128 GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | iPhone 15 Plus offers significantly more internal storage options for users with large media libraries or apps. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 6GB | A32 has more RAM variants, but the iPhone 15 Plus's RAM is highly optimized due to iOS, but in some case more RAM can make multitasking better. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic audio | Stereo speakers, Noise cancellation, 3 mics | iPhone 15 Plus provides far better audio playback and call quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Security Features | A32 has a dedicated fingerprint sensor for easy unlocking; iPhone relies on other security methods like passcodes, and face unlock. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both use similar protection, though specific type is not known. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity, Geomagnetic, Hall | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Barometer | iPhone 15 Plus includes a barometer for environmental sensing, A32 includes Fingerprint sensor for biometric security. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A32 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The A32 has a larger battery, potentially providing longer usage times for less intensive tasks.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: The 90Hz display offers smoother animations compared to the iPhone 15 Plus's 60Hz display.
- Multiple Camera Lenses: The A32 includes dedicated wide-angle, macro, and depth sensors for versatile photography.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Offers convenient biometric security.
- Lower Price: Typically sold at a significantly lower price point than the iPhone 15 Plus.
Apple iPhone 15 Plus Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The A16 Bionic chip delivers significantly faster speeds for all tasks, including gaming, app usage and heavy-duty usage.
- Higher Quality Display: The iPhone 15 Plus display is sharper, brighter and has better outdoor visibility and better color accuracy.
- Significantly Better Cameras: Superior sensor size, aperture, stabilization, video recording capabilities, and computational photography leading to high quality photos and videos.
- Premium Build and Software: The iPhone 15 Plus has a more premium feel and provides a smooth, seamless and stable software experience.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: Includes 20W fast charging, as well as 15W MagSafe and 7.5W Qi wireless charging, offering more versatile and quicker options.
- Stereo Speakers: Much better sound quality for music and media consumption.
- Latest Connectivity: The iPhone 15 Plus features newer standards like WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 LE, and more satellite navigation.
- More Storage: Offers greater internal storage options for users with large libraries or apps.
Trade-offs:
- Price: The iPhone 15 Plus is a significantly more expensive investment than the Samsung A32.
- Battery life: While the iPhone 15 Plus has good battery life, the A32 may last longer due to the larger capacity.
- Display Smoothness: The iPhone 15 Plus has a lower refresh rate than the Samsung A32.
- Versatility of Cameras: The A32 has more individual lens options for different uses.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A32 is Ideal For:
- Budget-conscious users: People seeking a decent smartphone without breaking the bank.
- Casual users: Individuals who primarily use their phone for social media, browsing, and calls.
- Photography hobbyists: Those who want a versatile camera system with macro, ultrawide and depth sensors, but are not overly concerned about the best image quality.
- Users prioritizing battery life: Individuals who want a device that lasts through a full day.
Use Cases:
- Everyday browsing, social media, and communication.
- Watching videos and listening to music.
- Occasional photography and macro photography.
Apple iPhone 15 Plus is Ideal For:
- Power users: Individuals who demand top-tier performance for gaming, video editing, and productivity tasks.
- Photography and videography enthusiasts: Those who want exceptional image quality, video recording, and computational photography features.
- Users within the Apple ecosystem: Individuals who want a seamless experience with other Apple devices.
- Users prioritizing software and long-term support: People who want timely updates and a long-lasting device.
- Users needing storage: Individuals needing ample space for their apps, photos, videos, and other large files.
Use Cases:
- High-end gaming, graphic design, and video editing.
- Professional photography and videography.
- Seamless integration with other Apple devices.
- Long-term software updates and security.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a new smartphone?
- Performance Needs: How important is high performance for gaming, multitasking, or other intensive tasks?
- Camera Quality: How important is top-tier image and video quality for you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Needs
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A32. It offers a decent experience for basic tasks, and you can save a significant amount of money.
Scenario 2: High Performance and Camera Quality are Essential
- Recommendation: Apple iPhone 15 Plus. The superior performance, camera capabilities, and premium features justify the higher cost for users needing the best in class.
Scenario 3: Balanced Needs and Budget, Photography is Important
- Recommendation: Consider the Apple iPhone 15 Plus if the budget allows for high quality photos and video, otherwise the Galaxy A32 is a capable photography device in a budget.
What I Would Choose and Why
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would personally choose the Apple iPhone 15 Plus.
Here's why:
- Future-Proofing: The A16 Bionic chip offers such a massive performance lead over the Helio G80 that the iPhone 15 Plus will remain responsive and smooth for several years.
- Superior Camera: I value high-quality photography and videography, and the iPhone 15 Plus's camera system is leagues ahead of the Galaxy A32.
- Software Ecosystem: I prefer the iOS ecosystem for its stability, timely updates, and integration with other Apple products.
- Long-term Value: While the iPhone 15 Plus is more expensive, its resale value is higher, and the device will remain useful longer.
- Professional Needs: I appreciate all the features for professional photographers and videographers like RAW image capture, Optical Stabilization and Cinematic Mode.
While the Samsung Galaxy A32 offers a larger battery and a more affordable price, the significant improvements in performance, camera quality, and the long-term benefits of the iOS ecosystem make the iPhone 15 Plus a much more compelling choice for me. The trade-offs in battery life and higher price are acceptable for the benefits that I prioritize.
