1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-02-25 | 2024-04-14 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is significantly newer, with access to more recent technology and software. |
| Dimensions | 158.9 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | Asus is taller, wider and thicker, leading to a larger and slightly less pocketable phone. |
| Weight | 184g | 224g | The Samsung is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.78" | Asus offers a more immersive viewing experience with a larger display, better for multimedia consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same level of detail, but pixel density is higher on Samsung. |
| PPI | 411 | 388 | Samsung has a slightly sharper display due to higher pixel density, though difference is not noticeable in regular usage. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant and contrast-rich displays, offering similar viewing quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 144Hz | The Asus offers a smoother visual experience, particularly noticeable in fast-paced games and UI navigation. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | Asus is drastically better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Asus offers dramatically faster app loading, smoother multitasking, better gaming, and more future-proof performance. |
| Antutu Score | 200,458 | 1,532,000 | Asus is significantly more powerful, with over 7x the benchmark score. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 750 | The Asus has a much more powerful GPU, making it better for graphically intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | Asus should offer slightly longer battery life, thanks to its larger capacity. |
| Charging | Li-Ion | 65W fast charging, Li-Polymer | Asus charges significantly faster with 65W and also uses superior Li-Polymer technology. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, 15W wireless charging, 10W reverse wired | Asus offers the added convenience of wireless charging and the ability to charge other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64.2MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56" Sony IMX890, 1.00 µm pixel size | Samsung has higher resolution, but Asus has a larger sensor and pixels, typically resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.5, 1/3.2" Omnivision OV32C, 0.70 µm pixel size | Asus offers a higher-resolution selfie camera and should result in more detailed photos. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.70 µm pixel size | Asus has a dedicated telephoto lens, providing better zoom capabilities than Samsung. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size | Asus has a higher-resolution ultrawide lens for more detailed landscape shots. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Samsung has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode effects. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Samsung has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | Up to 8K@24fps, various HDR & EIS modes up to 720p@480fps | Asus supports significantly higher video resolutions and frame rates with superior stabilization. |
| DxOMark | N/A | Main: 125, Photo: 131, Video: 115 | Asus has been tested and benchmarked, giving an indication of its camera performance. |
| Camera Features | Basic features | 4K Video, 8K Video, Triple camera, OIS, Gimbal, Continuous autofocus, PDAF, RAW | Asus has superior features, including OIS and advanced autofocus. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, max version 13 | Android 14, max version 16 | Asus has a more up-to-date operating system with longer future support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be, WiFi 6E, WiFi 7 | Asus supports the latest WiFi standards for faster and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.4 LE | Asus has a newer Bluetooth version with energy-saving features and superior codec support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Asus has more advanced GPS technologies, resulting in better location accuracy and precision. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both offer Dual SIM capabilities with identical dual standby feature. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 64 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB | Asus offers significantly more internal storage, crucial for users with a lot of media and apps. |
| RAM | 4 GB or 6 GB or 8 GB | 12 GB or 16 GB | Asus has significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking, faster app loading and overall better performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports microSD cards, so users are limited to the internal storage options. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio | Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Asus has superior audio features and hardware like the inclusion of stereo speakers for better sound experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both share the same standard for biometric fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Asus has much superior screen protection against scratches and impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Both have a similar suite of sensors, but Asus also adds the Gravity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A32 Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: Significantly lighter (184g vs 224g), more comfortable for extended use.
- Higher Pixel Density: Slightly sharper display (411 ppi vs 388 ppi), though this is not very noticeable.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: The phone has a dedicated depth sensor and macro lens which provide additional features.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset provides vastly better performance (7x Antutu score) for gaming, multitasking, and overall speed.
- Larger Display with Higher Refresh Rate: Larger 6.78" screen with a smoother 144Hz refresh rate, ideal for media consumption and gaming.
- Much Brighter Display: Significantly higher brightness (2500 nits) for excellent outdoor visibility.
- Advanced Camera System: Better sensor and processing and additional telephoto lens, resulting in better picture quality, optical zoom capabilities and more features.
- Significantly Better Video Recording: Supports up to 8K video with advanced stabilization.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: Supports 65W fast charging, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging.
- Newer Software: Runs on a newer Android version (14) with longer future support.
- Better Audio: Includes Hi-Res Audio, noise cancellation microphone, and stereo speakers.
- Larger RAM and Storage: Higher RAM (up to 16 GB) and storage options (up to 512 GB).
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
- Advanced Connectivity: Superior WiFi and GPS technologies for better overall connectivity.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy A32 is lighter and a bit more compact, making it more pocketable and comfortable for extended use, but falls drastically short in most other aspects.
- The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is significantly more expensive, larger, and heavier, but provides a much more premium experience, with its high-end specs and features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A32 - Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals who prioritize affordability over performance.
- Light Users: Those who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and casual browsing.
- Users with Smaller Hands: People who appreciate a lighter, more compact device.
Photography enthusiasts: Users who enjoy having a depth and macro lens for specific types of photography.
Specific Use Cases:
- Basic web browsing and social media
- Casual photography and simple video recording.
- As a secondary or backup phone.
- Users who prioritize comfort for long periods of usage.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra - Ideal User:
- Power Users: Those who demand top-tier performance for gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Users who enjoy watching videos, playing games, and consuming content on a large, high-quality display.
- Mobile Photographers/Videographers: Those who need a versatile camera system with advanced features and excellent video recording capabilities.
- Tech-Savvy Users: Individuals who appreciate the latest technology and features.
Business Professionals: Users needing a fast, feature-rich phone with good battery life.
Specific Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming and high-fidelity graphics.
- Professional-grade photography and videography.
- Editing and creating content on the go.
- Heavy multitasking with multiple apps and data-intensive processes.
- Users who prioritize a smooth visual experience.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy A32 offers a more budget-friendly option with acceptable performance for basic usage.
- The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is significantly more expensive but offers top-tier performance and features, justified for users who value high performance and premium experiences.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The Samsung Galaxy A32 is more budget-friendly, while the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is a premium device.
- What are my primary use cases? Basic tasks? Multimedia? Gaming? Photography? The Asus excels across the board and has higher performance in these areas, while Samsung is adequate for light usage.
- How important is size and weight? The Samsung is lighter and more compact, while the Asus is larger and heavier.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget User): If you need a functional, affordable phone for basic tasks and don't care about high performance, choose the Samsung Galaxy A32.
- Scenario 2 (Performance User): If you prioritize top-tier performance, a large, vibrant display, and advanced camera capabilities, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is the clear choice.
- Scenario 3 (Multimedia & Gaming User): The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra with it's larger and brighter display, higher refresh rate and better audio is the obvious choice.
- Scenario 4 (Photography Enthusiast): If you enjoy high quality photos with additional lens options the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is preferable.
My Choice
I would choose the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. While the Samsung Galaxy A32 has the advantage of being more compact and lightweight, the Zenfone 11 Ultra offers a far superior overall experience that fits my preferences. I am a power user who values performance for gaming and multitasking, and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and higher RAM are huge advantages. I also appreciate the larger, brighter display, better camera system and much faster charging. The additional software support and superior features also offer more value and future proofing, making the additional cost a worthwhile investment for my use case.
