Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A32 vs. Google Pixel 8 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Google Pixel 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158.9 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm | 162.6 × 76.5 × 8.8 mm | Pixel 8 Pro is larger and may feel less comfortable in smaller hands or pockets. A32 is more compact and lighter for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 184g | 213g | A32 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. The Pixel 8 Pro is heavier and might feel more premium. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | Pixel 8 Pro offers slightly more screen real estate for media consumption and multitasking, A32 offers a more compact viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1344x2992 | Pixel 8 Pro provides sharper and more detailed visuals, better for detailed content and gaming. A32 may appear slightly less sharp. |
| PPI | 411 | 489 | Pixel 8 Pro has a significantly sharper display with more pixel density, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent color reproduction and contrast. Real-world difference is likely minimal. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Pixel 8 Pro has smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable during gaming and fast-paced content. A32 may appear slightly less smooth. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2400 nits | Pixel 8 Pro offers vastly better outdoor visibility under sunlight due to much higher peak brightness. A32 may be difficult to see in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G80 (12 nm) | Google Tensor G3 (4 nm) | Pixel 8 Pro offers significantly faster processing, handles demanding tasks smoothly. A32 may struggle with heavy games and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 200,458 | 1,142,984 | Pixel 8 Pro provides a much more responsive and fluid user experience due to vastly higher processing power. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Immortalis-G715s MC10 | Pixel 8 Pro provides drastically better graphics performance for smoother gaming, while the A32 may experience lags in demanding games. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64.2MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.69, 1/1.31" | Pixel 8 Pro has a larger sensor and wider aperture for better low-light performance despite lower megapixel count. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2 | 10.8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65" | A32 has a higher resolution front camera for more detailed selfies but Pixel 8 Pro has a larger sensor for better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 48MP, f/2.8, 1/2.55" | Pixel 8 Pro has telephoto lens for optical zoom, capturing distant subjects, a feature not available on A32. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | None | A32 has wide-angle lens for wide view photos, not available on Pixel 8 Pro. |
| Portrait Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | A32 has portrait lens for better depth perception, not available on Pixel 8 Pro. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | A32 has a dedicated macro lens for detailed close-up photography, not available on Pixel 8 Pro. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 48MP, f/1.95 | Pixel 8 Pro has a dedicated wide-angle + macro lens. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Pixel 8 Pro offers vastly superior video quality with 4K recording, better stabilization, and slow-motion capabilities. |
| DXOMARK | N/A | Mobile: 153, Selfie: 145 | Pixel 8 Pro has excellent camera performance, based on DxoMark scoring. The A32 was not scored. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5050mAh | Both offer similar battery capacities for all-day usage with moderate use, but Pixel 8 Pro is more efficient with its new processor. |
| Charging | Li-Ion | 30W fast charging Li-Polymer | Pixel 8 Pro charges much faster thanks to fast charging. A32 may take more time to fully charge. |
| Features | Non-removable | 23W Wireless, Reverse, Non-removable | Pixel 8 Pro offers the convenience of wireless and reverse charging; the A32 does not. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 14 (Upgradable to 21) | Pixel 8 Pro has latest version of Android and gets future updates much longer than A32, offering more features and security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 7 | Pixel 8 Pro has newer Wi-Fi standards for faster wireless speeds and improved network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 LE | Pixel 8 Pro offers more modern Bluetooth for more efficient connections. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GLONASS (L1) | Pixel 8 Pro offers slightly better GPS accuracy through inclusion of other GPS systems. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | Pixel 8 Pro supports eSIM, offering greater flexibility. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128 GB | 128/256/512/1024 GB | Pixel 8 Pro offers significantly more storage, better for those with a large library of media. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 12 GB | Pixel 8 Pro handles multitasking and demanding tasks much better with more RAM. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports storage expansion via microSD. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic Audio features | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Pixel 8 Pro offers clearer calls and better audio playback via stereo speakers, A32 only has basic audio. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic biometric security |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Pixel 8 Pro has superior screen protection, A32 details are not clear. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | Pixel 8 Pro includes additional environmental sensors, A32 has additional Compass, Hall, Geomagnetic sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A32 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and carry, suitable for users who prefer a smaller phone.
- Dedicated Macro and Portrait Lens: Offers more versatility for close-up and depth-of-field photography.
- Wide Angle Lens: Better for capturing wide-view shots than Pixel 8 Pro.
- Lower Price: Typically more affordable, making it accessible to budget-conscious users.
Google Pixel 8 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster processing, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Higher Quality Display: Sharper, smoother and brighter with better outdoor visibility.
- Superior Camera System: Better low-light performance, telephoto zoom, excellent video capabilities, and advanced features.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: Offers the convenience of fast and wireless charging capabilities.
- Modern Software: Android 14 out of box with longer software update support.
- Better Audio: Offers noise cancellation, stereo speakers, and better microphone.
- More Storage: Offers up to 1 TB of internal storage
- Better Build Quality: Superior screen protection.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung A32: Sacrifices performance and camera quality for a lower price and more compact design. The display isn't as good as the Pixel, especially outdoors.
- Google Pixel 8 Pro: More expensive, bulkier, and heavier than the A32. It lacks a dedicated macro lens or wide-angle lens for standard photos.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A32 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Prioritize affordability over top-tier performance.
- Users who prefer compact phones: Find larger phones cumbersome and want something easy to handle.
- Casual users: Mostly browse social media, use basic apps, and do not play demanding games.
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who enjoy taking a variety of photos including macro and wide angle photography.
Use Cases:
- Basic social media browsing and communication
- Light gaming
- Everyday photography (including macro and wide-angle shots)
- Users who prefer basic and easy-to-use smartphone experience
- Users who need long battery life.
Google Pixel 8 Pro Ideal User:
- Power users: Demand high performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Photography enthusiasts: Prioritize top-notch camera quality, advanced features, and video capabilities.
- Users who want the best display quality: Want a sharp, bright screen for media consumption.
- Users who want the latest software and future updates: Users who prefer latest Android version and features.
- Users who want the convenience of wireless and faster charging: Users who want these modern conveniences.
- Users who require excellent audio quality: Users who want the best call and multimedia experience.
Use Cases:
- High-end gaming
- Professional photography and video recording
- Heavy multitasking
- Media consumption on a bright and clear display
- Travel and using maps for navigation
Price-to-Value:
- Samsung Galaxy A32: Offers a good value for users on a tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and a smaller form factor.
- Google Pixel 8 Pro: Justifies its premium price with its superior performance, excellent camera, and high-end features, if budget allows.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? (The Pixel 8 Pro is significantly more expensive.)
- How important is performance? (The Pixel 8 Pro excels in performance, A32 is very basic)
- What are your camera priorities? (Pixel is better in most cases, but A32 has macro and wide angle lenses.)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget is the primary concern. Choose the Samsung Galaxy A32 for its affordability.
- Scenario 2: Performance is a must. Choose the Google Pixel 8 Pro for its significantly faster processor and smooth experience.
- Scenario 3: Photography is a key factor. Choose the Pixel 8 Pro for its better sensor, telephoto lens, and overall image quality, unless macro and wide angle lenses are required.
- Scenario 4: Long term use and future updates. Choose the Pixel 8 Pro for its newer software and longer update support.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Google Pixel 8 Pro. While it comes with a much higher price tag, the benefits it offers are undeniable. The Pixel 8 Pro's vastly superior performance will ensure a smoother experience for years to come, while the camera is an incredible leap forward with much better results, better low light capabilities, and additional zoom functions. The brighter, sharper display with a smoother refresh rate significantly enhances the viewing experience and it is much better in direct sunlight. Furthermore the Pixel will last for much longer with its future software updates. The fast charging and wireless charging features are significant conveniences in daily use. The Samsung Galaxy A32 is a decent phone for basic use and a very specific need like wide angle and macro photos, but the Google Pixel 8 Pro is significantly better overall and offers a much more premium user experience.
