Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A32 vs. Motorola Edge 20
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158.9 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm, 184g | 163 × 76 × 7 mm, 163g | Edge 20 is taller, wider, and significantly thinner and lighter, making it more pocketable and comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | Edge 20 has a slightly larger screen, providing a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer similar sharpness. |
| PPI | 411 | 385 | A32 has slightly higher pixel density, which may result in marginally sharper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both use high-quality display technology with vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 144Hz | Edge 20 provides noticeably smoother scrolling, animations, and a more responsive feel, especially in gaming and fast-paced apps. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is not specified, making it hard to compare visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G80 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | Edge 20 offers significantly faster processing speeds, leading to smoother multitasking, quicker app launches, and improved gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 200,458 | 589,200 | Edge 20 provides nearly 3x the benchmark performance, offering a much snappier user experience. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 642L | Edge 20's GPU is substantially more powerful, resulting in better graphics in games and other demanding applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64.2MP, f/1.8 | 108MP, f/1.9 | Edge 20 offers significantly higher resolution for more detailed shots. A32 has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.3 | Edge 20 has higher resolution for sharper selfies. A32 has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.4 | Edge 20 has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, allowing for better zoom quality compared to digital zoom on the A32. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | None | A32 has a dedicated wide-angle lens, useful for capturing broader scenes. |
| Portrait Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | A32 includes a dedicated portrait lens to help better depth effect in portrait photos. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | A32 includes a dedicated macro lens for close up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 16MP, f/2.2 | Edge 20 has a combo wide-angle and macro lens, useful for broad scenes and close up shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | Edge 20 can record higher-resolution video and higher frame rates, resulting in better quality and smoother videos. |
| Camera Features | Quad, Digital, Autofocus etc. | Triple, 4K, Optical, Digital, EIS, Manual etc. | Edge 20 has more advanced features like optical zoom, 4K video, and image stabilization, while A32 has a quadruple camera setup. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4020mAh | A32 has a larger battery, likely providing longer battery life between charges. |
| Charging | Li-Ion, No Fast Charge | 30W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | Edge 20 has faster charging for quickly topping up battery. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Edge 20 can be used to charge other devices (reverse charging), but both have non-removable batteries. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, max 13 | Android 11, max 12 | A32 can be updated to a newer android version than the Edge 20, which can be important for security and new features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi ac | Wi-Fi 6 (ax) | Edge 20 supports the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard for faster wireless speeds, better range and improved network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Edge 20 has a more modern bluetooth version, that provides more energy efficiency. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128GB | 128/256GB | Edge 20 offers 256 GB of storage which is double the max internal storage offered by A32. |
| RAM | 4/6/8GB | 6/8GB | Both offer similar RAM capabilities for multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device offers the possibility of extending storage with external memory cards. |
| Audio | Basic audio features | Basic audio features | Both phones provide a similar basic audio experience. |
| Security | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Motorola Edge 20 has an upgraded side mounted fingerprint scanner compared to a basic fingerprint scanner on Samsung A32 |
| Build Quality | Unknown screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Motorola Edge 20 screen has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity, Proximity, Fingerprint | Both phones offer a wide range of sensors, with slight variations. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Edge 20 Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 778G chipset offers much better performance than the Helio G80, which results in significantly better user experience.
- Smoother Display: 144Hz refresh rate offers a much smoother user experience compared to the 90Hz display of the A32.
- Advanced Camera Features: 4K video, optical zoom, and EIS provide more versatility.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging for quicker battery replenishment.
- More Storage: Offers a 256 GB storage option.
- Newer Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 for faster, more reliable connections.
- Better Design: Significantly thinner and lighter which makes it more comfortable for carrying and holding.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
Samsung Galaxy A32 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: A 5000mAh battery offers better potential for longer battery life.
- Dedicated Lenses: Dedicated wide-angle, portrait, and macro lenses offer more flexibility for specific types of shots.
- Upgraded OS: OS can be updated to a newer version (Android 13).
Trade-offs:
- Edge 20 prioritizes performance, camera, and design at the expense of battery life.
- A32 prioritizes a larger battery, dedicated macro, portrait and wide angle lenses and a possible newer OS version but compromises on performance and camera features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy A32:
- Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and versatility in camera lenses.
- Users who consume a lot of media (videos, social media) and need a phone that lasts the day, but are not sensitive to refresh rate.
- Users who want flexibility in lens selection for different shooting scenarios.
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A32:
- All-day use with minimal charging.
- Casual photography where the flexibility of multiple lenses matters.
- Everyday social media consumption and browsing.
Ideal Users for Motorola Edge 20:
- Performance-oriented users who prioritize speed, fluidity, and responsiveness.
- Gamers who need smooth gameplay and fast graphics.
- Users who value a thinner, lighter design for comfortable handling.
- Users who want better video recording capabilities or more flexible zoom options.
- Users that will utilize the higher wifi capabilities.
Use Cases for Motorola Edge 20:
- Playing demanding mobile games and running resource-intensive apps.
- Taking high-quality photos and videos with better zoom capabilities and stabilization.
- Daily usage where speed and responsiveness are important.
- Utilizing reverse charging capabilities.
- Taking advantage of the latest in wifi technology.
Price-to-Value:
- The Motorola Edge 20 justifies a higher price with its superior performance, display, and camera capabilities.
- The Samsung Galaxy A32 is likely more affordable, making it a better value for users on a tighter budget.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance and speed to you? (If it's a priority, the Edge 20 is the clear choice)
- Do you prioritize battery life, or faster charging? (A32 has longer life but Edge 20 charges faster.)
- Which camera features are more important to you? (Edge 20 has better video and zoom, A32 has more individual lenses.)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious Casual User: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A32 for its larger battery, versatility in lens selection and lower cost.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer/Heavy User: Choose the Motorola Edge 20 for its superior performance, smoother display, and higher video quality.
- Scenario 3: Daily User Who Values Speed and Handling: Choose the Motorola Edge 20 for the faster performance, better connectivity and the lighter, thinner design.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Motorola Edge 20. Although the A32 has a larger battery, the overall user experience of the Edge 20 is significantly better due to its superior performance, smoother 144Hz display, and more advanced camera capabilities, such as 4K video and optical zoom. The Edge 20 is also thinner and lighter, and has better screen protection, making it more comfortable for daily use. The slightly smaller battery is an acceptable trade-off for me considering the phone's ability to quick charge, and the gains in performance and features.
