Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A32 vs. Motorola Edge 30 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158.9 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm | 163.1 × 76 × 8.8 mm | Motorola is taller, wider, and slightly thicker, making it feel larger. |
| Weight | 184g | 196g | Motorola is heavier, which may be noticeable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | Motorola offers a slightly larger screen, more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same sharp image quality. |
| PPI | 411 | 393 | Very similar pixel density, indiscernible difference in sharpness for most users. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, negligible practical difference. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 144Hz | Motorola has a smoother display for scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is identical. Note that actual brightness is missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G80 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Motorola's chipset offers vastly superior performance for all tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 200,458 | 1,061,400 | Motorola performs much faster in all usage scenarios. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 730 | Motorola's GPU is significantly more powerful, enabling better gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Standard | 64MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55" sensor, 1.00µm pixels | Samsung has higher resolution. Motorola's larger sensor and pixels often perform better in low light. |
| Front Selfie | 20MP, f/2.2 | 60MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" sensor, 0.61µm pixels | Motorola's front camera has significantly higher resolution. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | N/A | Samsung has a dedicated ultrawide lens. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Samsung has higher resolution for portrait depth mapping. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Samsung has a dedicated macro lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76" sensor, 0.64µm pixels | Motorola has a combined wide-angle/macro lens. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps, 1080p@960fps | Motorola captures higher-resolution, smoother videos and has better slow-motion capabilities. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes, with EIS | Motorola has electronic video stabilization (EIS). |
| Slow Motion | 30fps | 960fps | Motorola offers more capable slow-motion recording. |
| DXOMark Score | Not Tested | Overall: 101, Photo: 107, Video: 102 | Motorola has been tested with reasonable camera results. Samsung is unknown. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4800mAh | Samsung offers slightly larger battery, potentially minor difference in battery life. |
| Charging | Li-Ion, | 68W fast charging, Li-Polymer | Motorola's fast charging allows for quick replenishment. |
| Features | Non-removable | Wireless charging 15W, Reverse charging, Non-removable | Motorola has more features, such as wireless charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 13 | Android 12, Upgradable to 13 | Motorola has a more recent OS out of the box. Both can go to Android 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Up to 802.11ac | Up to WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Motorola is compatible with the latest WiFi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 LE | Motorola has a newer version with better efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | Motorola has more advanced GPS features. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both devices have dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Motorola offers larger storage capacity options. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB | Motorola offers more RAM for better multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Motorola offers much better audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Motorola has a more modern side mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Motorola offers better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Samsung includes Hall and Geomagnetic sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A32 Advantages:
- Slightly Larger Battery: Potentially marginal battery life improvement.
- Dedicated Macro and Wide Angle Lenses: Offers more diverse photographic options.
- Lower Price: Generally more affordable than the Motorola Edge 30 Pro.
- Hall and Geomagnetic Sensor: Has extra sensors for more advanced capabilities.
Motorola Edge 30 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset leads to a much faster user experience, including gaming, multitasking, and app loading times.
- Smoother Display: 144Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animations.
- Much Better Camera: Higher-resolution selfie camera, better low-light performance, and vastly superior video recording capabilities (including 8K recording).
- Faster Charging: 68W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Wireless and Reverse Charging: More versatile battery capabilities.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and 3 microphones provide an improved audio experience.
- Newer Bluetooth and WiFi: More modern connectivity standards.
- Larger RAM and Storage Options: Supports demanding tasks and offers greater storage flexibility.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 provides improved durability.
- More Advanced GPS: More accurate and reliable GPS tracking.
Trade-offs:
- Price: The Motorola Edge 30 Pro is more expensive than the Samsung A32.
- Battery Life: Samsung A32 may have marginally longer battery life due to larger battery, but the Motorola’s fast charging compensates to an extent.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: The Samsung A32 offers a dedicated macro lens whereas the Motorola does not.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A32:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like social media, browsing, and casual photography.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday communication and social media use.
- Casual photography with various lens options.
- Users who prefer a slightly more compact and lightweight device.
- Price-to-Value: Good value for those on a tight budget, provided they don't require high performance or high-end camera features.
Motorola Edge 30 Pro:
- Ideal User: Users who value performance, gaming, photography, and multimedia consumption, and who are willing to pay more for those features.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and other demanding apps.
- High-quality photography and video recording, including professional-level video.
- Multimedia consumption with excellent audio.
- Power users who multitask frequently.
- Price-to-Value: A high-value offering for power users and those who demand the best performance, camera quality, and advanced features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Performance Needs: How important is performance for gaming, multitasking, and app loading?
- Camera Requirements: How much importance do you place on photo and video quality, especially in low light conditions?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Budget-Constrained User: If your budget is very tight, the Samsung Galaxy A32 is a decent budget option. However, be prepared for significant performance differences compared to more expensive phones.
Performance Enthusiast: If you want the fastest performance, the best display, and top-tier camera, the Motorola Edge 30 Pro is the clear winner despite it being more costly.
Casual User: If you prioritize moderate performance, a versatile camera setup (with macro lens) and are not too demanding about gaming, the Samsung Galaxy A32 is a good choice.
Multimedia Lovers: If you watch videos often, game on your phone, and value excellent sound, the Motorola Edge 30 Pro is the better option due to its screen and audio quality.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would select the Motorola Edge 30 Pro. Here's why:
- Performance is King: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 offers a significantly smoother and more responsive experience that I value highly. I want my phone to handle anything I throw at it without lagging. The difference in AnTuTu scores and GPU power is substantial and would have a significant day-to-day impact.
- Camera Quality Matters: While I appreciate the versatility of the A32, the Motorola's superior sensor, video recording capabilities (8K, high slow-motion) and the better selfie camera makes a significant difference.
- Future-Proofing: The Motorola's more modern specifications (WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2) provide a more future-proof investment that will remain relevant for longer.
- Multimedia Experience: The 144Hz display and better audio would greatly enhance my multimedia consumption, which I do daily.
While the Samsung A32 is a respectable phone for its price, the vast difference in performance, camera quality, and overall user experience makes the extra cost of the Motorola Edge 30 Pro worth it for me. The faster charging and wireless charging would be highly useful in day to day scenarios.
