1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Motorola Edge 40 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-02-25 | 2023-05-04 | Motorola Edge 40 is significantly newer, meaning potentially better software support and access to more current features. |
| Dimensions | 158.9 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm | 158.4 x 72 x 7.6 mm | Motorola Edge 40 is slightly thinner and narrower, making it potentially more comfortable to hold and pocket. |
| Weight | 184g | 167g | Motorola Edge 40 is noticeably lighter, which can improve comfort during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.55" | Motorola Edge 40 has a slightly larger screen, offering a marginally more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Both have the same sharpness, meaning detail levels will be comparable. |
| Pixel Density | 411 PPI | 402 PPI | Virtually identical pixel density, so sharpness is comparable. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, but P-OLED might offer more flexibility in design. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 144Hz | Motorola Edge 40 provides significantly smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience especially in gaming or fast-paced apps. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | Motorola Edge 40's display is much brighter, making it significantly easier to see under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G80 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 8020 (6 nm) | Motorola Edge 40's newer, more efficient chipset results in significantly better performance, including faster app loading and better gaming capabilities. |
| AnTuTu Score | 200,458 | 762,526 | Motorola Edge 40 demonstrates dramatically higher performance, making it much smoother for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G77 MC9 | Motorola Edge 40 has a substantially more powerful GPU, resulting in better gaming performance and graphics handling. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4400 mAh | Samsung Galaxy A32 has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life between charges. |
| Charging | Li-Ion | 68W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | Motorola Edge 40 offers much faster charging, allowing for quicker top-ups and less downtime. It also uses the newer Li-Polymer technology. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, 15W Wireless Charging | Motorola Edge 40 offers the convenience of wireless charging, a feature not present on the A32. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64.2MP f/1.8 | 50MP f/1.4 | Motorola Edge 40 has a wider aperture, which allows more light in for better low-light photos, while the A32 has higher resolution for potentially more detailed images in good light. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP f/2.2 | 32MP f/2.4 | Motorola Edge 40 offers higher resolution for potentially sharper selfies, but the A32 has a slightly wider aperture for potentially better low-light results. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP f/2.2 | None | Samsung Galaxy A32 offers a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more in the scene. |
| Portrait Lens | 5MP f/2.4 | None | Samsung Galaxy A32 includes a dedicated portrait depth sensor. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP f/2.4 | None | Samsung Galaxy A32 includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP f/2.2 | Motorola Edge 40 offers a combined wide-angle and macro lens. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps, multiple 1080p modes including 120 fps and slow motion at 720p@960fps | Motorola Edge 40 provides much higher quality video recording with higher resolutions, faster frame rates and better slow motion options |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Dual camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | Motorola Edge 40 has more advanced camera features including OIS and better low-light options |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 (upgradable to 15) | Motorola Edge 40 has a newer OS out of the box and will receive more updates in the future, offering more features and security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Up to Wi-Fi 5 | Up to Wi-Fi 6 | Motorola Edge 40 supports faster and more stable Wi-Fi connections with Wi-Fi 6. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | Motorola Edge 40 has a newer Bluetooth version, offering better power efficiency and more advanced audio codec support. |
| GPS | Standard GPS suite | Enhanced GPS with dual-band support | Motorola Edge 40 has better location accuracy with dual-band GPS and additional features. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Motorola Edge 40 supports eSIM for more flexibility, while the A32 supports two physical SIM cards. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 256GB | Motorola Edge 40 provides a much larger default storage option. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 8GB | Motorola Edge 40 offers a minimum of 8GB of RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Motorola Edge 40 offers a more immersive audio experience with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint sensor | Standard | Standard | Both offer basic fingerprint security. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The A32 features Hall and Geomagnetic sensors for additional functionalities |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Edge 40 Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Dimensity 8020 chipset in the Edge 40 provides much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
- Enhanced Display: The 144Hz refresh rate provides a much smoother user experience. The higher brightness is also a major advantage in outdoor conditions.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: 68W fast charging and 15W wireless charging offer greater convenience and less downtime compared to the A32.
- Better Camera Capabilities: While the A32 has more lenses, the Edge 40's main camera has a wider aperture, OIS, and better video capabilities (4K recording), resulting in better overall image quality, especially in low light.
- Newer Software & Features: The Edge 40 has a newer OS and will likely receive updates for longer, offering better features and security. It also has newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards.
- Larger Storage Option: The Edge 40 has a default storage of 256GB, whereas the A32 offers 64 GB or 128GB
- Better Audio: The Dolby Atmos speakers provide better audio quality.
Samsung Galaxy A32 Advantages:
- Potentially Longer Battery Life: The 5000mAh battery could offer longer usage time compared to the Edge 40's 4400mAh battery.
- Dedicated Lens Set: The A32 has dedicated wide-angle, macro, and depth sensors, which can appeal to users who enjoy taking a variety of photos with different lens perspectives.
- Geomagnetic and Hall sensors: The A32 features additional sensors that could be useful for specific use-cases.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy A32 offers a potentially longer battery life, but it trades performance and screen quality compared to the Motorola Edge 40.
- The Motorola Edge 40 does not offer a dedicated set of lenses, opting instead for a combined wide-angle/macro lens, which could be a trade-off for users who like dedicated lens features.
- The Motorola Edge 40 sacrifices some battery capacity for better performance, and a better screen and camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A32:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and are less demanding in terms of performance. Users who enjoy various camera lenses and don't require high-performance.
- Use Cases: Basic daily tasks, casual photography, media consumption, and individuals who don't require high gaming or multitasking capabilities.
Motorola Edge 40:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, display quality, and camera capabilities and value fast charging and better overall smoothness in daily tasks. Users who appreciate premium audio and video capabilities.
- Use Cases: Gaming, fast-paced multitasking, content creation, and users who require a smoother experience and better image quality. Ideal for travelers due to fast charging and better connectivity.
Price-to-Value:
- The Motorola Edge 40 offers a better value proposition for users seeking a higher-performance, more versatile experience with a much better display, camera capabilities, and faster charging.
- The Samsung Galaxy A32 offers good value for the price to users whose priorities are primarily battery life and a wider variety of camera lenses.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is more important: performance and a better display or battery life? If you prioritize smooth performance and a superior visual experience, the Motorola Edge 40 is the better option. If you want the longest possible battery life and are comfortable with less processing power, consider the Samsung Galaxy A32.
- How important are high-end camera features, fast charging, and wireless charging? If you want versatile, better quality images, especially in low light and convenience features such as fast and wireless charging, the Motorola Edge 40 is the clear choice. The Galaxy A32 offers a different kind of versatility with its multi-lens set-up, but less capable quality and no charging features.
- What is my budget and how much do I value future-proofing? If your budget is tight, the A32 may be attractive, however the Edge 40 offers newer tech and is a more future-proof device, if your budget allows.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Heavy Gaming/Multitasking): Choose the Motorola Edge 40 for its superior performance, higher refresh rate display, and better graphics capabilities.
- Scenario 2 (Casual Use with Long Battery Needs): The Samsung Galaxy A32 can be adequate, if basic tasks, battery and variety of lenses are your focus.
- Scenario 3 (Photography Enthusiast): The Motorola Edge 40 is a better option with better quality and more advanced features overall. The Samsung Galaxy A32 might be preferred by users who want dedicated macro and depth sensors, but it may not perform as well in low light or video scenarios.
- Scenario 4 (Frequent Travelers): The Motorola Edge 40, with its faster charging, better connectivity (Wi-Fi 6), and eSIM support, offers more convenience and advanced features.
My Choice:
I would choose the Motorola Edge 40. While the Samsung Galaxy A32 has a larger battery and a greater variety of dedicated lenses, the Edge 40 offers a significantly superior user experience. The combination of a much more powerful chipset, a smoother 144Hz display with far better brightness, substantially better camera capabilities including video, faster charging and wireless charging, and a newer OS makes it a significantly more compelling device for most users. I would much prefer the higher quality photos, smoother performance and enhanced overall capabilities over a small gain in battery life and having some additional but not necessarily better camera lenses. The Edge 40 provides better value for users looking for a long lasting and high-quality device.
