Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A32 vs. Nokia G21
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Nokia G21 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-02-25 | 2022-02-15 | Nokia G21 is newer by 11 months, 21 days |
| Dimensions | 158.9 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm | 164.6 x 75.9 x 8.5 mm | Nokia G21 is slightly larger and may feel less comfortable in hand for some users. |
| Weight | 184g | 190g | Samsung Galaxy A32 is slightly lighter, which might be noticeable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.5" | Minimal difference in screen size. Both provide an immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 720 x 1600 | Samsung Galaxy A32 has a sharper display with significantly more detail, better for reading text, watching high-resolution videos. |
| PPI | 411 | 270 | Samsung Galaxy A32 has higher pixel density, resulting in crisper images and text. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Samsung Galaxy A32's AMOLED offers deeper blacks, better contrast, more vibrant colors, and superior power efficiency. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both phones offer smoother scrolling and animations compared to standard 60Hz displays. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Brightness information is missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G80 | Unisoc T606 | Different chipsets. Real-world performance may vary. |
| AnTuTu Score | 200,458 | 253,300 | Nokia G21 is expected to offer slightly faster app loading, smoother operation in general tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G57 MP1 | Different GPUs. Real-world gaming performance may vary. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Samsung Galaxy A32 offers higher resolution, but sensor quality is not specified. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Samsung Galaxy A32 has higher resolution, Nokia G21 has wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | Not Available | Samsung Galaxy A32 provides wider field of view for landscape photography. |
| Portrait Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Samsung Galaxy A32 offers better depth information for portrait photography. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Samsung Galaxy A32 captures more detailed close-up images. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Similar video recording quality for social media sharing. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5050mAh | Both phones offer similar battery capacity, ensuring full-day use for most users. |
| Charging | Li-Ion | 18W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | Nokia G21 supports faster charging, which is convenient for quickly topping up the battery. |
| In-Box Charger | Not Available | 10W | Nokia G21 includes a 10W charger in the box. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 | Both phones started with Android 11 and can upgrade to Android 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n | Samsung Galaxy A32 supports newer WiFi standard (Wi-Fi ac) which can provide faster speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 LE | Samsung Galaxy A32 has more Bluetooth profile options. Nokia G21 has low energy Bluetooth |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128GB | 64/128GB | Both phones offer the same storage options. |
| RAM | 4/6/8GB | 4/6GB | Samsung Galaxy A32 offers an 8GB RAM option for heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Features | Basic Audio Features | 2 microphones | Nokia G21 has better audio recording capability |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Nokia G21 provides a more advanced fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Samsung Galaxy A32 offers more sensors for advanced features and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A32 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with higher resolution and pixel density provides a much better visual experience with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and sharper text.
- Camera Versatility: Features a dedicated wide-angle lens, and higher-resolution main, portrait, macro and selfie cameras for more creative photography options.
- More RAM Options: Up to 8GB of RAM for smoother multitasking and running demanding apps, making it suitable for gaming and heavy users.
- Advanced Sensors: Includes a gyroscope and compass, useful for gaming and AR applications.
- Faster WiFi: Supports Wi-Fi ac which can provide faster speeds than Wi-Fi n on Nokia G21
Nokia G21 Advantages:
- Faster Performance: Slightly better benchmark scores suggest a snappier user experience for everyday tasks.
- Fast Charging: Supports 18W fast charging, enabling quicker battery top-ups which is convenient for users on the go.
- Included Charger: Comes with a 10W charger in the box, a small cost saving for the buyer.
- Better audio recording: 2 Microphones for better audio recording.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More modern and ergonomic fingerprint sensor
- Low Energy Bluetooth: A more battery efficient bluetooth connection
Trade-offs:
- The Nokia G21 sacrifices display quality (lower resolution, IPS LCD) for slightly better performance.
- The Samsung Galaxy A32 lacks fast charging and a charger in the box but offers a better display and more versatile camera setup.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A32 Ideal User:
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize display quality for watching videos, browsing photos, or playing graphically intensive games.
- Photography Lovers: Users who enjoy capturing a wide variety of photos, including landscapes, portraits, and close-ups.
- Multitaskers: Users who switch between multiple apps or engage in heavy app usage benefit from the 8GB RAM option.
- Gamers: With the gyroscope and better GPU, some games may perform better on A32.
Nokia G21 Ideal User:
- Everyday Users: Individuals who want a reliable phone for daily tasks like messaging, social media, and web browsing.
- Value-Conscious Buyers: Users who prefer slightly better performance and battery and a charger in the box.
- Practical Users: Those who prioritize faster charging and better audio for better phone calls.
- Light Gamers: Users who don't play demanding games often and would benefit from fast charging.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Display Quality: How important is having a vibrant, high-resolution screen for your usage? (e.g. watching videos, browsing photos)
- Camera Versatility: Do you need a wide-angle lens and more creative camera options, or is a basic camera setup sufficient?
- Battery Convenience: Do you prioritize fast charging or a longer lasting battery?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Multimedia & Photography Focused
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A32 is the better choice due to its superior display and more versatile camera system.
- Scenario 2: Everyday Use & Battery Convenience
- Recommendation: Nokia G21 is recommended for slightly better performance and faster charging.
- Scenario 3: Gaming
- Recommendation: Samsung A32 for gyroscope, and more ram options.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would personally choose the Samsung Galaxy A32. The primary reason is the vastly superior AMOLED display. For me, the viewing experience is a critical factor, and the A32's screen with higher resolution, better contrast and deeper blacks will make a more enjoyable user experience. While the Nokia G21 has benefits like fast charging and slightly better benchmark scores, these do not outweigh the visual experience provided by the A32's display.
Furthermore, having more options and capabilities in the camera system provides more creative control for photography. Although the A32 is not a 'gaming' phone, the gyro and compass and extra ram would also make it suitable for that use if needed. Overall, I value display quality and camera versatility more than the slight performance advantage and fast charging on the Nokia G21.
