Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A32 vs. Nothing Phone (2)
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Nothing Phone (2) | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 158.9 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm | 162.1 × 76.4 × 8.6 mm | The Nothing Phone (2) is slightly taller and wider, making it less pocketable for some, with negligible difference in thickness. |
| Weight | 184g | 201.2g | The Galaxy A32 is significantly lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Nothing Phone (2) | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | The Nothing Phone (2) offers a slightly larger viewing area, which is better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Both offer similar sharpness for everyday use. |
| PPI | 411 | 394 | Both have sharp displays, with negligible difference for normal usage. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Nothing Phone (2) offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations, more responsive for gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | The Nothing Phone (2) is significantly brighter and much more usable in direct sunlight. The A32 brightness is unknown. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Nothing Phone (2) | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | The Nothing Phone (2) offers vastly superior performance for demanding tasks, gaming, and future-proofing. |
| AnTuTu Score | 200,458 | 1,135,786 | The Nothing Phone (2) is much faster and more responsive in daily usage, with a significant difference in overall performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 730 | The Nothing Phone (2) offers better graphics performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Nothing Phone (2) | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Rear Standard | 64.2MP f/1.8 | 50MP f/1.88 (1/1.56" Sony IMX890, 1.00 µm pixels) | The Galaxy A32 has a higher MP count, but the Nothing Phone (2) likely has superior image quality due to its larger sensor and better pixel size. |
| Selfie | 20MP f/2.2 | 32MP f/2.45 (1/2.74" Sony IMX615, 0.80 µm pixels) | The Nothing Phone (2) has a higher resolution selfie camera and likely better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle lens | 8MP f/2.2 | N/A | The Galaxy A32 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more in a single shot, absent on Nothing Phone (2) |
| Portrait Mode | 5MP f/2.4 | N/A | The Galaxy A32 has a dedicated portrait lens to capture depth information, absent on Nothing Phone (2) |
| Macro lens | 5MP f/2.4 | N/A | The Galaxy A32 has a dedicated Macro lens to capture tiny details in close-up shots, absent on Nothing Phone (2) |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 50MP f/2.2 (1/2.76" Samsung S5KJN1, 0.64 µm pixels) | The Nothing Phone (2) has a combined wide and macro lens providing versatility. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps, OIS, EIS | The Nothing Phone (2) provides significantly higher quality and stable video capture and more options for different types of video. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Nothing Phone (2) | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4700mAh | The Galaxy A32 has a slightly larger battery that might result in slightly longer battery life, but other factors like processor efficiency play a role. |
| Charging | Li-Ion | 45W fast charging, Li-Ion | The Nothing Phone (2) charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable, 15W wireless charging, 5W reverse wireless | The Nothing Phone (2) has much more convenient charging options. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Nothing Phone (2) | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Operating System | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 (upgradable to 16) | The Nothing Phone (2) offers a more up-to-date OS and will receive more updates, providing access to the latest features and security enhancements. |
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6), Wi-Fi MiMO | The Nothing Phone (2) supports Wi-Fi 6 and MiMO, which means better connectivity, faster speeds and lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | The Nothing Phone (2) supports a newer Bluetooth version, providing a more stable and efficient connection to accessories. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), NavIC | Nothing Phone (2) provides more accurate positioning thanks to more constellations. |
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | The Nothing Phone (2) has larger storage options, allowing users to keep more media, and apps locally. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB | Nothing Phone (2) provides more RAM to handle heavy multitasking and demanding apps and games. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | Basic audio features | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | The Nothing Phone (2) has far better audio quality and recording. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A32 Advantages
- Lighter and more compact: Easier to handle and carry, especially for users with smaller hands.
- Slightly larger battery: Potentially better battery life for those not using their phone intensively.
- Lower price point: It is a more budget-friendly option
- Dedicated Macro and Portrait Lenses: The A32 provides more versatility in the camera lens options
- Wider aperture on main and selfie cameras: May provide some improvement in low-light shots compared to Nothing Phone (2), if software processing can take advantage of this.
Nothing Phone (2) Advantages
- Significantly faster performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset provides much better performance, making it smoother for all use cases, from gaming to browsing.
- Much brighter display: Better outdoor visibility, especially in sunlight.
- Smoother display: 120 Hz refresh rate allows for a smoother user experience
- Superior video capabilities: Supports higher video resolution, better stabilization, and slow motion.
- Faster Charging: 45W Fast Charging capability provides significantly less downtime
- More RAM and internal storage options: Better equipped for multitasking and handling more apps and media.
- Better Connectivity: The Nothing Phone (2) supports newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards
- Enhanced audio quality and microphones: Offers superior sound output and recording.
- More up-to-date software: Comes with Android 13 and is expected to receive more updates.
- Wireless and Reverse charging: The Nothing phone has better charging options.
- Combined Wide Angle and Macro camera: Provides additional versatility
- Higher resolution selfie camera The selfie cam on the nothing phone is significantly better.
Trade-offs
- The Galaxy A32 sacrifices performance and display quality for a lower price and more compact design.
- The Nothing Phone (2) is bulkier and more expensive but offers top-tier performance, display quality, and camera features.
- The Nothing Phone (2) lacks dedicated Macro and Portrait lenses, which the A32 has, but compensates with higher-resolution ultrawide/macro lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A32 Ideal User
- Budget-conscious users: Prioritizing affordability over high-end specs.
- Users with smaller hands: Appreciating a more compact and lightweight phone.
- Casual users: Not demanding heavy performance for gaming or intensive applications.
- Users who prefer additional camera lenses for more versatility
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A32
- Everyday tasks: browsing, social media, calling.
- Basic photography: capturing everyday moments.
- Users who require good battery life but less intensive usage.
- Users who appreciate a simple and lighter design.
Nothing Phone (2) Ideal User
- Performance enthusiasts: Demanding fast processing for gaming and demanding apps.
- Users who prioritize screen quality and brightness: Enjoying media consumption outdoors.
- Photography and videography enthusiasts: Seeking quality camera and video recording.
- Users who want a premium build quality and advanced features.
- Users who require the latest tech, including Wifi 6 and the latest Bluetooth standards.
Use Cases for Nothing Phone (2)
- Gaming: High performance for demanding titles.
- Media creation: Capturing high-quality videos and photos.
- Heavy multitasking: Running multiple apps simultaneously without lag.
- Outdoor usage: The bright display is easy to view in any condition.
- Power users who want all the latest tech features.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- The Samsung Galaxy A32 offers a good value for its price point, providing a reliable phone for basic use.
- The Nothing Phone (2) is more expensive but offers premium features and performance, justifying its price for users who need them.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider
- What is my budget? The Galaxy A32 is significantly cheaper, making it more appealing for those on a strict budget.
- How important is performance and high-end features to me? The Nothing Phone (2) excels in performance, display quality, camera, and software, making it suitable for power users.
- What is my primary use case? If you're a casual user, the A32 is sufficient; if you need cutting-edge tech, the Nothing Phone (2) is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious, Basic User: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A32 for its affordability and adequate performance for everyday tasks.
- Scenario 2: Performance-Oriented User: Choose the Nothing Phone (2) for its powerful processor, superior display, and advanced features.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: Choose the Nothing Phone (2) for its superior image quality and video features, despite the A32's inclusion of dedicated macro and portrait lenses.
- Scenario 4: Need a reliable phone for outdoor usage: The Nothing Phone (2)'s superior screen brightness means it performs much better in direct sunlight.
- Scenario 5: All-Around User: Choose the Nothing Phone (2) as it performs better in all aspects except for battery life, where the difference is negligible.
My Choice
I would choose the Nothing Phone (2). While the Galaxy A32 is a competent phone for basic use, the Nothing Phone (2) offers a significantly better experience in almost every aspect that matters to me. The speed, the display quality, the camera capabilities, better software and the modern connectivity options are all factors that make the Nothing Phone (2) a superior choice. Even though the A32 has an extra macro and depth lens, I prefer the improved performance of the main camera sensor of the Nothing Phone (2). It is a better all-around phone despite the trade-off of a slightly heavier phone.
