Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A32 vs. OnePlus Nord 2T
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A32 and OnePlus Nord 2T, focusing on real-world implications:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | OnePlus Nord 2T | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158.9 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm | 159.1 × 73.2 × 8.2 mm | Similar size, Nord 2T is slightly thinner (0.2mm), A32 slightly more comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 184g | 190g | A32 is slightly lighter (6g), which is negligible, especially for daily usage. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.43" | Virtually identical screen sizes; not noticeable for daily use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness and clarity. Both offer a good display for general use. |
| PPI | 411 | 409 | Very similar pixel density; displays will appear equally sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, typical of AMOLED panels. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Smooth scrolling experience on both phones. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is unknown, but both should be similar. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G80 (12nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1300 (6nm) | Nord 2T's chipset is significantly more powerful and efficient, leading to faster performance, better gaming, and improved multitasking capabilities. |
| Antutu Score | 200,458 | 699,576 | Nord 2T is much faster; expect a huge difference in app loading, multitasking and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G77 MC9 | Nord 2T's GPU is much more powerful, crucial for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | A32 has a slightly larger battery (500mAh), potentially better battery life under similar usage. |
| Charging | Li-Ion, 15W | 80W fast charging, Li-Polymer | Nord 2T has significantly faster charging, reducing downtime dramatically, and uses Li-Polymer battery (typically faster charging and longer lifespan) |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both have non-removable batteries. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" sensor, Sony IMX766, 1.00 µm pixels | Nord 2T's larger sensor size and pixel size, along with the Sony IMX766 sensor, should result in better low-light performance, even with a lower megapixel count than A32. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/2.74" sensor, Sony IMX615, 0.80 µm pixels | Nord 2T has higher resolution and a dedicated sensor, likely capturing more detailed selfies, while A32 has wider aperture, thus better low light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Similar wide-angle capabilities on both phones. |
| Portrait Camera | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | A32 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, while Nord 2T lacks this dedicated camera. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | A32 offers a dedicated macro lens, which is missing on Nord 2T. |
| Black & White | N/A | 2MP, f/2.2 | Nord 2T has a dedicated B&W camera for artistic shots. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, No stabilization | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps with EIS, 1080p@480fps with EIS | Nord 2T offers significantly better video capabilities with higher resolution, multiple frame rates, and image stabilization, making it suitable for more serious videography. |
| DxOMark | N/A | Mobile: 114 (Photo:119, Video: 123) | Nord 2T has a tested camera, scoring well in both photo and video, unlike the A32 which was not tested by dxoMark. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Digital zoom, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Triple camera, 4K Video, Digital zoom, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Night Mode | Nord 2T has a more advanced camera system, with features like OIS, PDAF, and Night mode, leading to better photos and videos under various conditions. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (max 13) | Android 12 (max 14) | Nord 2T has a newer OS and a guaranteed upgrade path, whereas A32 is one version older. This typically implies longer software support and more features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6), Dual band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, Wi-Fi MiMO | Nord 2T supports the newer WiFi 6 standard, thus faster connections, higher stability. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, MAP, PAN, OPP, PBAP/PAB, HOGP | 5.2 LE, A2DP, EDR, LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Nord 2T has a more modern Bluetooth version with better codec support, leading to a more reliable and feature-rich wireless audio experience. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), NavIC System | Nord 2T has more advanced GPS, offering better accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both phones offer dual SIM functionality, ideal for users needing multiple numbers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | Nord 2T offers significantly larger storage options, allowing users to store more media and apps without running out of space. |
| RAM | 4 GB or 6 GB or 8 GB | 8 GB or 12 GB | Nord 2T provides more RAM, resulting in smoother multitasking and better performance in demanding apps and games. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither device has a microSD card slot, thus no storage expansion is possible. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic Audio Features | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Nord 2T has an edge in sound experience. It has a better audio for calls, better quality for media consumption using stereo speakers, thus improved immersion. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Similar fingerprint tech for basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Nord 2T provides superior protection for its screen against scratches and impacts |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | A32 has additional sensors: Hall and Geomagnetic |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A32 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers a slight edge in longevity for users who prioritize battery life over fast charging.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Lenses: Offers a macro lens and a depth sensor, which the Nord 2T lacks.
Hall and Geomagnetic Sensors: A32 offers more sensors than Nord 2T. OnePlus Nord 2T Advantages:
Superior Performance: The Dimensity 1300 chipset and significantly higher Antutu score result in much faster and smoother performance.
- Faster Charging: 80W fast charging dramatically reduces charging times, a key convenience factor.
- Better Main Camera Sensor: The Sony IMX766 sensor, along with larger pixel size provides much better low light camera quality.
- Superior Video Quality: Nord 2T offers 4K video recording with EIS, plus higher framerate recording, which is excellent for video recording.
- Newer OS and Software Updates: Android 12 and guaranteed upgrade to Android 14 offers a more modern experience with longer support.
- Faster WiFi: WiFi 6 capability offers increased speed and stability for connected devices.
- Stereo Speakers: Enhanced audio experience with stereo speakers, for a richer audio consumption experience.
- Screen Protection: Uses Corning Gorilla Glass 5, making the screen more durable.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy A32: Sacrifices performance and faster charging for a slightly larger battery and additional camera sensors.
- OnePlus Nord 2T: Loses the dedicated macro and depth lens, and slightly reduced battery capacity for significantly better performance, charging, camera, and audio.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A32 Ideal Users:
- Casual Users: Users who prioritize battery life over performance and rarely perform resource-intensive tasks.
- Budget-Conscious: Users seeking a balance of features at a lower price point.
Photography Enthusiasts (Basic): Users who enjoy having a variety of lens options, including macro and depth sensors.
Specific Use Cases:
- Social media browsing
- Basic photography with macro shots and portraits
- Long battery life for extended usage
- Simple gaming
OnePlus Nord 2T Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Users who demand fast performance, smooth multitasking, and gaming capabilities.
- Content Creators: Users who need a versatile camera system with good video capabilities.
- Users who prioritize fast charging: Those who want to quickly charge the phone before heading out the door.
- Multimedia Consumers: People who value high-quality audio using stereo speakers.
- Specific Use Cases:
- Gaming, especially graphic intensive games
- Video recording for vlogging or content creation
- Quickly charging the device
- Streaming movies or music
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The OnePlus Nord 2T offers significantly better value for performance and camera features, justifying a higher price. The A32 offers a better value for those with more limited budgets, while still providing useful features.
4. Decision Framework
Here are 3 key questions for buyers to consider:
- What is your primary use case?
- If it's basic usage and battery life is critical: The Samsung Galaxy A32 is suitable.
- If it's gaming, photography/videography, or heavy multitasking: The OnePlus Nord 2T is recommended.
- How important is fast charging to you?
- If fast charging isn't a priority: The A32 with it's larger battery is acceptable.
- If you value a quick recharge: The OnePlus Nord 2T with its 80W charging is a must.
- What is your budget?
- If you are on a tight budget: The Samsung A32 offers better value, if the tradeoff in performance and features is acceptable.
- If you can spend more for better performance and features: The OnePlus Nord 2T is a better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget User): A user who primarily browses the internet, uses social media, and watches videos occasionally will find the Samsung Galaxy A32 a decent choice because of the bigger battery. However, it should be noted the performance will be considerably slower compared to the Nord 2T, as well as a worse camera, thus sacrificing quality.
- Scenario 2 (Multimedia User): Someone who games, watches a lot of videos and streams, will find the OnePlus Nord 2T to be a much better choice due to its stereo speakers, faster performance and superior display. In this scenario, the Nord 2T is far better suited.
- Scenario 3 (Content Creator): A user who records many videos, photos or vlogs would be much better served with the OnePlus Nord 2T, due to its superior camera quality, OIS and better recording capabilities.
- Scenario 4 (Power User): Users who play lots of games and multitask will find the OnePlus Nord 2T is the only viable option here. It's much more powerful, has much more RAM and is much better optimized for these types of heavy tasks.
My Choice and Why
Given my preferences, I would choose the OnePlus Nord 2T. Although the Samsung Galaxy A32 has its merits with a slightly larger battery, the Nord 2T is superior in almost every other aspect that matters to me. The significantly improved performance, faster charging, superior main camera with OIS, and better video capabilities make it the clear winner for my usage patterns. Additionally, the stereo speakers enhance my daily media consumption experience, and I value that, and the fact that the Nord 2T offers a much better protected screen, thanks to Gorilla Glass 5. Although I would miss the macro and depth lenses, it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make given the numerous advantages the Nord 2T provides, and I'd much rather have a better main camera than a macro lens. Therefore, the OnePlus Nord 2T is my choice, due to the significant advantages it provides in key areas.
