1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Realme 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 158.9 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm | 161.5 x 74 x 8.8 mm | Realme 12 Pro+ is slightly taller and thicker, potentially feeling a bit larger in hand and pocket. |
| Weight | 184g | 196g | Samsung Galaxy A32 is lighter; 12g difference might be noticeable during extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Realme 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | Realme 12 Pro+ offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Both offer similar sharpness; differences are negligible in daily use. |
| PPI | 411 | 394 | Pixel density is very similar; both displays will look sharp to the human eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Realme 12 Pro+ provides a smoother visual experience, especially in scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is identical. Missing value, making comparison impossible. Unable to determine how visible the displays would be in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Realme 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G80 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) | Realme 12 Pro+’s chipset is significantly more powerful and efficient, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 200,458 | 603,400 | Realme 12 Pro+ demonstrates much higher performance, indicating a very significant difference in speed and overall responsiveness. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 710 | Realme 12 Pro+’s GPU is more powerful for better gaming and graphic-intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Realme 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64.2MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8, Sony IMX890, 1/1.56" sensor, 1.00 µm pixel size | Samsung has slightly higher resolution, but Realme’s larger sensor and pixel size, along with Sony sensor typically result in better low-light performance and image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.4, Sony IMX615, 1/2.74", 0.80 µm pixel size | Realme 12 Pro+ offers higher resolution for sharper selfies. Samsung A32 has slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 64MP, f/2.6, Omnivision OV64B, 1/2", 0.70 µm pixel size | Realme 12 Pro+ has a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom capabilities, which the Samsung lacks. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | N/A | Samsung has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing expansive scenes; the Realme 12 Pro+ lacks this feature. |
| Portrait mode (depth) lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Samsung A32 has a dedicated depth sensor for creating blurred background effects (bokeh), which the Realme lacks. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A32 has a dedicated Macro lens for extreme close-up shots; the Realme 12 Pro+ lacks this feature. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2, Hynix HI-846, 1/4", 1.12 µm pixel size | Realme 12 Pro+ has a combination lens for Wide and Macro shots. This setup offers slightly more versatility while the Samsung A32 has a dedicated wide and a dedicated macro lens. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, No stabilization, Slow-motion: No, 30 fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps with EIS, Slow-motion: Yes, 240 fps | Realme 12 Pro+ offers significantly better video capabilities with 4K recording, electronic stabilization, and superior slow-motion support. |
| 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, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW | The Realme 12 Pro+ has more advanced video and camera capabilities with 4K Video, optical zoom and OIS, and the ability to save photos in RAW. Samsung has a basic quadruple camera setup, with separate wide, macro and depth sensors that the Realme 12 Pro+ lacks. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Realme 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should offer similar battery life under typical usage. |
| Charging | Li-Ion | 67W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | Realme 12 Pro+ has much faster charging, meaning less time plugged into the wall. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A32 Advantages
- Lighter and Slightly Smaller: More comfortable for one-handed use and easier to carry around.
- Dedicated wide-angle, macro, and depth cameras: Provides better capabilities for each specific type of shot; wider FOV, extreme close up, and portrait shots with bokeh.
- Lower Price: Likely more budget-friendly, appealing to those with price constraints.
Realme 12 Pro+ Advantages
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset offers a significant leap in speed and efficiency.
- Better Display: Higher refresh rate leads to a smoother user experience.
- Advanced Camera System: Offers a telephoto lens, higher selfie resolution, better video recording capabilities, and features like OIS and RAW support.
- Faster Charging: 67W charging drastically reduces downtime.
- Better audio experience: Offers enhanced audio experience with Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, noise-cancellation microphone, and stereo speakers.
- Newer Software: Comes with a newer version of Android.
- More RAM: Offers up to 12 GB of RAM compared to Samsung's 8GB, providing better multitasking capabilities.
- More Storage: Offers up to 512 GB of internal storage compared to Samsung's 128GB maximum storage.
Significant Trade-offs
- Samsung Galaxy A32: Trades performance and advanced camera features for a lower price and lighter build.
- Realme 12 Pro+: Trades compact size and separate macro, wide, and depth sensors for better processing power, display refresh rate, advanced camera features, and faster charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A32
- Ideal Users: Budget-conscious users, those who prioritize a lightweight device, casual users who primarily browse social media and take occasional photos. Users who need a wide angle camera, or prefer dedicated depth and macro cameras.
- Use Cases: Everyday tasks, web browsing, social media, taking casual photos, making calls, basic gaming.
- Strengths: Affordable, lighter, simpler camera setup (with dedicated wide, macro, and depth).
- Weaknesses: Significantly less powerful, older software, slower charging.
Realme 12 Pro+
- Ideal Users: Users who prioritize performance, advanced camera features, faster charging, and a smoother display experience.
- Use Cases: Gaming, content creation, photography, videography, heavy multitasking, streaming, users who consume a lot of media, general mobile power users.
- Strengths: Powerful performance, advanced camera system with telephoto, fast charging, better display, enhanced audio features.
- Weaknesses: Slightly larger and heavier, no dedicated macro or wide-angle camera.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Performance Needs: Do you require high performance for gaming or demanding applications, or will basic usage suffice?
- Camera Requirements: Do you need advanced features like optical zoom, 4K video, or a dedicated wide-angle lens?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Use If budget is the primary concern and you only need a phone for basic tasks, the Samsung Galaxy A32 is more suitable.
- Scenario 2: Performance & Camera Focus: If you value smooth performance, good video recording, and advanced camera features, the Realme 12 Pro+ is the better option despite its slightly larger size and higher price.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If you want a more versatile camera with OIS and better video features the Realme 12 Pro+ is the better pick, but if you need a dedicated wide angle, macro and depth camera you'll need to stick with the Samsung A32.
- Scenario 4: Gaming and Multitasking: If you are going to be multitasking and playing games the Realme 12 Pro+ is the better phone due to its higher performance and RAM.
My Choice
If I had to choose between the two, I would pick the Realme 12 Pro+. The difference in performance is very significant, making the phone much more enjoyable to use. The display is also better with its higher refresh rate. I also find the more advanced camera system to be more versatile with the telephoto lens, optical zoom and OIS. While I do appreciate the presence of dedicated wide, macro, and depth sensors in the Samsung A32, the better image quality, higher video resolution and quality, and optical zoom of the Realme 12 Pro+ are more useful features for me, outweighing the trade-off. Additionally, the fast charging feature and more up-to-date software is a big plus. Although the Realme 12 Pro+ is a bit larger and heavier, the overall performance and features would make the trade-off worth it.
