1. Specifications Comparison
Design & Build
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Realme 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 158.9 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | Realme 8 is slightly taller (1.7 mm) and thinner (0.4 mm). Minimal difference, likely not noticeable to most users. |
| Weight | 184g | 177g | Realme 8 is 7g lighter, might be noticeable in extended use and easier for one-handed operation. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Realme 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.4" | 6.4" | Identical screen size; no difference in viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical resolution; both offer sharp image quality for their size. |
| PPI | 411 | 411 | Identical pixel density; screen clarity should be similar. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 60Hz | Samsung A32 offers smoother scrolling and animations, which is more fluid and responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1000 nits | Realme 8 screen will be much more visible in bright sunlight due to its higher maximum brightness. Samsung A32 brightness is unknown, so it is impossible to make an accurate comparison. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Realme 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G80 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Realme 8’s chipset is significantly more powerful for smoother performance in daily tasks, apps, and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 200,458 | 409,874 | Realme 8 has much higher benchmark scores, indicating a much faster overall performance. Faster loading, smoother multitasking and a better gaming experience. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 (ARM Mali-G52 2EEMC2) | Mali-G76 MC4 (Arm Mali-G76 3EEMC4720 MHz) | Realme 8 has a more powerful GPU, leading to better graphics performance, especially in gaming and graphically intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Realme 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 64.2MP, f/1.8 | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor, 0.70 µm pixels | Realme 8’s wider aperture might result in slightly better low-light performance, sensor size and pixel size are known, giving Realme 8 an advantage. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13" sensor, 1.00 µm pixels | Samsung A32 has a higher resolution front camera, but Realme 8's larger pixel size will help in low-light conditions. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.25 | Minimal aperture difference, likely similar performance in wide-angle shots. |
| Portrait Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | Not available | Samsung A32 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait photos, while Realme 8 does not. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Samsung A32’s macro lens captures more detailed close-up photos than Realme 8. |
| Black & White | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4 | Realme 8 has a dedicated B&W lens that adds artistic capability, while Samsung A32 lacks this feature. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps with EIS | Realme 8 offers significantly better video recording capabilities with 4K resolution and EIS on all resolutions. |
| Video Features | No slow-motion | Yes, slow-motion: 240fps | Realme 8 has better slow-motion capabilities. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Realme 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have identical battery capacity, suggesting similar battery life under typical usage. |
| Charging | Li-Ion | 30W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | Realme 8's fast charging will allow for faster battery replenishment, whereas Samsung A32 does not have fast charging listed. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A32 Advantages
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate offers a more fluid user experience for scrolling, animations and gaming.
- Better Macro Lens: Higher resolution macro camera for detailed close-up shots.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: Offers better portrait mode effects with a dedicated depth sensor.
- More Bluetooth Features: Has more options for Bluetooth connectivity, with wider range of supported profiles.
- Wider Range of Sensors: Offers compass, hall and geomagnetic sensors.
Realme 8 Advantages
- Significantly Superior Performance: A much faster processor and GPU for smoother multitasking, quicker app loading, and a better gaming experience.
- Significantly Brighter Display: 1000 nits maximum brightness for superior outdoor visibility in direct sunlight.
- Superior Video Recording: 4K video recording and electronic image stabilization for smoother, professional-looking videos.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging drastically reduces charging times.
- Dedicated Black and White Lens: Offers artistic capability with its B&W sensor.
- Hi-Res Audio: Offers improved audio playback.
- More Modern Bluetooth Version: Uses a more up to date Bluetooth.
Trade-offs
- Samsung Galaxy A32 prioritizes display smoothness and macro camera quality, sacrificing overall performance and outdoor visibility.
- Realme 8 offers significantly better performance, video quality, and charging speed but at the cost of a standard refresh rate and a lower resolution macro lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A32 Ideal Users
- Casual Users: Users who prioritize smooth display animations and basic photography over demanding gaming or heavy multitasking.
- Macro Photography Enthusiasts: Users who frequently take close-up photos and value higher resolution.
- Users Preferring a Variety of Bluetooth Profiles: Users who take advantage of the added bluetooth profiles for their headphones, wearables, and other accessories.
- Users that need a compass: Offers a dedicated compass sensor.
Realme 8 Ideal Users
- Gamers: Users who need a phone with strong gaming performance and smooth gameplay.
- Photography & Videography Enthusiasts: Users who value higher video quality and performance, as well as better low-light photography.
- Users who need outdoor visibility: The bright screen will benefit those who are often outside in bright lighting.
- Power Users: Users who need fast charging for their phone and can take advantage of a faster processor and GPU.
Specific Use Cases
- Samsung Galaxy A32:
- Browsing social media and websites with its 90Hz display,
- Close-up photography of detailed objects,
- Casual usage with good overall display quality.
- Realme 8:
- Playing graphics-intensive mobile games,
- Recording high-quality videos for vlogging or personal memories,
- Using the phone outdoors in bright sunlight,
- Quickly charging the phone when needed.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- Considering the specifications, Realme 8 provides much higher performance at a similar price point. The faster charging, performance, brightness, and video features provide good value. Samsung's 90hz refresh and macro lens may not justify it as the better option for most buyers.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- Do you prioritize a smoother display or overall performance?
- A 90Hz display provides a more fluid user interface, while superior processor and GPU provides more performance when multitasking and gaming.
- How important is outdoor screen visibility and video quality?
- Realme 8 offers significantly better performance in bright sunlight and better video quality thanks to 4k recording.
- Are you interested in close-up macro photography or better portrait mode performance?
- Samsung's A32 offers better results in both of these cases.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Casual User with focus on UI smoothness
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A32. The 90Hz display will likely be more noticeable for general use than the added performance of the Realme 8.
- Scenario 2: Gamer or Power User
- Recommendation: Realme 8. The performance is significantly higher, providing better gaming and application performance. The faster charging is an added benefit for long gaming sessions.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast who values video quality
- Recommendation: Realme 8. Its 4k recording, better main camera and fast charging make it a better overall option.
- Scenario 4: Outdoor use
- Recommendation: Realme 8. The much higher brightness makes it the obvious choice for outdoor usage.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Realme 8. While the 90Hz display on the Samsung A32 is a nice-to-have, the overall performance boost offered by the Realme 8 is more impactful for a wider range of use cases. The superior brightness, faster charging, better video capabilities, and dedicated black & white sensor give it a more compelling set of features for most users, including myself. As a user who appreciates quick charging, good camera quality, better performance and having a better outdoor screen, the Realme 8 comes out on top for practical everyday use.
