1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Realme 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158.9 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm | 164.3 × 75.6 × 8.5 mm | Realme 9 Pro is slightly larger and may feel less comfortable in smaller hands or pockets. |
| Weight | 184g | 195g | Samsung Galaxy A32 is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.6" | Realme 9 Pro offers a slightly larger viewing area for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Both phones have a similar level of sharpness; the difference is negligible. |
| PPI | 411 | 400 | Similar pixel density - both offer crisp and clear displays. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Samsung Galaxy A32 has better color reproduction, contrast, and deeper blacks than the Realme 9 Pro. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Realme 9 Pro provides a slightly smoother visual experience in scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits - further information is required to assess outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Realme 9 Pro's Snapdragon chip is more powerful, translating to faster app loading, smoother multitasking and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 200,458 | 402,916 | Realme 9 Pro demonstrates significantly superior overall performance and responsiveness. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 (ARM Mali-G52 2EEMC2) | Adreno 619 (Qualcomm Adreno 619) | Realme 9 Pro’s Adreno GPU is better suited for demanding games and graphics-intensive applications |
| Camera | |||
| Standard (Rear) | 64.2MP, f/1.8 | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", Omnivision OV64B, 0.70 µm | Realme 9 Pro's wider aperture and larger sensor size allows more light, potentially resulting in better low-light photos |
| Selfie | 20MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.0, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471 Exmor RS, 1.00 µm | Realme 9 Pro has a larger pixel size for better low-light selfies, despite having lower resolution. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4", Omnivision OV08D10, 1.12 µm | Similar wide-angle performance between the two phones. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A32 has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait shots. |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", GalaxyCore GC02M1, 1.75 µm | Samsung Galaxy A32 has a higher-resolution macro lens, potentially capturing more detail in close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both offer similar main camera video capture capabilities, but the Realme 9 Pro also offers 120 fps slow-motion recording. |
| 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, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | Realme 9 Pro offers 4K video, digital image stabilization, and more advanced features. Samsung Galaxy A32 features a dedicated depth sensor. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life. |
| Charging | Li-Ion | 33W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | Realme 9 Pro supports fast charging, enabling a much quicker recharge compared to the Samsung Galaxy A32. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, max version 13 | Android 12, max version 13 | Realme 9 Pro has a more recent version of Android and may receive updates for longer. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-band, Hotspot, Direct, Display | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-band, Hotspot, Direct, Display, MiMO | Both support current WiFi standards, but Realme 9 Pro has an additional Wi-Fi MiMO feature |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, multiple profiles | 5.1 LE, A2DP, LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Realme 9 Pro uses newer Bluetooth with advanced audio codecs such as LDAC, APT-X that provide higher quality audio over wireless headphones. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | Samsung Galaxy A32 supports Galileo for more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones offer dual SIM capability. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 64GB | 128GB | Both phones share 128 GB maximum storage capacity. Samsung offers 64 GB option |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 6GB/8GB | Realme 9 Pro typically offers faster RAM, better performance on RAM-heavy applications |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio | Basic | Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, 2 microphones | Realme 9 Pro offers higher-fidelity audio and clearer calls with noise cancellation. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Realme 9 Pro has a more convenient and potentially faster fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Samsung A32 has additional Compass sensor for navigating and Hall sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A32 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen offers better color accuracy, contrast, and deeper blacks, which provides a more enjoyable experience for viewing media and browsing.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: It has a dedicated portrait camera for better image quality in portrait mode photos.
- Higher Resolution Macro Camera: Better detail in macro photography, which may suit users who enjoy close-up photography.
- More Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Includes a compass and Hall sensor for expanded utility in certain applications and games.
- Galileo GPS support: Slightly more precise location tracking.
Realme 9 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: Snapdragon 695 chipset offers much higher benchmark scores and smoother overall performance, including faster app loading and multitasking.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate results in a smoother user experience in UI and gaming.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Better Low-Light Photography: Wider aperture, and larger pixel size on main and selfie cameras, providing improved low-light photos.
- Advanced Bluetooth and Audio: Supports higher quality audio codecs (APT-X, LDAC) and Hi-Res audio playback as well as noise cancelling microphones.
- 4K Video Recording: Offers 4K video recording for higher-quality video.
- More Advanced Camera Features: Includes digital image stabilization, ultra-stable video mode, and RAW format support.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Offers quicker access and convenience
- Newer Android OS Version: Comes with Android 12 out of the box, potentially getting updates for longer
Significant Trade-offs:
- Realme 9 Pro sacrifices AMOLED display technology and a depth camera for better performance, faster charging, more advanced audio, and higher refresh rate display.
- Samsung Galaxy A32 has an inferior chipset, slower charging, lacks some of the advanced camera features, and offers a slower refresh rate. However, it has a more advanced display technology, a dedicated depth sensor and more comprehensive sensor suite.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A32 Ideal User:
- Media Consumers: Users who prioritize vibrant and high-contrast display for watching videos and browsing the web.
- Casual Photographers: Individuals who enjoy macro photography and want a dedicated depth sensor for portrait photos.
- Users Who Need More Precise Location Tracking: User who needs a precise GPS system.
- Users Prioritizing Display Quality: Those willing to sacrifice performance for a superior display technology.
Realme 9 Pro Ideal User:
- Mobile Gamers: Users who require smooth gaming performance and a high refresh rate display.
- Social Media Content Creators: Individuals who want to capture better quality photos and videos in various conditions and want 4k recording support.
- Power Users: Those who need faster app loading and smoother multitasking.
- Users needing Faster Charging: Those who want faster recharge times.
- Audiophiles: Those looking for higher quality audio playback over Bluetooth
Specific Use Cases:
- Samsung Galaxy A32: Ideal for watching movies, browsing through photos and navigating.
- Realme 9 Pro: Ideal for playing demanding mobile games, capturing videos, and multitasking between applications.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Realme 9 Pro generally offers a higher performance per price and more features, making it a better value for users who prioritize these elements. The Samsung A32 offers a better display experience, but at the cost of raw performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Display Preference: Do you prioritize a vibrant, high-contrast AMOLED display (Samsung A32) or a smoother 120Hz LCD screen (Realme 9 Pro)?
- Performance Needs: Do you require smooth gaming and app performance (Realme 9 Pro) or are you okay with basic performance (Samsung A32)?
- Photography Focus: Do you need higher quality in macro and portrait photos (Samsung A32), or do you focus on capturing better quality videos and images in different situations, also with night mode support (Realme 9 Pro)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If you primarily watch videos and don't play many graphic-heavy games, and value a higher resolution in close-up photos, the Samsung Galaxy A32 would be a good choice.
- Scenario 2: If you are an active gamer, need quick charging, use your phone for photography, prefer smoother scrolling, and want higher quality audio over wireless, the Realme 9 Pro is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: If your priority is on location accuracy, the Samsung Galaxy A32 has a more accurate GPS system.
My Choice and Why
Given the information available and considering my personal priorities, I would choose the Realme 9 Pro. Here's why:
- Performance: The significant performance difference, as evidenced by the AnTuTu benchmark scores, is a major factor for me. I value smooth, responsive performance, and the Snapdragon 695 in the Realme 9 Pro offers that.
- Camera Versatility: The Realme 9 Pro has the better all-round photography package with better low-light performance, 4K video recording, digital image stabilization, RAW image capture, and night mode. While I appreciate the A32's dedicated depth sensor, the overall feature set of the Realme is more valuable to me.
- Faster Charging: The 33W fast charging is a huge plus, especially since I often forget to charge my phone until the last minute.
- Smoother UI Experience: The 120Hz refresh rate makes the UI and app animations smoother, leading to a more premium experience.
- Audio Features: The addition of Hi-Res Audio, noise cancellation, and support for better bluetooth codecs provides much better audio playback.
While I recognize the superior display quality of the Samsung Galaxy A32, the Realme 9 Pro's performance, camera versatility, faster charging, and overall feature set better align with my typical usage scenarios. While the Samsung A32's compass and Galileo GPS features are nice to have, they are not critical for my needs.
