1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Realme 9i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158.9 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm | 164.4 × 75.7 × 8.4 mm | Realme 9i is taller and wider, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 184g | 190g | Samsung A32 is slightly lighter, which may be more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.6" | Realme 9i has a slightly larger screen for more immersive media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Virtually identical sharpness, negligible difference in everyday use. |
| PPI | 411 | 400 | Negligible difference in sharpness, both will look equally crisp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Samsung A32 has superior display with deeper blacks, better contrast, and potentially more vibrant colors, better for HDR content and outdoor visibility. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have the same peak brightness (specification has no values). |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G80 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Realme 9i’s more efficient chipset might offer better sustained performance and battery management in the long run. |
| AnTuTu Score | 200,458 | 216,850 | Realme 9i offers slightly better overall performance, likely noticeable during heavy tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 610 | Different GPU configurations means gaming performance will vary, possibly with Realme 9i performing slightly better on some titles. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main | 64MP f/1.8 | 50MP f/1.8 | Samsung A32 captures more detailed photos in good lighting due to higher megapixel count. |
| Front Selfie | 20MP f/2.2 | 16MP f/2.1 | Samsung A32 captures more detailed selfies, while Realme 9i might perform slightly better in low light due to wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP f/2.2 | None | Samsung A32 allows for ultrawide shots, more versatile for landscapes. |
| Portrait Mode | 5MP f/2.4 | None | Samsung A32 has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode shots with blurred backgrounds. |
| Macro | 5MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Samsung A32 captures more detailed macro photos. |
| Black & White | None | 2MP f/2.4 | Realme 9i offers an artistic option for monochrome photos. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both phones record at the same resolution and framerate |
| Slow Motion | No Slow-motion | 120 fps | Realme 9i enables higher frame rate slow-motion video capture, better for capturing dynamic scenes. |
| Features | Quadruple camera | Triple camera, PDAF | Samsung A32 offers a dedicated depth and ultrawide lens for greater shooting variety. Realme 9i offers a faster focusing main sensor. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should offer similar battery life for a full day of moderate use. |
| Charging | Li-Ion | 33W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | Realme 9i charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Both phones have the same OS and update support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Both phones have identical WiFi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 (Various Profiles) | 5.0 (A2DP, APT-x, SBC, AAC) | Samsung has more advanced connectivity profiles. Realme offers better audio codecs for listening on high quality Bluetooth devices. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Both phones have similar GPS functionality. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both phones support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128GB | 64/128GB | Both phones offer the same storage options. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 4/6 GB | Samsung offers a higher RAM configuration which could provide better performance under heavy load. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Realme 9i provides a superior audio experience with better fidelity and immersive sound. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Realme 9i offers a more convenient and faster fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | No known major difference. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass | Samsung A32 has Gyroscope, which enhances gaming and VR experiences. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A32 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, ideal for media consumption.
- More Versatile Camera System: Includes a dedicated ultrawide lens and depth sensor, offering more creative shooting options.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 64MP sensor captures more detail in photos.
- Gyroscope: Improves the gaming and VR experience.
- Higher RAM Options: 8GB configuration can provide better multitasking performance.
Practical Implications: The Galaxy A32 is better for users who prioritize display quality, camera versatility, and may want to use gyroscope-dependent applications.
Realme 9i Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Slightly Better Performance: Newer Snapdragon 680 chipset offers better benchmark performance and potentially better battery efficiency.
- Hi-Res Audio and Stereo Speakers: Provides a better audio experience for media consumption and music playback.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Convenient and faster unlocking.
- Slow-motion Video: Enables 120fps slow-motion video capture.
- Dedicated Black and White Lens: Offers a more artistic option for monochrome photos.
- Better Bluetooth Audio Codecs: Provides higher quality Bluetooth audio.
Practical Implications: The Realme 9i is better for users who value fast charging, enhanced audio, and a slightly better overall performance in benchmarks.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Display: The Realme 9i trades off the superior AMOLED display of the Samsung for a standard LCD screen.
- Camera Versatility: The Realme 9i lacks the ultrawide and depth sensors available on the Samsung A32.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy A32:
- Media Enthusiasts: Users who frequently watch videos, movies, or play games, benefiting from the AMOLED display's superior visual quality.
- Photography Lovers: Users who enjoy versatile photography, wanting ultrawide and depth sensors for creative shots.
- Users of Gyroscope Dependent Applications: Users who would like to play certain mobile games or VR experiences.
Use Cases:
- Watching HDR content on streaming platforms.
- Taking landscape photos with an ultrawide perspective.
- Capturing portraits with background blur.
- Playing more advanced mobile games.
Ideal User for Realme 9i:
- Practical Users: Users who prioritize fast charging and better audio quality.
- Users Who Value Performance: Users who want the best performance in benchmarks and potentially a longer battery life.
- Music and Podcast Listeners: Users who will benefit from the stereo speakers and Hi-Res audio for enhanced audio quality.
Use Cases:
- Daily social media browsing and content consumption.
- Listening to music or podcasts on-the-go.
- Quickly charging the phone during short breaks.
- Using Bluetooth headphones for high-quality audio playback
Price-to-Value Ratio: The price-to-value ratio depends on individual priorities. Both phones offer reasonable performance for their price range. The Samsung A32 has a better screen while the Realme 9i offers faster charging and better speakers.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality? If vibrant colors and deep blacks are crucial, the Samsung Galaxy A32 is the better choice.
- How critical is fast charging? If quick charging is a must-have, the Realme 9i is the clear winner.
- What are your camera priorities? If you want versatile shots with ultrawide and depth sensors, choose the Samsung Galaxy A32. If you are less concerned with these aspects and need fast autofocus or slow-motion video, the Realme 9i is the better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Media Consumption and Casual Gaming: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A32 for its superior AMOLED display.
- Scenario 2: Daily Commuting and Audio Focus: The Realme 9i is the better option, offering better speakers, and fast charging for those who are on the go.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Usage with a Focus on Camera: If you prioritize camera versatility then the Samsung Galaxy A32 is better.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would personally lean towards the Samsung Galaxy A32. My priorities tend to favor a high-quality display for media consumption and the added versatility of an ultrawide camera. While the Realme 9i's fast charging and better audio are tempting, the AMOLED display is a significant advantage for me, and would be a more enjoyable experience overall. The extra 2GB of RAM available in certain A32 configurations is also helpful for smooth multitasking. Although the Realme 9i is a very good device, I find myself using the camera and display much more than fast charging.
