Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A32 vs. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-02-25 | 2022-01-07 | S21 FE 5G is significantly newer, potentially offering better long-term software support. |
| Dimensions | 158.9 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm | 155.7 × 74.5 × 7.9 mm | A32 is slightly taller and thicker, impacting in-hand feel and pocketability. S21 FE 5G is more compact. |
| Weight | 184g | 177g | S21 FE 5G is slightly lighter, which may be noticeable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.4" | Both have the same screen size, suitable for content consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Very similar resolutions, resulting in nearly identical sharpness. |
| PPI | 411 | 403 | Practically identical pixel density, making individual pixels virtually indistinguishable. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks typical of AMOLED displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | S21 FE 5G provides smoother animations and a more fluid user experience, especially when scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | S21 FE 5G is significantly brighter, providing much better visibility in direct sunlight. The A32's brightness is not available. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | S21 FE 5G's chipset is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 200,458 | 923,836 | S21 FE 5G demonstrates far superior performance in benchmark tests, indicating a substantial difference in speed and responsiveness. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 660 | S21 FE 5G's GPU offers vastly superior graphics performance, which is important for gaming and other graphically intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Rear Camera | 64.2MP, f/1.8 | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" sensor, Sony IMX555, 1.80 µm pixels | A32 has higher megapixel count, but S21 FE 5G has larger sensor and pixels which typically improve low-light performance. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | Not available | 8MP, f/2.0, Hynix HI-847, 1.00 µm pixels | S21 FE 5G offers an additional telephoto camera for zoomed shots and portrait mode which the A32 lacks. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" sensor, Sony IMX616, 0.80 µm pixels | S21 FE 5G has a higher resolution selfie camera with a larger sensor, potentially capturing more detail and better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | Not available | A32 offers a wide-angle lens for capturing more of a scene, not available on the S21 FE 5G. |
| Portrait mode (depth) | 5MP, f/2.4 | Not available | A32 includes a dedicated depth camera to enhance portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | Not available | A32 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | Not Available | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" sensor, Sony IMX258, 1.12 µm pixels | S21 FE 5G has a combined wide angle + macro lens not available on the A32. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, No stabilization | 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS, and slow motion up to 960fps | S21 FE 5G has far superior video recording capabilities, offering higher resolutions, better stabilization, and slow-motion recording. |
| DxOMark | Not available | Mobile: 117, Selfie: 127 | S21 FE 5G's cameras are rated highly by DxOMark, which provides an objective measure of image and video quality. |
| 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, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | S21 FE 5G offers more advanced features like optical zoom, OIS, and RAW capture for more control over photography. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | A32 has a larger battery which should provide longer battery life. |
| Charging | Li-Ion | 25W fast charging, Li-Polymer | S21 FE 5G supports 25W fast charging, allowing for quicker battery refills, while A32 uses a standard Li-Ion battery. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W, Non-removable, No charger in-box | S21 FE 5G offers advanced charging options including wireless and reverse wireless charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 13 | Android 12, Upgradable to 16 | S21 FE 5G has a newer initial operating system and is guaranteed to receive more future Android updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6) | S21 FE 5G supports the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard, offering better performance on compatible networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 LE, ANT+, APT-x, SBC | S21 FE 5G has more advanced Bluetooth features such as LE, ANT+, APT-x, and SBC. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Both offer similar location capabilities. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both offer Dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64 GB or 128 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | S21 FE 5G offers more internal storage options. |
| RAM | 4 GB, 6 GB, or 8 GB | 6 GB or 8 GB | S21 FE 5G offers 6GB or 8GB of RAM for better multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable | No expandable storage | No expandable storage | Neither phone allows for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | S21 FE 5G offers superior audio experience due to Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and noise cancellation for clearer calls. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones have basic fingerprint sensor for biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Screen protection: Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | S21 FE 5G offers significantly better screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | S21 FE 5G includes an additional barometer sensor which is useful for measuring altitude. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A32 Advantages:
- Potentially Longer Battery Life: Larger 5000mAh battery might result in longer usage between charges, especially for basic tasks.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Cameras: Offers more camera versatility with dedicated lenses for close-up and portrait shots.
- Lower Cost: Typically available at a lower price point, appealing to budget-conscious buyers.
- Wide Angle Lens: The A32 has a dedicated wide angle lens for capturing more of a scene
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: Snapdragon 888 chipset offers much faster speeds, better gaming, and smoother multitasking.
- Brighter Display: 1300 nits brightness provides vastly superior outdoor visibility.
- Smoother 120Hz Display: Offers a more fluid and responsive user experience with smoother animations.
- Better Video Recording: Records up to 4K@60fps with HDR, slow motion, and Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS), making it suitable for high-quality content creation.
- Superior Camera Sensors and Features: Larger camera pixels and dedicated telephoto and wide + macro lens; OIS, RAW capture.
- Advanced Charging: Supports 25W fast charging, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging.
- Stereo Speakers and Dolby Atmos Superior audio experience
- Longer Software Support: Newer phone with guaranteed software support for longer than the A32.
- Better Build Quality: Offers more robust screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
- Wi-Fi 6 support: Offers better performance on compatible networks.
Trade-offs:
- Galaxy A32: Sacrifices performance and display quality for a lower price and slightly better battery.
- Galaxy S21 FE 5G: Is more expensive, has a slightly smaller battery, and lacks dedicated macro and depth cameras.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A32 Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious Users: Those looking for a capable phone at a lower price point.
- Casual Users: Those who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Those who need their phone to last a full day on a single charge without heavy use.
- Users Who Like Camera Versatility: Users who value dedicated macro and depth sensors.
Specific Use Cases:
- Everyday communication, social media, basic photo capture, long battery life for travel or outdoor activities.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G Ideal Users:
- Performance-Oriented Users: Gamers, multitaskers, and anyone who needs a fast and responsive phone.
- Content Creators: Those who record videos and take photos regularly, especially in varied lighting conditions.
- Users Who Value Display Quality: Those who want a smooth and bright display for content consumption and outdoor use.
- Users Who Value Build Quality and Longevity: Those who want a phone with better build quality and longer-term software support.
- Users Who Use Wireless Charging: Those who value the convenience of wireless charging.
- Users who value advanced audio Those who value high quality audio reproduction.
Specific Use Cases:
- Gaming, video recording, photography, demanding apps, outdoor use, travel, media consumption.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Galaxy A32: Offers good value for the budget-conscious but compromises on key areas like performance and display.
- Galaxy S21 FE 5G: Provides significantly better performance, display quality, and camera features for the higher price but lacks some camera versatility of the A32.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Ask:
- What is your budget? The A32 is considerably cheaper.
- How important is performance and display quality? If you're a gamer or need high performance, the S21 FE 5G is the better choice.
- Do you prioritize battery life or camera versatility? The A32 might appeal if battery life is key, while the S21 FE 5G is preferable for image and video quality.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic Usage, Tight Budget
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A32 is recommended. It covers the basics with adequate performance for daily tasks.
- Scenario 2: Gaming and Multimedia Consumption
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is recommended. Superior performance, smoother display, and better audio provide an immersive experience.
- Scenario 3: Photography and Content Creation
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is recommended. Better camera sensors, video recording, and image processing provide higher quality results and more versatility with OIS, Telephoto lens, and RAW capture.
- Scenario 4: Long Battery Life is Top Priority
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A32 is recommended for slightly longer battery.
My Choice and Why
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G.
Here's my reasoning:
Performance is Key: I prioritize a fast and responsive device. The Snapdragon 888 chipset in the S21 FE 5G offers a significantly better experience for everyday use, multitasking, and gaming. The A32's chipset is comparatively underpowered.
Display Quality Matters: A bright, smooth display is essential for enjoying multimedia content, and the S21 FE 5G's 120Hz AMOLED panel with 1300 nits brightness is a significant upgrade over the A32.
Camera Versatility: I am not primarily looking for Macro and Depth camera lens, but a strong main shooter. S21 FE 5G's superior camera system, particularly its larger sensor size, OIS, and telephoto lens, and its strong image processing capabilities make it a better choice overall for picture taking, video, and content creation.
Future-Proofing: The S21 FE 5G is a newer phone, and will get longer software support.
Added Features: The S21 FE 5G's wireless charging and advanced connectivity (Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 LE) are additional advantages for me.
While the A32 has a larger battery and a more budget-friendly price tag, the substantial performance and display upgrades of the S21 FE 5G, combined with its significantly better cameras and longer software support, make it the clear winner for my needs.
