1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Samsung Galaxy S24 FE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-02-25 | 2024-10-03 | The S24 FE is significantly newer, suggesting more modern features and software support. |
| Dimensions | 158.9 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm | 162 × 77.3 × 8 mm | S24 FE is slightly taller and wider, A32 is a bit thicker. S24 FE may feel larger in hand. |
| Weight | 184g | 213g | A32 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | S24 FE offers a slightly larger viewing area for media and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both offer sharp visuals, with a minimal difference not noticeable to the average user. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 411 | 385 | A32 has slightly sharper text and images due to higher pixel density, but the difference is minimal. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant, high-contrast displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | S24 FE offers smoother scrolling and animations, a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1900 nits | S24 FE has dramatically superior outdoor visibility, making it easily readable in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Exynos 2400e (4 nm) | S24 FE has a much more powerful and efficient processor, ensuring better performance for all tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 200,458 | 1,600,000 | S24 FE scores significantly higher, meaning faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Xclipse 940 | S24 FE's GPU offers substantially better graphics performance, suitable for gaming and graphically intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4700mAh | A32 has a slightly larger battery, which may translate to longer battery life, but the difference is small. |
| Charging | Li-Ion | 25W fast charging, Li-Ion | S24 FE supports faster charging, meaning less time plugged in. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Non-removable, 15W wireless charging | S24 FE offers more versatile charging options including wireless and reverse charging |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Standard | 64.2MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57" sensor, 1.00 µm pixels | S24 FE has a higher quality sensor. A32 offers more megapixels, but the overall quality of the S24 FE is likely superior due to better sensor. |
| Front Selfie | 20MP, f/2.2 | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65" sensor, 1.22 µm pixels | A32 has higher resolution. The S24 FE has larger pixels on its sensor and likely better low light performance |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" sensor, 1.00 µm pixels | S24 FE has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed shots. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1" sensor, 1.12 µm pixels | S24 FE offers a wider field of view and likely better image quality in this category. |
| Portrait (Depth) Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | A32 has a dedicated depth lens which assists in portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | A32 has a dedicated macro lens for close up photos |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@960fps | S24 FE offers much higher video resolution and frame rate options with added stabilization. |
| DxOMark | N/A | Main: 133, Photo: 136, Video: 125 | S24 FE has a significantly better camera according to DxOMark. |
| 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 | Night Mode 2.0, 4K Video, 8K 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 | S24 FE has more advanced features like optical zoom, night mode, and RAW capture capabilities. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 | S24 FE has a newer operating system and is likely to get more software updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/6E | S24 FE supports newer Wi-Fi standards, offering faster and more reliable wireless connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 LE | S24 FE has a newer Bluetooth version, offering faster speeds and lower energy consumption. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System | S24 FE supports more satellite systems, providing more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM / eSIM) | S24 FE supports eSIM, allowing for more flexible carrier options. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64 GB or 128 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB | S24 FE has more storage options |
| RAM | 4 GB, 6 GB, or 8 GB | 8 GB | S24 FE ensures smooth multitasking and app performance with ample RAM. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | S24 FE offers better audio quality with noise cancellation and stereo speakers for improved audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both have a basic fingerprint sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ | S24 FE has superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | S24 FE includes additional environmental sensors. A32 includes a more basic proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A32 Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: At 184g, it's more comfortable for extended use.
- Potentially Longer Battery Life: Slightly larger battery capacity might offer a bit more usage time on a single charge.
- Lower Cost (Likely): It's an older, budget-focused device, making it more accessible to price-conscious buyers.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Provides a dedicated lens for closeup photos.
- Dedicated Depth Lens: Provides a dedicated lens for portrait photos.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Exynos 2400e chipset offers a much more powerful and fluid experience.
- Superior Display: Higher refresh rate (120Hz) and dramatically better brightness (1900 nits) provide a much smoother, more visible experience.
- Better Camera System: Higher quality sensor on main camera, dedicated telephoto lens, and higher video quality with more features offer a far more versatile camera experience.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: 25W fast charging, 15W wireless charging capabilities make it more convenient for daily use.
- More Modern Software: Ships with Android 14 and will likely receive longer software support, keeping it more secure and feature-rich.
- Enhanced Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi standards and Bluetooth, ensuring faster and more reliable connections.
- eSIM Support: More flexible with carrier choices.
- Better Build Quality: Superior screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+.
- Better Audio Quality: Stereo speakers and noise cancellation for a superior audio experience.
- Additional Sensor: Barometer for environmental readings.
Trade-offs:
- Size and Weight: The S24 FE is larger and heavier, which might be less comfortable for some users.
- Price: The S24 FE is a newer, more premium device, and will be significantly more expensive than the A32.
- Slightly Smaller Battery: While the S24 FE offers significant advantages in other areas, it has a slightly smaller battery which may lead to marginal trade-off in battery life
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A32 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Prioritizing affordability over top-tier performance or features.
- Users with basic smartphone needs: Calling, texting, basic social media, and light browsing.
- Users who prefer a lighter phone.
Users who want dedicated macro and depth lenses.
- Use Cases: Basic everyday tasks, simple social media browsing, making calls, and occasional photo-taking in well-lit conditions.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Ideal User:
- Performance-oriented users: Gamers and users who need smooth multitasking for productivity.
- Photography and videography enthusiasts: Those who value high-quality photos, video, and versatility.
- Users who consume media heavily: Benefit from the high refresh rate and brightness on the display.
- Tech enthusiasts: Those who want a more modern phone with the latest features.
Users who need excellent outdoor screen visibility.
- Use Cases: Gaming, video streaming, high-quality photography/videography, professional app use, extended use in bright conditions, using more advanced connectivity options.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The S24 FE will be significantly more expensive.
- What are your primary smartphone use cases? Are you a basic user or do you need high performance for gaming or content creation?
- How important is camera quality, video recording, and screen visibility in bright sunlight? The S24 FE excels in these areas.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: "Budget-Conscious User" If you are primarily looking for an affordable phone for basic use, the Samsung Galaxy A32 is an acceptable option due to its lower price.
- Scenario 2: "Performance and Media User" If you want a smooth and fluid experience for demanding tasks such as gaming, media consumption, and general multitasking, the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE is a much better choice with its much faster processor, better screen, and better audio features.
- Scenario 3: "Photography and Videography Enthusiast" The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE is the clear winner with a higher quality main camera sensor, telephoto lens, and significantly improved video recording capabilities and features, making it more suitable for photography and videography.
- Scenario 4: "Outdoorsy User": The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE provides dramatically superior brightness making it much better for bright sunlight use.
My Choice
Given the detailed comparison, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. While the A32 is a more budget-friendly option, the S24 FE offers a far more complete and future-proof experience. The dramatic improvements in performance, display quality, camera system, and connectivity options are well worth the likely price premium. The inclusion of features like wireless charging, much faster performance, significantly improved camera and screen, and the future-proofing of a more modern chipset and software make it a more compelling option for a user seeking a more powerful and versatile device. While the A32 may appeal to users with very basic needs, the S24 FE's wide range of advantages make it a better overall choice for the vast majority of users looking for a device that can handle a diverse range of tasks with ease.
