Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A32 vs. Xiaomi 12 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Xiaomi 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158.9 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm | 163.6 × 74.6 × 8.2 mm | Xiaomi 12 Pro is taller and slightly wider, while the A32 is marginally thicker; Overall, they are similarly sized, but the Xiaomi 12 Pro will feel larger in hand. |
| Weight | 184g | 204g | Samsung A32 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and easier to carry; the Xiaomi 12 Pro has more premium build with more materials resulting in more weight |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.73" | Xiaomi 12 Pro offers a more immersive viewing experience with a larger screen, ideal for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3200 | Xiaomi 12 Pro provides a significantly sharper and more detailed display, enhancing clarity for text and images. |
| PPI | 411 | 521 | Xiaomi 12 Pro's higher pixel density results in crisper visuals and less pixelation, especially noticeable on text and fine details. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast; No clear advantage here. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Xiaomi 12 Pro provides smoother scrolling and animations, leading to a more fluid and responsive user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1500 nits | Xiaomi 12 Pro offers drastically better visibility in bright sunlight, ensuring comfortable outdoor use. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Xiaomi 12 Pro's flagship chipset enables significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 200,458 | 1,177,498 | Xiaomi 12 Pro has a much higher benchmark score; Meaning far better performance across all tasks, including heavy use. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 730 | Xiaomi 12 Pro's GPU delivers much better graphics performance, leading to more enjoyable gaming and smoother visual effects. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Standard | 64.2MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.28" Sony IMX707, 1.22µm pixel | Xiaomi 12 Pro's standard camera, despite a lower megapixel count, likely captures more light and detail due to its larger sensor and pixel size, enhancing low-light performance. |
| Front Selfie | 20MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, 1/3.14" Samsung JD1, 0.70µm pixel | Xiaomi 12 Pro’s front camera captures higher resolution photos and potentially better low-light selfies due to its larger sensor and higher pixel count. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2 | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76" Samsung S5KJN1, 0.64µm pixel | Xiaomi 12 Pro's wide-angle lens provides significantly more detail and flexibility due to a much higher resolution. |
| Portrait | 5MP, f/2.4 | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/2.76" Samsung S5KJN1, 0.64µm pixel | Xiaomi 12 Pro’s portrait lens captures significantly more detail, with a wider aperture likely improving low light bokeh shots; |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Samsung A32 has a dedicated Macro lens for close up shots, which the Xiaomi 12 Pro lacks |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Up to 8K@24fps with HDR, EIS, 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS, and various 1080p options | Xiaomi 12 Pro offers superior video recording capabilities with higher resolution, higher frame rates, and advanced stabilization, making it much better for video capture |
| DXOMark | N/A | Mobile: 129, Photo: 136, Video: 125 | The Xiaomi 12 Pro has a high score, indicating excellent image quality and video capture |
| 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, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, 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 | The Xiaomi 12 Pro offers more advanced camera features like 4K/8K video, OIS, RAW capture, and night mode |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4600mAh | Samsung A32 has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering a bit longer battery life. |
| Charging | Li-Ion, Non-removable | 120W fast charging, Li-Polymer, Reverse charging, 50W Fast wireless charging, 10W Wireless reverse charging, Non-removable | Xiaomi 12 Pro offers much faster charging and wireless charging options, quickly topping up the battery and it can be used to charge other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 12 | Xiaomi 12 Pro is newer and comes with a later version of Android. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6) | Xiaomi 12 Pro supports Wi-Fi 6, offering faster speeds and better performance on compatible networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Xiaomi 12 Pro supports Bluetooth 5.2, offering better power efficiency and stability. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Xiaomi 12 Pro supports more satellite systems, which can lead to better location accuracy |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | Xiaomi 12 Pro provides larger storage options, suitable for users with extensive media libraries and app collections. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 8/12 GB | Xiaomi 12 Pro has much more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and better performance with demanding applications. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Xiaomi 12 Pro delivers a superior audio experience with high-resolution playback, Dolby Atmos spatial audio, and stereo speakers; leading to much better media and voice quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer standard fingerprint sensor security |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Xiaomi 12 Pro offers superior screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Xiaomi 12 Pro includes additional environmental sensors, offering a more comprehensive sensor package. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A32 Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: The A32 is noticeably lighter (20g difference), making it more comfortable for extended use and single-handed operation.
- Slightly Larger Battery: While not a huge difference, the A32's 5000mAh battery might offer marginally longer battery life for very light use, potentially lasting slightly longer on a single charge.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: The A32 has a macro lens for close-up photography, which the Xiaomi 12 Pro lacks.
- Lower Price: The A32 will likely be the more affordable phone between the two, appealing to budget-conscious buyers.
Xiaomi 12 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Larger, higher resolution, higher pixel density, brighter, and smoother 120Hz refresh rate, leading to a much better visual experience.
- Much Faster Performance: Flagship-level Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset provides significantly better app loading, multitasking, and gaming.
- Advanced Camera System: Superior image sensors, higher video recording capabilities (8K with HDR, advanced EIS), more lens options, and better low light performance due to larger sensor sizes.
- Ultra Fast Charging: 120W wired charging provides extremely fast battery top-ups; also offers fast wireless charging and reverse wireless charging features.
- Better Audio Quality: Offers Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and stereo speakers for superior audio output and voice capture.
- Newer Software: Comes with a later version of Android and a newer version of Bluetooth.
- More RAM/Storage Options: More storage capacity and higher RAM options allow for heavier multitasking and future proofing.
- Superior Build and Protection: Has Corning Gorilla Glass Victus and more premium build materials.
- More Accurate GPS: Supports more satellite systems for more accurate location tracking.
Trade-offs:
- Size and Weight: The Xiaomi 12 Pro is larger and heavier than the Samsung A32. This may make it less comfortable for some users to hold and use for long periods of time.
- Price: The Xiaomi 12 Pro is positioned as a flagship and is likely to cost considerably more than the Samsung A32.
- Battery Size: The Xiaomi 12 Pro has a slightly smaller battery capacity compared to the Samsung Galaxy A32, although the fast charging might make up for it.
- Macro Lens: The Xiaomi 12 Pro lacks the dedicated macro lens which is present in the Samsung A32.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A32:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users seeking a reliable phone for basic tasks, media consumption, and light gaming.
- Use Cases: Casual browsing, social media, streaming videos, and everyday photography for light/average users. It is a more budget option with good enough features, and a longer-lasting battery due to its lower energy consumption. It is suitable for seniors or those who do not require heavy use of their devices, or younger users looking for a more affordable option.
- Price-to-Value: Offers good value for a budget-friendly price; It has good battery life and a decent screen that is more than adequate for everyday use.
Xiaomi 12 Pro:
- Ideal User: Power users, gamers, and photography enthusiasts who demand the best possible performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.
- Use Cases: Heavy gaming, video editing, content creation, professional photography and video, and users who want a premium phone with the latest technology.
- Price-to-Value: Justifies the high price with top-tier specs and features, but likely a higher investment. It is a great phone for those looking to stay updated with new tech, and a good option for professionals that will benefit from its high performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: How much am I willing to spend on a phone?
- Performance Needs: Do I need a phone for basic use, or do I require high performance for gaming and demanding tasks?
- Camera Priorities: How important is high-quality photography and video for me?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: If you are on a tight budget and need a phone for basic tasks, the Samsung Galaxy A32 is a viable choice with good battery life.
- Casual User: If you need a phone for daily tasks such as social media and some video viewing, the Samsung Galaxy A32 might be good enough for your use case.
- Performance and Media Enthusiast: If you want a top-tier display, top-of-the-line gaming performance and camera, and advanced multimedia capabilities, the Xiaomi 12 Pro is the superior option for you.
- Photography Enthusiast: If camera quality is a priority, the Xiaomi 12 Pro with its advanced camera sensors, high-resolution video recording, and advanced camera features is the better choice for you.
- Long-Term Investment: The Xiaomi 12 Pro, while expensive, is more future-proof due to its powerful chipset, larger RAM/Storage options, and newer software and technologies.
My Choice and Why
If I had to choose between the two, I would choose the Xiaomi 12 Pro. While the Samsung Galaxy A32 is a more affordable option with a decent battery life, the Xiaomi 12 Pro offers a far superior user experience in almost every other aspect that matters for me in a modern smartphone.
My priorities in a smartphone are performance, display quality, and camera capabilities. The Xiaomi 12 Pro's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset ensures that the device is smooth, responsive, and capable of handling demanding tasks, including gaming. The larger, higher-resolution AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and high peak brightness also provides a vastly more immersive and enjoyable viewing experience. Furthermore, the enhanced camera setup with higher resolution sensors, optical stabilization, high-resolution video recording capabilities, and additional features make it a much more versatile and capable device for photography and content creation.
Additionally, the inclusion of advanced features like 120W fast charging, better audio with Dolby Atmos, and the newer version of Android, all contribute to the Xiaomi 12 Pro offering a more premium and future-proofed experience compared to the Samsung Galaxy A32. While the higher price is a factor, the features, quality, and power of the Xiaomi 12 Pro far outweigh the minor advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A32. Therefore, despite the higher price point, I would prefer the Xiaomi 12 Pro.
