1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A32 and Xiaomi Poco F4, focusing on their practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Xiaomi Poco F4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 158.9 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm | 163.2 x 76 x 7.7 mm | Poco F4 is taller and wider, but thinner. A32 might feel more compact, Poco F4 slightly more premium. |
| Weight | 184g | 195g | A32 is lighter, may be more comfortable for long use. Poco F4 has a slightly denser feel. |
| Build | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Poco F4's screen is more resistant to scratches and impacts. A32's screen protection is unknown. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Xiaomi Poco F4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.4" | 6.67" | Poco F4 offers a slightly larger screen for a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have the same clarity for sharp images and videos. |
| PPI | 411 | 395 | Similar pixel density, both offer very sharp displays. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Poco F4's display feels smoother, particularly when scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | Poco F4 is significantly better for outdoor use, as its display remains visible in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Xiaomi Poco F4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G80 (12nm) | Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) | Poco F4 offers considerably faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance due to its more powerful and efficient chip. |
| AnTuTu Score | 200,458 | 861,200 | Poco F4 has significantly better overall performance (330% higher benchmark score), which is noticeable in everyday use. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 650 | Poco F4 has a significantly more powerful GPU, ensuring smoother graphics in games and other demanding applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Xiaomi Poco F4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64.2MP f/1.8 | 64MP f/1.79, 1/2" sensor, 0.70µm pixels | Poco F4 captures more light, resulting in better low-light performance due to its wider aperture and larger sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP f/2.2 | 20MP f/2.4, 1/2" sensor, 0.80µm pixels | A32 has slightly wider aperture, which can be beneficial for low-light selfies. Poco F4's sensor is larger. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP f/2.2 | 8MP f/2.2, 1/4" sensor, 1.12µm pixels | Comparable wide angle capabilities on both phones. |
| Depth Sensor | 5MP f/2.4 | None | A32 offers a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode effects |
| Macro Lens | 5MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4, 1/5" sensor, 1.75µm pixels | A32 has higher resolution macro photos, offering more detail. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps | Poco F4 records much higher resolution video, allowing for sharper and more detailed footage. |
| Stabilization | No | Yes (OIS) | Poco F4's OIS enables much smoother and more stable videos, especially in handheld situations. |
| Slow Motion | No, 30fps | Yes, 960fps | Poco F4 allows for higher quality and slower slow-motion video capture. |
| Features | Quadruple Camera | Triple Camera, OIS, Night Mode, RAW | Poco F4 offers additional features like optical image stabilization, night mode and RAW capabilities |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Xiaomi Poco F4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | A32 has a larger battery, offering potentially longer battery life. |
| Charging | Li-Ion | 67W Fast Charging, Li-Ion Polymer | Poco F4 offers much faster charging speeds, significantly reducing charging times. |
| Removable | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both have non-removable batteries. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Xiaomi Poco F4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Poco F4 is slightly more up-to-date out of the box. Both support Android 13. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6, MIMO | Poco F4 offers faster and more reliable Wi-Fi connectivity with the latest Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2, LE, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Poco F4 provides more energy efficient and higher quality audio streaming via Bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Poco F4 offers significantly improved location accuracy with more satellite systems supported. |
| Storage | 64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | Poco F4 offers higher maximum storage capacity. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 6/8/12 GB | Poco F4 provides much better multi-tasking capabilities with 12 GB RAM. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio | Basic Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Poco F4 offers much better audio experience with Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers. |
| Security | Basic Fingerprint | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Poco F4 provides faster access and enhanced security with a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic, Hall | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Both have good sensor suites. A32 offers more traditional sensors, while Poco F4 includes an ultrasonic proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A32 Advantages:
- Slightly lighter and more compact: Easier to handle, especially for smaller hands, and more portable.
- Larger battery capacity: Potentially longer battery life.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: Better portrait mode images.
- Higher resolution macro lens: More detailed close-up shots.
Xiaomi Poco F4 Advantages:
- Significantly superior performance: Much faster processing and graphics for demanding apps and games, and better multi-tasking
- Higher refresh rate display: Smoother and more responsive visual experience.
- Much higher brightness display: Superior outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
- Higher resolution 4K video recording: Better video quality for vlogging and content creation.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Significantly better stabilization for smoother videos and sharper images in low-light conditions
- Much faster charging: Reduces downtime significantly due to 67W fast charging.
- More advanced connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2.
- Better audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers provide richer audio experience.
- Better build quality: Gorilla Glass 5 offers protection against scratches and cracks.
- More advanced location services: Supports more satellite systems, offering better location accuracy.
Trade-offs:
- Poco F4 sacrifices some battery capacity for significantly higher performance and charging capabilities.
- A32 has a depth sensor, while Poco F4 does not have one.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy A32:
- Budget-conscious users who prioritize a good display and longer battery life.
- Users who prefer a lighter, more compact design.
- Users who want a decent camera for everyday use, including a dedicated depth sensor.
- Users who do not need high gaming performance or advanced features.
- Those who prefer a slightly more traditional sensor suite, with a dedicated proximity sensor.
Use Cases:
- Daily social media browsing, web surfing, and general app usage.
- Casual photography and video recording.
- Users who appreciate a comfortable design for prolonged use.
Ideal Users for Xiaomi Poco F4:
- Performance-focused users who want to play demanding games or use processor-heavy apps.
- Users who consume a lot of media and want a smoother, higher quality display.
- Users who value high-quality video recording with 4K and OIS.
- Users who want a premium audio experience with Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers.
- Users who want fast charging and don't mind a slightly heavier phone.
Use Cases:
- High-end gaming.
- Creating videos for social media or other platforms.
- Watching movies and shows on the go.
- Fast-paced multitasking and switching between demanding applications
- Those who prioritize build quality and screen protection
4. Decision Framework
Consider these three key questions before making a decision:
How important is gaming and performance?
- If high performance is essential, choose the Poco F4.
- If you're a casual user and don't need high-end gaming performance, the A32 is a more affordable option.
Do you prioritize battery life or fast charging?
- If long battery life is a must, choose the Samsung Galaxy A32.
- If you prefer faster charging, go with the Xiaomi Poco F4.
How important is camera quality and video recording capabilities?
- If you need to record high-quality videos, or want very smooth handheld footage, choose the Poco F4 with 4K video, OIS, and a higher quality slow motion.
- If you only take the occasional photo, the A32's camera is adequate and offers a depth sensor and higher resolution macro lens.
Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Budget-conscious user with casual needs: Samsung Galaxy A32 is the better choice, especially if you want a depth camera and prioritize battery life over performance.
- Scenario 2: Gamer or media enthusiast: Xiaomi Poco F4 is a significantly better choice, due to its high performance, smooth display, faster charging, and enhanced audio.
- Scenario 3: Photo and video enthusiast: Xiaomi Poco F4 would be a better option, with higher resolution video, Optical Image Stabilization, and a better night mode.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi Poco F4. Here's why:
While the Samsung Galaxy A32 has some appealing features, especially its slightly larger battery and dedicated depth sensor, the Poco F4’s sheer performance advantage, superior display, significantly faster charging, and significantly better video capabilities are too compelling to ignore. As someone who often uses their smartphone for demanding tasks and video capture, and values a smooth user experience, the Poco F4 simply offers a better overall package. The 120Hz refresh rate, much brighter display, superior connectivity, Dolby Atmos, significantly faster charging and OIS for video are also very important aspects for me. While it does sacrifice a bit on battery capacity, I find its 67W fast charging compensates for that. For these reasons, the Poco F4 is my preferred option.
