Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A32 vs. Xiaomi Poco F5
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Xiaomi Poco F5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158.9 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm | 161.1 × 75 × 7.9 mm | Poco F5 is slightly taller and wider but thinner; Minimal impact on daily use. |
| Weight | 184g | 181g | Both are virtually identical in weight. This will be negligible in-hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.67" | Poco F5 offers a slightly larger display for more immersive media consumption, gaming and more screen real estate for multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical resolution; Both provide a sharp display with no significant differences in clarity. |
| PPI | 411 | 395 | Both have similar pixel density; Differences would be barely noticeable in most daily use. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast, leading to good visual experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Poco F5 offers smoother scrolling and animations, making the user interface feel more fluid; better for gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both devices have the same peak brightness (however, this needs further validation as 0 nits is unlikely), will have similar outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G80 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 (4 nm) | Poco F5 offers significantly faster performance for gaming, app loading, and general multitasking due to the superior chipset and manufacturing process. |
| AnTuTu Score | 200,458 | 1,134,558 | Poco F5 has a dramatically higher benchmark score, indicating significantly better overall performance, smoother experience and future-proof performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 725 | Poco F5's GPU provides much better graphics processing capabilities for gaming and demanding applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery capacity, expect comparable battery life for average use. |
| Charging | Li-Ion, Non-removable | 67W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer, Non-removable | Poco F5 has a 67W fast charging capability, significantly reducing charging times; Li-Polymer batteries are generally considered more efficient. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64.2MP, f/1.8, unknown sensor | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2" Omnivision OV64B, 0.70 µm | Poco F5 with wider aperture and a larger sensor size and a specific model will likely perform better in low light; Xiaomi Poco F5 will capture more details |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2, unknown sensor | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.1" Samsung S5K3P9, 1.12 µm | A32 has a higher resolution front camera but with a smaller aperture; Poco F5 has larger pixel size which captures more light. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2, unknown sensor | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" Sony IMX355, 1.12 µm | Both cameras are comparable with f/2.2 aperture; Poco F5 has slightly bigger sensor size and pixel size. |
| Portrait | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | A32 includes a dedicated depth sensor for portrait photography. |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4, unknown sensor | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" GalaxyCore GC02M1, 1.75 µm | A32 has a higher resolution macro lens which should capture more details when taking close-up photos. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, no EIS, no slow-motion | 4K@30fps (EIS), 1080p@60fps (EIS), 1080p@120fps (EIS), slow-motion at 240fps | Poco F5 provides much better video recording capabilities with higher resolution, EIS, and slow-motion options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, up to 13 | Android 13, up to 14 | Poco F5 ships with a newer Android version, offering the latest features and potentially longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi MiMO | Poco F5 supports a newer Wi-Fi standard, offering faster speeds, better range and stability for faster connection. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 LE | Poco F5 has a newer Bluetooth version, offering improved range, speed, and lower power consumption. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Poco F5 offers broader satellite support for faster and more accurate location tracking in various environments. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Full Active | Poco F5 has Dual Sim Full Active which provides better connectivity; Samsung A32 has Dual Standby which requires one SIM to be on stand by while the other is in use |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB or 128GB | 256GB | Poco F5 offers significantly more internal storage for apps, media, and files. |
| RAM | 4GB, 6GB or 8GB | 8GB or 12GB | Poco F5 offers more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and better performance for demanding tasks. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Poco F5 offers higher quality audio with stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, and Hi-Res support for immersive experience. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Poco F5’s side-mounted sensor offers faster unlocking speeds. |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Xiaomi Poco F5 has much better scratch and damage resistance for the screen. |
| Sensors | Proximity: Proximity, Hall, Geomagnetic; Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Samsung Galaxy A32 additionally features: Proximity, Hall, Geomagnetic; Xiaomi Poco F5 additionally features: Ultrasonic proximity virtual; Both have similar range of sensors |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A32 Advantages:
- Dedicated Portrait Camera: Includes a 5MP dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, which is absent in the Poco F5.
- Higher Resolution Macro Lens: Offers a higher resolution (5MP) macro lens compared to Poco F5’s 2MP.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 20MP selfie camera vs. 16MP in the Poco F5.
Xiaomi Poco F5 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 chipset offers significantly faster performance than the Helio G80, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance.
- Significantly Higher Benchmark: AnTuTu score is 5x higher on the Poco F5, reflecting superior processing power.
- Fast Charging: 67W fast charging dramatically reduces charging times.
- Better Display: 120Hz refresh rate for smoother visuals compared to 90Hz,
- Higher Quality Video: 4K video recording with EIS, as well as slow-motion capabilities and better quality videos compared to the 1080p 30fps with no stabilisation on the Samsung Galaxy A32.
- More Storage and RAM: 256GB internal storage and 8GB/12GB RAM options offer better multitasking and storage capacity than the A32's 128GB (or 64GB), and 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB.
- Advanced Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 for faster speeds and better battery efficiency.
- Enhanced Audio: Includes Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and stereo speakers for an enhanced audio experience.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 screen protection provides better protection against scratches and damage.
- Full Active Dual SIM: Offers Dual SIM full active allowing both SIM cards to function simultaneously and provide better connectivity.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy A32 offers a dedicated depth sensor and a higher-resolution macro lens, which could appeal to those who prioritize specific photography features. However, this comes at the cost of significantly lower performance, inferior video recording, slower charging, and less storage.
- Poco F5’s lack of a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode may be a drawback for some, it is still capable of delivering very capable portrait images.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A32 Ideal User:
- Casual Photographers: Users who prioritize the dedicated depth sensor and macro lens for casual photography.
- Basic Smartphone Users: Those who don't engage in heavy gaming, multitasking, or video recording.
- Price-Conscious Buyers: May appeal to those on a strict budget, who don't need cutting-edge performance.
Use Cases:
- Everyday browsing and social media.
- Casual photography in good lighting conditions.
- Light app usage.
Xiaomi Poco F5 Ideal User:
- Mobile Gamers: Benefit significantly from the powerful chipset and 120Hz display.
- Multitaskers: Users who require seamless performance for heavy multitasking.
- Media Consumers: Appreciate the large, vibrant display with higher refresh rate and quality audio.
- Video Creators: Benefit from 4K video recording with EIS and slow-motion capabilities.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Those who appreciate the latest features, fast charging, and cutting-edge connectivity.
Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming.
- Heavy multitasking with multiple apps.
- High-quality video recording and viewing.
- Media consumption (movies, streaming).
- Power users and tech enthusiasts.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Performance Needs: Do you prioritize raw performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps, or are you content with basic performance?
- Camera Priorities: Do you prioritize depth sensors and higher-resolution macro lenses, or do you focus on video quality and overall camera performance?
- Battery and Charging: Do you prioritize fast charging, or are you okay with longer charging times?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget-Conscious, Casual User): If you're on a tight budget and primarily use your phone for basic tasks, the Samsung Galaxy A32 may be adequate. However, the Poco F5 may still be a better choice, even if slightly more expensive, because it will offer a much smoother experience and is likely to last much longer before becoming obsolete.
- Scenario 2 (Gaming Enthusiast): The Xiaomi Poco F5 is the clear choice due to its superior processor, higher refresh rate screen, and fast charging capabilities.
- Scenario 3 (Photography Enthusiast): If having a dedicated depth sensor and a high-resolution macro lens is a must, the Samsung A32 has an advantage, although the Poco F5 will also be very capable of taking good photos, and offer much better video recording capabilities.
- Scenario 4 (Value-Oriented User): The Xiaomi Poco F5 offers much better value for money due to the big upgrade in key performance areas.
Personal Choice: Xiaomi Poco F5
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would definitively select the Xiaomi Poco F5. The performance difference alone, as highlighted by the significant AnTuTu benchmark disparity, makes the Poco F5 a much more compelling option. The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 chipset will provide a much smoother experience in day-to-day use, gaming, and multitasking, and will ensure longevity. The 120Hz refresh rate provides a better visual experience and the 67W fast charging is a convenience I would not want to be without. In addition, the superior video recording capabilities, along with much higher quality audio with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support, make the Poco F5 a clear winner for overall user experience.
While the Samsung Galaxy A32 has some merits with its dedicated depth sensor and a slightly higher-resolution macro lens, these are outweighed by the Poco F5's overwhelming advantages in overall performance, display quality, charging speeds, and overall value. In conclusion, the Poco F5 is a much more modern, powerful, feature-packed device that will offer a superior experience to the Galaxy A32, therefore making it my obvious choice.
