1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 158.9 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm | 168.6 × 76.3 × 8.2 mm | The Redmi 12 5G is noticeably taller and slightly wider, making it less pocketable for some. The A32 is slightly thicker, though this difference is minimal. |
| Weight | 184g | 199g | The A32 is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and one-handed operation. |
| Build | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Redmi 12 5G likely has better screen protection. The A32's screen protection is unknown and may be more prone to scratches and cracks. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.4" | 6.79" | The Redmi 12 5G has a larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming. The A32's smaller screen may be preferred by those who value a more compact device. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2460 | Both offer similar sharpness, differences are negligible in real-world use. |
| PPI | 411 | 396 | Both are sharp and have no major differences in pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The A32's AMOLED display offers richer colors, deeper blacks, better contrast, and superior power efficiency for dark themes. The Redmi 12 5G's LCD is less vibrant with lower contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both provide smoother scrolling and animations compared to standard 60Hz displays. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have unspecified brightness; we cannot assess which has better outdoor visibility from this data. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G80 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4 nm) | The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 is significantly more powerful and power-efficient. The Redmi 12 5G will have faster app loading, better multitasking, and smoother performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 200,458 | 456,552 | The Redmi 12 5G offers dramatically better performance than the A32 for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 613 | The Adreno 613 is much better at graphics processing, resulting in smoother and more enjoyable gaming on the Redmi 12 5G. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64.2MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8 | A32 has higher resolution. In well-lit conditions, this may mean more details. In general, image processing matters more than raw resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.2 | The A32's selfie camera is far superior on paper, offering higher resolution and likely better details in selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2 | N/A | The A32 provides versatility with a wide-angle camera for group shots and landscapes. The Redmi 12 5G lacks this capability. |
| Portrait Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | The A32 has a higher resolution portrait lens which should result in better background separation and more detailed bokeh effects. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | The A32 provides an additional macro lens for close-up photography. The Redmi 12 5G lacks this lens. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, No Stabilization, No Slow-mo | 1080p@30fps, Yes Stabilization, Yes Slow-mo | Redmi 12 5G has video stabilization and slow motion recording, both missing on the A32. |
| DxOMark Score | N/A | Mobile: 63 | Only the Redmi 12 5G was tested, with a mediocre score, indicating potential limitations in overall camera performance despite having better video features. The A32 camera performance is unknown. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Continuous shooting, Other standard features | Dual camera, Digital image stabilization, OIS, PDAF, other standard features | Redmi 12 5G has better stabilization, and autofocus (OIS, PDAF) but less versatile setup. The A32 excels at photography with a greater number of camera lenses. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones offer similar battery life, which is sufficient for a full day of moderate use. |
| Charging | Li-Ion, No Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | The Redmi 12 5G can be charged much faster, while the A32 takes significantly longer to charge and uses older battery chemistry. |
| Removable | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both phones have batteries that are not user-replaceable. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A32 | Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11, upgrade to 13 | Android 13, upgrade to 14 | The Redmi 12 5G has a newer Android version with longer support lifecycle. The A32 will receive no further major updates and has already aged considerably. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both offer similar Wi-Fi speeds and capabilities. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0, full suite of profiles | Bluetooth 5.0 LE, basic profiles | The A32 supports many more bluetooth profiles, better for different audio devices/smartwatches and pairing functionality. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | A32 has better GPS accuracy with extra Galileo support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both support dual SIM cards. |
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | The Redmi 12 5G offers more storage options, especially if opting for the 256 GB variant. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 4GB/6GB/8GB | Both have similar RAM variants, suitable for multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | Basic audio | Basic audio | Both phones have basic audio performance. |
| Security | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side mounted fingerprint sensor is faster and more ergonomic. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | A32 features extra sensors for gaming and screen orientation/brightness management. The Redmi 12 5G uses a more modern ultrasonic proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A32 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED display offers better colors, contrast, and power efficiency for dark themes.
- More Camera Lenses: Offers more camera versatility with a wide-angle and macro lens. Higher resolution on the front facing camera and portrait lens.
- Slightly Lighter: More comfortable for extended use and one-handed operation.
- More Bluetooth profiles: Better support for more accessories.
- Better GPS: More accurate positioning with Galileo support.
- Extra Sensors: Offers a gyroscope and standard proximity sensor for more features.
Practical Implications of A32 Advantages: The A32 excels in user experience with a richer display for media and a versatile camera system. The lighter design is better for daily use.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset offers a massive performance increase for smoother app loading, better multitasking and gaming.
- Fast Charging: 18W fast charging allows for quick battery top-ups.
- Newer Software: Comes with Android 13 and is upgradable to 14, ensuring longer software support and modern features.
- Video Stabilization: Video recording will have more stabilization and offers slow-mo capabilities.
- Larger Storage option: Option for 256GB variant.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Faster and more ergonomic.
- Better Screen Protection: Has Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection.
- More Modern proximity sensor: Ultrasonic proximity sensor.
Practical Implications of Redmi 12 5G Advantages: The Redmi 12 5G offers a much more responsive experience with better performance. Fast charging is a big convenience, and the latest software keeps the phone up-to-date.
Trade-offs:
- A32: Loses out on performance and charging speed in favour of display and camera versatility.
- Redmi 12 5G: Lacks the versatility of the A32's camera lenses and cannot match the AMOLED display quality.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A32:
- Ideal User: Casual users who value display quality, camera versatility, and are not very demanding of processing power.
- Use Cases:
- Social media browsing and content consumption.
- Photography enthusiasts who enjoy multiple camera lenses.
- Users who prefer a more compact and lightweight design.
- Users who use wireless headphones with specific profiles.
- Price-to-Value: If available at a significant discount, could be suitable for users on a very tight budget but it is an old phone.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, want fast charging, and the latest software and are more interested in video over photography.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and demanding app use.
- Heavy multitaskers.
- Users who want a future-proof device with up-to-date software.
- Users who value faster charging.
- Price-to-Value: Offers excellent performance for the price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance or Display? Do you prioritize raw speed and responsiveness (Redmi 12 5G) or a vibrant, high-contrast display (A32)?
- Camera Versatility or Video Stabilization? Do you want multiple camera lenses for more flexibility (A32) or video stabilization and slow motion recording? (Redmi 12 5G)
- Battery top-ups? Do you prefer fast charging(Redmi 12 5G) or do you not mind longer charging times(A32)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User on a Tight Budget: If you can get the A32 for significantly cheaper, and don't require high performance and can ignore the lack of video features, it is adequate. If these compromises are too much the Redmi is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer/Power User: The Redmi 12 5G is the clear choice for its superior performance and fast charging.
- Scenario 3: Casual Photographer: The A32 provides a more versatile experience with its extra lenses, but lacks video quality, while the Redmi 12 5G lacks lenses but has better video.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G.
Here's why:
Despite the Samsung Galaxy A32 having the superior display quality due to its AMOLED technology, and a more versatile camera setup, the performance disparity between the phones is too large to ignore, coupled with it having an outdated version of Android. The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 in the Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G provides a significant boost in speed and efficiency, which is more noticeable in day-to-day use, particularly when running apps, or gaming and makes it significantly more future proof. The fast charging is also a very useful feature. While the AMOLED display is certainly a plus point for the A32, and having a more versatile set of lenses is good, they're not as crucial for my use case as the overall speed and performance offered by the Redmi 12 5G. The Redmi's video capabilities are also useful, while I would value the extra lenses, I'm more likely to record video on the go.
In summary, while both phones have their strengths, for me, the Redmi 12 5G provides the best balance of performance, features and future proofing, which is more crucial than screen and camera versatility.
