Samsung Galaxy M32 vs Nokia G42 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Nokia G42
Nokia G42
Nokia

General

Launch Date June 28, 2021 June 28, 2023
Release Year 2021 2023

Physical

Volume 99.02 cm³ 107.56 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.56 "/g 3.38 "/g
Weight 180 g 193.8 g
Height 159.3 mm 165 mm
Width 74 mm 75.8 mm
Thickness 8.4 mm 8.6 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Light Blue
  • Red
  • Purple
  • Gray

Display

Screen Size 6.4 " 6.56 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 720 x 1612
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 83.9 % 82.7 %
Pixel Density 411 PPI 269 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A 450 nits
HBM Brightness 800 nits N/A
Peak Brightness N/A 560 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 122.07 mAh/in² 116.19 mAh/in²
Battery Density 50.49 mAh/cm³ 46.49 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)
GPU Mali-G52 MC2 Adreno 619

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 13
Maximum OS Version 13 14

Comparison Summary

Alright, let's pit the Samsung Galaxy M32 against the Nokia G42. I'll break down the specs, highlight the key differences, and offer my take on which phone might be the better fit for you. Here we go!

1. Specifications Breakdown

Here's a detailed look at how these phones stack up, with an emphasis on what the numbers mean for real-world usage:

FeatureSamsung Galaxy M32Nokia G42Real-World Implications
Design
Dimensions159.3 × 74 × 8.4 mm, 180g165 × 75.8 × 8.6 mm, 193.8gM32 is more compact and lighter, better for one-handed use and portability. G42 is noticeably larger.
BuildPlasticPlastic, Gorilla Glass 3G42 has the advantage with Gorilla Glass 3, offering better scratch and impact resistance for the screen.
Display
Size6.4"6.56"G42 has a slightly larger viewing area.
Resolution1080x2400720x1612M32's display is significantly sharper and clearer. Text and images will look much more defined.
Pixel Density411 ppi269 ppiHigher pixel density on the M32 means less pixelation, resulting in a clearer image.
TechnologyAMOLEDIPS LCDM32's AMOLED display will offer much better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors.
Refresh Rate90Hz90HzBoth provide smoother scrolling and animations compared to standard 60Hz screens.
Performance
ChipsetMediatek Helio G80 (12 nm)Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm)G42's Snapdragon chip is significantly faster and more efficient, leading to snappier performance in apps and games.
AnTuTu Score204,000380,000Confirms the G42 offers a much smoother experience, especially for demanding tasks.
GPUMali-G52 MC2Adreno 619The Adreno 619 in the G42 provides better graphics performance for gaming and video playback.
Camera
Main Camera64MP, f/1.850MP, f/1.8M32 has a higher resolution sensor; however, image quality also depends on processing and sensor quality.
Selfie Camera20MP, f/2.28MP, f/2.0M32's selfie camera should capture more detailed self-portraits.
Ultrawide Lens8MP, f/2.2NoneM32 offers more versatility with its ultrawide lens for group shots or expansive landscapes.
Video Recording1080p@30fps1080p@30fpsVideo quality will be similar, suitable for basic social media sharing.
Battery Life
Capacity5000mAh5000mAhExpect similar battery life under typical usage.
Charging25W Fast Charging20W Fast ChargingM32 charges slightly faster, reducing downtime.
Charger15W Charger IncludedNo Charger IncludedM32 has the edge, comes with a 15w charger, G42 you must buy separately.
Software
OSAndroid 11, Upgradable to 13Android 13, Upgradable to 14G42 offers a more up-to-date Android experience out of the box, with a longer guaranteed update path.
Connectivity
Wi-FiWi-Fi 5Wi-Fi 6G42's Wi-Fi 6 support provides faster and more reliable wireless connectivity if you have a compatible router.
Bluetooth5.05.1G42's Bluetooth 5.1 offers slightly improved efficiency and range.
SIMDual SIMSingle SIMM32 is better for users who need two phone numbers active at the same time.
Storage
Internal64/128 GB128 GBBoth phones have the same maximum storage capacity of 128GB.
RAM4/6/8 GB4/6 GBSamsung Galaxy M32 has more RAM (8GB), good for multitasking and gaming.
ExpandableNoNoNeither phone offers expandable storage, so choose a model with enough internal storage for your needs.

2. Key Insights

  • Display: The Galaxy M32 wins hands down in this category. The AMOLED screen with its higher resolution and pixel density will offer a much more enjoyable viewing experience compared to the Nokia G42's LCD.

  • Performance: The Nokia G42 takes the lead here, thanks to its Snapdragon 480+ 5G chipset. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance.

  • Camera: The Samsung Galaxy M32 has higher resolution main and selfie cameras. The ultrawide lens is a plus.

  • Software: The Nokia G42 ships with a more recent version of Android (13) and is promised to receive future updates.

  • Connectivity: The Nokia G42 offers newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards. The Samsung Galaxy M32 offers dual sim standby feature.

  • Value: Both phones come with the same maximum 128GB internal storage, The Samsung Galaxy M32 has more RAM.

3. User Profiles and Recommendations

  • Samsung Galaxy M32: Best for users who prioritize display quality and camera versatility and need a dual sim phone.
  • Nokia G42: Ideal for users who need fast mobile experience and longer software support.

4. Buying Decision Framework

Here are three questions to ask yourself to help make the right choice:

  1. How important is display quality to you? If you value vibrant colors, deep blacks, and crisp visuals, the Galaxy M32 is the clear winner.
  2. Do you need the smoothest possible performance? If you are a power user and need a device that can smoothly handle mobile games, the Nokia G42 will work for you.
  3. Do you need the latest Android version with future software updates? If it is a yes, the Nokia G42 may suit you better.

Recommendation

If I were buying a phone based on this comparison, I would choose the Nokia G42. Despite the Samsung Galaxy M32's better display, the smoother performance, longer software support, more modern wireless connectivity, and extra durability provided by the Gorilla Glass 3 screen make it the more practical and future-proof option.

Alex Griffin
Alex Griffin

Technology analyst specializing in mobile devices and consumer electronics.

Core Expertise

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Consumer electronics evaluation
  • Technical specification interpretation
  • User experience insights

Professional Mission Empowering readers to make informed technology decisions by transforming intricate specifications into understandable, practical guidance.

Demystifying technology, one device at a time.