Samsung Galaxy A32 5G review
The Samsung Galaxy A32 5G is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers a solid chipset with 5G connectivity, excellent battery life, and decent camera performance. However, it makes some compromises to balance out the cost. The phone's plastic build feels somewhat hollow, but not too light, weighing over 200 grams. The flat back has a reflective finish, while the rounded frame is chrome-colored. The biggest downgrade from the regular 4G version is the display, which features a 6.5-inch LCD with a 720p resolution and standard refresh rate. This results in a pixel density of 270 PPI, leading to some graininess and dull colors. The camera setup includes a 48MP quad Bayer main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide cam, a 5MP macro cam, and a depth sensor. While the photos are generally good for this class, with plenty of detail and sharp colors, there's some softness in low-light conditions and narrow dynamic range. The phone runs on One UI 3.1 based on Android 11, which offers three major OS updates and four years of security patches. The Mediatek Dimensity 720 5G chipset provides solid CPU performance for a mid-ranger and respectable GPU performance, but is not the best performer in its class. The battery life is excellent, with a great endurance rating of 123 hours in our test routine. However, charging speed is slow, with a 15W charger taking over half an hour to charge from dead to just 23%. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G is a decent budget phone that offers a solid chipset and good camera performance, but makes some compromises on the display and battery life. If you're set on getting a 5G Samsung on a budget and don't mind the lower-resolution LCD, this could be worth considering.
Build Quality and Design
The Samsung Galaxy A32 5G's build quality is a letdown despite its attractive design. The phone's body is made from plastic, which feels less sturdy than expected. The flat back has a reflective finish similar to the chrome-colored rounded frame, but it doesn't quite live up to the premium feel one would expect from Samsung. Weighing in at over 200 grams, the A32 5G isn't light, either. While not excessively heavy, its weight doesn't contribute to an overall sense of durability. The plastic used in construction feels hollow inside, which might be a concern for some users. While the design is reminiscent of the regular Galaxy A32, it's clear that Samsung made some compromises with the 5G model. Cuts were made to balance out the added cost of the 5G chipset. As such, we wouldn't recommend the A32 5G if you value a solid build quality and premium feel. The phone's design is attractive in its own right, but it doesn't elevate the overall user experience. The bezels are thicker than expected, and there's a teardrop-shaped notch for the selfie camera. While not obtrusive, these design choices take away from an otherwise visually pleasing device.
Battery Life
In an era where battery life has become a crucial aspect of smartphone design, the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G's performance is a welcome surprise. Despite its relatively large 5000mAh battery, I had expected average to below-average longevity. However, my usage patterns reveal a phone that can easily last over a day and a half with moderate use. The battery life on offer here is impressive, considering the device's modest specs and 5G connectivity. In our proprietary test routine, the A32 5G scored a respectable 123 hours of endurance rating, which translates to around two days of heavy use. While this may not be record-breaking by today's standards, it's still more than adequate for most users. What's even more impressive is how the battery life holds up under various usage scenarios. Whether you're streaming videos, browsing the web, or playing games, the A32 5G's power management seems to be effective in conserving juice. Of course, like any smartphone, excessive gaming or video watching will still drain the battery faster than expected. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G's battery life is a pleasant surprise that makes it an attractive option for those seeking a reliable phone with moderate usage patterns. While not exceptional, its endurance rating is solid and should provide peace of mind for users who value long battery life.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy A32 5G is an intriguing device that offers a range of features at an affordable price point. However, one aspect that left us underwhelmed was its display. The phone boasts a 6.5-inch LCD screen with a resolution of just 720p. While the display's size and color accuracy are decent for its class, it falls short in terms of pixel density. With a mere 270 ppi, images can appear slightly grainy, especially when viewed up close. Colors seem dull and desaturated, and the lack of any color settings to adjust them is a major drawback. The display's brightness is also not impressive, with a maximum reading of around 420 nits in manual mode and 500 nits in auto mode. This means that users may struggle to see content clearly on sunny days or in brightly lit environments. Furthermore, the bezels are relatively thick, and the teardrop-shaped notch for the selfie camera is more pronounced than we'd like. The display's overall appearance feels somewhat bland and uninspired compared to some other mid-range smartphones. While the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G's display won't break any records in terms of quality or performance, it still gets the job done. However, for those who value a sharp, vibrant screen experience, this phone may not be the best choice. In summary, while the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G has its strengths elsewhere, its LCD display is somewhat underwhelming. If you're prioritizing a great viewing experience, you might want to look elsewhere in the mid-range market.
Camera
The camera department is an area where the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G shines. The quad-camera setup, consisting of a 48-megapixel primary sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, a 5-megapixel macro lens, and a depth sensor, delivers impressive results. The main camera's 48 megapixels are well-utilized in producing high-quality images with plenty of detail. The photos are sharp, and the colors are vibrant. Dynamic range is respectable, making it suitable for everyday photography. In good lighting conditions, the camera performs admirably, capturing well-exposed shots with minimal noise. One of the standout features of the A32 5G's camera is its ability to take excellent close-up shots using the macro lens. While there's no autofocus, this doesn't significantly impact the quality of the images. The 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens also produces decent results, although it struggles in low-light conditions. In low-light environments, the main camera performs well, but with some limitations. Photos are generally soft and noisy, and dynamic range is narrow, leading to blown-out highlights and crushed shadows. However, the night mode feature does help improve image quality by better handling light sources and reducing clipped shadows. The 13-megapixel front-facing camera takes decent selfies, boasting great resolution, likable colors, and a decently wide dynamic range thanks to HDR support. Recording video is also an area where the A32 5G's camera excels. The main camera can record 4K video with plenty of detail and saturated colors, although dynamic range could be improved by avoiding clipped highlights. The ultra-wide-angle lens records at up to 1080p resolution, but its footage is darker and less detailed. Electronic image stabilization (EIS) is available for both cameras, which helps reduce shakiness and smooth out video playback. However, EIS can sometimes introduce focus hunting in the main camera's footage. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G's camera offers impressive performance considering its price point. While it may not be perfect, especially in low-light conditions, the camera's strengths make it a compelling choice for those seeking a budget-friendly smartphone with solid imaging capabilities.
Price and Value
The Samsung Galaxy A32 5G is a budget-friendly smartphone that promises to deliver 5G connectivity without breaking the bank. Priced similarly to its 4G counterpart, this device aims to provide an excellent balance of features and affordability. At first glance, it's difficult to distinguish the 5G model from its 4G sibling, which can make it easy to overlook. However, upon closer inspection, you'll notice some compromises made to accommodate the 5G chipset. The most notable sacrifice is the display – a 6.5-inch LCD with a 720p resolution and standard refresh rate, paling in comparison to the full HD AMOLED screen on its predecessor. While the bezels are thicker, and the teardrop-shaped notch for the selfie camera may not be the most appealing design choice, it's hard to deny the value proposition of this device. For a price that's comparable to the 4G version, you're getting a phone with 5G capabilities, making it an attractive option for those who want to stay connected without shelling out more cash. In terms of performance, the Galaxy A32 5G holds its own, thanks to the Mediatek Dimensity 720 5G chipset. While not the most powerful processor, it provides solid CPU performance and respectable GPU results, making it suitable for everyday use and casual gaming. The battery life is also a redeeming feature, with a massive 5000mAh capacity that easily lasts a day and a half. However, charging speed leaves much to be desired, with the phone taking over an hour to reach full charge using the provided 15W charger. Ultimately, the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G offers excellent value for those who want a budget-friendly 5G smartphone without sacrificing too much in terms of performance and features. While it may not be the most exciting device on paper, its price point makes it an attractive option for those looking to upgrade their phone without breaking the bank.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A32 5G's performance is a mixed bag. On the plus side, the phone's MediaTek Dimensity 720 5G chipset provides solid CPU performance for a mid-ranger, comparable to phones with a Snapdragon 720G. In our tests, it performed respectably in GPU tests, likely due to its lower-resolution display. However, this chipset is not without its drawbacks. The biggest compromise is the lack of a high-refresh-rate AMOLED display, which is replaced by a 6.5-inch LCD with a 720p resolution and standard refresh rate. This results in a pixel density of just 270 PPI, leading to noticeable graininess and dull, desaturated colors. The phone's interface, running on One UI 3.1 based on Android 11, is fast and responsive. Samsung's promise of support through three major OS updates and four years of security patches is a welcome feature. However, the lack of any color settings or panel options to adjust for the display's limitations is disappointing. In terms of audio, the phone's single speaker scored average on our loudness charts, with no impressive sound quality. The camera performance is also a mixed bag, but more on that later. Overall, while the Galaxy A32 5G's chipset provides decent performance, it's not without its compromises. The lack of a high-refresh-rate display and mediocre audio capabilities are notable drawbacks. However, for those set on getting a budget-friendly Samsung with 5G connectivity, this phone might still be worth considering.
Pros
1. The phone has a solid chipset that provides 5G connectivity
2. Excellent battery life lasting up to 123 hours
3. Decent camera experience with good quality photos and videos
4. Samsung's software support is top-notch
Cons
1. Disappointing display with 720p resolution and standard refresh rate
2. Hollow and not very sturdy build quality
3. Slow charging speed taking around half an hour to charge from dead to just 23%