The Oppo A32 and Samsung Galaxy A21s represent compelling options in the ultra-budget smartphone segment. Both aim to deliver essential features at a low price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The A32 leverages Qualcomm's Snapdragon 460, while the A21s opts for Samsung's in-house Exynos 850. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A21s emerges as the slightly better choice. While both phones offer similar endurance ratings (119h), the Exynos 850’s 8nm process provides a performance edge over the Snapdragon 460’s 11nm node, translating to smoother multitasking and app loading. The A21s also boasts a brighter display.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 10. Released 2020, September 10 | 2020, May 15. Released 2020, June 02 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 163.7 x 75.3 x 8.9 mm (6.44 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 10, ColorOS 7.2 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4/6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mint Green, Electric Black, Fancy Blue | Black, White, Blue, Red |
| Models | PDVM00 | SM-A217F, SM-A217F/DS, SM-A217F/DSN, SM-A217M, SM-A217M/DS, SM-A217N |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR | 0.77 W/kg (head) 0.97 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | - | 0.42 W/kg (head) 1.54 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 119h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1287:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.0 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 107157 (v8)
GeekBench: 1100 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 11fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Oppo A32
- Slightly faster charging (18W)
- Newer Snapdragon 460 chipset
- Potentially better Qualcomm software optimization
- Less efficient 11nm chipset
- Likely lower display brightness
- Unspecified display quality
Samsung Galaxy A21s
- Brighter display (490 nits)
- More efficient 8nm Exynos 850 chipset
- Established Samsung brand and software
- Slower charging (15W)
- Older chipset generation
- Potential for Samsung’s software bloat
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A21s features a display capable of reaching 490 nits of peak brightness, a significant advantage over the Oppo A32’s unspecified brightness. Both displays share a 1287:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar black levels and color depth. However, the measured brightness of the A21s ensures better visibility outdoors. While both are likely LCD panels, the A21s’ higher brightness makes it the more comfortable option for extended use in bright environments.
Camera Comparison
Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the price point, both likely feature basic camera setups. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both is largely a marketing feature with limited practical benefit. Image processing will likely be the differentiating factor, with Samsung’s software generally offering more refined results, though this is speculative without sample images.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A21s’ Exynos 850, built on an 8nm process, offers a more efficient architecture than the Oppo A32’s Snapdragon 460 (11nm). While both are octa-core CPUs, the Exynos 850’s Cortex-A55 cores run at 2.0 GHz, compared to the Snapdragon 460’s Kryo 240 cores at 1.8 GHz and 1.6 GHz. This translates to faster app launches and smoother multitasking on the A21s. The 8nm process also implies better thermal management, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
Both the Oppo A32 and Samsung Galaxy A21s achieve an endurance rating of 119 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. The A21s supports 15W wired charging, while the A32 offers 18W. While the A32 has a slightly faster charging rate, the difference is unlikely to be substantial in real-world scenarios. The efficiency of the Exynos 850 in the A21s may contribute to similar battery life despite the slightly slower charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A32 if you prioritize a newer chipset architecture and are heavily invested in the Qualcomm ecosystem. Its Snapdragon 460, though less powerful, benefits from Qualcomm’s optimizations. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A21s if you value a brighter display, slightly better overall performance due to the 8nm Exynos 850, and the established Samsung brand reputation for software support, even in the budget segment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the Galaxy A21s tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 850, built on an 8nm process, is relatively efficient and less prone to overheating compared to the Snapdragon 460’s 11nm process. While it won’t deliver flagship-level gaming performance, it should handle moderate gaming sessions without significant throttling.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Oppo A32 significantly faster than the 15W charging on the Samsung A21s?
The 3W difference in charging wattage is unlikely to result in a dramatically faster charging experience. Both phones will likely take around 2-3 hours to fully charge from 0 to 100%. The overall charging speed is also affected by the battery management system and cable quality.
❓ Are the 2MP macro cameras on either phone worth using?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones offer limited image quality. They often lack detail and sharpness. While they can be fun to experiment with, don’t expect professional-looking macro shots. The main camera on either phone will likely produce better results even when zoomed in.
❓ Which phone is likely to receive more software updates and security patches?
Samsung generally provides longer software support for its devices, even in the budget segment, compared to Oppo. While neither phone will receive updates for years, the Galaxy A21s is more likely to receive timely security patches and potentially one major Android version update.
