Oppo A53s vs. Samsung Galaxy A32: A Detailed Comparison for Budget Shoppers

The Oppo A53s and Samsung Galaxy A32 represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The A53s leverages Qualcomm's Snapdragon 460, while the A32 opts for MediaTek's Helio G80. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A32 emerges as the slightly better choice. Its significantly brighter 814 nit display and comparable battery endurance outweigh the A53s' marginally more efficient chipset. While the A53s is a capable device, the A32's superior viewing experience makes it more enjoyable for everyday use.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo A53s Samsung Galaxy A32
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Version 1, Version 3HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Version 11, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Version 3-
Launch
Announced2020, October 12. Released 2020, October 172021, February 25
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, February 25
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions163.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.33 in)158.9 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm (6.26 x 2.90 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight186 g (6.56 oz)184 g (6.49 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ)Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm)Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Mali-G52 MC2
OSAndroid 10, ColorOS 7.2Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1 (single lane)-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single-20 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
Triple13 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)20 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioFM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging18W wired15W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsElectric Black, Fancy BlueAwesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Blue, Awesome Violet
ModelsCPH2139, CPH2135SM-A325F, SM-A325F/DS, SM-A325M, SM-A325N
PriceAbout 110 EUR€ 124.99 / £ 89.38
SAR0.77 W/kg (head)     0.97 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU-0.45 W/kg (head)     1.30 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 119h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -30.3 LUFS (Below average)
Performance- AnTuTu: 286666 (v8) GeekBench: 1277 (v5.1) GFXBench: 8.1fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Oppo A53s

  • Faster 18W charging
  • Potentially slightly better power efficiency
  • Qualcomm chipset generally offers good software support

  • Likely dimmer display
  • Less powerful CPU compared to the Helio G80

Samsung Galaxy A32

  • Significantly brighter display (814 nits)
  • More powerful CPU for smoother performance
  • Samsung's established brand and software ecosystem

  • Slower 15W charging
  • Larger process node (12nm) may lead to more heat

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A32 boasts a substantial advantage in display quality, achieving a measured peak brightness of 814 nits. This is a critical difference, making the A32 far more usable in direct sunlight. While the Oppo A53s' display specifications are not provided, it's reasonable to assume it falls significantly short of this brightness level. The A32's 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a typical IPS panel, offering good color reproduction, though lacking the dynamic range of OLED displays. The lack of refresh rate information for both devices suggests standard 60Hz panels, which is typical for this price bracket.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is difficult. It's likely both phones rely on multi-camera setups with a primary sensor and supporting lenses (potentially including a 2MP macro lens, which often provides limited real-world benefit). The A32's brand reputation suggests a more refined image processing algorithm, potentially resulting in more pleasing photos in various lighting conditions. The absence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy A32's MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm) and its CPU configuration of 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores offer a performance edge over the Oppo A53s' Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 (11nm) and its Octa-core setup. The Helio G80's Cortex-A75 cores provide a noticeable boost in single-core performance, beneficial for app launch times and general responsiveness. However, the Snapdragon 460's 11nm process *should* translate to slightly better power efficiency. The A32's GPU is also likely to provide a better gaming experience, though neither phone is designed for demanding titles. The A32's larger process node (12nm vs 11nm) could lead to slightly more heat generation under sustained load.

Battery Life

Both the Oppo A53s and Samsung Galaxy A32 share an endurance rating of 119 hours, indicating comparable battery life under typical usage. However, charging speeds differ: the A53s supports 18W wired charging, while the A32 is limited to 15W. This means the A53s will likely charge slightly faster, potentially shaving off 15-20 minutes for a full charge. The similar endurance ratings suggest that despite the Snapdragon 460's potentially better efficiency, the A32's battery capacity compensates for the Helio G80's higher power draw.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo A53s if you prioritize a slightly more power-efficient processor and are less concerned with display brightness. This phone is ideal for users who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A32 if you value a vibrant, easily visible display, especially outdoors, and want a phone that's more versatile for media consumption and casual gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the MediaTek Helio G80 in the Samsung Galaxy A32 get noticeably hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Helio G80, being a 12nm chip, can generate more heat than the Snapdragon 460's 11nm process. While it's capable of handling casual gaming, prolonged sessions with demanding titles may lead to noticeable warming. However, thermal throttling is unlikely to be severe enough to completely ruin the experience, and the phone is not expected to reach dangerously high temperatures.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Oppo A53s a significant advantage over the 15W charging on the Samsung Galaxy A32?
While 18W is faster, the difference isn't massive. Expect roughly a 15-20 minute reduction in full charge time for the A53s. Both phones will still take over 2 hours to fully charge from 0%. The convenience of slightly faster charging is a benefit, but not a deal-breaker.
❓ Are the 2MP macro cameras on either phone worth using?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones offer limited utility. Image quality is often poor, lacking detail and sharpness. They are primarily a marketing feature and are unlikely to significantly enhance your photography experience. The main camera on either phone will produce far superior results for close-up shots.