The Oppo A55 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. This comparison dives deep into their specifications, focusing on performance, display quality, and battery life to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A32 emerges as the better choice. While both phones share a 119-hour endurance rating, the A32’s Helio G80 chipset, featuring Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the A55’s Helio G35, making it more suitable for multitasking and gaming.
| 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, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 01 | 2021, February 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 01 | Available. Released 2021, February 25 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 158.9 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm (6.26 x 2.90 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 184 g (6.49 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | NEG T2X-1 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ), 550 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED 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) |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Rainbow Blue, Starry Black, Green | Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Blue, Awesome Violet |
| Models | CPH2325 | SM-A325F, SM-A325F/DS, SM-A325M, SM-A325N |
| Price | £ 100.00 | € 124.99 / £ 89.38 |
| 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 A55
- Faster 18W charging
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Weaker processor performance
- Less detailed display specifications
- Likely less refined camera performance
Samsung Galaxy A32
- More powerful Helio G80 processor
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Better multitasking capabilities
- Slower 15W charging
- Potentially higher price
- Similar battery life despite slower charging
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A32 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 814 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Oppo A55. This higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays have an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for LCD/TFT panels), the A32’s superior brightness is a key advantage. The A55’s display specifications are less detailed, suggesting a more basic panel.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the market positioning, it’s likely both phones employ similar budget camera sensors. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices suggests limited utility, as image quality from such sensors is typically subpar. Image processing algorithms will likely be the differentiating factor, and Samsung generally has a slight edge in this area.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A32 utilizes the Mediatek Helio G80, featuring a dual-core Cortex-A75 setup alongside six Cortex-A55 cores. This configuration provides a substantial performance boost over the Oppo A55’s Helio G35, which relies solely on four Cortex-A53 cores and another four Cortex-A53 cores. The A75 cores in the G80 offer significantly higher single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launching and smoother multitasking. While both are 12nm chips, the architectural differences are substantial. The A55 will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both the Oppo A55 and Samsung Galaxy A32 achieve an endurance rating of 119 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the A55 supports 18W wired charging, while the A32 is limited to 15W. This means the A55 can potentially charge faster, though the difference in real-world charging times may not be dramatic. The similar endurance ratings suggest that despite the different chipsets, power efficiency is comparable.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A55 if you prioritize a slightly faster charging speed (18W vs 15W) and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A32 if you value smoother performance for everyday tasks and occasional gaming, and appreciate a brighter, more vibrant display for media consumption. The A32 is the better all-rounder.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G80 in the Samsung Galaxy A32 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G80 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but it's significantly better than the Helio G35 in the Oppo A55 for gaming.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Oppo A55 a significant advantage over the 15W charging on the Samsung Galaxy A32?
While 18W is faster on paper, the difference in real-world charging times is likely to be around 15-30 minutes for a full charge. It's a minor advantage, but could be beneficial for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Are the 2MP macro cameras on either phone worth using?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones produce images with limited detail and sharpness. They are often included for marketing purposes but offer minimal practical benefit. You're better off using the main camera for close-up shots.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A32 support software updates for longer than the Oppo A55?
Samsung generally provides longer software support for its devices compared to Oppo. You can expect at least one major Android update and several years of security patches on the A32, while the A55's update schedule may be shorter.
