The Oppo A56 5G and Samsung Galaxy A32 5G represent the entry point for 5G connectivity without breaking the bank. Both devices leverage Mediatek's Dimensity series, but subtle differences in chipset, display characteristics, and charging speeds create distinct user experiences. This comparison dives deep to reveal which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G offers a slightly more refined experience. While both phones share a similar endurance rating of 123 hours, the A32 5G’s brighter 497 nit display and 15W charging provide a small but noticeable advantage over the Oppo A56 5G’s 10W charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat16 1024/75 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6 - SM-A326U |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 25 | 2021, January 13 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 16 | Available. Released 2021, January 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 75.6 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 164.2 x 76.1 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189.5 g (6.70 oz) | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Panda / Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| 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 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) | TFT LCD, 60Hz (International), 90Hz (SM-A326U, SM-326DL only) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC3 |
| OS | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 / UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps |
| 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 | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Violet | Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Blue, Awesome Violet |
| Models | PFVM10 | SM-A326B, SM-A326B/DS, SM-A326BR/DS, SM-A326BR, SM-A326U, SM-A326W, SM-A326U1, SM-A326K, SCG08, SM-S326DL |
| Price | About 220 EUR | € 111.89 / $ 78.64 / £ 77.53 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.33 W/kg (head) 1.08 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 123h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1470:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.5 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 226561 (v8)
GeekBench: 1673 (v5.1) |
Oppo A56 5G
- Potentially slightly faster CPU performance due to higher Cortex-A76 clock speeds.
- May feature a more modern design aesthetic.
- 5G connectivity at an affordable price point.
- Slower 10W charging.
- Display brightness likely lower than the A32 5G.
Samsung Galaxy A32 5G
- Brighter 497 nit display for better outdoor visibility.
- Faster 15W charging.
- Proven endurance rating of 123 hours.
- Potentially older model with less frequent software updates.
- Slightly lower CPU clock speeds compared to the A56 5G.
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A32 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 497 nits, significantly aiding visibility in direct sunlight. Both displays share a similar contrast ratio around 1470:1 to 1490:1, suggesting comparable color depth and black levels. However, the A32 5G’s higher brightness is a tangible benefit for outdoor use, making it the superior choice for users who frequently consume content on the go. Details regarding panel technology (IPS vs. TFT) are missing, but both likely utilize IPS for reasonable viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image stabilization. The absence of information makes a direct comparison difficult. It’s reasonable to assume both phones rely on multi-camera setups with a primary sensor and supporting lenses, but the quality of those lenses is unknown. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses in this segment suggests their utility is limited, focusing instead on the primary sensor's performance. Image processing algorithms will likely differentiate the final image quality.
Performance
Both the Oppo A56 5G and Samsung Galaxy A32 5G are powered by Mediatek Dimensity 700 and 720 chipsets respectively, both fabricated on a 7nm process. The A32 5G’s Dimensity 720 features slightly higher CPU clock speeds (2.0 GHz vs 2.2 GHz on the A56 5G’s Cortex-A76 cores), but the core configuration is otherwise identical (2x Cortex-A76 & 6x Cortex-A55). This suggests a marginal performance advantage for the A56 5G in CPU-intensive tasks, but real-world differences will likely be minimal. Neither phone is a gaming powerhouse, but both can handle casual titles adequately. RAM configurations are not specified, but impact multitasking performance significantly.
Battery Life
Both the Oppo A56 5G and Samsung Galaxy A32 5G achieve an endurance rating of 123 hours, indicating similar battery life under typical usage. However, the A32 5G supports 15W wired charging, while the A56 5G is limited to 10W. This translates to a faster 0-100% charge time for the A32 5G, a convenience factor that shouldn’t be overlooked. The actual battery capacity (mAh) is not specified, but the similar endurance rating suggests comparable sizes.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A56 5G if you prioritize a slightly newer design and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G if you value a brighter, more visible display in outdoor conditions and prefer the faster 15W charging, even if it means a potentially older model.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Dimensity 700 in the Oppo A56 5G sufficient for playing games like PUBG Mobile?
The Dimensity 700 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at medium settings to maintain a stable frame rate. It's not a dedicated gaming chipset, so demanding titles may require significant compromises in graphical fidelity. The A32 5G's Dimensity 720 will offer a similar gaming experience.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Oppo A56 5G with its 10W charger?
With a 10W charger, expect the Oppo A56 5G to take approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours to fully charge from 0%. This is significantly slower than the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G’s 15W charging, which will likely complete a full charge in around 2 to 2.5 hours.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G receive regular software updates and security patches?
Samsung generally provides good software support for its A-series devices, but the A32 5G is an older model. While it should continue to receive security patches for a period, major Android version updates may be limited. Check Samsung's official support page for the latest update information.
