Samsung Galaxy A32 vs A14: A Detailed Comparison for Budget Buyers

The Samsung Galaxy A32 and A14 represent Samsung’s commitment to providing capable smartphones at accessible price points. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they differ in key areas, particularly in chipset options and display quality. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A32 emerges as the better choice. Its significantly brighter 814-nit display and proven endurance rating of 119 hours offer a more enjoyable and reliable experience, despite the A14’s potential Exynos variant.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy A32 Samsung Galaxy A14
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 411, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2021, February 252023, February 28
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, February 25Available. Released 2023, March 27
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic backGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions158.9 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm (6.26 x 2.90 x 0.33 in)167.7 x 78 x 9.1 mm (6.60 x 3.07 x 0.36 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight184 g (6.49 oz)201 g (7.09 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5-
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM)PLS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version AOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version B
ChipsetMediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6769 Helio G80 (12 nm) - Version AExynos 850 (8 nm) - Version B
GPUMali-G52 MC2Mali-G52 MC2
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, One UI 7
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Single20 MP, f/2.2, (wide)13 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.75", 0.64µm, PDAF 5 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single20 MP, f/2.2, (wide)13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1 or 5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioFM radio, RDS, recordingUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass
 Virtual proximity sensing-
Battery
Charging15W wired15W wired
TypeLi-Ion 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsAwesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Blue, Awesome VioletBlack, Dark Red, Silver, Green
ModelsSM-A325F, SM-A325F/DS, SM-A325M, SM-A325NSM-A145F, SM-A145F/DSN, SM-A145M, SM-A145M/DS, SM-A145P, SM-A145R
Price€ 124.99 / £ 89.38€ 85.76 / $ 147.60 / £ 79.95
SAR EU0.45 W/kg (head)     1.30 W/kg (body)0.46 W/kg (head)     1.37 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)-

Samsung Galaxy A32

  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
  • Superior battery endurance (119h)
  • Potentially better CPU performance with Cortex-A75 cores

  • 15W charging is relatively slow
  • Camera details are lacking, potentially average performance

Samsung Galaxy A14

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Exynos 850 variant may offer improved efficiency
  • Similar chipset options for basic tasks

  • Likely dimmer display
  • Exynos variant may have lower peak performance
  • Battery life is unknown, potentially lower than A32

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A32 boasts a clear advantage in display quality, achieving a measured peak brightness of 814 nits. This is a substantial improvement over what is typically found in this price bracket, making it far more usable in direct sunlight. While both phones share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, the A32’s higher brightness translates to a more vibrant and engaging viewing experience. The A14’s display specifications are not provided, suggesting a potentially lower peak brightness, which could result in washed-out visuals outdoors.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. This suggests a similar approach to camera functionality, likely focusing on everyday photography. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to assess image quality differences. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is likely a marketing feature with limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).

Performance

Both the A32 and A14 utilize the Mediatek Helio G80 chipset, but the A14 introduces a variant with the Exynos 850. The Helio G80 in the A32 features an octa-core configuration with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The A14’s Helio G80 version mirrors this. However, the Exynos 850 variant in the A14 uses an octa-core configuration of 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 and 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This suggests a shift towards efficiency over raw performance with the Exynos version, potentially impacting demanding tasks. The A32’s Cortex-A75 cores offer a performance edge in CPU-intensive applications.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy A32 holds a significant advantage in battery endurance, achieving a measured 119-hour rating. This indicates a well-optimized combination of battery capacity and power efficiency. The A14’s battery capacity and efficiency are unknown, but with a 15W wired charging speed matching the A32, the A32’s superior endurance is likely due to a larger battery or more efficient chipset/software combination. The 15W charging speed on both devices is relatively slow compared to modern standards, meaning a full charge will take a considerable amount of time.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy A32 if you prioritize a brighter, more visible display for outdoor use and longer battery life between charges. It’s ideal for media consumers and users who frequently rely on their phone throughout the day. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A14 if you are looking for the absolute lowest price point and are willing to compromise on display brightness and potentially performance, especially if you find a version equipped with the Exynos 850.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the Galaxy A14 tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 850 is generally known for its efficiency, which helps to mitigate overheating. However, the A14’s thermal design is unknown. While it’s unlikely to experience severe throttling, sustained gaming may lead to some performance reduction over time. The A32’s Helio G80, while not as efficient, also benefits from a potentially better-optimized thermal profile.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Unfortunately, the 2MP macro cameras on both the A32 and A14 are largely marketing features. The small sensor size and lack of autofocus result in images that are often soft, lacking in detail, and generally inferior to photos taken with the main camera in good lighting conditions. Don't expect professional-quality macro photography from either device.
❓ Can the Galaxy A14 handle graphically demanding games like PUBG Mobile at 60fps with high settings?
The Helio G80 chipset in both the A32 and A14 can run PUBG Mobile, but achieving a consistent 60fps with high settings is unlikely. You’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or even low to maintain a smooth frame rate, especially on the A14’s Exynos variant which prioritizes efficiency over raw power.