The Samsung Galaxy A32 was a solid budget contender, but the A34 arrives with a newer chipset, brighter display, and faster charging. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine if the A34’s improvements justify the price difference for users considering an upgrade or a new purchase in the affordable smartphone space.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A34 is the superior choice. Its significantly brighter display, more powerful Dimensity 1080 chipset, and faster 25W charging offer a noticeably improved experience. However, the A32 remains a viable option for those prioritizing extreme budget constraints.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, February 25 | 2023, March 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, February 25 | Available. Released 2023, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 158.9 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm (6.26 x 2.90 x 0.33 in) | 161.3 x 78.1 x 8.2 mm (6.35 x 3.07 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 184 g (6.49 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | 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 | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | No |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Blue, Awesome Violet | Lime, Graphite, Violet, Silver |
| Models | SM-A325F, SM-A325F/DS, SM-A325M, SM-A325N | SM-A346E, SM-A346B, SM-A346B/DS, SM-A346B/DSN, SM-A346E/DS, SM-A346E/DSN, SM-A346M, SM-A346M/N, SM-A346M/DSN, SM-A3460 |
| Price | € 124.99 / £ 89.38 | € 169.99 / $ 175.00 / £ 164.99 / ₹ 23,999 |
| SAR EU | 0.45 W/kg (head) 1.30 W/kg (body) | 0.55 W/kg (head) 1.49 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 119h
|
Endurance rating 133h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-30.3 LUFS (Below average)
|
-26.1 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 286666 (v8)
GeekBench: 1277 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 8.1fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 472126 (v9)
GeekBench: 2316 (v5.5), 2518 (v6)
GFXBench: 23fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy A32
- Lower price point
- Excellent battery endurance for light use
- Reliable performance for basic tasks
- Slower processor
- Dimmer display
- Slower charging speed
Samsung Galaxy A34
- Brighter, more vibrant display
- Significantly faster processor
- Faster 25W charging
- Improved battery efficiency
- Higher price
- Slightly lower endurance rating (though offset by faster charging)
Display Comparison
The Galaxy A34 boasts a substantially brighter display, reaching a measured 1009 nits compared to the A32’s 814 nits. This translates to significantly improved visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both phones feature an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (typical for Samsung’s AMOLED panels), the higher peak brightness of the A34 makes a tangible difference in everyday use. Both displays likely share similar color accuracy profiles, but the A34’s increased brightness is the key differentiator for users who consume a lot of media outdoors or in brightly lit environments.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but the context data lacks specifics. Given Samsung’s typical approach, the A34 likely benefits from improved image processing algorithms and potentially a larger sensor. While the A32 is capable, the A34’s newer chipset allows for faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance. It’s important to note that the presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality; these are often included for marketing purposes rather than practical use. Without detailed sensor specifications, the A34’s advantage is inferred from its superior processing power.
Performance
The core difference between these two phones lies in their chipsets. The A34’s MediaTek Dimensity 1080, built on a 6nm process, represents a significant leap over the A32’s MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm). The Dimensity 1080’s Cortex-A78 cores, clocked at 2.6 GHz, offer a substantial performance advantage over the A32’s Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience. The 6nm process also contributes to improved thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The A34 is the clear winner for users who demand more from their smartphone.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A34 offers an endurance rating of 133 hours, a slight improvement over the A32’s 119 hours. This suggests the more efficient Dimensity 1080 chipset contributes to better battery life despite the increased performance. Crucially, the A34 supports 25W wired charging, a significant upgrade from the A32’s 15W charging. This faster charging speed dramatically reduces the time required to replenish the battery, making the A34 more convenient for users who frequently need to top up their device. While the A32 has a longer theoretical endurance, the A34’s faster charging mitigates any practical disadvantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A32 if you need a functional, reliable smartphone on an extremely tight budget and prioritize maximum battery endurance over performance. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A34 if you prefer a brighter, more responsive display, smoother performance for gaming and multitasking, and faster charging speeds, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the MediaTek Dimensity 1080 in the A34 get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 1080 is built on a 6nm process, which is more efficient than the A32’s Helio G80. While some heat generation is inevitable during gaming, the A34 is less prone to significant throttling compared to the A32, allowing for more sustained performance. However, prolonged, demanding games will still cause some warming.
❓ Is the difference in display brightness between the A32 and A34 noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the 1009 nits peak brightness of the A34 is significantly brighter than the A32’s 814 nits. This difference is particularly noticeable when viewing content outdoors or in brightly lit environments. The A34’s display will appear much more vibrant and readable in these conditions.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge the Galaxy A34 with the 25W charger?
While Samsung doesn't always include a 25W charger in the box, using a compatible 25W charger will fully charge the Galaxy A34 in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, a substantial improvement over the A32’s slower charging time.
❓ Will I see a significant performance improvement in everyday tasks like browsing and social media if I upgrade from the A32 to the A34?
Yes, you will notice a smoother and more responsive experience. The Dimensity 1080’s more powerful cores and improved architecture will result in faster app loading times, smoother scrolling, and a more fluid overall user experience, even with everyday tasks.
