The Samsung Galaxy M21s and A32 represent Samsung’s approach to the budget smartphone market, but cater to slightly different priorities. The M21s, an older model, focuses on delivering a solid all-around experience, while the A32 aims to improve the display and overall user experience. This comparison dives deep into the specifications to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A32 is the better choice. While both phones share a 15W charging rate and similar battery endurance, the A32’s significantly brighter 814 nit display and more modern Mediatek Helio G80 chipset provide a noticeably improved user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 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 | 2020, November 06. Released 2020, November 06 | 2021, February 25 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, February 25 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 75.1 x 8.9 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.35 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 184 g (6.49 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 420 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10, One UI 2.5 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| 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 | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black | Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Blue, Awesome Violet |
| Models | SM-F415F, SM-F415F/DS | SM-A325F, SM-A325F/DS, SM-A325M, SM-A325N |
| Price | About 230 EUR | € 124.99 / £ 89.38 |
| SAR | 0.38 W/kg (head) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.48 W/kg (head) 1.13 W/kg (body) | 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) |
Samsung Galaxy M21s
- Proven Exynos 9611 chipset offers reliable performance.
- Solid battery endurance (119h).
- Generally more affordable than the A32.
- Lower display brightness makes it difficult to view outdoors.
- Older chipset architecture compared to the Helio G80.
Samsung Galaxy A32
- Significantly brighter 814 nit display for excellent visibility.
- More modern Mediatek Helio G80 chipset for smoother performance.
- Potentially improved camera image processing.
- Shares the same slow 15W charging rate as the M21s.
- May be slightly more expensive than the M21s.
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A32 boasts a substantial advantage in display quality, achieving a measured peak brightness of 814 nits. This is a significant leap over what we’d expect from the M21s, making the A32 far more usable outdoors. While both phones feature an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (a marketing term indicating good black levels for their panel types), the higher brightness of the A32 translates to a more vivid and engaging viewing experience. We can infer the M21s has a lower peak brightness, likely around 400-500 nits, based on typical Samsung LCD panels of that era.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer a 'Photo / Video' camera experience, but details are limited. Without specific sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, given the A32’s positioning as a slightly more premium device, it’s reasonable to assume it benefits from more refined image processing algorithms. The inclusion of features like Single Take mode on the A32, absent on the M21s, suggests a more feature-rich camera experience. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely inconsequential; these sensors typically deliver underwhelming results.
Performance
The chipset is where the A32 and M21s diverge significantly. The A32 utilizes the Mediatek Helio G80 (12nm), while the M21s features Samsung’s Exynos 9611 (10nm). While both are octa-core CPUs, the Helio G80’s architecture – featuring 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores – provides a performance edge over the M21s’ 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 and 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 configuration. The 12nm process of the Helio G80 also contributes to better power efficiency. This translates to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user interface on the A32, particularly noticeable when switching between apps or browsing the web.
Battery Life
Both the Samsung Galaxy M21s and A32 achieve an endurance rating of 119 hours, indicating comparable battery life. This suggests that despite potential differences in battery capacity (not specified for the M21s), the more efficient chipset and display on the A32 offset any capacity disadvantage. Both phones are limited to 15W wired charging, meaning 0-100% charge times will be similar – approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. The focus here isn’t on fast charging, but on maximizing battery longevity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M21s if you prioritize a proven, reliable chipset and are comfortable with a less vibrant display. It’s a good option for users who primarily need a phone for basic tasks and long battery life. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A32 if you value a brighter, more visually appealing display and slightly improved processing power for everyday tasks and light gaming. It’s ideal for media consumption and users who want a more modern smartphone experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the M21s overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611 is known to throttle under sustained load, meaning performance will decrease over time during extended gaming. While it won't reach dangerously high temperatures, users may experience frame drops in demanding titles. The Helio G80 in the A32 is generally more efficient and manages heat better.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using?
Generally, no. 2MP macro cameras on budget phones typically lack the detail and clarity to produce truly impressive macro shots. They are often included as a marketing feature but deliver underwhelming results in real-world use. Stick to the main camera for better quality photos.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A32 handle games like PUBG Mobile at high frame rates?
The Helio G80 in the A32 can run PUBG Mobile, but achieving consistently high frame rates (60fps or higher) will likely require lowering the graphics settings. The A32 is capable of playable performance, but it's not a dedicated gaming phone.
❓ What type of display technology does the Samsung Galaxy A32 use?
The Samsung Galaxy A32 uses a TFT LCD display. While it lacks the vibrant colors and contrast of AMOLED panels found in higher-end Samsung phones, the high peak brightness of 814 nits significantly improves its usability in bright conditions.
