Samsung Galaxy M32 5G vs OnePlus Nord CE 5G: A Detailed Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy M32 5G and OnePlus Nord CE 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price point, they diverge in their core approaches to chipset selection and charging technology, creating distinct user experiences. This comparison dissects these differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 750G chipset, coupled with 30W fast charging, provides a noticeable performance and convenience advantage over the Galaxy M32 5G’s Dimensity 720 and 15W charging. While battery endurance is identical, the faster charging significantly improves usability.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy M32 5G OnePlus Nord CE 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -78 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2021, August 252021, June 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, September 02Available. Released 2021, June 11
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions164.2 x 76.1 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.36 in)159.2 x 73.5 x 7.9 mm (6.27 x 2.89 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight205 g (7.23 oz)170 g (6.00 oz)
Display
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~410 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.3 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFT LCDFluid AMOLED, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC3Adreno 619
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Single-16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm
Triple-64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single13 MP, f/2.2, (wide)16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Virtual proximity sensing-
Battery
Charging15W wired30W wired, 70% in 30 min
TypeLi-Ion 5000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsSlate Black, Sky BlueBlue Void, Charkoal Ink, Silver Ray
ModelsSM-M326B, SM-M326B/DSEB2101, EB2103
PriceAbout 220 EURAbout 250 EUR
SAR0.48 W/kg (head)-
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 117h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -29.9 LUFS (Average)
Performance- AnTuTu: 318672 (v8) | 391770 (v9) GeekBench: 1812 (v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy M32 5G

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Acceptable battery endurance
  • 5G connectivity

  • Slower 15W charging
  • Less powerful Dimensity 720 chipset
  • Limited display brightness information

OnePlus Nord CE 5G

  • Faster Snapdragon 750G chipset
  • 30W fast charging (70% in 30 min)
  • Brighter 607 nit display

  • Potentially higher price
  • Similar battery endurance to M32 5G
  • LCD display technology

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord CE 5G boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 607 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Galaxy M32 5G. This difference translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays are likely to utilize LCD technology given their price points, the Nord CE 5G’s higher brightness is a tangible advantage. Contrast ratio is listed as 'Infinite' for the Nord CE 5G, a typical marketing term for LCDs, suggesting standard contrast levels. The M32 5G’s display specifications are less detailed, making a direct comparison of color accuracy and viewing angles difficult.

Camera Comparison

Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without information on sensor size, aperture, or image stabilization, a definitive comparison is challenging. However, the Snapdragon 750G’s image signal processor (ISP) generally provides better image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in more detailed and vibrant photos, especially in low-light conditions. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests they are largely marketing features with limited practical utility. Focusing on the main sensor performance is crucial, and the Snapdragon’s ISP gives the Nord CE 5G an edge.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Samsung Galaxy M32 5G utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7nm), while the OnePlus Nord CE 5G features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G (8nm). The Snapdragon 750G, built on a more efficient 8nm process, generally offers superior CPU and GPU performance. Its CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570 – provides a clock speed advantage over the M32 5G’s 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. While both phones are capable of handling everyday tasks, the Snapdragon 750G will exhibit less strain during demanding applications and gaming.

Battery Life

Interestingly, both the Samsung Galaxy M32 5G and OnePlus Nord CE 5G achieve an identical endurance rating of 117 hours. This suggests similar battery life in real-world usage, despite the lack of specific mAh capacity information for the M32 5G. However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The Nord CE 5G supports 30W wired charging, capable of reaching 70% charge in just 30 minutes, while the M32 5G is limited to a slower 15W charging rate. This difference in charging speed significantly impacts the user experience, allowing the Nord CE 5G to quickly top up its battery when needed.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy M32 5G if you prioritize a lower initial cost and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s a solid option for basic smartphone tasks and moderate 5G usage. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5G if you value faster performance for gaming and multitasking, and appreciate the convenience of significantly quicker 30W charging. It’s ideal for users who demand more from their smartphone throughout the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 720 in the Galaxy M32 5G struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG?
The Dimensity 720 is capable of running PUBG, but you may need to lower graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The Snapdragon 750G in the Nord CE 5G offers a more comfortable gaming experience with higher sustained performance and fewer frame drops.
❓ How significant is the difference in charging speed between 15W and 30W? Will I notice it in daily use?
The difference is substantial. 30W charging on the Nord CE 5G can add a significant amount of battery life in a short period – 70% in 30 minutes. 15W charging on the M32 5G will take considerably longer to reach the same charge level, making it less convenient for users who need a quick top-up.
❓ Are the camera differences between these phones noticeable for casual users who primarily share photos on social media?
For casual social media sharing, the differences may be subtle. However, the Nord CE 5G’s superior image processing, thanks to the Snapdragon 750G’s ISP, will generally result in more detailed and vibrant photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions.