Samsung Galaxy M32 vs. OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G: A Detailed Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy M32 and OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. The M32, a slightly older model, aims for affordability, while the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G focuses on bringing 5G connectivity and a modern chipset to a wider audience. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 695 chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage and better thermal management compared to the Galaxy M32’s Helio G80. While the M32 offers a slightly lower entry price, the Nord CE 2 Lite’s faster 33W charging and 5G capabilities justify the small premium.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy M32 OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - InternationalHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - India-
Launch
Announced2021, June 212022, April 28
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 28Available. Released 2022, April 30
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic backGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions159.3 x 74 x 8.4 mm (Global) or 9.3 mm (India)164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight180 g (Global) / 196 g (India) (6.35 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5-
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM)IPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MC2Adreno 619
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Triple-64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single20 MP, f/2.2, (wide)16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoUnspecified
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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Virtual proximity sensing-
Battery
Charging25W wired (International) 15W wired (India)33W wired
TypeMarket-dependent versions:· Li-Ion 5000 mAh (Global)· Li-Ion 6000 mAh (India only)Li-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Light BlueBlack Dusk, Blue Tide
ModelsSM-M325FV, SM-M325FV/DS, SM-M325F/DS, SM-M325FCPH2381, CPH2409
PriceAbout 180 EURAbout 220 EUR
SAR0.64 W/kg (head)1.19 W/kg (head)     0.71 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.56 W/kg (head)     1.57 W/kg (body)-

Samsung Galaxy M32

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Likely larger display size
  • Samsung’s One UI software (preference-based)

  • Less powerful Helio G80 chipset
  • Slower charging speeds (especially in India)
  • Less efficient 12nm process

OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G

  • More powerful and efficient Snapdragon 695 chipset
  • Faster 33W charging
  • 5G connectivity

  • Potentially higher price
  • OxygenOS software (preference-based)
  • May have a smaller display

Display Comparison

Both devices likely feature LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, detailed display specs like resolution and refresh rate are missing. The Galaxy M32’s larger size (assumed, based on typical M-series offerings) may be preferable for video watching. The Nord CE 2 Lite’s display quality will likely benefit from the more modern chipset’s image signal processor, potentially offering better color calibration. Bezels are expected to be similar, with neither phone aiming for flagship-level screen-to-body ratios.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Snapdragon 695’s image signal processor (ISP) in the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G will likely provide superior image processing capabilities, resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction. The M32 may rely on MediaTek’s ISP, which is generally less sophisticated. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device is unknown, but would be a significant advantage for low-light photography. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and offers limited practical benefit.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 (6nm) significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M32’s MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm). The 6nm process node translates to improved power efficiency and reduced heat generation, meaning sustained performance during demanding tasks. The Snapdragon 695’s Kryo 660 Gold cores, clocked at 2.2 GHz, offer a clear advantage over the Helio G80’s 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. This difference will be most noticeable in gaming and app loading times. While both phones likely feature similar RAM configurations, the Snapdragon 695 benefits from Qualcomm’s optimizations.

Battery Life

The Galaxy M32’s battery capacity is unknown, but typical M-series phones feature large batteries. The Nord CE 2 Lite 5G’s battery capacity is also unknown. However, the Nord CE 2 Lite’s 33W charging is a major advantage over the Galaxy M32’s 25W (International) or 15W (India) charging. This translates to significantly faster charging times, reducing downtime. The Snapdragon 695’s efficiency also contributes to better battery life, potentially offsetting any capacity difference.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy M32 if your primary concern is minimizing upfront cost and you prioritize a larger display for media consumption over raw performance. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G if you value 5G connectivity, faster charging speeds, and a more responsive user experience, even if it means spending a bit more. Gamers and multitasking users will particularly benefit from the Nord CE 2 Lite’s superior chipset.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the MediaTek Helio G80 in the Galaxy M32 struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Helio G80 is a budget-focused chipset. While it can run PUBG, you’ll likely need to lower graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. Expect some frame drops during intense action. The Snapdragon 695 in the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G will provide a significantly better gaming experience with higher and more stable frame rates.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G a significant improvement over the Galaxy M32’s charging speeds?
Absolutely. The 33W charging on the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G will dramatically reduce charging times. Expect a full charge in around an hour, compared to potentially over two hours with the Galaxy M32’s 15W (India) or 25W (International) charging. This is a major convenience factor for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
❓ How does the 5G connectivity of the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G impact real-world usage?
5G connectivity provides significantly faster download and upload speeds when connected to a 5G network. This translates to quicker app downloads, smoother streaming, and lower latency for online gaming. However, 5G availability varies by region and carrier, so the benefits will depend on your location and service plan.