Samsung Galaxy A33 5G vs. M32: A Detailed Comparison for Budget-Conscious Buyers

The Samsung Galaxy M32 and A33 5G represent Samsung’s approach to the competitive mid-range smartphone market. The M32, often found at a lower price point, prioritizes affordability, while the A33 5G aims for a more balanced experience with 5G connectivity and a more modern chipset. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G is the superior choice. Its Exynos 1280 chipset delivers significantly better performance, and the brighter 728 nit display enhances usability. While the M32 offers a compelling price, the A33 5G’s improvements justify the cost for those seeking a smoother, more future-proof experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy M32 Samsung Galaxy A33 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - InternationalHSDPA 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, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - India-
Launch
Announced2021, June 212022, March 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 28Available. Released 2022, April 20
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions159.3 x 74 x 8.4 mm (Global) or 9.3 mm (India)159.7 x 74 x 8.1 mm (6.29 x 2.91 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight180 g (Global) / 196 g (India) (6.35 oz)186 g (6.56 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM)Super AMOLED, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm)Exynos 1280 (5 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MC2Mali-G68
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, panorama, HDR
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 lens48 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) Auxiliary lens
Single-13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
Single20 MP, f/2.2, (wide)13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
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, compass
 Virtual proximity sensingVirtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging25W wired (International) 15W wired (India)25W wired
TypeMarket-dependent versions:· Li-Ion 5000 mAh (Global)· Li-Ion 6000 mAh (India only)Li-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Light BlueBlack, White, Blue, Peach
ModelsSM-M325FV, SM-M325FV/DS, SM-M325F/DS, SM-M325FSM-A336E, SM-A336B, SM-A336B/DS, SM-A336B/DSN, SM-A336E/DS, SM-A336M, SM-A3360
PriceAbout 180 EUR£ 174.99 / € 187.50 / ₹ 21,999
SAR0.64 W/kg (head)0.35 W/kg (head)
SAR EU0.56 W/kg (head)     1.57 W/kg (body)0.57 W/kg (head)     1.59 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 104h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.5 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 354420 (v8), 394918 (v9) GeekBench: 1900 (v5.1) GFXBench: 20fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy M32

  • More affordable price point
  • Decent battery life (104h endurance)
  • 25W fast charging (International)

  • Less powerful Helio G80 chipset
  • Potentially lower display brightness
  • 15W charging in India

Samsung Galaxy A33 5G

  • Significantly faster Exynos 1280 chipset
  • Brighter 728 nit display
  • 5G connectivity for future-proofing

  • Higher price compared to the M32
  • Battery life is comparable, not superior
  • Potential for throttling under heavy load (though mitigated by 5nm process)

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A33 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 728 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the M32. This higher peak brightness translates to better outdoor visibility. Both displays feature an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal), suggesting deep blacks typical of Samsung’s AMOLED panels. However, the A33 5G’s superior brightness is a clear advantage for users who frequently use their phones in sunlight. The M32’s display tech is not specified, but given its price point, it likely lacks features like high refresh rates found in some A33 5G variants.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are equipped with photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is limited. The A33 5G likely benefits from the more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Exynos 1280, enabling better image processing and potentially improved low-light performance. While both may include standard features like portrait mode and scene optimization, the A33 5G’s chipset allows for more sophisticated computational photography techniques. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is unknown for both, but would be a significant advantage for video recording and low-light stills if present on the A33 5G.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the M32 utilizes the Mediatek Helio G80 (12nm), while the A33 5G features Samsung’s Exynos 1280 (5nm). The Exynos 1280, built on a smaller 5nm process, offers superior power efficiency and performance. Its CPU configuration – octa-core with 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores – outperforms the M32’s 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 setup. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance on the A33 5G. The 5nm process also implies better thermal management, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads.

Battery Life

Both the M32 and A33 5G achieve an endurance rating of 104 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the A33 5G’s more efficient Exynos 1280 chipset could translate to slightly longer real-world battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity battery. Both support 25W wired charging, but the M32 has a regional discrepancy – 25W internationally and 15W in India. This charging speed difference is significant for Indian users, potentially adding considerable time to a full charge.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy M32 if you prioritize absolute affordability and primarily need a phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Its Helio G80 is sufficient for these workloads. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G if you value performance for gaming, multitasking, and future-proofing with 5G connectivity. The Exynos 1280 provides a noticeable upgrade in responsiveness and overall speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the A33 5G tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 1280 is a capable chipset, it can experience some throttling under sustained heavy load. However, the 5nm manufacturing process helps mitigate this by improving thermal efficiency compared to the M32’s 12nm Helio G80. Expect some performance dip after extended gaming, but it shouldn't be severe enough to render the phone unusable.
❓ Is the 25W charging on the M32 actually faster than the A33 5G in real-world use, considering the regional difference?
For users in India, the M32’s 15W charging is significantly slower than the A33 5G’s 25W charging. Even internationally, the difference isn't massive, but the A33 5G will still likely charge faster due to the more efficient power management of the Exynos 1280 chipset.
❓ How does the 5G connectivity of the A33 5G impact its battery life compared to the M32?
Actively using 5G will consume more battery than 4G. However, the Exynos 1280's improved power efficiency partially offsets this. In areas with strong 5G coverage, the A33 5G's battery life will be comparable to the M32 when both are on 4G, but will drain faster when actively using 5G.