Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G vs. Galaxy M32: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

Samsung's mid-range offerings often present a difficult choice. The Galaxy M32, typically positioned as a value-focused option, faces off against the more feature-rich Galaxy A52s 5G. This comparison dissects the key differences, focusing on the impact of their contrasting chipsets and features on real-world performance and usability.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset delivers significantly faster performance, making it better suited for gaming and demanding applications. While the M32 offers a lower entry price, the A52s 5G’s improved processing power and 5G connectivity justify the price difference.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy M32 Samsung Galaxy A52s 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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - India-
Launch
Announced2021, June 212021, August 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 28Available. Released 2021, September 01
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back
Dimensions159.3 x 74 x 8.4 mm (Global) or 9.3 mm (India)159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 2.96 x 0.33 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight180 g (Global) / 196 g (India) (6.35 oz)189 g (6.67 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 (~405 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MC2Adreno 642L
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6
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 6GB 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 lens64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single-32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single20 MP, f/2.2, (wide)32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
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/6, 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-Ion 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Light BlueAwesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Purple, Awesome Mint
ModelsSM-M325FV, SM-M325FV/DS, SM-M325F/DS, SM-M325FSM-A528B, SM-A528B/DS, SM-A528N
PriceAbout 180 EUR£ 112.98 / € 249.47
SAR0.64 W/kg (head)0.72 W/kg (head)
SAR EU0.56 W/kg (head)     1.57 W/kg (body)0.88 W/kg (head)     0.84 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 113h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -27.5 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 429675 (v8), 506432(v9) GeekBench: 11060 (v4.4), 2801 (v5.1) GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy M32

  • Significantly faster processor (Snapdragon 778G 5G)
  • Brighter and more vibrant display (800 nits)
  • 5G connectivity for faster data speeds

  • Generally higher price point
  • May not offer significantly better battery life despite efficiency gains

Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G

  • More affordable price
  • Decent battery life (113h endurance)
  • 25W fast charging (International version)

  • Slower processor (Helio G80)
  • Lower display brightness
  • Limited regional charging speed (15W in India)

Display Comparison

The Galaxy A52s 5G boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 800 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the M32. This translates to better visibility outdoors. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels (based on Samsung’s typical mid-range strategy), the A52s 5G’s higher brightness and 'Infinite' contrast ratio suggest a more vibrant and engaging viewing experience. Bezels are expected to be similar, but the A52s 5G’s display is the clear winner for outdoor usability.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera system, but details are limited. The A52s 5G likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), offering improved image processing capabilities. While sensor sizes aren’t specified, the A52s 5G’s higher-tier chipset suggests a more capable camera system overall. The M32 may include lower-resolution sensors to keep costs down. It's reasonable to assume the A52s 5G will deliver better low-light performance and more detailed images.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Galaxy A52s 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Galaxy M32’s MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm). The 778G features a more modern CPU architecture – a 1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 prime core alongside 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55 cores – versus the M32’s 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 configuration. The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon 778G also provides superior power efficiency, leading to better thermal management and sustained performance. This means less throttling during extended gaming sessions. The A52s 5G will handle demanding games and applications with significantly more ease.

Battery Life

Both devices share a similar endurance rating of 113 hours, suggesting comparable battery life despite the A52s 5G’s more powerful processor. This is likely due to the Snapdragon 778G’s improved power efficiency. Both support 25W wired charging, but the M32 has regional variations (15W in India). While the battery capacity isn’t specified for either, the A52s 5G’s efficient chipset allows it to deliver all-day battery life even with heavier usage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy M32 if you prioritize absolute affordability and primarily use your phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media. It’s a good option for first-time smartphone users or those on a very tight budget. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G if you value performance, 5G connectivity, and a smoother overall experience. It’s ideal for gamers, content creators, and users who multitask frequently.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the MediaTek Helio G80 in the Galaxy M32 struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Helio G80 is a budget-oriented chipset. While it can run PUBG, you'll likely need to lower graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The A52s 5G’s Snapdragon 778G 5G will provide a significantly better gaming experience with higher frame rates and graphical fidelity.
❓ Is the 25W charging on the Galaxy M32 consistently available, or is it region-locked to 15W in some markets like India?
The 25W charging is only available on the international version of the Galaxy M32. In India, the device is limited to 15W charging, resulting in slower charging times. The A52s 5G consistently offers 25W charging across all regions.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 778G 5G handle multitasking compared to the Helio G80?
The Snapdragon 778G 5G excels at multitasking due to its more powerful CPU and efficient architecture. It can handle multiple apps running simultaneously without significant slowdowns, whereas the Helio G80 may struggle with heavy multitasking, leading to lag and app reloading.
❓ Will I notice a significant difference in app loading times between the two phones?
Yes, you will. The Snapdragon 778G 5G’s faster processing speeds and UFS storage (likely) result in significantly quicker app loading times compared to the Helio G80 and potentially slower storage in the M32. This difference is noticeable in everyday use.