Samsung's M-series continues to deliver compelling 5G options at accessible price points. The Galaxy M42 5G and M32 5G represent two distinct approaches to achieving this, differing significantly in their core chipsets. This comparison dissects the Snapdragon 750G-powered M42 5G against the MediaTek Dimensity 720-equipped M32 5G, revealing which device offers the best balance of performance, efficiency, and value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy M42 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 750G chipset, built on a more efficient 8nm process, provides a noticeable performance edge and potentially better thermal management, making it ideal for sustained tasks and gaming. While both offer 15W charging, the M42's chipset advantage justifies the slight price difference.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 28 | 2021, August 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 01 | Available. Released 2021, September 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.47 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) | 164.2 x 76.1 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G57 MC3 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide)
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide)
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@480fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 13 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, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Prism Dot Black, Prism Dot Gray | Slate Black, Sky Blue |
| Models | SM-M426B, SM-M426B/DS | SM-M326B, SM-M326B/DS |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR | 0.69 W/kg (head) | 0.48 W/kg (head) |
Samsung Galaxy M42 5G
- More powerful Snapdragon 750G chipset
- Potentially better thermal management
- Superior 5G modem performance
- May be slightly more expensive
- 15W charging is relatively slow
Samsung Galaxy M32 5G
- Generally more affordable
- Efficient Dimensity 720 chipset
- Acceptable performance for everyday tasks
- Less powerful CPU and GPU
- Potentially more thermal throttling under load
Display Comparison
Both devices likely feature similar LCD panels, given their market positioning. However, detailed display specs (resolution, brightness, color gamut) are unavailable. The focus here is on the internal processing power impacting UI smoothness. The chipset's GPU will influence the responsiveness of the display during scrolling and animations.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera sensor information beyond the presence of multiple lenses, a direct comparison is limited. However, the image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 750G is generally considered more advanced than that of the Dimensity 720, potentially resulting in better image processing, dynamic range, and low-light performance. The M42 5G's ISP could offer faster autofocus and more accurate color reproduction. The presence of a dedicated 5G modem in the Snapdragon 750G also frees up resources for camera processing.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy M42 5G utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G (8nm), featuring an octa-core CPU with 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 cores and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570 cores. This contrasts with the Samsung Galaxy M32 5G’s MediaTek Dimensity 720 (7nm) with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. While both are octa-core, the Snapdragon 750G’s Kryo 570 architecture generally offers superior single-core and multi-core performance. The 8nm process node of the Snapdragon 750G also suggests better power efficiency, potentially leading to less thermal throttling during prolonged use. This translates to a smoother experience for gamers and users running demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones feature 15W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds. While battery capacity isn't specified, the Snapdragon 750G’s 8nm process could contribute to better battery life in the M42 5G due to its improved power efficiency. The Dimensity 720’s 7nm process is also efficient, but the architectural differences in the CPU and GPU favor the Snapdragon in terms of overall power consumption.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M42 5G if you prioritize sustained performance for gaming or multitasking, and value a chipset known for its 5G capabilities and efficiency. Buy the Samsung Galaxy M32 5G if you are on a tighter budget and primarily need a reliable device for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light content consumption, and are less concerned with demanding applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 750G in the M42 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 750G is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. Its Adreno 619 GPU provides sufficient graphical power, and the 8nm process helps mitigate thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, offering a more consistent experience than the Dimensity 720.
❓ Does the Dimensity 720 in the M32 5G struggle with multitasking?
The Dimensity 720 can handle moderate multitasking without significant issues. However, when running numerous apps simultaneously or switching between resource-intensive applications, you may experience some slowdown or app reloading. The Snapdragon 750G in the M42 5G offers a more fluid multitasking experience due to its superior CPU and memory bandwidth.
❓ Is the 15W charging speed on both phones a significant drawback?
Yes, 15W charging is relatively slow compared to the faster charging technologies available on other smartphones. Expect a full charge to take around 2-3 hours. Neither phone prioritizes fast charging, focusing instead on affordability and efficiency.
