Galaxy A32 5G Vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G

Galaxy A32 5G
Galaxy A32 5G
Starting at

Refurbished price:108.00

Versus €399.00 new

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Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Starting at

Refurbished price:229.00

Versus €1,297.00 new

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Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A32 5G and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, both released in early 2021, target different segments of the smartphone market. The Galaxy A32 5G focuses on essential smartphone functionalities with 5G connectivity, while the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers a premium experience with advanced features and high-end specifications. Both devices launched with Android 11, providing a consistent software foundation, but their hardware capabilities cater to distinct user needs.

Scores

Durability

Both the Galaxy A32 5G and the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G were released in early 2021, starting their software support cycles around the same time. Samsung typically provides several years of Android OS updates and security patches for its devices. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, a flagship model, generally receives longer and more frequent software support compared to the A-series. This extended support means the S21 Ultra 5G is likely to remain current with the latest Android features and security updates for a longer duration. In terms of physical durability, the S21 Ultra 5G features a more robust build with Gorilla Glass Victus on both the front and back, offering enhanced resistance to drops and scratches compared to the A32 5G's glass front and plastic back.

  • Software Longevity: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is expected to receive a greater number of major Android OS updates and security patches over its lifespan compared to the Galaxy A32 5G, extending its usability with current software features.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G incorporates Gorilla Glass Victus on its front and back, providing a higher level of protection against physical damage than the Galaxy A32 5G, which uses a glass front and a plastic back.
  • Expected Practical Lifespan: While both devices offer a solid operational life, the S21 Ultra 5G's superior build materials and extended software support contribute to a potentially longer practical lifespan for users who prioritize long-term device relevance.

Year of Release

2021

2021

Compatible with latest Update

No

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance capabilities of the Galaxy A32 5G and the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G differ significantly, impacting how smoothly they handle various tasks. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is equipped with a high-end processor designed for demanding applications, intensive multitasking, and graphic-heavy gaming. This allows for rapid app loading, seamless transitions between multiple open applications, and a fluid experience even with complex tasks. In contrast, the Galaxy A32 5G's processor is optimized for everyday usage, providing reliable performance for browsing, social media, and lighter applications. While it handles common tasks well, users engaging in more intensive activities might notice slower response times or occasional stutters. The S21 Ultra 5G also offers higher RAM configurations, further enhancing its multitasking prowess.

  • Everyday Responsiveness: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G delivers a consistently smooth and rapid response across all applications and system interactions, making it suitable for users who demand immediate feedback and quick task execution.
  • Multitasking and Demanding Apps: With its more powerful internal components and higher RAM options, the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G excels at managing numerous applications simultaneously and running resource-intensive programs without significant slowdowns.
  • Battery Behavior: Both devices feature a 5000 mAh battery. However, the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G's more powerful processor and higher resolution display can lead to faster battery consumption under heavy use, while the Galaxy A32 5G's more efficient components generally provide extended usage on a single charge for typical daily tasks.

Memory (GB)

6 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The display experience is a key differentiator between these two Samsung smartphones. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G features a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, known for its vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. Its higher resolution (1440 x 3200 pixels) provides exceptional clarity and sharpness, making text and images appear very detailed. This display also boasts an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, which contributes to incredibly smooth scrolling and fluid animations. The Galaxy A32 5G, on the other hand, comes with a 6.5-inch TFT LCD display. While it offers a decent viewing experience for general use, its lower resolution (720 x 1600 pixels) and LCD technology mean colors are less vibrant, blacks are not as deep, and overall clarity is not as refined as the S21 Ultra 5G. It does offer a 90Hz refresh rate, which is an improvement over standard 60Hz screens.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G utilizes a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a significantly higher resolution (1440 x 3200 pixels), resulting in superior color reproduction, deeper blacks, and sharper image detail compared to the Galaxy A32 5G's TFT LCD screen (720 x 1600 pixels).
  • Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G's display achieves higher peak brightness levels (up to 1500 nits), making it more comfortable to view content clearly in bright outdoor conditions than the Galaxy A32 5G.
  • Smoothness and Responsiveness: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G's adaptive 120Hz refresh rate provides a noticeably smoother scrolling and animation experience, while the Galaxy A32 5G offers a 90Hz refresh rate, which is still an improvement over standard displays.

Resolution

720 x 1600

1440 x 3200

Screen type

TFT LCD

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Audiovisual

The camera systems on the Galaxy A32 5G and the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G cater to different photographic ambitions. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is equipped with a versatile quad-camera setup, including a high-resolution 108MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and two 10MP telephoto lenses offering significant optical zoom capabilities (3x and 10x). This configuration allows for exceptional detail capture, impressive low-light performance, and the flexibility to shoot a wide range of subjects from close-ups to distant objects. Its video recording capabilities are also advanced, supporting 8K video at 24fps. The Galaxy A32 5G features a quad-camera system with a 48MP main lens, an 8MP ultrawide, a 5MP macro, and a 2MP depth sensor. It performs well for everyday photography in good lighting conditions, capturing clear and shareable images. However, its low-light performance and zoom capabilities are more limited compared to the S21 Ultra 5G. The front camera on the S21 Ultra 5G (40MP) also offers a much higher resolution for detailed selfies and video calls compared to the A32 5G (13MP).

  • Overall Photography Versatility: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers a highly versatile camera system with multiple lenses, including advanced telephoto options, enabling a broader range of photographic styles and superior detail capture across various lighting conditions.
  • Low-Light Performance and Detail: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G excels in challenging low-light environments, producing brighter images with more detail and less noise, whereas the Galaxy A32 5G performs best in well-lit scenarios.
  • Video Recording and Audio Quality: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G supports higher resolution video recording (up to 8K) with enhanced stabilization features, and generally offers superior microphone quality for clearer audio capture in videos and calls compared to the Galaxy A32 5G.

Main camera

48 megapixels

108 megapixels

Front camera

13 megapixels

40 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond the core features, several practical elements distinguish the Galaxy A32 5G and the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. Both devices support 5G connectivity, ensuring access to faster mobile networks. However, the S21 Ultra 5G supports newer Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 standards, offering potentially faster and more stable wireless connections compared to the A32 5G's Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0. In terms of physical design, the S21 Ultra 5G has a more premium feel with its glass and aluminum construction, while the A32 5G uses a glass front and a plastic back. The S21 Ultra 5G also features an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor and supports the S Pen for added functionality, which is not present on the A32 5G. The A32 5G retains a 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature absent on the S21 Ultra 5G.

  • Connectivity Standards: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G supports more advanced wireless standards like Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, potentially offering faster and more reliable connections than the Galaxy A32 5G's Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0.
  • Biometric Security and Additional Features: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G features an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor and S Pen support, providing a different user interaction experience and enhanced security compared to the Galaxy A32 5G's side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
  • Physical Design and Ports: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G boasts a more premium build with glass and aluminum, while the Galaxy A32 5G offers a 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature not found on the S21 Ultra 5G.

Weight

205 g

227 g

Screen size (in)

6.5

6.8

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C + Jack 3.5mm

USB-C

User feedback often highlights the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G as a device that delivers a comprehensive flagship experience. Users frequently praise its exceptional camera system, particularly its zoom capabilities and low-light performance, as well as its stunning display and powerful performance for demanding tasks. Common criticisms sometimes point to its larger size and weight, which might not suit all users, and its battery life, while good, can be heavily impacted by intensive use of its high-resolution, high-refresh-rate screen. The Galaxy A32 5G is generally well-regarded for its reliable everyday performance, long battery life, and the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack, making it a practical choice for users seeking core smartphone functions without premium features. Some users note its display resolution and camera performance are not on par with higher-end models, which is expected given its positioning.

Users prioritizing an advanced camera system, a top-tier display for media consumption, and robust performance for gaming or heavy multitasking will find the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G well-suited to their needs. Its premium build and additional features like S Pen support cater to those seeking a versatile and high-end device. Conversely, users who value extended battery life for daily use, a traditional headphone jack, and solid performance for general smartphone activities will likely prefer the Galaxy A32 5G. It serves as a dependable option for those who do not require the absolute latest in camera technology or processing power. Both devices are available as quality-assured refurbished options, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers looking to make an informed and sustainable choice.

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