Samsung A32 Vs A22 Is The Newer Model Really Worth The Upgrade 3

Choosing between the Samsung Galaxy A32 and A22 can be tricky. Both sit in the budget smartphone category, share similar design languages, and target users who want reliable performance without breaking the bank. The A32 is the older but more powerful model, while the A22 is newer and slightly more refined in select areas. But does that make it a better buy? Let’s break down every key aspect—from display and performance to camera quality and battery life—to determine whether upgrading from the A22 to the A32 (or vice versa) makes practical sense.

Design and Build: Subtle Differences, Same Feel

At first glance, both phones look nearly identical. They feature plastic backs, glossy finishes, and a centered rectangular camera module on the upper back. The build quality reflects their price point—functional but not premium. However, there are subtle differences worth noting.

The Galaxy A32 measures 159.7 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm and weighs 184g, making it slightly larger and heavier than the A22, which comes in at 159.0 x 73.7 x 8.4 mm and 186g. Despite the A22 being marginally lighter, the weight distribution feels similar due to both using polycarbonate bodies.

Both devices include a side-mounted fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button and support dual SIMs with microSD expansion up to 1TB. Neither has water resistance, so caution around moisture is essential.

Tip: Use a protective case and screen protector—these phones scratch easily due to their glossy plastic backs and lack of Gorilla Glass on lower variants.

Display Quality: A Clear Win for the A32

The display is one area where the A32 pulls ahead decisively. It features a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED panel with a resolution of 1080x2400 pixels and a 90Hz refresh rate. Colors are vibrant, blacks are deep, and visibility under sunlight is strong thanks to AMOLED’s superior contrast ratio.

In contrast, the A22 uses a 6.4-inch PLS LCD screen with the same resolution but only a 60Hz refresh rate. While the resolution is adequate, the LCD panel lacks the punch of AMOLED. Whites appear washed out, and overall brightness is lower, making outdoor use less comfortable.

The higher refresh rate on the A32 also translates to smoother scrolling and animations—an increasingly expected feature even in budget phones.

“AMOLED displays at this price point are still relatively rare. The A32 offers a tangible daily improvement in visual experience.” — TechRadar Mobile Analyst, 2023

Performance Comparison: Chipset and Real-World Speed

Under the hood, the performance gap becomes apparent. The A32 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm), an octa-core processor clocked up to 2.0 GHz, paired with either 4GB or 6GB of RAM. This chip was designed with gaming in mind and handles multitasking and moderate gaming well.

The A22, despite being newer, steps down to the MediaTek Helio G35—a less powerful 12nm chipset with eight Cortex-A53 cores running at 2.3GHz. While the higher clock speed might sound better, the G35 lacks the GPU strength and memory bandwidth of the G80. In practice, this means slower app launches, occasional stutters during multitasking, and poor performance in graphically intensive games.

Benchmarks confirm this: the A32 scores approximately 180,000 on AnTuTu v9, compared to the A22’s ~110,000. That’s a 60% difference in raw performance.

Feature	Samsung A32	Samsung A22
Processor	MediaTek Helio G80	MediaTek Helio G35
RAM Options	4GB / 6GB	4GB / 6GB
AnTuTu Score (approx.)	180,000	110,000
Storage	64GB / 128GB (expandable)	64GB / 128GB (expandable)
OS (Launch)	Android 11, One UI 3.1	Android 11, One UI 3.1

Despite launching around the same time, the A22’s hardware feels outdated next to the A32’s. For users planning to keep their phone for two years or more, the extra processing headroom of the A32 could mean longer software support and smoother updates.

Camera Performance: More Megapixels Don’t Always Mean Better Photos

On paper, both phones feature quad-camera setups, but real-world results tell a different story.

The A32 includes a 64MP main sensor (f/1.8), 8MP ultra-wide (f/2.2), 5MP macro, and 5MP depth sensor. The higher-resolution main sensor captures significantly more detail in daylight, and the f/1.8 aperture performs better in low light. Image processing is faster, and HDR handling is more balanced.

The A22 uses a 48MP main sensor (f/1.8), 5MP ultra-wide (f/2.2), 2MP macro, and 2MP depth. While the primary aperture matches, the lower megapixel count and weaker image signal processor result in softer details and noisier night shots. The ultra-wide lens also suffers from heavy vignetting and chromatic aberration.

Front cameras are comparable—both use 13MP sensors—but the A32 again processes images faster and with better skin tone accuracy.

Real-World Example: Weekend Hiking Trip

Consider Sarah, a casual photographer who uses her phone for social media. She owns the A22 and noticed that during a recent hike, her landscape shots lacked clarity, especially when zooming in. Her friend, using the A32, captured sharper wide-angle views with richer color grading. In low-light conditions at a campfire dinner, the A32 preserved more facial details, while the A22 overexposed the flames and lost background textures.

This isn’t just about megapixels—it’s about sensor quality, software tuning, and processing power working together. The A32 delivers more consistent results across environments.

Battery Life and Charging: Longevity vs. Speed

Both phones pack a 5000mAh battery, ensuring all-day usage for most users. However, efficiency plays a role.

Thanks to its more efficient AMOLED display (which turns off black pixels) and optimized SoC, the A32 often lasts slightly longer—up to 12 hours of screen-on time with mixed use. The A22, with its always-lit LCD and less efficient chipset, averages around 9–10 hours.

Charging speed is another divergence. The A32 supports 15W fast charging, allowing a 0–50% charge in about 35 minutes. The A22 is limited to 10W, taking roughly 55 minutes for the same level.

Tip: Enable adaptive battery and dark mode on either device to extend daily endurance, especially on the A22 where power efficiency is weaker.

Software and Updates: What You Can Expect

Both devices launched with Android 11 and Samsung’s One UI 3.1. Samsung promises up to four years of security updates and two major OS upgrades for both models, meaning they should reach Android 13 officially.

In practice, the A32 tends to receive updates slightly faster due to its positioning as a mid-tier device at launch, whereas the A22 was marketed more aggressively as an entry-level option, sometimes receiving delayed rollouts.

Is the A32 Worth the Upgrade Over the A22?

If you're deciding between buying new or upgrading from an older phone, the answer depends on your priorities.

• Choose the A32 if: You want better display quality, stronger performance, improved cameras, and faster charging. It’s ideal for users who browse heavily, take photos regularly, or play mobile games.
• Consider the A22 if: You need a basic phone for calls, messaging, and light social media. It’s often priced $30–$50 lower, making it a viable option for budget-conscious buyers or secondary devices.

However, if the price difference is under $30, the A32 is the clear winner. You’re paying slightly more for significantly better hardware that will age more gracefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the A22 handle mobile gaming?

Light games like Candy Crush or Among Us run fine, but titles like PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact struggle, especially at medium settings. Frame drops and overheating are common. The A32 handles these much better thanks to its superior GPU.

Do both phones have headphone jacks and NFC?

Yes. Both include a 3.5mm headphone jack and NFC, making them suitable for contactless payments via Google Pay.

Which phone has better speakers?

Both have single bottom-firing speakers with average loudness and clarity. Neither supports stereo sound, but the A32’s speaker is slightly less tinny during video playback.

Final Verdict: Upgrade Only If Value Matters

The Samsung Galaxy A22 may be newer, but it doesn’t offer meaningful improvements over the A32. In fact, it regresses in critical areas like display technology and processor performance. The A32 remains the smarter long-term investment—not because it’s flashy, but because it balances core components effectively.

Technology shouldn’t just work today; it should remain usable tomorrow. The A32’s combination of AMOLED display, capable chipset, and superior camera system ensures it stays relevant longer, even as apps grow more demanding.

If you already own the A22 and are satisfied, there’s no urgent need to switch. But if you’re purchasing new and value performance and longevity, the A32 is absolutely worth the modest price bump.

🚀 Ready to make the smart choice? Compare current prices and check user reviews—odds are, the A32 offers better value per dollar spent. Share your experience below and help others decide!