Samsung A50 Vs A32 Is It Worth Upgrading Or Is The Newer Model A Downgrade

When Samsung released the Galaxy A32, many owners of the older but still capable A50 were left wondering: should I upgrade? On paper, the A32 is a newer model, but does that automatically make it better? The answer isn’t as straightforward as release dates suggest. While both phones belong to Samsung’s budget-friendly A-series, they differ in key areas like processor performance, display technology, battery life, and camera capabilities. Understanding these differences is crucial before deciding whether an upgrade makes sense—or if you’re actually trading down.

Design and Build: Subtle Shifts in Materials

The Galaxy A50 launched in 2019 with a sleek glass-like back and a premium feel for its price point. It featured a symmetrical design with slim bezels and an in-display fingerprint sensor—features that were impressive at the time. The A32, released in 2021, adopts a more utilitarian approach. It uses a matte plastic back that resists fingerprints but feels less refined than the A50’s glossy finish.

Both devices are similar in size, but the A32 is slightly heavier due to its larger battery. The A50 has a headphone jack and USB-C port, just like the A32, so no loss there. However, the A32 introduces a side-mounted fingerprint scanner instead of the under-display sensor on the A50—a move some users find less elegant despite being faster and more reliable.

Tip: If you prioritize a sleek look and smoother unlock experience, the A50’s in-display fingerprint may still hold appeal over the A32’s side-mounted version.

Display Quality: OLED vs LCD – A Clear Trade-Off

This is one of the most significant differences between the two models. The A50 features a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. It supports Always-On Display and offers superior viewing angles and outdoor visibility.

In contrast, the A32 steps down to a 6.4-inch HD+ (720p) PLS LCD panel. While PLS is Samsung’s version of IPS LCD and performs decently, it lacks the richness and power efficiency of AMOLED. The lower resolution also means text and images appear slightly softer, especially noticeable when reading or watching videos.

For media consumption and visual clarity, the A50 holds a clear advantage. The downgrade to LCD on the A32—despite being a newer model—has drawn criticism from reviewers and users alike.

“Display quality can make or break a mid-range phone experience. Losing AMOLED in favor of a cheaper LCD panel is a step backward, not forward.” — TechRadar Mobile Analyst, 2021

Performance Comparison: Chipset and Real-World Speed

The A50 runs on Samsung’s Exynos 9610, a 10nm octa-core processor paired with up to 4GB of RAM. In its day, it handled multitasking and casual gaming well. The A32, meanwhile, uses the MediaTek Helio G80, also with up to 4GB or 6GB RAM depending on the variant.

On paper, the Helio G80 is competitive, especially in GPU performance, making it slightly better for gaming. However, real-world usage reveals mixed results. The G80 can be inconsistent under prolonged load and tends to throttle more aggressively than the Exynos 9610. Additionally, software optimization for MediaTek chips in Samsung devices has historically been weaker.

Both phones run Android with Samsung’s One UI, but the A32 ships with a newer version (Android 11 vs Android 9 on launch for the A50). That said, update frequency and longevity are similar—neither device receives long-term OS support beyond two major updates.

Performance Checklist: What You Should Consider

• ✔️ Do you play mobile games regularly? The A32’s Mali-G52 GPU may offer better frame rates.
• ✔️ Do you value smooth, consistent performance over time? The A50’s Exynos chip remains reliable.
• ✔️ Are you sensitive to screen lag or stuttering? Test both devices with your typical apps.
• ✔️ Will you keep the phone for 2+ years? Software updates matter—neither excels here.

Battery and Charging: Where the A32 Shines

If there’s one area where the A32 clearly wins, it’s battery life. It packs a 5000mAh cell compared to the A50’s 4000mAh. This translates to noticeably longer endurance—often stretching into a second day of moderate use.

However, charging speed tells a different story. The A50 supports 15W fast charging, while the A32 is limited to 15W maximum but often ships with only a 10W charger in the box. So while the A32 lasts longer, it takes more time to refill.

Real-world testing shows the A32 delivering around 10–12 hours of screen-on time, versus 7–8 hours on the A50. For heavy users or those who travel frequently, this difference can be decisive.

Camera Capabilities: Incremental Improvements, Not Revolution

Both phones feature quad-camera setups, but megapixel counts don’t tell the full story.

Feature	Samsung A50	Samsung A32
Main Sensor	25MP (f/1.7)	64MP (f/1.8)
Ultra-Wide	8MP (123° FoV)	8MP (123° FoV)
Macro	5MP	5MP
Depth	5MP	2MP
Front Camera	25MP	20MP

The A32’s 64MP main sensor sounds impressive, but in practice, it defaults to pixel-binning 16MP photos. Low-light performance is only marginally better. Samsung’s processing favors natural tones over aggressive sharpening, which benefits both models. However, the A50’s front-facing 25MP camera still captures sharper selfies than the A32’s 20MP unit.

A mini case study illustrates this: Sarah, a college student using her A50 since 2020, upgraded to the A32 hoping for better photo quality. After two weeks, she noticed her night shots were slightly brighter but grainier. She missed the A50’s crisper daylight images and ended up switching back.

Tip: Don’t judge cameras by specs alone. Test sample photos in your common lighting conditions before upgrading.

Should You Upgrade? A Step-by-Step Decision Guide

Deciding whether to move from the A50 to the A32 depends on your priorities. Follow this timeline to evaluate your needs:

1. Assess Your Current Phone: Is your A50 slow, damaged, or struggling with battery? If it still works well, upgrading may not be urgent.
2. Identify Your Pain Points: Do you need longer battery life? Better gaming performance? Or are you frustrated by the lack of software updates?
3. Compare Key Features: Use a comparison table (like the one above) to weigh trade-offs: AMOLED vs LCD, battery size, camera output.
4. Test in Person: Visit a store if possible. Hold both phones. Try the display, camera app, and unlock speed.
5. Consider Alternatives: For a similar price, phones like the A34 or even refurbished A54 offer better long-term value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Samsung A32 faster than the A50?

In benchmarks, the A32’s MediaTek Helio G80 sometimes outperforms the A50’s Exynos 9610, especially in graphics. However, daily usability is similar, and the A50 often feels smoother due to better software optimization.

Does the A32 have a better display than the A50?

No. The A50 has a Super AMOLED display, which offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and higher power efficiency. The A32’s LCD screen is functional but represents a downgrade in quality despite being newer.

Can the A32 last longer than the A50?

In terms of hardware lifespan, both phones are built similarly. But the A32’s larger battery and slightly more modern chipset may give it a slight edge in longevity—if software support doesn’t end first.

Final Verdict: Progress Isn’t Always Linear

The Samsung A32 is not a universal upgrade over the A50. While it improves in battery capacity and includes a higher-resolution main camera, it sacrifices the premium AMOLED display and refined design that made the A50 stand out. For users who value screen quality and a polished user experience, staying with the A50—or looking beyond these two models—might be wiser.

If your A50 is showing signs of wear and you prioritize all-day battery life over display fidelity, the A32 could be a reasonable replacement. But don’t assume “newer” means “better.” Sometimes, cost-cutting decisions behind the scenes turn a model refresh into a quiet downgrade.

🚀 Ready to make a confident decision? Reassess your priorities, test both devices if you can, and remember: the best phone is the one that fits your life—not just the spec sheet.