Samsung Galaxy A32 5G

SAMSUNG GALAXY A32 5G SPECS

Samsung has you covered if you’re looking for a cheap Android phone with 5G with the Galaxy A32 5G ($279.99). This low-cost phone should satisfy you for a very long time thanks to its excellent battery life, strong performance, and years of promised Android upgrades and security updates. With the exception of its low-resolution display, the Galaxy A32 5G is a very solid value and the recipient of our Editor’s Choice award for 5G phones under $100.

Low-Res Never Looked So Good

The Galaxy A32 5G has a nice design. Although the back panel and chassis are made of plastic, it does not resemble the low-cost phones from the past. The phone has a glossy gray finish here in the US. Unfortunately, when tested, it immediately gathered fingerprints and hairline scratches.

The phone weighs 7 ounces and has dimensions of 6.5 by 3.0 by 0.4 inches. While a phone with a 6.5-inch display typically weighs that much, the Galaxy A32 5G is more prone to drops than models with textured backs because of its slippery finish. While I was testing it, the phone a few times slipped out of my hands. Thankfully, its Gorilla Glass 5 display and plastic body weathered these mishaps.

Display

On the front of the Galaxy A32 5G, a 6.5-inch LCD screen with a teardrop notch and minimal bezels takes up most of the space. 1,600 by 720 pixels, or 270 pixels per inch, make up the resolution. You’ll be hard-pressed to see any pixelation without careful inspection because the display is so brilliant and bright. However, it can’t compete with the 6.49-inch, 2,400 by 1,080-pixel 90Hz display on the less-priced OnePlus Nord N200 5G.

The Galaxy A32 5G’s upper left corner includes three distinct sensor bumps vertically stacked in place of the protruding camera module found on the majority of Samsung smartphones. Another sensor and the flash are flush with the phone to their right. On the bottom third of the back panel, there is a Samsung logo and microscopic regulatory information.

Ports

The bottom of the phone’s chassis is filled with the speaker grille, 3.5mm headphone jack, and USB-C charging connector. The top of the phone is left empty. The SIM/microSD slot is on the left side. The power button and volume rocker with an embedded fingerprint sensor are located on the right side. The buttons offer a pleasing tactile response when tapped, and the sensor is quick and precise. If you have little hands, it’s tough to reach the volume rocker.

Durability is a touchy subject. There is no IP rating for the Galaxy A32 5G, and there is no mention of water resistance on Samsung’s website. However, if you drop it in a pool, all bets are off. I did wind up outside in a strong storm while using the phone. I didn’t see any harm to it.

Otherwise, tiny dents and drops shouldn’t cause any damage to the plastic body and chassis. That goes for the Gorilla Glass 5 display screen, which is unusual for phones in this price range because the majority of them use the far less durable Gorilla Glass 3.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy A32 5G practically fulfills every requirement for a cheap phone at its pricing point. It has amazing battery life, will get many Android upgrades, executes all basic activities with ease, and has a respectable camera setup. It performs nearly as well as the far more expensive Galaxy A52 5G. Its low-resolution display is the sole true weakness, but unless you’re a gamer or want to use your phone for Netflix binges, you probably won’t be bothered by that. You won’t notice any pixelation unless your nose is right up against the bright, vivid screen.

The OnePlus Nord N200 5G is an excellent option if you’re looking for a cheap phone with a higher-resolution display, even though its camera isn’t as good as the Galaxy A32 5G’s and it will only receive one Android upgrade. The Galaxy A32 5G thus receives our Editor’s Choice award because you won’t find a better sub-$300 5G phone than it.

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