1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | OnePlus 9 is more compact; A72 is taller and wider but slightly thinner. |
| Weight | 192g | 203g | OnePlus 9 is slightly lighter and may be more comfortable for long use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.7" | Samsung A72 has a slightly larger display, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer sharp and clear visuals; identical screen clarity. |
| PPI | 402 | 394 | Both have similar pixel density, very difficult to spot the difference. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Vibrant colors, deep blacks on both. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | OnePlus 9 offers smoother animations and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 800 nits | OnePlus 9 is much brighter, significantly better outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | OnePlus 9 has a much more powerful processor, resulting in faster performance, more future-proof. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 285,000 | OnePlus 9 is significantly faster, more efficient and better for gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 618 | OnePlus 9 has a better GPU, better performance in graphic intensive tasks and games. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4" Sony IMX689 | 64MP, f/1.8 | Samsung A72 has higher resolution, OnePlus 9 has a wider aperture and larger sensor. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | N/A | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" Omnivision OV08A10 | Samsung A72 has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed shots; missing on OnePlus 9. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" Sony IMX471 | 32MP, f/2.2 | Samsung A72 has a higher resolution selfie camera with a wider aperture |
| Wide Angle Camera | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56" Sony IMX766 | 12MP, f/2.2 | OnePlus 9 has a much higher resolution wide-angle camera. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 5MP, f/2.4 | Samsung A72 has a dedicated macro lens; missing on OnePlus 9. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | OnePlus 9 has a dedicated Black & white lens, missing on Samsung A72 |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps, HDR, EIS | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS | OnePlus 9 offers higher video resolution for professional use. |
| Video Stabilisation | EIS | EIS with OIS | Both devices offer stabilization but Samsung A72 has the added advantage of OIS |
| DxOMark Score | N/A | Main: 92 (Photo: 100, Video: 78) | Samsung A72's camera has been rated by DxOMark, offering a useful benchmark for its performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Samsung A72 has larger capacity, likely longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging, 15W Wireless | 25W Fast Charging, 15W Fast Charger included | OnePlus 9 charges much faster; Samsung includes a charger. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Max Version 13 | Android 11, Max Version 12 | OnePlus 9 has a newer max software version |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | OnePlus 9 has faster, more efficient Wi-Fi |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.0 | OnePlus 9 has newer Bluetooth with more features |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2) | Standard GPS | OnePlus 9 has more accurate positioning with more satellite bands |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB or 256GB | Both have same storage options |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 6GB or 8GB | OnePlus 9 has more RAM for better multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither device offers expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | OnePlus 9 has better audio recording and call clarity |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Biometric Security on both devices |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 has superior screen protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Samsung A72 has additional sensors for wider functionality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset offers vastly superior processing power compared to the Snapdragon 720G, leading to significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Brighter Display: 1100 nits brightness provides much better visibility in direct sunlight compared to the A72's 800 nits display.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging significantly reduces charging times compared to the 25W on the A72.
- Higher Refresh Rate: The 120Hz refresh rate offers a noticeably smoother visual experience compared to 90Hz.
- Better Wide-Angle Camera: The 50MP wide-angle lens on the OnePlus 9 captures much more detail than the 12MP on the A72.
- Advanced Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 offer faster and more reliable connections, and better GPS accuracy for the OnePlus 9
- Better Audio Recording The OnePlus 9 has a noise cancelling microphone and 3 mics, offering better audio recording.
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life compared to the 4500mAh on the OnePlus 9.
- Telephoto Lens: Dedicated telephoto lens allows for optical zoom, a feature missing from the OnePlus 9
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens allows for detailed close-up shots.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 32MP selfie camera captures more detail and performs better in low light.
- Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS): The camera includes OIS for better video stabilisation
- DxOMark rating: DxOMark ratings offer evidence for the quality of the A72's camera.
- Included Charger Samsung includes a 15W fast charger in the box.
- Additional sensors: Hall and Geomagnetic sensors allow for a wider range of functionalities.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9: Prioritizes performance and display quality but sacrifices battery capacity, telephoto and macro cameras. It does not include a charger and has a lower resolution standard camera.
- Samsung Galaxy A72: Provides better camera versatility, a larger battery, and an included charger but falls behind significantly in performance and display brightness and refresh rate.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Gamers, power users, and those who prioritize speed and responsiveness will appreciate the Snapdragon 888 chipset.
- Outdoor Users: Those who frequently use their phones in bright sunlight will benefit from the high brightness display.
- Media Consumers: Users who enjoy video content, and demand a sharp display with smooth animations.
- Photo Enthusiasts Users who value a great wide-angle camera and low-light performance will enjoy the OnePlus 9.
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal User:
- Photography Focused: Users who want versatile camera setup for a variety of shots, especially those needing zoom and macro capabilities, will appreciate the multiple camera system.
- All-Day Battery Users: Those who prioritize battery life will appreciate the 5000mAh battery.
- Value-Conscious Buyers: Users looking for a well-rounded phone with a focus on the camera and battery.
- Casual Users: Users who require moderate performance for everyday tasks.
Specific Use Cases:
- OnePlus 9: High-end gaming, professional photography, video creation, outdoor usage.
- Samsung Galaxy A72: Casual photography, social media browsing, daily usage with long battery requirements.
Price-to-Value Ratio: The OnePlus 9 offers significantly better performance, display and camera features but is priced accordingly, while the Samsung A72 offers better value for users focused on camera versatility and battery life with lower price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Do I prioritize raw performance and display quality, or camera versatility and battery life?
- How important is mobile gaming and demanding tasks on my phone?
- What are my most common usage scenarios - outdoor browsing, photography, daily tasks?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Performance Focused): If your priority is top-tier performance, smooth gaming, and a bright display for outdoor visibility, choose the OnePlus 9.
- Scenario 2 (Versatile Camera and Long Battery): If you need a flexible camera system with optical zoom, macro capabilities, and long battery life for all-day use, choose the Samsung Galaxy A72.
- Scenario 3 (Balanced Use): If you're looking for a well-rounded device for daily tasks and social media, then it is advisable to chose the Samsung Galaxy A72 due to the cheaper price and still adequate performance.
Final Decision
My Choice: OnePlus 9
For me, the performance of the OnePlus 9 is the most important factor. I value a smooth, responsive experience, especially when multitasking and playing games. The significantly brighter display is also a major advantage as I frequently use my phone outdoors. While I appreciate the versatility of the A72's camera system, I find the superior performance and display of the OnePlus 9 to be more beneficial for my daily usage. The faster charging is also more convenient for my lifestyle. Ultimately, the trade-offs favor my preferences for speed and a premium display experience over the longer battery life and more versatile camera.
