Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A02 vs. Samsung Galaxy A72
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.1 mm | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | A72 slightly taller and wider, A02 thicker; A02 slightly more bulky |
| Weight | 206g | 203g | Virtually identical weight; Minimal difference in hand |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | A72 provides slightly larger viewing area, better for media and gaming. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | A72 sharper text, images, videos, better viewing experience overall |
| PPI | 270 | 394 | A72 crisper visuals; Text and images look much clearer |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | A72 better contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, better outdoor visibility, more energy efficient for dark UI themes |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | A72 smoother scrolling and animations, slightly more responsive feel |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 800 nits | A72 much better visibility in bright sunlight, A02 may be difficult to use under sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6739W (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | A72 significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, better gaming performance, more efficient (less battery consumption) |
| AnTuTu Score | 50,774 | 285,000 | A72 demonstrates dramatically higher performance across all tasks |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8100 | Adreno 618 | A72 superior graphics performance, better for gaming and GPU-intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 13MP, f/1.9 | 64MP, f/1.8 | A72 captures more detailed photos, slightly better low light performance |
| Telephoto | N/A | 8MP, f/2.4 | A72 has a dedicated zoom lens for better quality zoomed photos, portrait mode. |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP, f/2.0 | 32MP, f/2.2 | A72 captures higher resolution selfies, suitable for detailed self-portraits |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 12MP, f/2.2 | A72 can capture wider scenes; useful for landscapes and group shots |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.4 | A72 takes slightly better close-up shots, more detailed |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | A72 superior video quality, higher resolutions, Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) offers much smoother videos |
| DXOMark Score | N/A | Mobile: 92 | A72 has a considerably better camera system than the A02 based on dxomark data |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery life, expected to last a full day with moderate use |
| Charging | 7.5W | 25W | A72 charges much faster, significantly reducing charging times |
| Charger included | N/A | 15W fast Charger | A72 has a faster charger included out-of-the-box. A02 does not provide a fast charger |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (up to 11) | Android 11 (up to 12) | A72 has a newer OS with updated features and potential security patches |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | A72 supports faster 5GHz Wi-Fi and newer Wi-Fi standards; more reliable connection in congested areas |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 LE | 5.0 | A72 has a more modern Bluetooth version, offers a more stable connection and more features |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A72 better location accuracy due to more satellite support |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32GB/64GB | 128GB/256GB | A72 provides significantly more storage space for apps, photos, and videos |
| RAM | 2GB/3GB/4GB | 6GB/8GB | A72 has significantly more RAM, better multitasking, smoother app switching |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. Users need to choose the correct storage option while purchasing |
| Audio | |||
| Audio | Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | A72 offers a more immersive and better-sounding audio experience due to the stereo speakers |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic security | Fingerprint | A72 offers more convenient and secure unlocking |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | A72 provides more sensors, that are required for games and other functionality |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate, and brightness offers a vastly better viewing experience.
- Much Higher Performance: Significantly faster processor and more RAM lead to smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a better overall user experience.
- Better Camera System: Includes more versatile camera setup with higher resolution sensors, telephoto and ultrawide lenses. Offers higher-quality photos and video recording, and has a better DXOMARK score.
- Faster Charging: 25W fast charging reduces time spent plugged in. Comes with a fast charger included
- Enhanced Audio: Stereo speakers provide a more immersive audio experience.
- More RAM and Storage: More RAM for smoother multitasking and more internal storage capacity to store user data.
- Better Connectivity: Supports newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards for better speed and stability.
- Biometric Security: Includes a fingerprint sensor, enhancing security and ease of use.
- More Sensors: Comes with more sensors like Compass and Gyroscope, that are required for games and other applications.
Samsung Galaxy A02 Advantages:
- Lower Price: A significant price difference, making it budget-friendly.
- Similar Battery Life: Battery capacity is the same as A72, expect a similar endurance.
- Dual Sim: Has a dual-sim feature, which can be useful for users who want to use two sim cards simultaneously
Trade-offs:
- A02's lower price comes at the cost of significant compromises in display quality, performance, camera capabilities, and overall user experience.
- A72's better features come with a higher price tag, but they provide an experience suitable to its price tag.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A02 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious buyers who need a basic smartphone for calling, texting, and light social media browsing.
- Users who prioritize battery life over performance and camera quality.
- First-time smartphone users, where high-end performance is not the main requirement.
- Users who don't require high-end graphics, camera functionalities, or gaming capabilities.
Use Cases:
- Basic daily communication (calls, text messages).
- Occasional social media use.
- Simple tasks like email and web browsing.
- Use for navigation and as a secondary phone.
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal User:
- Users who value a great display, excellent camera, and smooth performance.
- Users who enjoy mobile gaming and require a powerful device.
- Users who consume a lot of media (videos, movies, games).
- Users who want good quality photos and videos.
- Users who want a feature-rich smartphone with a good set of sensors.
Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming.
- High-quality photography and videography.
- Video editing.
- Multi-tasking between apps and demanding tasks.
- Daily driver that needs to do a lot of things.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The A02 provides a low-cost entry point but lacks many modern features.
- The A72 is a far superior phone that comes at a much higher price tag but provides significantly better user experience and value to the right users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? If budget is the primary constraint, the A02 might be your only option. If you can stretch a bit the A72 will give you a far superior value.
- What are your primary use cases? If all you need is basic communication the A02 will be ok. If you need a good experience for games, camera, video recording, the A72 is the better option.
- How important is performance? The A72 provides far superior performance due to its chipset, RAM, GPU, compared to A02. The difference is night and day.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Extremely Limited Budget): If budget is the absolute priority, the Samsung Galaxy A02 is the only option. It fulfills the basic smartphone needs.
- Scenario 2 (Everyday Use with a Better Display): If budget allows and you want a decent display and overall performance for most everyday use, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is a good fit.
- Scenario 3 (Gaming, Camera, Media Consumption): If you prioritize gaming, media consumption, and good camera capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is the clear winner.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A72. While it is considerably more expensive, the improvements in display quality, performance, camera capabilities, and overall features justify the higher price. The AMOLED display, significantly faster processor, more RAM, better camera system with telephoto and ultrawide lenses, faster charging, and a fingerprint sensor all contribute to a much better and more satisfying user experience. The A02 is suitable for a very basic user with limited needs and is therefore not the correct phone for my usage patterns.
