1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A52 | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm | A72 is larger and may be less comfortable for one-handed use. A52 is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 189g | 203g | A52 is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | A72 offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive media consumption, A52 provides a more compact experience. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Both have the same sharpness; visual quality will be virtually identical. |
| Pixel Density | 407 PPI | 394 PPI | A52 is a tiny bit sharper, however both are sharp enough and the human eye may not perceive it. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Excellent colors and contrast on both displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 800 nits | A72 is much better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 720G | Snapdragon 720G | Same performance for everyday tasks and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 341,212 | 285,000 | A52 has marginally better performance for more intensive tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 618 | Similar graphics performance for gaming and video editing. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 64MP, f/1.8 | 64MP, f/1.8 | Similar main camera quality in good lighting. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.4 | A72 has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.2 | Similar selfie camera quality. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.2 | Similar wide-angle photo quality. |
| Depth Sensor | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | A52 has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode results. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.4 | Similar macro capabilities. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Both record in high quality with stabilization. |
| DxOMark | N/A | Mobile: 92 (Photo: 100, Video: 78) | A72's camera performance has been officially rated as good by DxOMark, A52's is unknown |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 5000 mAh | A72 likely provides longer battery life between charges. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Both charge relatively quickly. |
| Battery Tech | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | Marginal difference, generally similar performance. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 14 | Android 11, upgradable to 12 | A52 has a longer future software upgrade support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac | Similar WiFi performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 | Similar bluetooth performance, with the A72 offering additional profiles. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Same storage options available. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 6GB/8GB | A72 has more base RAM, better for multitasking and gaming |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports SD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Atmos | A52 may have slightly richer audio with Digital Plus. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | A52 has superior screen scratch and impact resistance. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | A72 includes a compass, offering an edge for certain AR apps and navigation. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A52 Advantages:
- Marginally better performance: Higher AnTuTu score suggests slightly better performance.
- More Software Support: Upgradable to Android 14, ensuring longer software support and future features.
- Lighter and more compact design: Easier to handle for one handed use and better for carrying in small pockets.
- Slightly better audio: Dolby Digital Plus for richer sound quality.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers better durability against scratches and drops.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: Improves portrait mode quality.
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Larger display: 6.7" screen for a more immersive media experience.
- Significantly better screen brightness: 800 nits makes it much more usable outdoors under sunlight.
- Larger battery: 5000 mAh for extended battery life, especially for heavy users.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers dedicated optical zoom for more versatile photography.
- More RAM: Base of 6GB vs 4GB on the A52 can handle multitasking and gaming more smoothly.
- Additional Bluetooth Profiles: Improves connectivity with other devices.
- Compass Sensor: Adds navigation features for navigation and AR apps.
- Officially Tested Camera: DxOMark scores for the A72's camera are good, and A52's scores are unknown.
Trade-offs:
- A52 sacrifices some battery capacity and screen brightness for a more compact build and potentially better software updates in the future.
- A72 sacrifices compactness for a larger screen and longer battery life, with a slight compromise in software support.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A52:
- Ideal User: Users who value a compact, easy-to-handle phone, slightly better performance, and longer software support.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday usage, such as browsing, social media, and light gaming.
- Users who prioritize one-handed operation and pocketability.
- Those who prefer longer software support.
Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize a large, bright display for media consumption and a longer battery life. Also, those who value better camera versatilitty.
- Use Cases:
- Heavy media consumers (videos, movies, gaming).
- Users who frequently use their phone outdoors in sunlight.
- Those who need all-day battery life and prioritize camera zoom.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The price difference between these phones could be significant, influencing which provides the best value. If they are similarly priced, the A72's larger display and battery make it a better choice for most users, while the A52 provides a more compact design and longer software upgrades if it is a lot cheaper.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Screen Size Preference: Do you prioritize a large screen for media or a more compact, pocket-friendly design?
- Battery Life Needs: Do you need all-day battery life or are you okay with charging more frequently?
- Camera Zoom Requirements: Is a telephoto lens important for your photography needs?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy outdoor user, media lover: If you're frequently outdoors and watch a lot of videos, the A72 with its brighter screen and larger battery is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: Performance-focused, compact phone lover: If you want slightly better performance, a smaller and lighter phone, the A52 would be preferable.
- Scenario 3: Budget-conscious user: If the A52 is significantly cheaper than the A72, the trade-offs might be worth the lower price.
What I would choose and why:
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A72.
Reasons:
- Brighter Screen: The 800 nits brightness is a significant advantage for outdoor visibility, something I value highly as I spend time outdoors during sunny days.
- Larger Battery: The larger 5000 mAh battery provides significantly longer battery life.
- Telephoto Lens: The addition of the 8MP telephoto lens is valuable for versatile photography, allowing for optical zoom without image quality loss.
- More Base RAM: The additional RAM (6GB base vs 4GB base on the A52) is beneficial for more intensive multitasking and gaming.
- DxOMark Camera Score: While both phones feature decent cameras, the official DxOMark score on the A72 gives it an edge.
While the A52 has a slightly higher AnTuTu score, a more compact body, and superior screen protection, the advantages of the A72 better suit my needs. The brighter screen, larger battery, and the telephoto lens make it a more versatile device for my daily use case. I also don't mind the larger form factor, especially considering the advantage in screen real estate and battery capacity.
