1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Apple iPhone 13 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.7 mm | The A72 is noticeably larger, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use. The iPhone 13 is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 203g | 174g | The iPhone 13 is significantly lighter, making it easier to hold for extended periods. |
| Build | Unknown screen protection | Unknown screen protection | Both have glass and metal design elements. Specific screen protection not specified |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Apple iPhone 13 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.1" | The A72 offers a larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. iPhone 13 is more compact |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1170x2532 | The iPhone 13 has a higher resolution, resulting in a sharper image. |
| Pixel Density | 394 PPI | 460 PPI | The iPhone 13 has a significantly sharper display, with finer details visible. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, with slight differences in color science based on manufacturer calibration. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 60Hz | The A72's 90Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 1200 nits | The iPhone 13's higher brightness makes it much more usable in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Apple iPhone 13 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) | The iPhone 13's chip is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| Antutu Score | 285,000 | 1,256,049 | The iPhone 13 has vastly superior performance, making it more future-proof. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Apple GPU (4-core) | The iPhone 13’s GPU provides much better graphics processing power, leading to smoother gaming and graphics-intensive applications |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 4GB | The A72 has more RAM, potentially helping with multitasking. iPhone 13 performance is better despite lower RAM. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Apple iPhone 13 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 12MP | The A72 captures higher-resolution images, good for cropping and printing. The iPhone 13 has larger pixel size for better low light and generally has superior image processing. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.6 | The iPhone 13 has a wider aperture, allowing more light and performing better in low light. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.70 µm | The iPhone 13 has larger pixels for capturing more light, resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Camera | 8MP (1/4.4", 1.00µm pixel size) | Not Included | The A72 offers dedicated optical zoom. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12MP (f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size) | 12MP (f/2.4, 1/2.55", 1.40 µm pixel size) | The A72 has a slightly wider aperture, while the iPhone 13 has larger pixels and a larger sensor for better dynamic range. |
| Macro Camera | 5MP (1.12µm pixel size) | Not Included | The A72 offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 32MP | 12MP | The A72 captures high resolution selfies. The iPhone 13 has a great sensor and processing for selfie images. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps (with HDR) | The iPhone 13 offers higher quality video recording, including HDR support, resulting in better dynamic range and clarity. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS | OIS & Ultra Stable Video | Both offer stabilization, but the iPhone 13's stabilization system is generally more effective. |
| Slow Motion Video | 120fps | 240fps | The iPhone 13 supports higher frame rate slow-motion recording, useful for capturing fast action. |
| DXOMARK Score | Mobile: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | Not Available | The A72 has been tested on DxOMark giving insights to its camera capabilities. Note that the iPhone 13 has not been tested. |
| Camera Features | Optical zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS) | 4K Video, Dual camera, Ultra stable video, Continuous autofocus, RAW | The A72 offers more hardware features for different shot types. iPhone 13 focuses on video capabilities and image quality. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Apple iPhone 13 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 3240mAh | The A72 has a much larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. Actual usage will vary. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 20W Fast Charging | The A72 supports slightly faster wired charging. |
| Wireless Charging | Not Included | 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi | The iPhone 13 offers more versatile wireless charging options. |
| Charger Included | 15W Fast Charger Included | Not included | The A72 includes a charger out of the box, while the iPhone 13 requires a separate purchase for a charger. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Larger Display: Provides an immersive experience for media consumption and multitasking.
- Smoother Display: The 90Hz refresh rate offers smoother scrolling and animations.
- Larger Battery: Likely to offer longer battery life.
- Optical Zoom: Dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom capabilities.
- Included Charger: Ships with a 15W fast charger in the box.
- More RAM: 6GB or 8GB options.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for close up shots.
Apple iPhone 13 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The A15 Bionic chip provides significantly faster performance across all tasks.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density for a clearer viewing experience.
- Brighter Display: Much better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
- Better Camera Performance: The iPhone 13’s main camera has better low light performance, and generally better image processing.
- Higher Quality Video Recording: Offers superior video recording quality with HDR, more framerates and stabilization options.
- Wireless Charging: Supports MagSafe and Qi wireless charging.
- Future-Proof Software: Receives consistent and long-term software updates from Apple.
- Better Audio Quality: Includes superior audio capabilities, noise cancellation and multi mic implementation.
Significant Trade-offs:
- A72: Sacrifices performance and camera quality for a larger display, longer battery and dedicated zoom capabilities.
- iPhone 13: Smaller screen and battery for far better performance, better camera capabilities and display quality.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal User:
- Media Consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos and movies.
- Casual Gamers: Users who do not need the highest performance for gaming.
- Battery Life Focused: Users who prioritize longer battery life above all else.
- Budget Conscious Users: Users who want a larger screen, longer battery life and dedicated zoom capabilities at a lower price point.
- Users looking for flexibility in charging: The fast charger in the box is useful for charging without needing extra accessories.
Use Cases:
- Watching movies and videos on the large display.
- Casual gaming and everyday app usage.
- Using a larger display for multitasking and productivity tasks.
- Taking advantage of the optical zoom.
- All-day battery usage without frequent charging.
Apple iPhone 13 Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who need the fastest performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: Users who value the best camera quality, including low-light performance and video recording.
- Users who prioritize a compact design: A smaller footprint makes this phone much more pocketable and easy to handle.
- Users invested in the Apple Ecosystem: Users who already use other Apple products and want the best overall integration.
- Users who prefer long term software support: Users who appreciate the long-term and consistent OS updates provided by Apple.
- Users who appreciate wireless charging: Those who use wireless charging pads or MagSafe accessories will find the iPhone 13 more useful.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphically demanding mobile games.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos, especially in low light.
- Running multiple apps and multitasking smoothly.
- Professional photography and videography.
- Seamless integration with other Apple devices.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy A72 offers good value for users who prioritize a large screen, decent battery life and optical zoom capabilities, it is also usually cheaper than the iPhone 13.
- The Apple iPhone 13 offers a premium experience for users who prioritize performance, camera quality, and overall refinement and long term software support, its generally more expensive than the A72.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case for the phone? (Media Consumption, Gaming, Photography, Everyday Use)
- How important is performance? (Do you need the fastest possible performance, or is moderate performance sufficient?)
- What is your budget? (Are you willing to pay a premium for high-end features, or are you looking for a more budget-friendly option?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Media Consumption and Casual Use: If you mainly use your phone for watching videos, browsing the web and basic app usage, and prefer a larger screen, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is a good option.
- Scenario 2: High-Performance Gaming and Photography: If you need the best performance for gaming, photography, and video recording, the Apple iPhone 13 is the clear winner.
- Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious User: If budget is your main concern and you still want a large screen and good battery life, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is the more affordable option.
- Scenario 4: Apple Ecosystem User: If you are already invested in Apple's ecosystem and want the best possible integration, the Apple iPhone 13 is the better choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Apple iPhone 13. My reasoning is based on a few key factors that align with my personal needs and preferences:
- Performance: The Apple A15 Bionic chip provides a huge performance advantage over the Snapdragon 720G in the A72. This means smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a much better experience with demanding apps and games. As a heavy mobile user, I value responsiveness and longevity.
- Camera Quality: While the A72 offers more camera hardware on paper, the iPhone 13's image quality is superior, especially in low-light conditions. I also prefer the iPhone's video recording capabilities for video clarity and stabilization.
- Display Quality: While the A72 has a larger display and a higher refresh rate, the iPhone 13's display is sharper, brighter, and has better color accuracy. The improved clarity and vibrancy make the viewing experience more enjoyable for me.
- Software Support: iPhones receive consistent OS updates for a longer period than Android phones. This means that the iPhone 13 will continue to get new features and security updates for several years, whereas the Samsung A72 is limited to Android 12.
While I appreciate the A72's larger battery and dedicated zoom capabilities, for my specific use case, the trade-offs are worth it for the performance, camera quality, and ecosystem benefits offered by the iPhone 13. The improved performance, better camera, and long-term software support make it a more valuable device for me in the long run.
