1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Apple iPhone 13 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.7 mm | A72 is larger, might be less comfortable for smaller hands; iPhone 13 Pro is more pocketable. |
| Weight | 203g | 204g | Virtually identical weight, no real difference felt. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.1" | A72 provides a larger screen for media consumption and multitasking; iPhone 13 Pro is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1170x2532 | iPhone 13 Pro has a sharper display due to higher resolution. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 394 | 460 | iPhone 13 Pro's display will appear significantly sharper with more detail. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, similar visual quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | iPhone 13 Pro's display will feel smoother, especially when scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 1200 nits | iPhone 13 Pro is much better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) | iPhone 13 Pro offers drastically faster app loading, smoother multitasking, superior gaming performance, and future-proofing. |
| Antutu Score | 285,000 | 1,325,768 | iPhone 13 Pro has significantly better performance. The A72 may struggle with demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Apple GPU (5-core graphics) | iPhone 13 Pro provides superior graphics capabilities. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 3125mAh | A72 has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life, but actual endurance can vary due to other factors. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 20W Fast Charging | A72 charges slightly faster. |
| Charging Features | 15W Fast Charger included | MagSafe wireless 15W, Qi 7.5W | iPhone 13 Pro offers wireless charging convenience. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80µm pixel size | 12MP, f/1.5, 1/1.66", 1.90µm pixel size | iPhone 13 Pro has a wider aperture and larger pixels for better low-light performance despite lower megapixel count. |
| Telephoto + portrait | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" | N/A | A72 offers dedicated telephoto/portrait camera, which iphone lacks |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80 µm pixel size | 12MP, f/2.2, pixel size | A72 has higher megapixel count but sensor size and pixel size information for iphone missing here. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 12MP, f/2.8, Sony IMX713, 1.00 µm pixel size | iPhone 13 Pro has dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size | 12MP, f/1.8, Sony IMX772, 1.00 µm pixel size | iPhone 13 Pro has a wider aperture for better low-light in ultrawide shots. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | N/A | 12MP, 1/3.4", Sony IMX590, 1.00 µm pixel size | iPhone 13 Pro offers depth mapping and enhanced AR capabilities. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12 µm pixel size | N/A | A72 includes dedicated macro lens for detailed close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, Stereo Sound | iPhone 13 Pro offers superior video recording quality with better stabilization, HDR, and stereo sound. |
| DXOMark Mobile | Main: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | Main: 141, Photo: 140, Video: 146; Selfie: 134/128/143 | iPhone 13 Pro has vastly better camera quality overall based on DXOMark scores. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 12 | iOS 15, upgradable to 18 | Different ecosystems; iOS is known for its simplicity and optimization, Android for customizability. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac, Dual band | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Dual band | iPhone 13 Pro offers faster Wi-Fi speeds and better performance. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Both offer similar Bluetooth capabilities, iPhone 13 Pro offers LE for better battery efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | iPhone 13 Pro provides slightly more comprehensive location support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | iPhone 13 Pro includes eSIM, which provides flexibility in carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 128/256/512/1024GB | iPhone 13 Pro has more storage options. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 6 GB | A72 can have more ram in some configurations, potentially giving an edge in multitasking performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS / DTS X, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | iPhone 13 Pro delivers richer audio with more features including noise cancellation. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | fingerprint sensor | Basic security | A72 offers basic biometric authentication via fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer | iPhone 13 Pro offers a barometer for environmental readings; A72 includes a fingerprint sensor for biometric security. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Larger Screen: The 6.7-inch display offers a more immersive experience for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking.
- Potentially Better Battery Life: The larger 5000mAh battery could provide longer usage between charges.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Ability to take close-up shots for detailed photography.
- Telephoto + portrait camera: Dedicated camera for depth of field and portraits.
- Fingerprint sensor: Offers biometric security.
- More RAM Options: Option for 8GB of RAM which can help multitasking.
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The A15 Bionic chip is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and enhanced gaming.
- Significantly Sharper Display: Higher pixel density provides a more detailed visual experience.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations feel significantly smoother.
- Brighter Display: 1200 nits of brightness allows for excellent outdoor viewing even under bright sunlight.
- Better Camera Quality: Superior image processing, wider aperture lenses, and better video recording capabilities. Significantly higher DXOMark scores in all categories.
- Telephoto Lens: Optical zoom capability for better image quality at longer distances.
- ToF 3D Sensor: Depth mapping and augmented reality capabilities.
- Wireless Charging: MagSafe and Qi wireless charging for added convenience.
- Better audio: Better microphones and spatial audio.
- Longer Software support: Has the potential for more major OS updates.
- eSIM support: Digital carrier switching.
- Wi-Fi 6 Support: Faster Wi-Fi speeds and lower latency.
- More Storage Options: Options for up to 1TB of internal storage.
Significant Trade-offs:
- A72: sacrifices performance, screen sharpness, and camera quality for a lower price, potentially better battery life, and larger screen.
- iPhone 13 Pro: sacrifices a larger screen and potentially battery life for top-tier performance, camera quality, and display.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Budget-conscious users: Prioritize affordability and a larger screen for media consumption.
- Users who value battery life: Prefer a phone that lasts longer between charges.
- Users who enjoy close-up photography: The dedicated macro lens is a major advantage.
- Users who prefer fingerprint sensor for security.
- Users who are not demanding with performance: Those who primarily browse, use social media, and watch videos.
- Users who prefer Android for customization and open ecosystem.
Use Cases for Galaxy A72:
- Watching movies and videos
- Reading e-books and articles
- Casual gaming
- Basic photography and social media sharing
Ideal User for Apple iPhone 13 Pro:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Need the best possible performance for demanding apps, gaming, and multitasking.
- Photography and Videography: Need professional-grade camera capabilities and features.
- Users who value display quality: Demand a sharp, smooth, and bright display.
- Users who prefer Apple ecosystem and iOS simplicity.
- Users who want a smaller and more pocketable phone
Use Cases for iPhone 13 Pro:
- High-end mobile gaming
- Professional-grade photography and videography
- Editing photos and videos on the go
- Augmented reality applications
- Demanding app usage and multitasking
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- A72: Offers good value for the price for users who prioritize a large screen and battery.
- iPhone 13 Pro: Provides premium features and top-tier performance for a higher price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case for a smartphone? (e.g., media consumption, gaming, professional photography).
- How much do you value performance versus battery life? (Prioritizing one will likely mean sacrificing in the other).
- What are your budget constraints, and what value do you prioritize? (Is it a large screen or top tier performance?).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: "I want the best possible performance and camera, and I don't mind paying more."
- Recommendation: iPhone 13 Pro is the clear choice. Its superior performance, camera quality, and display justify the higher price.
Scenario 2: "I need a large screen and good battery life, and I'm on a budget."
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A72 is a better option. It offers a larger display and battery at a more affordable price, though at the cost of performance and camera capabilities.
Scenario 3: "I want a balance of features and performance without overspending."
- Recommendation: If you're on a tighter budget, the A72 should be the choice. If budget is more flexible, and performance/camera are important the iPhone 13 Pro remains the superior device in these regards.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Apple iPhone 13 Pro. My reasoning is as follows:
- Performance: I prioritize smooth and fast performance for my daily use, and the A15 Bionic chip in the iPhone 13 Pro is significantly more powerful than the Snapdragon 720G in the A72. This would result in better app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive experience overall.
- Camera Quality: As a frequent photographer and videographer, the iPhone 13 Pro's camera system, with its larger sensors, wider aperture lenses, and significantly higher DXOMark scores, would give me a huge benefit. I value image quality, low-light performance, and video recording capabilities more than a higher megapixel count or dedicated macro lens.
- Display Quality: The higher resolution, pixel density, and 120Hz refresh rate of the iPhone 13 Pro's display would provide a crisper and smoother visual experience, which is important for me as a daily user. I also appreciate the additional 400 nits of brightness for outdoor visibility.
- Software and Ecosystem: I prefer the iOS ecosystem for its simplicity, privacy, and generally long software support from Apple.
While the Samsung Galaxy A72 offers a larger screen and a potentially bigger battery which I appreciate, the performance and camera advantages of the iPhone 13 Pro are more important to my use case. The superior build quality and overall user experience offered by the iPhone 13 Pro also justifies its higher price tag for me.
