1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Apple iPhone 14 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 160.8 × 78.1 × 7.8 mm | A72 is taller and slightly thicker. iPhone 14 Plus is marginally wider. A72 might feel slightly bulkier. |
| Weight | 203g | 203g | Both have identical weights, so no noticeable difference in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Identical screen sizes, both offer large displays for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1284x2778 | iPhone 14 Plus offers a much sharper, clearer display due to higher pixel count. |
| PPI | 394 | 458 | iPhone 14 Plus has noticeably crisper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. Slight difference may exist in color calibration but both are excellent. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 60Hz | A72 will have smoother scrolling and animations. iPhone 14 Plus will feel less fluid in comparison. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 1200 nits | iPhone 14 Plus is significantly brighter, making it much easier to use in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) | iPhone 14 Plus has much faster and more power-efficient processor, leading to smoother and faster operation |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 1,330,312 | iPhone 14 Plus delivers significantly better performance in all aspects from daily tasks to demanding games |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Apple GPU (5-core graphics) | iPhone 14 Plus's GPU is far superior for graphically intensive tasks like gaming and video editing. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 12MP | A72 boasts a higher resolution, but resolution doesn't equal quality. iPhone 14 Plus likely captures more detail and has better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.5 | iPhone 14 Plus lets in more light, improving low-light photography. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.90 µm | iPhone 14 Plus has larger pixel size, capturing more light for better photos especially in low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP | None | A72 has telephoto for optical zoom, iPhone 14 Plus does not. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 32MP | 12MP | A72 has higher resolution, but iPhone 14 Plus might produce higher quality images with better processing. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/1.9 | iPhone 14 Plus has wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.4 | A72 has a slightly wider aperture, while iPhone 14 plus has a larger pixel size for potentially better image quality. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP | None | A72 offers macro capabilities for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps | iPhone 14 Plus has a wider range of video features with more HDR recording options and a higher frame rate for smoother videos. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 92 | 133 | iPhone 14 Plus significantly outperforms the A72 in overall camera performance |
| DxOMark Photo Score | 100 | 135 | iPhone 14 Plus has a better photo quality score. |
| DxOMark Video Score | 78 | 146 | iPhone 14 Plus excels in video quality compared to the A72. |
| Camera Features | Multiple features, including OIS & digital zoom | Multiple features, including OIS & RAW | Both phones have versatile camera features. A72 includes optical zoom while the iPhone 14 plus includes RAW. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4325mAh | A72 has a larger capacity, potentially providing longer battery life under similar usage. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | MagSafe 15W, Qi 7.5W | A72 supports 25W fast charging, while iPhone 14 Plus offers wireless charging capabilities. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | iOS 16 (upgradable to 18) | A72 runs on Android. iPhone 14 Plus runs on iOS. Different user interfaces and ecosystems. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | iPhone 14 Plus supports the faster, more efficient Wi-Fi 6 standard. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 LE | iPhone 14 Plus has a newer, more energy-efficient Bluetooth version |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | iPhone 14 Plus supports more satellite systems for accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | iPhone 14 Plus offers eSIM, providing more flexibility for network switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB or 512 GB | iPhone 14 Plus offers a higher maximum storage option |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 6 GB | Samsung Galaxy A72 might offer slightly better multitasking with 8 GB RAM option. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS / DTS X, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | iPhone 14 Plus offers more advanced audio features like noise cancellation and DTS audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Basic security features | A72 has fingerprint sensor for quick biometric security while the 14 Plus uses the basic iOS security features. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | No info on screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer | iPhone 14 Plus includes barometer while A72 has Fingerprint sensor and compass. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate provides a more fluid experience for scrolling and animations.
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life.
- 25W Fast Charging: Faster wired charging.
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens: Allows for optical zoom capabilities.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro camera for close-up photography.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Offers a physical biometric security option.
- Potentially More RAM: Up to 8GB of RAM available.
Apple iPhone 14 Plus Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: A15 Bionic chip provides much faster processing power.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density for a crisper visual experience.
- Brighter Display: 1200 nits max brightness offers better visibility in bright sunlight.
- Superior Camera Quality: Better overall image quality, video recording capabilities, and DxOMark scores.
- Advanced Audio Features: Noise cancellation microphone and more audio enhancements.
- Latest Software and Updates: Runs on iOS with extended software update support.
- eSIM Support: Greater flexibility for digital carrier switching.
- MagSafe and Wireless Charging: More versatile charging options.
- Better Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards
- Higher Maximum Storage: Up to 512GB of storage.
- Additional Sensors: Barometer
Trade-offs:
- A72: Sacrifices performance and overall camera quality for a smoother display and a larger battery.
- iPhone 14 Plus: Sacrifices a smoother refresh rate and a dedicated telephoto lens for better performance, display sharpness, and camera quality.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Seeking a large display and long battery life.
- Multimedia Consumers: Enjoying a smoother display and content consumption.
- Casual Photographers: Those who appreciate the flexibility of a telephoto and macro lens.
- Users who dislike the notch: The Galaxy A72 is a phone without a notch.
- Android Enthusiasts: Preferring the Android ecosystem and customization options.
Use Cases:
- Watching videos and streaming content.
- Playing less graphically intensive games.
- Everyday tasks, browsing, and social media.
- Basic photography with zoom and close-up options.
- Users who are used to a physical fingerprint sensor and do not want facial recognition.
Apple iPhone 14 Plus Ideal User:
- Performance Seekers: Those who need a fast and responsive device for demanding tasks.
- Serious Photographers & Videographers: Prioritizing high-quality photos and video.
- iOS Ecosystem Users: Those who prefer the Apple ecosystem.
- Users who prefer a premium device: For whom price is not a major concern.
- Users who prioritize security and updates: For whom security and latest updates are very important.
Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming.
- High-quality photography and videography.
- Video editing and content creation.
- Using various demanding apps and multitasking efficiently.
- Users who do not like to use a physical fingerprint sensor.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The A72 offers a more budget-friendly option with good features for the price, but lacks premium performance.
- The iPhone 14 Plus is a significantly more expensive device, but offers a substantial upgrade in performance, camera quality, and user experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The A72 is a mid-range device while the iPhone 14 Plus is a premium device.
- Do you prioritize performance or display smoothness? The A72 prioritizes display smoothness while the iPhone prioritizes performance.
- Which ecosystem do you prefer (Android or iOS)? The A72 runs Android while the iPhone runs on iOS.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If you primarily use your phone for social media, streaming, and basic photography and value a smooth display and good battery life with a limited budget, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is a better choice.
- Scenario 2: If you are a content creator, mobile gamer, or value a premium camera experience and are heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem, the Apple iPhone 14 Plus is the clear winner.
- Scenario 3: If budget is not a concern and you want the best possible performance and a top-tier camera, and do not care about the display refresh rate the Apple iPhone 14 Plus is the better choice.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would personally pick the Apple iPhone 14 Plus. My reasons are:
- Performance: The A15 Bionic chip offers a massive leap in performance, which would make for a much smoother and more responsive daily usage.
- Camera: The image quality, especially in low-light conditions, is crucial for me, and the iPhone 14 Plus significantly outperforms the A72 in this area. The higher quality videos with better features are also important to me.
- Ecosystem: I am familiar with the iOS ecosystem and appreciate its consistent updates and feature set.
- Longevity: The iPhone 14 Plus will receive software updates for longer, making it a more future-proof option.
- Display Quality: The sharper and brighter screen of the iPhone 14 Plus is more appealing to me than the slightly smoother display of the A72.
While the Samsung Galaxy A72 offers a smoother refresh rate and a larger battery, the sheer performance difference and superior camera capabilities of the iPhone 14 Plus are more compelling for my needs. While the price is higher, the overall user experience would be a worthwhile trade-off.
