1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Apple iPhone 15 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm | A72 is noticeably larger, may be less comfortable for smaller hands. iPhone 15 is more pocketable. |
| Weight | 203g | 171g | iPhone 15 is significantly lighter, easier to hold for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.1" | A72 offers a larger screen for media consumption; iPhone 15 is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1179x2556 | iPhone 15 is sharper with slightly more pixels, resulting in clearer images. |
| Pixel Density | 394 PPI | 461 PPI | iPhone 15 has a noticeably sharper display with greater pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Similar display technology, both offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 60Hz | A72 has smoother scrolling and animations. iPhone 15 is less smooth in comparison. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 2000 nits | iPhone 15 is much better for outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm) | Apple A16 Bionic (4nm) | iPhone 15 delivers significantly faster performance, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 1,470,000 | iPhone 15 has massively superior benchmark performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Apple GPU (5-core) | iPhone 15 has a significantly more powerful GPU for advanced gaming and graphics-intensive applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main | 64MP, f/1.8 | 48MP, f/1.6 | A72 has slightly higher resolution but iPhone 15 has a larger sensor and wider aperture for better low light. |
| Telephoto | 8MP, f/2.4 | N/A | A72 offers a dedicated zoom lens, missing on iPhone 15. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.4 (Wide+Macro) | A72 has a dedicated wide lens, the iPhone 15 wide camera does double duty as a macro lens. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | A72 has dedicated macro lens; iPhone 15 has a wide that doubles as macro lens. |
| Selfie | 32MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/1.9 | A72 has higher resolution for selfies; iPhone 15 has wider aperture for better low light selfies. |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 4K@60fps | iPhone 15 offers more versatile video options with HDR, higher frame rates. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 92 | 145 | iPhone 15 has significantly superior camera performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 3877 mAh | A72 has a larger battery for potentially longer battery life, but real world usage may vary. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 20W Fast Charging, 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi Wireless | A72 has faster wired charging; iPhone 15 has wireless charging capabilities. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | iOS 17 (upgradable to 18) | Different operating systems with different ecosystems and update support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | iPhone 15 has faster, more efficient Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | iPhone 15 has a more modern and efficient version of bluetooth. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256/512 GB | iPhone 15 offers a higher maximum storage capacity. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 6 GB | A72 may handle multitasking slightly better with up to 8GB RAM; not a huge difference compared to the iPhone 15. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Other | |||
| Audio | Stereo Speakers, Dolby Atmos | Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones, Noise Cancellation | iPhone 15 has potentially better audio for calls and capture due to microphones; the A72 has better audio for speaker output due to Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | Fingerprint sensor | Basic Security features | A72 has a fingerprint sensor; iPhone 15 relies on face unlock (not listed). |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Hall, Geomagnetic, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | iPhone 15 has an additional Barometer; A72 has a Fingerprint, Hall, Geomagnetic sensor in addition to the Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, and Gyroscope. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Larger Display: A bigger screen is better for media consumption and those who prefer larger text/UI elements.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 90Hz provides smoother scrolling and animations.
- Larger Battery: A larger 5000 mAh battery potentially offers longer battery life.
- Dedicated Telephoto & Macro Lenses: Offers more versatility in zoom and macro photography, though overall camera quality is weaker.
- Dolby Atmos: Potentially better audio for speaker output
- Fingerprint Sensor: Offers an additional layer of biometric security
- More RAM Option: Provides up to 8GB of RAM for multi-tasking
Apple iPhone 15 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: A16 Bionic chip is significantly faster, providing a much smoother and more responsive experience.
- Significantly Better Camera Quality: Higher DxOMark score, better low-light performance, more advanced video features.
- Brighter Display: 2000 nits brightness is much better for outdoor visibility.
- Wireless Charging: Supports MagSafe and Qi wireless charging.
- More Storage: Up to 512 GB, double the storage of the A72.
- More Modern Connectivity: WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3.
- Better Audio Capture: Features noise canceling microphones and better stereo output
- Software and Ecosystem: iOS is known for its optimization and long-term software updates.
Significant Trade-offs:
- A72: Trades performance, camera quality, and display brightness for a bigger screen, and more versatile camera lenses. Older technology.
- iPhone 15: Trades a larger display and a dedicated telephoto lens for superior performance, camera, and display quality. Less versatile camera lenses, no fingerprint sensor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Budget-conscious users: Looking for a large screen experience without a very high price tag.
- Media Consumers: People who frequently watch videos, browse social media, and prefer a bigger display.
- Users who prioritize battery life: Need a phone that can last throughout the day.
- Users who prefer more versatile camera lenses: A dedicated telephoto lens and a macro lens.
- Users who prefer a fingerprint sensor: The A72 has one, the iPhone 15 does not.
Ideal User for Apple iPhone 15:
- Performance-focused users: Want the fastest and most responsive experience, without regard to cost.
- Photography and videography enthusiasts: Value top-notch camera quality.
- Users who prefer iOS: Prioritize software optimization and long-term support.
- Users who require excellent outdoor visibility: Live in sunny locations or frequently use their phones outdoors.
- Users who prefer wireless charging: The iPhone 15 has MagSafe and Qi charging support.
Specific Use Cases:
- A72:
- Watching movies and TV shows on a larger screen while travelling.
- Casual mobile gaming with smoother scrolling and animations.
- Taking close up and zoomed photos of various objects.
- iPhone 15:
- Playing demanding mobile games.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos for social media or professional use.
- Working or creating on the go with optimized software.
- Using a phone outdoors in bright sunlight.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- A72: Offers a good value for users who prioritize screen size, battery, and versatile lenses on a budget, but sacrifices significantly on performance and overall camera quality.
- iPhone 15: Is premium-priced, but provides top-tier performance and camera quality; better suited for users who want the best and are willing to pay more.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The iPhone 15 is significantly more expensive.
- How important is performance and camera quality? The iPhone 15 excels in these areas.
- What screen size and features do I prioritize? The A72 offers a larger screen and a 90Hz refresh rate, but it trades it for lower quality.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User on a Budget: If your primary needs are social media, browsing, and casual media consumption, and you're on a tight budget, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is sufficient. It gives a large display and a decent camera.
- Scenario 2: Demanding User with High Performance Requirements: If you are a gamer, content creator, or require high performance, the iPhone 15 is the better choice despite the higher price point.
- Scenario 3: Photo Enthusiast: If camera quality is your main priority, the iPhone 15 is the clear winner with its significantly better camera.
- Scenario 4: Battery life is your top priority: If battery life is the most important factor, then the A72 might be the better fit.
What I Would Choose and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally choose the Apple iPhone 15. Although the Samsung Galaxy A72 has some attractive features like a larger screen, a higher refresh rate, and potentially longer battery life, the iPhone 15 has more to offer to me personally.
Here's my reasoning:
- Performance: I value a smooth, responsive experience. The A16 Bionic chip in the iPhone 15 provides a vastly superior experience in daily use and in more demanding tasks, like playing games.
- Camera Quality: As a person who takes a lot of photos, I prefer a camera that produces high-quality photos. The iPhone 15's camera is just leagues above the A72.
- Display Brightness: The iPhone 15 has dramatically better outdoor visibility. I often use my phone outside, and the extra brightness is a huge convenience.
- Software and Ecosystem: I prefer the iOS ecosystem for its optimization, long-term software updates, and integration with other Apple devices.
- Better Audio Capture: The multiple microphones with noise canceling support would offer better call quality.
Although the larger display and 90Hz refresh rate on the A72 are appealing, they aren't as important to me as performance, camera quality, and display brightness. In addition, the iPhone 15 has the newer connectivity features and better audio capabilities. For the price point, the iPhone 15 is the clear choice for me.
