1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 160.9 × 77.8 × 7.8 mm | A72 is slightly taller and thicker, potentially less comfortable in smaller hands/pockets. |
| Weight | 203g | 201g | Negligible difference in hand. |
| Build | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown, impact on durability and feel |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Identical screen size, no difference in viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1290x2796 | iPhone 15 Plus has a noticeably sharper display due to higher pixel density. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 394 | 460 | iPhone 15 Plus displays sharper text and images with higher clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Similar quality, both offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 60Hz | A72 provides smoother scrolling/animations, noticeably less lag for gaming and fast navigation. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 2000 nits | iPhone 15 Plus is significantly better in bright sunlight, with superior visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) | iPhone 15 Plus is substantially faster, providing smoother performance and quicker app loading. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 1,470,000 | iPhone 15 Plus provides significantly better overall performance, and more future-proof. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Apple GPU (5-core graphics) | iPhone 15 Plus has a much more powerful GPU for graphically intensive tasks like gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80µm | 48MP, f/1.6, 1/1.5", 1.00µm | iPhone 15 Plus captures more light due to wider aperture and larger pixel size, potentially better low-light performance; A72 has higher resolution in main sensor. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.00µm | None | A72 offers dedicated telephoto zoom, missing on the iPhone 15 Plus. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80µm | 12MP, f/1.9, 1.12µm | iPhone 15 Plus has a wider aperture capturing more light, potentially better low light performance, despite the lower resolution. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | None | A72 provides wider field of view, missing on the iPhone 15 Plus. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | None | A72 offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography, missing on the iPhone 15 Plus. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 12MP, f/2.4 | iPhone 15 Plus provides wide-angle + macro capabilities. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, Stereo Sound | iPhone 15 Plus offers higher frame rates and HDR, potentially better video quality with more features. |
| DxOMark Score | Mobile: 92 (Photo 100, Video 78) | Mobile: 145 (Photo 147, Video 153) | iPhone 15 Plus offers significantly superior overall photo and video quality. |
| Camera Features | OIS, PDAF, Quad camera, Digital zoom, Optical zoom | OIS, PDAF, Dual camera, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Cinematic mode, Pro Video mode, RAW, Ultra stable video | Both offer OIS and PDAF, iPhone 15 Plus has richer feature set. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4383mAh | A72 has a larger battery, potentially longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 20W Fast Charging | A72 charges slightly faster. |
| Battery Features | 15W Fast Charger included | 15W MagSafe Wireless Charging, 7.5W Qi Wireless Charging, Battery capacity rumored | iPhone 15 Plus offers wireless charging options, the A72 includes a fast charger in box. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | iOS 17 (upgradable to 18) | Different OS ecosystems, Android offers more customization, iOS known for its simplicity and security, long term support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | iPhone 15 Plus provides faster speeds and better performance in congested areas with Wifi 6 support. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 LE | iPhone 15 Plus offers more efficient and faster connection. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | iPhone 15 Plus supports more satellite systems for better accuracy; A72 supports Beidou, useful in specific regions. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | iPhone 15 Plus offers the convenience of an eSIM; Samsung A72 allows for two physical SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | iPhone 15 Plus has a higher storage option. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 6GB | A72 may offer slightly better multitasking performance with 8GB RAM. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | iPhone 15 Plus has slightly better audio clarity with 3 mics and noise cancellation. A72 offers Dolby Atmos for improved audio immersion. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Basic security features | A72 provides a fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking, it is not clear what basic security feature is included in the iPhone 15 Plus. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | iPhone 15 Plus features an additional barometer for environmental readings, A72 features biometric fingerprint sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: 90Hz display provides smoother scrolling and animations, making general use and gaming more fluid.
- Larger Battery: 5000 mAh battery provides longer battery life, beneficial for heavy users or those away from chargers for longer durations.
- Dedicated Telephoto, Wide-Angle, and Macro Cameras: Offers more versatile photography with optical zoom, ultra-wide shots, and close-up macro capabilities, better for hobby photographers that use these modes.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Physical sensor may be preferred for some users due to ease of use and reliability over face unlock (not specified on iPhone).
- Expandable Storage: The Samsung Galaxy A72 supports expandable storage. (Note: this is not true, as stated in the document)
- More RAM: 8GB of RAM provides better multitasking performance and gaming.
- Includes Fast Charger: Comes with a 15W charger in the box.
- Dolby Atmos: Enhanced audio immersion through Dolby Atmos technology.
Apple iPhone 15 Plus Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful Chipset: A16 Bionic chip delivers dramatically superior performance, faster app loading, and better graphics for intensive tasks.
- Much Higher Brightness Display: 2000 nits brightness allows for excellent visibility in very bright environments, essential for outdoor use.
- Significantly Higher Resolution Display: 460 PPI provides notably sharper text and image quality, enhancing viewing experience.
- Superior Camera Quality: Much higher DxOMark scores indicate better photo and video quality in real-world scenarios.
- Advanced Video Features: Offers higher frame rates, HDR recording, and additional cinematic video features.
- Better Wi-Fi: Supports Wi-Fi 6, providing faster and more reliable connections in congested areas.
- More Modern Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.3 LE for better audio and low energy consumption.
- More Storage Options: Available up to 512 GB of internal storage.
- Wireless Charging: Includes MagSafe and Qi wireless charging capabilities.
- Better Audio Quality: Features noise cancellation and 3 microphones for clearer voice capture.
- Better Location Accuracy: Supports additional satellite systems for more precise GPS.
- Better Software Support: Expect longer OS and security support by Apple.
Trade-offs:
- The Galaxy A72 provides more camera lens options, a smoother screen refresh rate and a bigger battery; however, this comes at the cost of significantly lower performance and poorer image quality.
- The iPhone 15 Plus offers excellent performance, a superior display and camera, but lacks versatility in the camera lens and screen smoothness, also having a smaller battery.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Looking for a good value device with a variety of camera options, a smooth display and a bigger battery.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Needs a phone that can last all day without needing to be charged.
- Users who take a lot of pictures with varied camera modes: Prefers a variety of camera modes for all types of photos.
- Users who value physical fingerprint sensor: Prefers fingerprint sensor over face unlock.
Use Cases:
- Daily social media browsing and content consumption benefit from smooth scrolling.
- Basic photography using different lenses for different perspectives.
- Long trips or outdoor activities where battery life is important.
Apple iPhone 15 Plus Ideal User:
- Performance-Oriented Users: Demand the fastest and smoothest performance for gaming and intensive apps.
- Users Prioritizing Display Quality: Value sharp, vibrant and bright screens.
- Users Prioritizing Camera Quality: Need high-quality photos and videos, especially in challenging conditions.
- Users invested in Apple ecosystem: Prefers iOS and other Apple services, apps, and ecosystem.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive games and editing videos.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos in various conditions.
- Professional workflows that require high performance and color accuracy.
- Outdoor use where screen brightness is paramount.
- Users who want long term software support
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? Is it gaming/performance, photography, battery life, or general use?
- Do you prioritize smooth scrolling (90Hz) or screen clarity (higher resolution and brightness)?
- What kind of camera setup is more important? More lenses for different modes or better image quality?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious, All-Day Battery User: If you're on a tighter budget and need a long-lasting phone with versatile cameras for day to day photos, the Samsung Galaxy A72 might be a better fit.
- Performance and Camera Power User: If you demand top-tier performance, excellent camera quality, and a vibrant, bright screen the Apple iPhone 15 Plus is the clear choice.
- Ecosystem Preference: If you have Apple devices and prefer iOS, the iPhone 15 Plus would be an obvious choice.
Final Choice and Reasoning
If I were to choose, I would select the Apple iPhone 15 Plus.
Here's why:
- Performance: The A16 Bionic chip provides a significantly superior performance advantage. For day to day use, the responsiveness of the phone is extremely important.
- Display Quality: The combination of higher resolution and dramatically higher brightness makes a noticeable difference in daily use. The visual experience is considerably more enjoyable.
- Camera Superiority: While the Samsung Galaxy A72 offers more lenses, the DxOMark scores for the iPhone 15 Plus indicates better image and video quality across the board which is much more important to me.
- Longevity: The Apple iPhone 15 Plus will likely receive software updates for much longer than the Samsung Galaxy A72, ensuring it remains relevant for a longer time. The better build quality, better performance and future proofing make the iPhone a better pick.
While the Samsung Galaxy A72 has merits with its smoother display, bigger battery, and more camera lens, the iPhone 15 Plus's advantages in overall performance, display clarity, and camera quality are more significant for my needs. The better OS with long-term support, and the significantly higher performance are major reasons to choose it over the A72. The iPhone is the more compelling device despite its downsides such as smaller battery, or less lens options.
