1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Apple iPhone 15 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 146.6 × 70.6 × 8.3 mm | A72 is larger and bulkier, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use, while the iPhone 15 Pro is smaller and more pocketable. |
| Weight | 203g | 187g | iPhone 15 Pro is lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for longer periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.1" | A72 provides more screen real estate, better for media consumption and multitasking; iPhone 15 Pro is more compact, better for portability. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1179x2556 | iPhone 15 Pro has a sharper display with finer detail, better for reading text and viewing high-resolution images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 394 | 461 | iPhone 15 Pro's higher pixel density results in crisper visuals, making images and text appear more defined. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent color reproduction and deep blacks, but practical difference is minimal. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | iPhone 15 Pro has smoother scrolling and animations, providing a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 2000 nits | iPhone 15 Pro is much more readable in bright sunlight, reducing glare and improving visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Apple A17 Pro (3 nm) | iPhone 15 Pro has vastly superior performance, faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming experience. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 1,641,883 | iPhone 15 Pro is significantly faster, handles demanding apps and games much better, and offers future-proofing. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Apple GPU (6-core) | iPhone 15 Pro’s GPU offers superior graphics processing, which is especially noticeable in gaming and graphically intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 48MP | A72 captures images with more detail but not always better quality |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.78 | iPhone 15 Pro may perform marginally better in low-light conditions. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | Not Specified | 1/1.3" | Larger sensor on iPhone allows for better light gathering, improved low-light performance, and better dynamic range. |
| Telephoto Camera | Yes (8MP) | Yes (12MP) | A72 has a separate telephoto + portrait camera for zooming, iPhone 15 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens for better clarity. |
| Ultra Wide Camera | Yes (12MP) | Yes (12MP) | Both phones capture wide angle shots. |
| Macro Camera | Yes (5MP) | Yes (12MP) | Both phones offer macro capabilities. iPhone 15 Pro also combines the Wide Angle camera with the macro capabilities. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 32MP | 12MP | A72 captures higher detail selfies; iPhone 15 Pro has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/1.9 | iPhone 15 Pro's larger aperture may perform slightly better in low light. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps | iPhone 15 Pro offers higher quality video recording with HDR and advanced stabilization capabilities. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 92 | 154 | iPhone 15 Pro has significantly superior camera performance. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | N/A | 149 | iPhone 15 Pro offers great quality selfies. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 3650mAh | A72 has a larger battery, potentially longer battery life; real-world usage depends on processor efficiency and software optimization. |
| Charging | 25W | 27W | iPhone 15 Pro has slightly faster wired charging, while A72 only has fast wired charging |
| Charging Features | 15W Fast Charger included | 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi Wireless | iPhone 15 Pro offers versatile wireless charging options; A72 only has wired charging in the box |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 12) | iOS 17 (Upgradable to 18) | Different OS ecosystems. iOS is known for its smooth performance and strong ecosystem, while Android offers more customization options. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Up to Wi-Fi ac | Up to Wi-Fi 6 | iPhone 15 Pro supports faster Wi-Fi for improved connection speeds and lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 LE | iPhone 15 Pro has a more modern and power-efficient Bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5) | iPhone 15 Pro supports more satellite systems, potentially providing higher location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | iPhone 15 Pro offers eSIM compatibility for easy switching between carriers, while A72 offers 2 physical SIM slots. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256/512/1024 GB | iPhone 15 Pro offers much larger storage options to store more content. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8 GB | Both have enough RAM for smooth multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports external storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation mic, Stereo Speakers, 3 Mics | iPhone 15 Pro features advanced audio capabilities including better mic recording. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Basic Security | A72 has fingerprint sensor, iPhone 15 Pro is not specified, could be face ID or other security features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Larger Display: Offers a more immersive experience for media consumption and multitasking.
- Larger Battery: Potentially provides longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging, however, this will depend on software optimization and chip efficiency.
- Physical Dual SIM slots: Simultaneous use of two physical SIM cards.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Provides a secure and convenient way to unlock the phone.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The A17 Pro chip offers vastly superior performance, making the device future-proof and responsive to demanding tasks.
- Better Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate, and brightness offer a crisper, smoother, and more visible display, especially outdoors.
- Superior Camera System: Advanced image processing, better low-light performance, and video recording capabilities lead to higher-quality photos and videos.
- Advanced Audio: Includes noise cancellation and better voice capture.
- eSIM Support: Enables easier digital carrier switching, suitable for frequent travelers.
- Faster Connectivity: Supports newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth versions for better speeds and stability.
- More Storage Options: Offers up to 1TB for users who require extensive storage.
Trade-offs:
- The A72 sacrifices performance, display quality, and camera capabilities for a larger battery, and larger display and fingerprint sensor.
- The iPhone 15 Pro sacrifices a larger battery for vastly superior performance, display, camera, and connectivity features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who prioritize affordability over top-tier performance and camera features.
- Media Consumers: Users who primarily use their phone for watching videos, browsing the web, and playing casual games and prefer a larger screen.
- Users Who Value Battery Life: Users who need a long-lasting battery and are less concerned with top-tier processing power.
- Dual SIM Users: Users who need to use two physical SIM cards simultaneously.
- Users who prefer a fingerprint sensor: Users that do not like face ID as an unlocking method.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Ideal User:
- Power Users: Individuals who require the highest performance for demanding tasks like video editing, gaming, and running complex applications.
- Photography/Videography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize top-tier camera capabilities and image quality for both photos and videos.
- Users who prioritize smooth user experience: Those who want a high refresh rate, smooth scrolling and great performance.
- Users in Apple Ecosystem: Users who are already in the Apple ecosystem and want a seamless experience with other Apple devices.
- Frequent Travelers: Users who need eSIM compatibility and reliable connectivity.
- Users that prefer the most updated version of the OS.
Specific Use Cases:
- Samsung Galaxy A72: Long road trips with lots of music and videos, using a phone as a main navigation device, casual social media usage.
- Apple iPhone 15 Pro: Professional photography, video production, mobile gaming, resource-intensive productivity tasks, travel with global connectivity needs.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy A72 is a budget-friendly option that offers reasonable performance, a large display, and a large battery for its price.
- The iPhone 15 Pro commands a premium price due to its top-tier performance, advanced camera system, premium display, and advanced connectivity features. The value is justified for users who need those top-tier features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The A72 is significantly more affordable than the iPhone 15 Pro, which is a crucial consideration.
- What is your primary use case? Do you need top-tier performance and camera capabilities, or do you prioritize a larger screen and longer battery?
- Are you locked into a specific ecosystem? If you already use Apple products, the iPhone 15 Pro may offer a more seamless experience, otherwise an Android phone may be more suitable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Casual User on a Budget: If you primarily use your phone for social media, browsing, and occasional video watching and want the biggest display for a low cost, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is the better choice.
Scenario 2: Photography/Videography Enthusiast: If you prioritize high-quality photos and videos, smooth performance, and seamless ecosystem integration, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro is the clear choice.
Scenario 3: Power User: If you need top-tier performance for resource-intensive tasks, mobile gaming, or any other demanding work, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro will offer a significantly superior experience.
Scenario 4: Heavy Traveler If you travel a lot internationally and need the latest connectivity and dual SIMs, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro has the edge with eSIM technology
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Apple iPhone 15 Pro. Although the A72 has a bigger display and battery, for my use case, the advantages of the iPhone 15 Pro far outweigh these factors. I prioritize performance, camera quality, and a smooth user experience, all of which are areas where the iPhone 15 Pro excels. I also prefer the ecosystem, and would take the advanced audio and connectivity over the dual physical SIM and fingerprint sensor. The premium price is justified for me due to the significant improvements in display, performance, and overall quality, making it a more future-proof and enjoyable device.
