1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm | 172.8 x 77.3 x 10.3 mm | Asus ROG Phone 5 is taller and thicker, potentially feeling bulkier in hand. |
| Weight | 203g | 238g | Galaxy A72 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Negligible difference in screen size. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2448 | Virtually identical sharpness. |
| Pixel Density | 394 ppi | 395 ppi | No noticeable difference in display clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 144Hz | Asus ROG Phone 5 provides smoother scrolling and gaming experience. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | Galaxy A72 is significantly better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight (Asus ROG Phone 5 brightness data is missing). |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers vastly superior processing power for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 883,000 | Asus ROG Phone 5 provides a significantly faster user experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 660 | Asus ROG Phone 5 has much better graphical performance for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.8µm | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", 0.8µm, Sony IMX686 | Similar main camera but ROG Phone 5 uses Sony sensor, likely offering better image quality. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.0µm | None | Galaxy A72 offers dedicated telephoto zoom, missing on ROG Phone 5. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.8µm | 24MP, f/2.45, 1/2.8", 0.9µm, Samsung S5K2X7 | Galaxy A72 boasts higher megapixel count, but ROG Phone 5 has larger pixels, potentially better low light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 13MP, f/2.5 | Minor differences, likely negligible in everyday use. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | 5MP, f/2.0 | Asus ROG Phone 5 has slightly wider aperture for better low light macro. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps | Asus ROG Phone 5 has superior video recording capabilities with higher resolution and frame rate. |
| DXOMark Score | Main 92, Photo 100, Video 78 | Not Available | Galaxy A72 has been tested by DXOMark with decent results. |
| Features | Quad, OIS, Digital & Optical Zoom | Triple, 4K & 8K Video, Digital & Optical Zoom | Galaxy A72 includes OIS, ROG Phone has 8k video. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6000mAh | Asus ROG Phone 5 likely has longer battery life due to larger capacity. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Asus ROG Phone 5 charges significantly faster. |
| Features | 15W Charger included | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers more advanced charging features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Max 12 | Android 11, Max 12 | Same base Android version. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ad/ax | Asus ROG Phone 5 has the latest WiFi 6 standard for faster speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Asus ROG Phone 5 has a newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Asus ROG Phone 5 provides more satellite system support for better accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB or 256GB or 512GB | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers up to 512GB storage. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 8GB, 12GB, 16GB, or 18GB | Asus ROG Phone 5 has more RAM options for superior multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | DTS/DTS X, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation mic, Stereo Speakers, 4 mics | Asus ROG Phone 5 is better for audio enthusiasts. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Asus ROG Phone 5 has better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint, Geomagnetic | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Both include standard sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Lighter and more compact: More comfortable for one-handed use and carrying around.
- Significantly brighter display: Easier to view in direct sunlight.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers dedicated optical zoom capabilities.
- DXOMark Camera Score: Provides a reference point for camera quality.
Practical Implications: The Galaxy A72 is a better all-around phone for everyday use with a focus on comfortable design and outdoor visibility. It is suitable for users who want to capture zoomed-in photos.
Asus ROG Phone 5 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Snapdragon 888 chipset provides significantly faster performance for demanding applications and gaming.
- Higher Refresh Rate: Smoother visual experience with 144Hz refresh rate.
- Larger Battery and Faster Charging: Longer battery life and quicker recharge times.
- Superior Audio: Offers more advanced audio features for audiophiles.
- More Storage and RAM: Higher storage and RAM options for demanding users and power users.
- More advanced WiFi and GPS: Better and more accurate connectivity.
- Better screen protection Using Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Practical Implications: The ROG Phone 5 is designed for gamers and power users who prioritize performance, battery life, and high-quality multimedia.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Galaxy A72 trades performance and battery for better outdoor visibility and a lighter design.
- ROG Phone 5 sacrifices portability and a dedicated telephoto lens for superior performance and battery life.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Ideal User: Casual users, those who prioritize comfort, outdoor visibility, and decent camera quality.
- Use Cases: Everyday use, social media, photography (including telephoto), and watching videos in bright conditions.
- Price-to-Value: Offers a balanced feature set at a mid-range price point, good value for the average user.
Asus ROG Phone 5:
- Ideal User: Gamers, power users, and those who prioritize performance, battery life, and audio quality.
- Use Cases: Gaming, heavy multitasking, video editing, content creation, and multimedia consumption.
- Price-to-Value: Priced higher, but offers top-tier performance and features tailored for demanding users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my primary use case? (Casual use/photography vs. gaming/power use)
- How important is battery life and charging speed to me?
- How important is outdoor display visibility to me?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If you primarily use your phone for social media, browsing, and casual photography, and value portability and outdoor readability, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: If you are a gamer or power user who demands top performance, the best battery life, and premium audio, the Asus ROG Phone 5 is superior, despite its bulkier design.
- Scenario 3: If you need a smartphone for video creation, the Asus ROG Phone 5 is better due to its better video capabilities.
My Choice and Why:
If I were choosing, I would go with the Asus ROG Phone 5. While I appreciate the lighter weight and better outdoor visibility of the Samsung Galaxy A72, my primary use for a smartphone leans heavily towards performance and gaming. The ROG Phone 5's superior processor, higher refresh rate, larger battery, faster charging, and better audio experience make it a significantly more attractive option for my specific needs. Furthermore, the ability to capture better quality videos is very important to me. I also acknowledge that the missing brightness information of the ROG Phone 5 is a big drawback, however, the rest of its specs make up for this. Ultimately, I'm willing to trade a bit of portability and a dedicated telephoto lens for the massive gains in performance, battery, and overall multimedia capabilities offered by the Asus ROG Phone 5.
