1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Asus ROG Phone 7 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm, 203g | 173 x 77 x 10.3 mm, 239g | ROG Phone 7 is taller, thicker, and heavier. A72 is more comfortable for long use. ROG is bulky but more durable. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Very similar screen size. Negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2448 | Practically identical sharpness. No visible difference in daily use. |
| PPI | 394 | 395 | Identical pixel density, so similar clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Same vibrant color and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 165Hz | ROG Phone 7 provides a much smoother user experience, especially in gaming and fast scrolling. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 1500 nits | ROG Phone 7 is significantly brighter, offering much better visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | ROG Phone 7 has a much faster and more efficient chipset. It leads to significantly better app performance and gaming performance. |
| Antutu Score | 285,000 | 1,603,292 | ROG Phone 7 is considerably more powerful, resulting in smoother multitasking and gaming. The A72 will struggle with demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 740 | ROG Phone 7’s GPU is much more powerful, which provides better gaming visuals and performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6000mAh | ROG Phone 7 has significantly larger battery, which can last a day or more on heavy usage, A72 will likely require charging sooner. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging (Li-Ion) | 65W Fast Charging (Li-Polymer) | ROG Phone 7 charges much faster. It also offers bypass charging for gaming. |
| Features | 15W Charger included, non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging, 65W/30W charger, 10W Reverse Wired, Non-removable | ROG Phone 7 has a more advanced charging system. A72 has a basic fast charger. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP f/1.8 | 50MP f/1.9, 1/1.56", 1.0µm (Sony IMX766) | A72 has higher MP, but ROG Phone 7 has a larger sensor and pixel, leading to better low-light photos and image quality. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 8MP f/2.4 | N/A | A72 has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoom and portraits, while the ROG Phone 7 does not. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP f/2.2 | 32MP f/2.5, 1/3.2", 0.7µm (Omnivision OV32C) | A72 has a wider aperture. Better in low light |
| Wide Angle | 12MP f/2.2, 1.12µm | 13MP f/2.2, 1/3.06", 1.12µm (Omnivision OV13B10) | Similar wide-angle capabilities. |
| Macro Camera | 5MP f/2.4, 1.12µm | 5MP f/2.4, 1/5", 1.12µm (Samsung S5K5E9) | Similar macro capabilities. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, EIS | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@120fps, HDR, EIS | ROG Phone 7 has much more versatile video capabilities, including 8K recording. |
| DXOMARK | 92 (Mobile), 100 (Photo), 78 (Video) | N/A | A72's camera has been evaluated while ROG 7 lacks data |
| Features | Optical Zoom, OIS, Quadruple Camera | 8K Video, RAW, Triple Camera | A72 has OIS and optical zoom, while ROG phone supports 8K video and RAW. Different focus in the camera systems. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 12) | Android 13 (Upgradable to 15) | ROG Phone 7 has a more recent version of Android and will receive more updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi MIMO | ROG Phone 7 has much faster Wi-Fi speeds and better stability, especially in congested environments. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 | ROG Phone 7 has a more modern bluetooth with better performance and additional features. |
| GPS | Standard GPS | Advanced GPS | ROG Phone 7 offers much better location accuracy with advanced satellite support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Both support Dual SIM dual standby functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB | ROG Phone 7 offers more base storage with options of more space, which is better for storing large amounts of media, games. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB/16GB | ROG Phone 7 offers more RAM, which is better for handling demanding tasks, multitasking, and gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | DTS, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation mic, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | ROG Phone 7 provides a superior audio experience with advanced features. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones have a basic fingerprint sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | ROG Phone 7 has better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Both phones have standard sensors. Galaxy A72 additionally includes Geomagnetic | |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Lighter and Thinner: More comfortable for extended use and portability.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers optical zoom capability, beneficial for portrait photography and zooming into subjects.
- Established Camera performance: DxOMark scores provide confidence in its camera quality.
Asus ROG Phone 7 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster processor and GPU, offering a much better experience in gaming and demanding apps.
- Smoother Display: 165Hz refresh rate provides a fluid user experience.
- Brighter Display: Much better visibility in direct sunlight.
- Larger Battery: Significantly better battery life.
- Faster Charging: Charges much faster and includes advanced features like bypass charging.
- Advanced Camera Features: Supports 8K video recording and RAW.
- Superior Audio: High resolution audio and noise cancelling mics provide a superior audio experience
- More Advanced Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 for faster speeds and more stable connections.
- More RAM and Storage: Higher RAM and storage capacity for demanding tasks and large media libraries.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides superior protection compared to the unspecified material of the A72.
- More Updates: Android 13 and will receive more updates, ensuring better security and access to newer features.
Trade-offs:
- A72: Lighter build and telephoto lens but significantly weaker performance, display and battery.
- ROG Phone 7: Bulky and heavier, no telephoto lens, but superior in almost every other aspect.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 - Ideal User:
- Casual User: Someone who primarily uses their phone for social media, browsing, and basic photography.
- Budget-Conscious Buyer: Seeking a mid-range phone with a decent camera and a comfortable design.
- Telephoto Enthusiast: Prioritizes a dedicated telephoto zoom lens.
- Users who prefer a lighter phone: If physical comfort is important, the A72 is much better.
Use Cases:
- Everyday browsing and social media.
- Casual photography and basic video.
- Long-duration phone calls and media consumption.
Asus ROG Phone 7 - Ideal User:
- Mobile Gamer: Needs top-tier performance, smooth display, long battery life, and advanced cooling.
- Power User: Demands the fastest performance for demanding tasks, multitasking, and large media libraries.
- Content Creator: Takes advantage of 8K video recording, higher audio quality, and reliable performance.
- Tech Enthusiast: Appreciates the latest connectivity standards and premium features.
- Users who need better outdoor visibility: The brighter screen on ROG Phone 7 is much better for outdoor use.
Use Cases:
- High-end gaming and intensive apps.
- Professional-quality video recording.
- Heavy multitasking and productivity.
- Extensive media consumption and streaming.
- Frequent use in bright sunlight.
Price-to-Value:
- The ROG Phone 7, while likely more expensive, offers superior technology and performance, making it a good value for power users.
- The A72 is better for basic needs and for users who want a reliable phone on a budget, but it may feel outdated in the face of newer tech.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? Gaming, basic use, or content creation will guide which phone is most suitable.
- How much do you value performance versus portability? The ROG Phone 7 prioritizes performance, while the A72 is more comfortable for daily use.
- How important is camera quality, specifically zoom? A72 has optical zoom, whereas the ROG Phone 7 lacks a dedicated telephoto lens.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Gaming - Choose the Asus ROG Phone 7. Its superior performance, refresh rate, and battery life will provide a much better experience.
- Scenario 2: Basic Daily Use - Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72 if your needs are basic and budget is a big concern. If budget is not an issue, the ROG is much better.
- Scenario 3: Outdoor Use in Sunlight - Choose the Asus ROG Phone 7 for its higher brightness and better visibility in bright conditions.
- Scenario 4: Professional Photography & Video - Choose the Asus ROG Phone 7 for its 8K recording and greater video capture versatility.
- Scenario 5: Photography with Zoom - Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72 for its dedicated telephoto lens.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Asus ROG Phone 7.
Here's why:
- Future-Proofing: The ROG Phone 7's vastly superior processor, GPU, RAM, and more advanced connectivity mean it will remain capable and fast for much longer than the A72.
- Display Quality: The 165Hz refresh rate and much higher brightness would provide a much more enjoyable experience for daily usage.
- Gaming and Performance: I often find myself gaming or using resource intensive apps, and the ROG Phone 7 is much more suitable.
- Battery Life: I like the peace of mind of the larger battery capacity and faster charging, especially on busy days.
- Overall Experience: The ROG Phone 7 is better in almost every metric, and it is much more aligned with my needs.
While the A72 is lighter, its older technology, slower performance, and weaker battery make it less appealing in the face of the ROG Phone 7's advancements. The ROG Phone 7's bulk is a trade-off I'm willing to make for the superior features. The lack of optical zoom is a drawback, but the higher quality of the ROG's main camera and superior video capabilities more than compensate.
