Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A72 vs. Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the two smartphones, focusing on real-world implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | Similar size, the A72 is slightly taller and the Zenfone 11 Ultra is slightly thicker. May impact one-handed use, the size difference is not significant. |
| Weight | 203g | 224g | The A72 is noticeably lighter (21g), which would be more comfortable for extended holding. |
| Build | Unknown screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Zenfone 11 Ultra has superior screen protection, likely more durable and scratch-resistant. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Negligible size difference, visually almost identical. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have the same sharp full HD resolution, resulting in similar sharpness and image clarity. |
| PPI | 394 | 388 | Very similar pixel density, resulting in negligible difference in screen clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both use vibrant AMOLED technology for excellent contrast and colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 144Hz | Zenfone 11 Ultra will feel significantly smoother for scrolling, gaming and general navigation. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 2500 nits | Zenfone 11 Ultra display is much brighter for outdoor viewing in sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers significantly better performance for gaming, demanding apps and multitasking, much more future proof and will run faster and smoother in all tasks. |
| Antutu Score | 285,000 | 1,532,000 | The Zenfone 11 Ultra's benchmark score means significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, better gaming performance, more future-proof. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 750 | Zenfone 11 Ultra's better GPU provides a better gaming and graphical performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.8µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56" sensor, 1.0µm pixel size, Sony IMX890 | Zenfone 11 Ultra has a larger sensor and pixel size, meaning better low-light performance and dynamic range, despite lower megapixel count. |
| Telephoto + portrait | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" sensor, 1.0µm pixel size, Omnivision OV08A10 | None | A72 has a dedicated telephoto/portrait lens. Zenfone 11 Ultra has better sensor on the main camera for digital zoom. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.8µm pixel size | 32MP, f/2.5, 1/3.2" sensor, 0.7µm pixel size, Omnivision OV32C | A72 has wider aperture (f/2.2) for slightly better low-light selfies, Zenfone 11 has higher quality sensor. |
| Telephoto lens | None | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.70 µm pixel size | The Zenfone 11 Ultra includes a telephoto lens for zoomed photography, absent in the A72, offers great flexibility for zoom photography. |
| Wide Angle lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixel size | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixel size | Very similar wide angle camera, Zenfone 11 has 1MP more resolution. Both provide great field of view for group pictures and landscape photography |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm pixel size | None | A72 has a dedicated macro lens, Zenfone 11 Ultra does not have a macro lens. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 8K@24fps with HDR, EIS, 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS | Zenfone 11 Ultra supports higher video resolution and higher frame rates with HDR support for professional-grade video content, also has better slow motion quality. |
| DxOMark Score | Main: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | Main: 125, Photo: 131, Video: 115 | Zenfone 11 Ultra has better camera performance. |
| Camera Features | Optical zoom, Quadruple camera, Manual focus, Night Mode | 4K Video, 8K Video, Triple camera, Gimbal, Continuous autofocus, PDAF Omnidericional, RAW | The Zenfone 11 Ultra has more professional features for video, and better stabilization, while the A72 has telephoto and macro lenses for more versatility. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | Zenfone 11 Ultra likely provides longer battery life for extended use. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging, Li-Ion | 65W fast charging, Li-Polymer | Zenfone 11 Ultra charges much faster, reducing downtime significantly. |
| Features | 15W Fast Charger included | 15W wireless charging, 10W reverse wired | Zenfone 11 Ultra provides wireless and reverse charging features, missing in the A72. |
Software and Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11, Max version 12 | Android 14, Max version 16 | Zenfone 11 Ultra has a newer OS and will receive more software updates, offering more features, security and potentially better performance over the long term. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual band, Hotspot, Direct, Display | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be, Dual band, Hotspot, Direct, Display, MiMO | Zenfone 11 Ultra has significantly faster WiFi and better performance in crowded networks, support for newer Wi-Fi technologies (Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 7) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, MAP, PAN, OPP, PBAP/PAB, HOGP | Bluetooth 5.4 LE, AVRCP, HID, LE, OPP, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Zenfone 11 Ultra has newer Bluetooth with Low Energy feature, has better codec support for better audio quality, A72 has wider support for bluetooth profiles for specific use cases like hands free or other connectivity |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Zenfone 11 Ultra has more precise location tracking capabilities. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both offer dual SIM capabilities |
Storage, Audio and Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB | Zenfone 11 Ultra offers more storage, suitable for users who need a large library of apps, videos and photos. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 12 GB or 16 GB | Zenfone 11 Ultra has much more RAM, resulting in better multitasking and performance for demanding applications and games. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports storage expansion, limiting users to the internal storage. |
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Zenfone 11 Ultra has better audio recording and reproduction with better codecs, more clear audio calls and higher quality output.. |
| Security | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic biometric security. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Similar sensor suite; Zenfone 11 Ultra has gravity, A72 has Geomagnetic. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset is vastly superior to the Snapdragon 720G, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Brighter and Smoother Display: The 144Hz refresh rate and 2500 nits brightness offer a significantly smoother and more visible experience, especially in outdoor use.
- Better Cameras: The Zenfone 11 Ultra offers better main and video camera, better slow-motion quality with advanced video features like 8k recording, Gimbal stabilization and a Telephoto lens for higher zoom quality.
- Longer Battery Life and Faster Charging: Larger battery and much faster charging capabilities make it more convenient.
- Newer Software and Connectivity: Running on Android 14 and with better WiFi and Bluetooth ensures a more modern experience and greater future-proofing.
- More Storage & RAM: The Zenfone 11 Ultra comes with up to 512 GB storage and 16 GB of RAM, which is better for future-proofing and better multitasking.
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: The A72 is significantly lighter which may be more comfortable for prolonged usage.
- Macro Lens: The A72 has a dedicated macro lens, which is useful for taking close-up pictures.
- Telephoto + portrait lens: The A72 has a dedicated telephoto/portrait lens, which can offer better quality for portrait and zoomed pictures.
Trade-offs:
- Zenfone 11 Ultra is heavier and slightly thicker.
- Zenfone 11 Ultra lacks a macro lens.
- Samsung Galaxy A72 has a weaker processor
- Samsung Galaxy A72 has a lower refresh rate screen
- Samsung Galaxy A72 has lower peak brightness
- Samsung Galaxy A72 lacks 8k recording
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Ideal User: Casual users who prioritize a lightweight device for day-to-day tasks, content consumption and casual photography.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday browsing, social media, and email.
- Casual photography using multiple lenses (standard, macro, wide, zoom)
- Watching videos or listening to music.
- Users on a budget that prefer a good camera and a lightweight phone.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra:
- Ideal User: Power users, gamers, content creators, or those who want a premium experience.
- Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming and intensive app usage.
- Shooting high-quality videos and photographs.
- Power users who need high multitasking capabilities and top-tier performance.
- Users who want a device that will be fast and relevant for years to come.
- Users that want a top-end, flagship device for a premium experience.
- Price-to-Value Ratio: The Zenfone 11 Ultra is significantly more expensive but provides a substantial increase in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities, hence the higher price is justified for users who need these features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- How important is performance and speed to you? If you are a gamer or multitasker, the Zenfone 11 Ultra is the only real choice here.
- How important is camera quality and video recording? The Zenfone 11 Ultra is significantly better at video and general camera quality, despite having one less lens.
- What is your budget? The A72 is more budget friendly, however the Zenfone 11 Ultra has a better price-to-value ratio when considering the increased performance and future proofing.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious Casual User: If you are mainly looking for an everyday phone with good enough performance, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is adequate for basic use and will be more budget friendly.
- Performance & Camera Enthusiast: If you prioritize speed, performance, a smooth display, and a good camera experience with great video features, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is the clear winner.
- Video Content Creator: The Zenfone 11 Ultra's 8K video, HDR, Gimbal OIS, and superior video features make it a very suitable phone for a content creator on the go.
- Lightweight and Simple User: If you prioritize a lightweight phone with multiple lenses the Samsung Galaxy A72 is a better option, despite being a lot slower.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. The vastly superior performance, much brighter and smoother display, and better camera quality make it the better choice for me as a power user. Although the Samsung Galaxy A72 is lighter and has a dedicated macro lens, the overall experience offered by the Zenfone 11 Ultra far outweighs these benefits. The Zenfone 11 Ultra's flagship processor, faster charging, and much better future-proofing make it a significantly better investment and it provides a top-end, modern and premium experience. I also think the slightly heavier weight and larger size are worth the trade-off for the extra features and performance it offers. The Zenfone 11 Ultra's superior screen and camera are just too compelling for me to overlook for the sake of the lighter design of the A72, especially as I do not need the macro or telephoto lens.
