1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Asus Zenfone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 148 × 68.5 × 8.9 mm | The A72 is significantly larger and may be less comfortable for single-handed use. The Zenfone 8 is more pocketable. |
| Weight | 203g | 169g | The Zenfone 8 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 5.9" | The A72 offers a larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. The Zenfone 8's smaller size makes it more manageable, and comfortable to use with one hand. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both displays have the same resolution resulting in similar levels of detail. |
| Pixel Density | 394 ppi | 446 ppi | The Zenfone 8's higher pixel density results in a sharper, more detailed image. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Zenfone 8 offers smoother scrolling and animations, especially in games. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 1100 nits | The Zenfone 8's display is much brighter, making it significantly easier to view in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | The Zenfone 8's flagship chipset provides significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 891,700 | The Zenfone 8 delivers substantially better performance in benchmarks and real-world usage scenarios. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 660 | The Zenfone 8's GPU provides much better graphics processing, resulting in better game performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 64MP, f/1.8 | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7" sensor, Sony IMX686 | Both have similar main cameras on paper but the Zenfone 8 has a slightly larger sensor. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" sensor | None | The A72 has a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoomed shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.45, 1/2.93" sensor, Sony IMX663 | The A72 has a higher resolution selfie camera, while the Zenfone 8 has larger pixels for better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor, Sony IMX363 (also Macro) | The A72 has a dedicated wide-angle lens. The Zenfone 8 has a wide-angle camera that also works for macro. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | The A72 has a dedicated macro lens for detailed close-up shots |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@120fps, 1080p@240fps | The Zenfone 8 offers significantly better video recording capabilities, including 8K and higher frame rate options. |
| DXOMark Score | 92 (Mobile) | 116 (Mobile) | The Zenfone 8 has a significantly better overall camera rating. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4000mAh | The A72 has a larger battery, likely offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | The Zenfone 8 charges slightly faster. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 | Both initially ship with Android 11. |
| Max OS Version | Android 12 | Android 13 | The Zenfone 8 has better long term OS support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wifi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | The Zenfone 8 has newer wifi standard |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | The Zenfone 8 has newer Bluetooth version |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both offer similar storage options |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 6GB/8GB/12GB/16GB | The Zenfone 8 offers higher RAM options for intensive tasks. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | The Zenfone 8 offers higher quality audio capture and playback, better call quality. The A72 has Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Basic | Both have basic fingerprint sensors |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The Zenfone 8 has superior screen protection |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Larger Display: The 6.7-inch screen is better for media consumption, multitasking, and users who prefer a larger viewing area.
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery potentially offers longer battery life, especially for users who are away from a charger frequently.
- Dedicated Telephoto and Macro Lenses: Provides versatile shooting options, allowing for zoomed and close-up photos.
- Dolby Atmos: Provides an immersive sound experience.
Practical Implications: The A72 is more suited for users who prioritize a large screen, long battery life, and versatile camera lenses.
Asus Zenfone 8 Advantages:
- Flagship Performance: The Snapdragon 888 offers a significantly faster and smoother user experience, especially in gaming and demanding tasks.
- Sharper Display: Higher pixel density makes the screen look crisper and more detailed.
- Brighter Display: Better visibility in direct sunlight.
- Higher Refresh Rate: Smoother animations and scrolling for an enhanced visual experience.
- Superior Video Recording: Offers 8K video recording, as well as higher framerates in 4K and 1080p.
- Better Camera Quality: Significantly higher DXOMark score indicates better photo and video quality.
- More RAM options: Offers up to 16GB of RAM for intense multitasking and future-proofing.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides better protection from scratches and drops.
- Hi-Res Audio and Noise cancellation microphones: Provides a better overall experience for audio playback, calls and recordings.
- Newer software support: Supports one more Android version than the A72.
Practical Implications: The Zenfone 8 is aimed at users who prioritize performance, display quality, camera performance, and high-end features in a smaller form factor.
Trade-offs:
- The A72 sacrifices performance for a larger display and better battery life.
- The Zenfone 8 sacrifices battery capacity and a larger display for higher performance, camera quality, and a compact size. The Zenfone 8 is also missing telephoto and dedicated macro camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize a large screen for media consumption and productivity.
- Users who need long battery life.
- Casual photographers who want versatile camera lenses (telephoto and macro).
- Users who prefer a larger phone.
- Use Cases:
- Watching movies and videos.
- Browsing the web, social media.
- Taking casual photos and videos.
- Reading and document editing.
Asus Zenfone 8:
- Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize performance for gaming and demanding apps.
- Users who want the best camera performance in its class.
- Users who prefer a compact phone with a premium feel.
- Users who need a bright screen for outdoor visibility.
- Users who prioritize audio quality.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and emulation.
- Professional photography and videography (on a phone).
- Outdoor use in bright sunlight.
- Frequent use of resource-intensive applications.
Price-to-Value: The Zenfone 8 offers a significantly better price-to-value ratio for users who prioritize performance and high-end features. The A72 provides value for users who prefer a larger screen and battery but a less powerful experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my main priority: size & battery, or performance & camera?
- How much does screen brightness and sharpness matter to me?
- Do I frequently need a telephoto or macro camera or do I prioritize high quality video?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User, Media Consumption & Basic Photography: If you prioritize a large screen, longer battery and versatile camera, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is a good option.
- Scenario 2: Gaming & Performance Focused User: If you prioritize performance, display quality, and camera, the Asus Zenfone 8 is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: Compact Design, High-End Features: If you need a more pocketable device with premium features, the Asus Zenfone 8 will be more suitable.
- Scenario 4: Professional Content Creation: If you require the best possible video quality, the Asus Zenfone 8 is much more capable with features like 8K recording and 4K 120fps.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Asus Zenfone 8.
Reasoning: As a user that values performance and high-quality camera capabilities, the Zenfone 8 offers a superior experience in key areas. The flagship Snapdragon 888 chipset offers much faster performance, resulting in a smoother and more responsive phone experience, particularly in demanding tasks. I also value a sharper and brighter display for both media consumption and everyday usage. The significantly better camera performance, higher video quality, and more advanced features also are very appealing. While it has a smaller battery, its faster charging and higher efficiency should mitigate the downsides. The Zenfone 8's smaller form factor is a bonus, as I prefer phones that are comfortable to use one-handed. The Zenfone 8 is superior where it matters most to me. While the A72 has its advantages, its performance and camera limitations would not be acceptable for my daily usage.
