1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Blackview A96 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 161.8 × 74.2 × 8.6 mm | A72 is slightly larger, A96 is slightly thicker. May affect one-handed use preference. |
| Weight | 203g | 193.9g | A96 is slightly lighter (9.1g) making it more comfortable for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.5" | A72 has a slightly larger screen; better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness; negligible difference in daily use. |
| Pixel Density | 394 PPI | 405 PPI | Very similar pixel density; no perceptible difference in sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | A72 has better contrast, deeper blacks and is more power-efficient for dark themes; better for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | A96 has slightly smoother animations; better for gaming and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | A72 is significantly brighter; much better visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | A96's chipset is more powerful, leading to faster app launches and smoother gameplay. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 423,393 | A96 demonstrates faster performance overall; better for demanding applications. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Different GPUs; A96's GPU has better benchmark performance, which translates to better gaming performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8 | 48MP, f/1.6 | A72 has higher resolution, but A96 has a wider aperture for better low-light. |
| Telephoto | 8MP, f/2.4 | None | A72 has optical zoom capabilities for better image clarity at a distance. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/1.6 | A72 has higher resolution. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.4 | A72 has better wide-angle image capture in terms of resolution and brightness due to the wider aperture. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | A72 has a higher resolution, which may lead to slightly sharper and more detailed macro shots. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps (EIS) | 1440p@30fps | A72 has higher resolution and video stabilization. |
| DXOMark Score | 92 (Mobile) | Not Available | A72 has tested better in camera quality. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4380mAh | A72 has a larger capacity, which means longer battery life for regular usage. |
| Charging | 25W | 18W | A72 charges faster; less time waiting for full battery. |
| Charger | 15W Charger included | Not mentioned | A72 offers faster charging via the included charger. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 12) | Android 13 | A96 has a newer OS out of the box with potential for more security updates and features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both have same Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 (Multiple Profiles) | 5.0 (A2DP) | A72 has more Bluetooth profile support for broader compatibility with devices. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | A72 offers better location accuracy due to additional satellite navigation support. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both support dual SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256 GB | A96 comes standard with 256 GB, while A72 can be purchased with less storage |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8/12 GB | A96 has more RAM for multitasking and smoother performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither offer microSD support. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo | Stereo | A72 has better audio fidelity and immersion through Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-mounted | A96 offers a better and more ergonomic side-mounted sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both have unknown protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | A72 offers additional Hall and Geomagnetic sensors for enhanced functionality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with higher brightness (800 nits) offers better visuals, especially in outdoor conditions and for media consumption.
- Better Camera System: Includes a telephoto lens for optical zoom, higher resolution front camera, wide angle and macro lenses, and higher resolution video recording (4K). Additionally, optical image stabilization (OIS) for improved low light photos.
- Larger Battery: 5000 mAh battery offers longer battery life for all day use.
- Faster Charging: 25W charging is faster and a 15W Charger is included.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos support for a richer audio experience.
- More Sensors: The inclusion of Hall and Geomagnetic sensors can be beneficial for some apps.
- Better GPS: Supports Galileo for greater location accuracy.
Blackview A96 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Faster chipset and higher benchmark scores (AnTuTu) for smoother performance overall, especially gaming.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 120Hz refresh rate offers smoother animations and scrolling.
- Newer OS: Android 13 provides latest features and security updates out of the box.
- More RAM: Up to 12GB of RAM for superior multitasking.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More convenient and ergonomic than a standard sensor.
- Wider aperture on main camera: Slightly better low-light capture.
- Lighter: A slightly lighter build for comfortable extended use.
- Newer release date: Benefits from technological advancements within the two year gap.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung A72: Trade-off is slightly lower performance and higher weight for a superior display, camera system, and battery.
- Blackview A96: Trade-off is a lower-quality display (IPS LCD vs. AMOLED) and a less versatile camera system for better performance and a newer operating system.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize media consumption, photography, and overall premium features.
- Use Cases:
- Watching movies and videos (AMOLED display is great for this).
- Taking photos/videos in various scenarios (telephoto lens and stabilization are valuable).
- Users who prefer superior color and brightness on their display.
- All-day use without worrying about battery life.
- Reliable GPS navigation.
- Price-to-Value: A good choice for someone who values a more versatile camera, superior screen, and better battery life, even if it means slightly less performance.
Blackview A96:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize gaming, multitasking, and value the latest OS and fast performance.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and other graphically intensive tasks.
- Heavy multitasking.
- Users who value latest operating system and updates.
- Users who prefer a more lightweight phone.
- Price-to-Value: A better choice for performance and value-oriented users who don't need the absolute best camera or display quality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is display quality to you? (AMOLED vs IPS LCD; high brightness needed?)
- What do you value more, performance or camera versatility? (Gaming performance or overall camera quality)
- What is your priority, battery life or the latest software? (Larger battery or latest OS)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Media and Photography Enthusiast: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72. The superior AMOLED display, versatile camera system (telephoto lens, OIS), and richer audio will provide a better experience for media consumption and photography.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer and Power User: Choose the Blackview A96. The higher refresh rate screen, significantly better performance, and larger RAM will enhance gaming and multitasking.
- Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious User: Consider both. If camera quality isn't a top priority, Blackview A96 offers excellent performance at a potentially lower price. Samsung offers better overall quality in camera, display and battery.
What I would choose:
If I were to choose between the two, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy A72. While the Blackview A96 has a newer chip and higher performance, the Samsung A72 offers a more holistic package for my needs.
The AMOLED display on the A72 is a significant advantage for me. I consume a lot of media and the contrast, color accuracy and brightness is important to me. The telephoto lens on the A72's camera provides more versatility. Having a telephoto lens is more important to me than the marginal improvements in the main lens that the A96 offers. The larger battery is important as I value battery life.
While the A96 has the latest OS, the features and functionality of the Samsung A72 outweight this advantage. Although the A72 has a slightly slower processor, it would still be more than capable of the tasks I'd perform. The A72 strikes a better balance between performance, display, camera and battery which fits my needs better.
