1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Cubot KingKong X | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-26 | 2024-07-23 | Cubot is significantly newer, potentially having better long-term software support |
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 170.9 × 82.2 × 18.7 mm | Cubot is bulkier and thicker, less pocketable, A72 is slimmer and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 203g | 388g | A72 is much lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use and carrying. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.58" | A72 offers a slightly larger viewing area, but the difference is minimal |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2408 | Virtually identical sharpness for both devices |
| PPI | 394 | 401 | Both have similar pixel density, meaning similar sharpness |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | A72 has superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors and potentially better battery life when using dark mode |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Cubot provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | A72 is much easier to view in bright, outdoor conditions. The Cubot has no known brightness spec and may be difficult to see outdoors |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | Cubot has a newer, more powerful chipset, resulting in faster performance |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 545,000 | Cubot offers significantly better performance for demanding tasks and gaming |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G68 MC4 | Cubot's GPU is much more powerful, better for gaming and GPU intensive tasks |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 10200mAh | Cubot provides significantly longer battery life, reducing the need to charge during the day |
| Charging | 25W fast charging, Li-Ion | 33W fast charging, Li-Polymer | Cubot charges slightly faster and uses newer Li-Polymer battery tech |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8 | 100MP, f/1.89 | Cubot has a higher resolution sensor, potentially more detail. The A72 has a slightly wider aperture |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 8MP, f/2.4 | N/A | A72 has a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom and portrait photos. Cubot doesn't have this functionality |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.25 | Similar selfie camera on both, with a slightly wider aperture on the A72 |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2 | N/A | A72 can capture wider scenes, while Cubot lacks this feature. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | N/A | 5MP, f/2.4 | Cubot has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode. Samsung doesn't have this functionality |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.4 | Similar macro capabilities on both phones |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@60fps with EIS | 4K@30fps | A72 offers electronic image stabilization (EIS) at all listed resolutions. Cubot lacks video stabilization |
| DXOMark | Mobile: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | N/A | A72's camera has been independently tested. Cubot hasn't been tested and it's difficult to say how it performs |
| Camera Features | OIS, Digital and Optical zoom, Quad Camera, comprehensive features | 4K Video, Triple camera, basic features | A72 has more advanced camera features, including optical zoom and OIS |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 14 | Cubot comes with a newer OS, potentially better features and security updates |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6) | Cubot supports newer Wi-Fi 6 standard for faster speeds and better performance |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 LE | Cubot has a newer Bluetooth version with LE (low energy) support |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Similar GPS capabilities |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Similar dual SIM functionality |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB | Cubot offers greater storage options out of the box |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 16 GB | Cubot has significantly more RAM for better multitasking and app switching |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio features | A72 has much better audio quality for media consumption |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Cubot has a more convenient and modern side mounted fingerprint sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Neither phone has specified screen protection, making them prone to scratches and cracks |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | A72 has an additional hall sensor for additional functionality. Both have similar basic sensors |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology provides better contrast, vibrant colors, and potentially better battery life with dark mode, also much better outdoor brightness.
- Better Camera System: Includes telephoto, wide-angle lenses, OIS, and digital/optical zoom for versatile photography. It also has an official DXOMark score, which is generally trustworthy.
- Enhanced Audio: Features Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers for a richer audio experience.
- Lighter and Slimmer: More comfortable for extended use and pocketable.
- Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Includes a Hall sensor for additional functionality.
Cubot KingKong X Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: Offers much faster processing speed and better GPU for demanding tasks and gaming, with a much higher AnTuTu score
- Massive Battery: Significantly larger battery for extended use without frequent charging.
- Newer Software: Comes with a more up-to-date version of Android.
- Faster Charging: Supports slightly faster 33W charging.
- More RAM: 16 GB of RAM enhances multitasking capabilities.
- More Internal Storage: Offers greater storage options.
- Newer Bluetooth: Includes Bluetooth 5.1 with LE (low energy).
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Provides a more modern fingerprint scanning method.
- Newer Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 provides a faster and more reliable wireless connection.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung A72: Trades performance and battery life for a better display, camera system and slimmer build.
- Cubot KingKong X: Trades camera quality, display technology and portability for significantly better performance, battery life and newer software/connectivity.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 - Ideal for:
- Casual Photographers: Users who prioritize a versatile camera system with telephoto and wide-angle lenses.
- Media Consumers: Those who enjoy watching videos and prefer superior display quality and audio.
- Everyday Users: Those who want a more comfortable, lightweight and pocketable phone for daily tasks.
Use Cases:
- Taking family photos and videos in various situations.
- Watching movies and shows with vibrant colors.
- Using the phone throughout the day without worrying about weight.
Cubot KingKong X - Ideal for:
- Heavy Gamers: Users who prioritize high performance for demanding games and apps.
- Power Users: Those who need extended battery life for long workdays or travel.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Those who prefer newer software and connectivity.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intense games without lag.
- Using multiple apps simultaneously without slowdowns.
- Traveling or working remotely for extended periods.
Price-to-Value:
- The Samsung A72 provides a more polished experience in terms of camera and display and is likely to be more familiar to the average user.
- The Cubot KingKong X prioritizes performance and battery life at a potentially lower price point.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What is my priority: Camera quality and visual experience (Samsung) or performance and battery life (Cubot)?
- How important is portability? The A72 is much lighter and thinner, making it easier to carry.
- What kind of software experience do I want? The Cubot comes with a much newer version of Android, while the Samsung comes with an older version.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Photography Enthusiast: Choose Samsung Galaxy A72 for its superior camera versatility and image quality.
- Mobile Gamer: Choose Cubot KingKong X for its superior processing power and battery life.
- Average User: Choose Samsung Galaxy A72 for its more polished and comfortable experience with a better display and audio.
- Traveler / Heavy User: Choose Cubot KingKong X for its significantly better battery life and performance.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing, I would pick the Cubot KingKong X.
Reasoning:
While the Samsung Galaxy A72 offers an appealing display and a more versatile camera system, the huge performance advantage and battery life of the Cubot KingKong X are more important to me. As a person who plays a lot of mobile games, having smooth gameplay is critical, which the Cubot would excel at. The massive battery would also mean that I wouldn't have to worry about my phone dying, and the newer software is a nice bonus. The lack of a good display is certainly a disappointment, but the overall user experience of the Cubot would likely be better for my use case, especially considering the likely price difference between the two. While the Samsung has a better and more versatile camera system, the main sensor on the Cubot is good enough for everyday photography.
