1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Google Pixel 6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm | 163.9 x 75.9 x 8.9 mm | A72 slightly taller & wider, Pixel 6 Pro slightly thicker. Minor differences, likely not noticeable in daily use for most users. |
| Weight | 203g | 210g | Pixel 6 Pro slightly heavier, might be noticeable in extended use. |
| Build | Unknown Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Pixel 6 Pro offers superior protection against scratches and drops. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Google Pixel 6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Identical screen sizes, both offer an immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3120 | Pixel 6 Pro significantly sharper with much more detail, especially noticeable in text and images. |
| PPI | 394 | 512 | Pixel 6 Pro has a significantly sharper display, resulting in crisper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Pixel 6 Pro provides smoother scrolling and animations, making the user experience feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | A72 offers superior screen visibility under bright sunlight, making it more practical outdoors. Note: The Pixel 6 Pro's brightness is listed as 0, which is likely an error. However, a 800 nits difference is large, so a significant advantage to the A72 seems likely in brightness. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Google Pixel 6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Google Tensor (5 nm) | Pixel 6 Pro's Tensor chip is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 721,000 | Pixel 6 Pro performs significantly better in benchmark tests, indicating a large real-world performance difference. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G78 MP20 | Pixel 6 Pro’s GPU offers superior graphics performance, essential for gaming and graphically demanding apps. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Google Pixel 6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80 µm | 50MP, f/1.85, 1.20 µm | Pixel 6 Pro has a larger sensor with larger pixels, potentially better low light performance despite lower resolution. |
| Telephoto | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.00 µm | 48MP, f/3.5, 1/2", 0.80 µm | A72 has a dedicated telephoto lens. The Pixel 6 pro’s telephoto lens has a much larger sensor size, and much larger resolution, suggesting better zoomed-in shots. |
| Ultra-wide | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.25 µm | Both have comparable ultra-wide cameras. |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12 µm | Not Available | A72 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, which the Pixel 6 Pro lacks. |
| Selfie | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80 µm | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.22 µm | A72 has higher resolution, while Pixel 6 Pro uses a larger sensor for better low light. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 4K@60fps with OIS and EIS, extensive slow-mo | Pixel 6 Pro offers more advanced video capabilities with higher frame rates, better stabilization, and higher slow motion rates |
| DXOMark Score | Main: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | Main: 134, Photo: 138, Video: 133, Selfie: 138, Photo: 135, Video: 143 | Pixel 6 Pro significantly outperforms the A72 in both photo and video quality, according to DXOMark ratings. Pixel also has great selfie performance. |
| Features | Quadruple camera, OIS, PDAF | Triple camera, OIS, LAF, RAW, Google Lens | Pixel 6 Pro has more advanced autofocus, plus RAW output and Google Lens. A72 has a quad camera setup, including the macro lens. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Google Pixel 6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have identical battery capacity, should offer similar battery life depending on usage. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 30W fast charging | Pixel 6 Pro charges slightly faster. |
| Features | 15W Fast Charger included | 23W Wireless charging, Reverse charging | Pixel 6 Pro offers more charging flexibility with wireless and reverse charging, while the A72 provides a wired charger. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Significantly Brighter Display: 800 nits of brightness, meaning better readability in direct sunlight.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Allows for close-up photography that the Pixel 6 Pro lacks.
- Telephoto Camera: Offers a dedicated telephoto zoom lens.
- Included Charger: Comes with a 15W fast charger, while the Pixel 6 Pro does not include a charger.
- Dual SIM: Supports two physical SIM cards simultaneously.
Google Pixel 6 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly more powerful chipset, resulting in faster overall operation.
- Higher Resolution Display: Much sharper and more detailed display experience.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides a smoother, more responsive visual experience.
- Superior Camera Quality: Significantly better photo and video performance, as rated by DxOMark. Better performance in low light.
- Advanced Video Features: More advanced video features, including 4K@60fps with OIS, EIS, and slow-motion at 240 fps.
- Faster Charging: Offers 30W fast wired charging, and 23W wireless charging.
- Latest Android OS: Comes with a newer Android OS and will receive longer support.
- eSIM Support: Offers eSIM support for digital carrier switching.
- Better Build Quality: Uses more durable Gorilla Glass Victus for screen protection.
- Wireless and Reverse Charging: Allows wireless charging and charging other devices.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung A72: Offers a dedicated macro lens, brighter display, included charger and two physical sim cards, but at the cost of overall performance, display quality, and camera performance compared to Pixel 6 Pro.
- Google Pixel 6 Pro: Offers top-tier performance, display, and camera quality, but may be less usable under bright sunlight (though this may be a spec error), it lacks a dedicated macro lens, and does not include a charger.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Outdoor enthusiasts: Users who frequently use their phone under bright sunlight.
- Macro photography fans: Users who enjoy taking close-up shots of small objects.
- Budget-conscious: Users seeking a capable device with a large screen at a more accessible price point.
- Users requiring a physical charger and dual physical sim cards
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Browsing and social media in bright daylight
- Close-up photography of flowers, insects, or small objects
- Everyday tasks, watching videos, and basic gaming.
Ideal User for Google Pixel 6 Pro:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize top-tier image quality and versatile video features.
- Power Users: Users who need a device with fast performance for gaming and demanding apps.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users who want the latest Android experience and software features.
- Users who prefer wireless charging and reverse charging capabilities.
Use Cases for Google Pixel 6 Pro:
- High-quality photography and videography in various conditions.
- Demanding mobile gaming and graphic-intensive applications.
- Heavy multitasking with multiple apps and browser tabs.
- Accessing the latest Android software updates and features.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy A72 offers a solid array of features at a more budget-friendly price point, making it a good value for casual users.
- The Google Pixel 6 Pro, while more expensive, offers top-tier performance and camera capabilities, which justify the premium for users who prioritize these aspects.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display visibility in bright sunlight? If critical, the A72 may be better.
- What are my camera priorities? High-end image quality (Pixel 6 Pro) vs. a macro lens (A72).
- How much do I value raw performance and software updates? The Pixel 6 Pro dominates on these aspects.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Photography Focus): If you want the absolute best camera and video quality, choose the Pixel 6 Pro.
- Scenario 2 (Outdoor Use): If you need a phone primarily for outdoor use, especially in bright sunlight, the A72’s brighter display would likely be preferred, depending on if the brightness data for the Pixel 6 Pro is accurate.
- Scenario 3 (Gaming and Performance): If you're a mobile gamer or power user who needs top performance, the Pixel 6 Pro is the clear choice.
- Scenario 4 (Budget-Conscious): If budget is a major concern and a good-enough all-around experience will suffice, the A72 is the more economical option.
- Scenario 5 (Dual Sim): If dual sim is needed, the Samsung A72 supports two physical sims, which the Google Pixel 6 Pro does not.
What I would choose
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Google Pixel 6 Pro. While the A72 has some compelling advantages, such as its brighter screen (if this is accurate), dedicated macro lens, included charger, and dual physical sim capabilities, the Pixel 6 Pro’s overall package is significantly superior for my needs. I prioritize the superior camera quality, significantly better performance for gaming and multitasking, and higher quality and smoother display. Although I do take some photos, a dedicated macro lens is not essential for me, and the slightly faster charging speeds, reverse wireless charging and modern features of the Pixel 6 Pro make the tradeoff an easy one.
