1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Google Pixel 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 162.6 × 76.5 × 8.8 mm | A72 is slightly taller, Pixel 8 Pro is slightly thicker; difference is minor, not hugely impactful on handling. |
| Weight | 203g | 213g | Pixel 8 Pro is slightly heavier, noticeable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Identical screen sizes. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1344x2992 | Pixel 8 Pro offers a sharper, clearer image. Noticeable when reading text or viewing detailed images. |
| PPI | 394 | 489 | Pixel 8 Pro has a much higher pixel density, resulting in a more crisp and detailed display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Similar quality, both will offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Pixel 8 Pro feels smoother during scrolling, gaming and overall use. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 2400 nits | Pixel 8 Pro display is significantly more visible outdoors, particularly in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Google Tensor G3 (4 nm) | Pixel 8 Pro is significantly faster, quicker app loading, better multitasking, smoother gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 1,142,984 | Pixel 8 Pro has dramatically superior performance for all tasks, better for future proofing. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Immortalis-G715s MC10 | Pixel 8 Pro offers better graphics capabilities, smoother performance in graphics-intensive apps and games. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5050mAh | Similar battery capacities, both phones should offer comparable all-day battery life under normal usage. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 30W fast charging | Pixel 8 Pro charges slightly faster, less time plugged in. |
| Features | 15W Fast Charger included | Reverse charging, 23W Wireless charging | Pixel 8 Pro offers wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, which is a convenience that A72 does not offer. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 64MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.69, 1/1.31", 1.20 µm pixel | Pixel 8 Pro's larger sensor and wider aperture should result in better low-light performance, despite lower megapixel count. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.00 µm pixel | None | A72 has a telephoto camera, but the Pixel 8 Pro makes up for this with its digital zoom and its telephoto lens. |
| Selfie | 32MP, f/2.2 | 10.8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65", 1.22 µm pixel | Pixel 8 Pro has a lower MP count, but with a larger pixel size, offering better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 48MP, f/2.8, 1/2.55", 0.70 µm pixel | Pixel 8 Pro has dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel | None | A72 has a dedicated wide-angle lens, useful for landscape shots. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12 µm pixel | None | A72 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 48MP, f/1.95, 0.80 µm pixel | Pixel 8 Pro has a versatile wide-angle/macro combination, often preferred for convenience. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS, slow-motion | Up to 4K@60fps, HDR, OIS, EIS, slow-motion | Pixel 8 Pro supports higher quality video, better stabilization and higher frame rate. |
| DxOMark | Mobile: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | Mobile: 153, Photo: 155, Video: 149, Selfie: 145 | Pixel 8 Pro offers significantly better camera quality across the board. |
| Camera Features | OIS, PDAF, HDR, Night mode | OIS, PDAF, LAF, NPU AI Engine, RAW, HDR, Night mode | Pixel 8 Pro offers more advanced features, including better focus, AI-powered processing, and RAW capture. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Dedicated Macro and Wide-Angle Lens: Offers a more versatile shooting experience with separate lenses for close-up and wide shots.
- More Megapixels on main camera: Higher megapixel count on the main camera, which can result in more detailed images in certain conditions.
- Lower weight: Lighter device, more comfortable for extended usage.
Practical Implications of A72 advantages:
- The Macro lens allows for dedicated close-up photography without needing to rely on software. This gives it a more tactile approach to close-ups.
- The dedicated wide angle lens provides the possibility to take landscapes and group shots with better composition.
- The lighter weight of the phone makes it more comfortable to hold for long sessions of media consumption or photography.
Google Pixel 8 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Google Tensor G3 chipset provides vastly superior speed and performance compared to the Snapdragon 720G, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming experiences.
- Higher Resolution and Brighter Display: Offers a much sharper and brighter display, greatly improving the viewing experience, especially in outdoor and sunny conditions.
- Superior Camera Quality: Higher scores in DxOMark and better specs (larger main sensor, telephoto lens, advanced video) translate to overall better photo and video quality, especially in challenging conditions and low-light situations.
- Advanced Features: Such as better video stabilization, more advanced AI-powered camera features, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging
- Software and Support: Android 14 and likely more major OS updates, offering a better long-term software experience.
- Advanced Connectivity: Supports newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards which provide more speed and stability to your connections.
Practical Implications of Pixel 8 Pro advantages:
- The significantly improved chipset of the Pixel 8 Pro means a smoother, more responsive experience that is able to deal with demanding tasks without problems.
- The Pixel 8 Pro's higher resolution and brightness provides much more legibility and visual fidelity, which improves multimedia experience and eases eye strain.
- The better camera system of the Pixel 8 Pro lets users take high quality, sharp pictures that are also consistently better in terms of dynamic range, noise management and overall clarity, making it a better choice for capturing memories or other photography projects.
- The availability of features like wireless charging increases convenience and removes the hassle of always having to use a charging cable.
- The Pixel 8 Pro's better software support means you will get access to updates and patches for a longer time, which ultimately makes the phone a better long-term choice.
- Newer connectivity features mean less interference and faster transfer speeds.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung A72 provides physical macro and wide-angle lenses, but the image quality is inferior to that of the Pixel 8 Pro.
- While A72 has a telephoto + portrait lens, this is not as high quality as the Pixel 8 Pro's main and telephoto lens and lacks the versatile macro + wide-angle of the Pixel 8 Pro.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious buyers: Those looking for a reliable phone at a lower price point than the Pixel 8 Pro.
- Users who value physical camera features: People who prefer dedicated macro and wide-angle lenses, and do not require the best possible camera performance.
- General media consumption and social media users: Who prioritize good screen quality and battery life over top-tier performance and camera capabilities.
Use Cases:
- Casual Photography: Capturing everyday moments with a focus on convenience over high-end results.
- Social Media: Sharing photos and videos on social platforms.
- Everyday Usage: Browsing the internet, using social media, and consuming media.
- Users that require a more comfortable device. The A72 is slightly lighter and may be better for those that struggle holding larger devices.
Google Pixel 8 Pro Ideal User:
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who want the highest quality camera experience in a smartphone.
- Performance-focused users: People who require a fast, smooth experience for demanding apps and gaming.
- Users who value a premium experience: Those willing to pay more for top-of-the-line features, display quality, and software support.
Use Cases:
- Professional Photography & Videography: Capturing high-quality photos and videos for professional or personal projects.
- Gaming: Playing graphics-intensive games with high frame rates.
- Heavy Multitasking: Running multiple apps simultaneously with ease.
- Power User: Users that need high-performance, faster speeds and are always up to date with latest software and technology.
- Users that require more versatile connectivity: Those who prefer wireless charging and newer connectivity features.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy A72 offers good value for its price if users are willing to compromise on performance, camera quality, and display brightness for cost savings.
- The Google Pixel 8 Pro justifies its higher price with its superior performance, camera system, display quality and future-proof software and connectivity.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is camera quality? If you prioritize photo and video quality, especially in low-light, the Pixel 8 Pro is the clear winner. If you are mainly concerned with basic shots and prefer physical lenses, the A72 is suitable.
- How important is raw performance? If you need a phone for intensive gaming or multitasking, the Pixel 8 Pro's significantly superior performance will be noticeable. The A72 would lag behind in demanding tasks.
- What is your budget? The A72 is considerably cheaper, making it ideal if budget is a major concern. The Pixel 8 Pro offers much more for a higher price.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User on a Budget: If your primary use is browsing, social media, and casual photography, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is a good fit due to its lower cost.
- Scenario 2: Social Media Enthusiast on a Budget: If social media photos and videos are a major part of your day-to-day usage, and you also want a good display, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is the better choice because of the dedicated wide and macro lenses, good screen and lower cost.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If you want the best mobile camera for photography and videography, the Google Pixel 8 Pro is clearly superior.
- Scenario 4: Power User & Gamer: If you need a phone with high performance for demanding tasks, gaming, and future proofing, the Google Pixel 8 Pro is the better choice.
My Choice
I would choose the Google Pixel 8 Pro. While the Samsung Galaxy A72 offers a good set of features at a lower price point, the Pixel 8 Pro provides a superior experience in almost every aspect that is important to me. I prioritize camera quality and performance, and I need the extra power and responsiveness for demanding applications and multitasking. The Pixel 8 Pro’s display would be far superior for reading, viewing multimedia and gaming. While the Pixel 8 Pro is more expensive, the improvements in these areas make it worth the extra cost for my use case. Furthermore, the Pixel 8 Pro has better software support which means that I will get more out of the phone in the long run, especially since I tend to keep devices for a long time.
