1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Google Pixel 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 152.8 × 72 × 8.5 mm | A72 is noticeably taller and wider, making it less pocketable but potentially offering a more immersive viewing experience. Pixel 9 Pro is more compact for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 203g | 199g | Negligible difference; both feel similar in hand. |
| Build | A72 has unknown screen protection. Pixel 9 Pro uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, offering superior durability against scratches and drops. | ||
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.3" | A72 offers a larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. Pixel 9 Pro is more compact, easier for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1280x2856 | Pixel 9 Pro has a much sharper display with significantly more pixels, making text and images appear crisper. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 394 | 495 | Pixel 9 Pro’s higher PPI translates to finer details, reducing pixelation and providing a more refined visual experience. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both provide excellent colors and contrast; differences are negligible in daily use. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Pixel 9 Pro offers smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 3000 nits | Pixel 9 Pro is much more visible in direct sunlight, offering a far superior outdoor viewing experience. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 720G (8nm) | Google Tensor G4 (4nm) | Pixel 9 Pro's chipset is significantly more powerful, providing much faster performance in all tasks (app loading, gaming, multitasking). It will also provide better future-proofing. |
| Antutu Score | 285,000 | 1,148,512 | Pixel 9 Pro is over 300% faster than the A72, reflecting real-world performance differences for demanding tasks, making the Pixel much more responsive. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G715 MC7 | Pixel 9 Pro's GPU offers substantially better graphics performance, essential for gaming and GPU-intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4700mAh | A72 has a slightly larger battery, potentially translating to slightly longer battery life, though real-world differences depend on usage. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 27W fast charging | Pixel 9 Pro charges slightly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | 15W Charger included | Wireless charging 21W, Reverse Charging | Pixel 9 Pro offers more convenient wireless charging and reverse charging capabilities which the A72 lacks, however the A72 comes with a charger in the box which the Pixel may not. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.69, 1.20µm, 1/1.3" | Pixel 9 Pro has a larger sensor and pixel size, resulting in better low-light performance, and wider aperture, further enhancing low light photos. A72 has a higher resolution, but resolution isn't the only indicator of quality |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.0µm | N/A | A72 has a dedicated telephoto + portrait lens which the Pixel 9 Pro lacks. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80µm | 42MP, f/2.2 | Pixel 9 Pro captures higher-resolution selfies and will likely produce better detail in images and videos. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 48MP, f/2.8 | Pixel 9 Pro offers better optical zoom capabilities compared to A72 with a dedicated telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | N/A | A72 has a dedicated wide-angle lens while the Pixel 9 Pro doesn't. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | N/A | A72 has a dedicated macro lens while the Pixel 9 Pro doesn't. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 48MP, f/1.7 | Pixel 9 Pro has a better wide angle camera with a larger sensor and a wider aperture, which provides better macro-photo capabilities compared to A72. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 8K@30fps with HDR, OIS, EIS, Multiple 4K options | Pixel 9 Pro offers significantly more video recording options, with much higher quality including 8K resolution, HDR and multiple frame rates, with more advanced stabilization. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 92 | N/A | A72 has a DXOMark score of 92, but Pixel 9 Pro does not have a rating. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple Camera | Triple Camera, Flicker Sensor, Noise Reduction, Pro Video Mode | Pixel 9 Pro has more advanced video recording features, and AI based noise reduction and is better for advanced photography while the A72 offers a dedicated set of lenses. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 12 | Android 14, upgradable to 21 | Pixel 9 Pro will receive much more software support and updates than the A72 due to it being newer and being a google phone. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) | Pixel 9 Pro supports faster, more stable WiFi with Wi-Fi 7 and WiFi 6 support. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 LE | Pixel 9 Pro has a more modern and efficient Bluetooth version, consuming less energy. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GLONASS (L1), NavIC System, GNSS | Pixel 9 Pro has more location options with better accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | Pixel 9 Pro can utilize a digital eSIM, enabling easier switching between carriers, while the A72 uses two physical SIMs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB or 1024GB | Pixel 9 Pro offers significantly more storage options, which is advantageous for users with a large amount of media and applications. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 16GB | Pixel 9 Pro's 16GB RAM ensures much better multitasking performance and more headroom for demanding applications and games. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage via SD cards, so choose your base model wisely. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Pixel 9 Pro offers clearer calls and better overall audio thanks to noise cancelling and 3 microphones. Both offer stereo speakers for media consumption. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer the standard fingerprint sensor for security. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Barometer, Thermometer | Pixel 9 Pro has more sensors for better accuracy and environmental readings compared to the A72. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Larger Display: The 6.7" screen provides a more immersive experience for media consumption, especially for those who prioritize size for videos and reading.
- Dedicated Telephoto + Portrait Lens: The A72 has a dedicated telephoto camera for zoomed photos, which the Pixel 9 Pro doesn't offer.
- Dedicated Wide Angle Lens: The A72 has a dedicated wide-angle lens, which the Pixel 9 Pro doesn't offer.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: The A72 has a dedicated macro lens for close up shots, which the Pixel 9 Pro doesn't offer.
- Slightly Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery could offer marginally longer battery life in some usage scenarios, though this may be minimal.
- Included Charger: The A72 includes a fast charger in the box.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Google Tensor G4 chipset provides much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance than the Snapdragon 720G on the A72.
- Sharper, Brighter Display: The higher resolution, higher pixel density, and significantly higher brightness make the Pixel 9 Pro's display far superior, especially outdoors.
- More Advanced Camera: The larger sensor on the main camera of the Pixel 9 Pro, coupled with the wide angle + macro camera and telephoto camera with a large 48MP resolution and AI processing result in significantly better quality photos and videos in various lighting conditions. 8K video is also supported by the Pixel.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: The Pixel 9 Pro has slightly faster charging speed as well as wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities.
- More Storage and RAM Options: The Pixel 9 Pro offers up to 1TB of storage and 16GB of RAM, providing more flexibility and future-proofing.
- Better Connectivity: The Pixel 9 Pro has better WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity with the newest versions available.
- Better Location Tracking: The Pixel 9 Pro offers more accurate location tracking with better GNSS options.
- Longer Software Support: The Pixel 9 Pro will receive several years of software updates and support, while the A72's support is limited due to its age.
- More Advanced Audio: The Pixel 9 Pro offers better audio thanks to the noise cancellation microphone and 3 microphones.
- Better Build Quality: The Pixel 9 Pro has Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for better screen protection.
- More Sensors: The Pixel 9 Pro has more sensors for a better user experience in regards to environmental readings, motion and accuracy.
Trade-offs:
- Size: The A72 has a larger screen which could be preferred for some users, however the Pixel is more compact and pocketable.
- Battery life: The A72 may have marginally better battery life due to a slightly larger battery, however this is likely to be minor. The Pixel 9 Pro also has the ability to wirelessly charge which is more convenient for some users.
- Price: The Pixel 9 Pro is likely to be more expensive than the A72 due to being a more modern flagship phone.
- Camera Features: The A72 has dedicated telephoto, wide-angle, and macro lenses while the Pixel 9 Pro combines these into less total lenses. The Pixel has a more advanced main sensor and advanced processing.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious User: Someone looking for a good value mid-range phone with a larger screen.
- Casual Media Consumer: Someone who prioritizes a larger display for videos, reading, and general use over raw processing power.
- Users needing a dedicated macro and wide-angle lens Users that want a dedicated macro and wide-angle lens may prefer the A72.
- Users needing an included charger: Users may prefer the A72 which comes with a charger in the box.
Use Cases:
- Watching videos and movies on a large screen
- Reading ebooks and articles
- Basic social media and browsing
- Taking casual pictures and video
- Longer battery life where frequent charging may be an issue
Google Pixel 9 Pro Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiast: Users who demand top-tier performance for gaming and demanding apps.
- Photography Lover: Users who prioritize top-quality photos and videos, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
- Power User: Someone who needs to multitask heavily and wants a future-proofed device.
- Users wanting the best software support: The Pixel 9 Pro will receive much more software support compared to the A72.
- Users wanting modern features The Pixel 9 Pro has features such as wireless charging, reverse charging, better connectivity and more sensors than the A72.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphic-intensive games
- Professional photography and videography
- Heavy multitasking with multiple apps
- Using location apps requiring high accuracy
- Long-term use with extended software support
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? The A72 will likely be a cheaper device, however the Pixel 9 Pro offers a lot more in return for that premium.
- How important is performance? If you play graphically intense games, or heavily multitask, the Pixel 9 Pro is the way to go.
- Which camera features are important to you? The A72 has a dedicated macro, wide-angle and telephoto lens, while the Pixel offers a larger main sensor and better image processing.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Casual Use: If you need a larger screen and are on a budget, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is the more logical choice.
Scenario 2: Performance and Photography Priority: If you value performance and camera quality over all else, the Google Pixel 9 Pro is the better option.
Scenario 3: Balanced Use and Good Features: If you want a good balance between performance and features, with a bigger focus on software, modern features, and a good all-rounder experience, the Google Pixel 9 Pro is recommended due to its updated hardware and modern features.
My Choice
I would choose the Google Pixel 9 Pro. While the Samsung Galaxy A72 offers a larger display and some dedicated camera lenses, the Pixel 9 Pro’s advantages are far more compelling for my needs. The superior performance, higher quality display, significantly better camera capabilities, longer software support, updated connectivity features, more modern features, higher quality build with screen protection, and more comprehensive sensor suite make it the better option despite the likely higher price point. I prioritize a smooth, fast experience with excellent photography capabilities, and I'm willing to pay more for a device that excels in these areas. The Pixel 9 Pro offers a much more future-proof and enjoyable overall experience with better longevity in the long run due to its software support, newer features, performance, and updated hardware.
