Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A72 vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold offers a larger screen when unfolded, greater flexibility for different tasks like multitasking and media consumption, while Galaxy A72 is a standard phone |
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 155.2 × 150.2 × 5.1 mm | Galaxy A72 is taller and thicker, while Pixel 9 Pro Fold is much wider when unfolded but thinner. Folded, the Pixel will be thicker. The A72 is easier to handle with one hand |
| Weight | 203g | 257g | The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is significantly heavier, making the Galaxy A72 more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build Quality | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Pixel 9 Pro Fold has superior screen protection, making it more resistant to scratches and damage. A72 screen protection is unknown, likely inferior. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 8" | Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a substantially larger screen, beneficial for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 2076x2152 | Pixel 9 Pro Fold has significantly more pixels, providing a sharper and more detailed image. |
| Pixel Density | 394 PPI | 373 PPI | Galaxy A72 has a slightly higher pixel density, although the difference is minor and unlikely to be noticeable to most users. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unknown | Galaxy A72 offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors. Display technology of Pixel 9 Pro Fold is unknown. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Pixel 9 Pro Fold has slightly smoother animations and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | Galaxy A72 offers significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. Brightness for Pixel 9 Pro Fold is unavailable, making direct comparison difficult. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Google Tensor G4 (4 nm) | Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a more modern and powerful chipset, resulting in significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 1,140,000 | Pixel 9 Pro Fold provides a vastly superior user experience, particularly for resource-intensive tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G715 MC7 | Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s GPU is significantly more powerful, offering better graphics rendering performance in games and apps. |
| ### Battery |
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4650mAh | Galaxy A72 has slightly larger battery capacity, potentially offering slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging, Li-Ion | 27W fast charging, Li-Polymer | Pixel 9 Pro Fold has slightly faster charging. The type of battery (Li-Ion vs Li-Polymer) might have slight differences in longevity and performance. |
| Features | 15W Fast Charger included | 7.5W wireless charging | Galaxy A72 includes a faster wired charger in the box. Pixel 9 Pro Fold offers the convenience of wireless charging. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80 µm pixel size | 48MP, f/1.7, Unknown pixel size | Galaxy A72 has higher resolution while the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a wider aperture, which can result in better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", Omnivision OV08A10, 1.00 µm pixel size | None | Galaxy A72 has dedicated telephoto + portrait lens for optical zoom and portrait shots while the Pixel 9 Pro Fold lacks this lens. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80 µm pixel size | 10MP, f/2.2, Unknown pixel size | Galaxy A72 has a much higher resolution selfie camera. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10.8MP, f/3.0, 1/2.65", Samsung S5K3J1, 1.22 µm pixel size | Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a dedicated telephoto lens, which the Galaxy A72 lacks, enabling optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size | 10.5MP, f/2.2, Unknown pixel size | Both phones have wide angle lenses with minor resolution differences. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12 µm pixel size | None | Galaxy A72 has a macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p options, Slow-mo: 120 fps | 4K@60fps with HDR, OIS, EIS, 1080p Options, Slow-mo: 240 fps | Pixel 9 Pro Fold offers higher quality video recording with superior stabilization and slow motion capabilities. |
| DxOMark Score | Main: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | Main: 141, Photo: 0, Video: 0 | Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold scores significantly higher overall in DxOMark, but the Galaxy A72 has better photo and video sub-scores. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and more comfortable for one-handed use and extended use.
- Better Display for Bright Conditions: Higher peak brightness makes the screen much more visible in direct sunlight.
- Better Camera (for some use cases): The A72 has more camera lenses including a dedicated telephoto + portrait lens and a macro lens. Also, it has a significantly better DxOMark sub-score for photo and video.
- Included Charger: Comes with a 15W fast charger in the box.
- Lower Price Point: Likely to be more budget-friendly.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold Advantages:
- Large Foldable Display: Offers a much larger screen for enhanced multitasking, media consumption, and gaming.
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster and smoother user experience thanks to the more powerful chipset.
- Advanced Camera Features: Offers better video recording capabilities including HDR video, better stabilization and more slow motion capabilities.
- More RAM and Storage: Provides more memory and storage capacity for demanding users.
- Newer Software: Runs on a more recent version of Android with more extended updates and features.
- Advanced Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards for faster speeds and better performance.
- Better build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 screen protection.
Trade-offs
- Galaxy A72: While lighter, the weaker chipset may not handle heavy tasks. Also, it will not have as good outdoor visibility. Also, it is a bit older and less future-proof.
- Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Significantly heavier and more expensive, also the screen may not be as bright in sunny conditions.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal Users:
- Casual users: Those who prioritize a lightweight phone for everyday tasks, social media, and media consumption.
- Budget-conscious buyers: Users who seek a good balance of features and price.
- Users needing good outdoor visibility: Those who frequently use their phone in bright sunlight.
Specific Use Cases:
- Everyday browsing and social media: The phone is lightweight and easy to handle for extended periods.
- Taking photos in well-lit conditions: The camera is adequate for casual photography needs.
- Watching videos indoors: The AMOLED display offers good contrast and color.
- Basic gaming: The phone is capable of playing many mobile games at good quality.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold Ideal Users:
- Power users: Those who demand the best performance for gaming, multitasking, and professional work.
- Multimedia enthusiasts: Users who prioritize a large screen for consuming videos, browsing, and playing games.
- Mobile professionals: Those who benefit from a large screen for productivity tasks.
Specific Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming: The high-performance chipset and GPU deliver a superior gaming experience.
- Multitasking between apps: The large display and abundant RAM allow for seamless switching between multiple apps.
- High-quality video recording: The advanced video recording features enable smooth, stable, and professional-looking footage.
- Working on the go: The larger display allows users to work effectively, even on the go.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Budget: How much am I willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Use Cases: What do I primarily use my smartphone for (e.g., social media, gaming, photography, work)?
- Form Factor: Do I prefer a standard smartphone or the larger screen of a foldable device?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Budget-conscious user seeking good everyday usability:
- Recommendation: The Samsung Galaxy A72. Its lower price point, lighter build, and still decent display and camera make it a good all-rounder. It will be perfectly usable for everyday tasks, and is still capable of running most mobile games.
Scenario 2: Power user seeking the best performance and large display:
- Recommendation: The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The phone's significantly higher performance, better camera and large foldable screen justify the higher price, and make it suitable for gaming, video recording, and multitasking.
Scenario 3: User looking for the best camera:
- Recommendation: While the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold has superior DxOMark scores overall, it seems it does not perform as well for video and photos, especially due to the lack of a telephoto + portrait lens and a macro lens. The Samsung Galaxy A72 offers better photo and video quality and performance (according to DxOMark subscores), with more lenses for different scenarios. If you prioritize photos and video, then the Samsung Galaxy A72 is the better pick.
My Choice
I would choose the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold despite its higher price and heavier weight. My primary use case involves productivity and media consumption. The Pixel Fold's much more powerful chipset, larger display, and superior video recording capabilities align better with my usage. While the Galaxy A72 may be the better camera phone for some users, the overall user experience offered by the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is much more compelling. Its performance and screen capabilities far outweigh the A72's better sub-scores for photo and video from the camera and its outdoor visibility. In my opinion, the screen and performance gains justify the higher price and weight.
