Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A72 vs. Google Pixel Fold
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Google Pixel Fold | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-26 | 2023-06-27 | The Pixel Fold is significantly newer, benefiting from more recent technology. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | The Pixel Fold offers a larger screen when unfolded, providing tablet-like functionality but with added bulk. The A72 is more pocketable. |
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 139.7 × 158.7 × 5.8 mm | The A72 is taller and thicker, making it feel more traditional. The Pixel Fold is shorter but significantly wider when unfolded and thinner when folded. |
| Weight | 203g | 283g | The A72 is much lighter, making it more comfortable for extended one-handed use. The Pixel Fold is noticeably heavier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 7.6" | The Pixel Fold provides a much larger screen for multitasking and media consumption. The A72's screen is more standard for single-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1840x2208 | The Pixel Fold has a sharper display with more detail. The A72 is still good for everyday use. |
| Pixel Density | 394 PPI | 378 PPI | Both offer similar sharpness, with minor differences that are hard to notice. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unknown | The A72 offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good power efficiency. The Pixel Fold's display technology is unknown, so we are unable to analyze the implications. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Pixel Fold offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations. The A72 provides a still good experience. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 1500 nits | The Pixel Fold provides significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. The A72's display might struggle in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G | Google Tensor G2 | The Pixel Fold has a significantly more powerful and modern chipset, leading to much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The A72 is slower for modern use. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 793,800 | The Pixel Fold is dramatically faster in benchmarks, indicating a more fluid experience overall. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G710 MP7 | The Pixel Fold’s GPU allows for better graphical performance during heavy tasks such as gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4821mAh | Both phones have similar capacity, implying comparable battery life for typical use. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | 30W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | The Pixel Fold charges slightly faster. |
| Charging Features | 15W Fast Charger included | Non-removable | The A72 ships with a 15W charger included. The Pixel Fold does not, so you will need to provide your own charger. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80µm | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.80µm | The A72 captures higher resolution images, but the Pixel Fold has a slightly wider aperture, potentially better in low light. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.00µm | None | The A72 offers optical zoom and portrait capabilities not available on the Pixel Fold. |
| Selfie | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80µm | 8MP, f/1.9 | The A72 offers much higher selfie resolution, but Pixel Fold may have slightly better low light performance thanks to its wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10.8MP, f/3.0 | The Pixel Fold provides optical zoom capabilities the A72 lacks. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 10.8MP, f/2.2 | Both phones have a similar wide-angle performance. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | None | The A72 offers a dedicated macro lens not available on the Pixel Fold. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps | 4K@60fps with HDR | The Pixel Fold captures higher-quality video, supporting 4K at 60fps with HDR. |
| DxOMark Mobile | 92 | 133 | The Pixel Fold has superior overall camera performance. |
| DxOMark Photo | 100 | 137 | The Pixel Fold offers much better photo quality. |
| DxOMark Video | 78 | 131 | The Pixel Fold offers significantly better video quality. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Max 12 | Android 13, Max 14 | The Pixel Fold has a more modern OS with more recent features and security updates. The A72 is several versions behind and might not receive further updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6E | The Pixel Fold has faster WiFi with greater performance in busy networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | The Pixel Fold offers a newer Bluetooth version, with better power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The Pixel Fold provides better location accuracy by supporting more satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | The Pixel Fold offers additional flexibility with eSIM support. The A72 supports two physical SIMs simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB | The Pixel Fold offers more base storage and a higher max. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 12 GB | The Pixel Fold offers more RAM for better multitasking and app performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | The A72 offers slightly better audio via its Dolby Atmos enhancement. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor | The Pixel Fold offers a more secure and convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The Pixel Fold has superior screen protection, whereas the A72's screen protection is unknown. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Magnetometer; Environmental: Barometer | The Pixel Fold has a more comprehensive set of sensors for enhanced functionality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Lower Weight and Price: Significantly lighter and more affordable, making it more practical for users with budget or portability concerns.
- Telephoto and Macro Lens: Offers dedicated telephoto and macro lenses, providing more versatility for photography enthusiasts.
- Dolby Atmos: Better audio experience with Dolby Atmos.
- Included charger: The A72 has a 15W charger included in the box.
Google Pixel Fold Advantages:
- Foldable Design: A unique form factor with a large, tablet-like display when unfolded, enhancing productivity and media consumption.
- Superior Performance: The Google Tensor G2 chipset provides much faster processing, excellent multitasking, and better gaming capabilities.
- Better Display: Higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness, providing a visually superior experience.
- Significantly Better Camera: Higher scores across all DXOMark categories, with better photo and video quality. The inclusion of a Telephoto lens also gives it better zoom capabilities.
- Newer Software: Comes with a more recent version of Android, and will receive more future updates, including the latest features.
- Faster Charging: Slightly faster charging with 30W support.
- More RAM and Storage: Comes with more base RAM and a higher storage option, for better performance.
- Better Connectivity: Supports faster WiFi 6E standard and a newer Bluetooth version.
- Better Security: Includes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus screen protection, much more robust than the A72's unknown screen protection.
- More Sensors: Has more sensors for extra functionality
Trade-offs:
- Weight and Size: The Pixel Fold is much heavier and bulkier, making it less convenient for one-handed use and pocketing.
- Price: The Pixel Fold is a much more expensive device.
- Camera Versatility: While Pixel Fold offers better overall camera performance it lacks the dedicated macro lens found on the A72.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal User:
- Users on a budget looking for a reliable daily driver.
- Users who prioritize portability and comfort for extended use.
- Photography enthusiasts who value optical zoom and macro capabilities.
- Users who are not demanding in terms of processing power and gaming.
Use Cases:
- Everyday social media browsing and communication.
- Casual photography with telephoto and macro options.
- Long hours of use without feeling weighed down by a heavy device.
Google Pixel Fold Ideal User:
- Power users who need top-tier performance for multitasking, gaming and professional tasks.
- Users who value a large, immersive display for productivity and media consumption.
- Users who desire the latest technology and software features.
- Photography enthusiasts who seek the best photo and video quality.
- Users who don't mind the added weight and bulk for the unique foldable form factor.
Use Cases:
- Multitasking between several apps, especially in split-screen or tablet mode.
- Professional tasks such as document editing and email management.
- High-end gaming.
- High-quality content creation.
- Travelers needing better location accuracy.
- Users who seek to get the latest software experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Form Factor: Do you prioritize portability or the large, immersive experience of a foldable display?
- Use Case: What tasks will you primarily perform on your phone (e.g., basic communication, gaming, professional use)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious: If budget is a primary concern and you need a reliable phone for everyday use, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is the more practical choice.
- Professional Use/Multitasking: If you need a powerful device for multitasking, large screen experience, the Google Pixel Fold is the superior option.
- High-End Gaming/Photography: The Google Pixel Fold offers better performance and camera quality, making it a much better pick for gaming and photography.
- Portability: If comfort and pocketability are critical, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is the better choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Google Pixel Fold. The primary reason for this is its significantly superior performance and software experience. While the A72 does have a few advantages (such as a lighter weight and a telephoto lens), the Pixel Fold's advanced processor, better camera, much more modern OS, and the unique foldable screen offer a more compelling overall package, that would provide me with a better user experience over a longer period of time.
While the higher price and bulk are disadvantages, the added functionality and performance justify the trade-off for my use case. I value a powerful and capable device for multitasking, content consumption, and high-quality photography and video.
