1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Honor Magic5 Lite | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 161.6 × 73.9 × 7.9 mm | A72 is larger and thicker, might be less comfortable for small hands; Magic5 Lite is more pocketable. |
| Weight | 203g | 175g | Magic5 Lite is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Honor Magic5 Lite | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Negligible difference in screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness; both offer crisp visuals. |
| PPI | 394 | 395 | Almost identical pixel density; both will look very sharp |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Vibrant colors and deep blacks on both phones. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Magic5 Lite will appear smoother, particularly during scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | A72 is significantly more visible under direct sunlight due to a much higher brightness. Honor Magic5 Lite brightness is missing. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Honor Magic5 Lite | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Magic5 Lite’s newer chipset is more efficient and offers better overall performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 431,000 | Magic5 Lite is significantly faster in day-to-day tasks and gaming, the difference is noticeable. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 619 | Magic5 Lite’s GPU provides better graphics performance, beneficial for gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Honor Magic5 Lite | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8 | 64MP, f/1.8 | Similar main camera performance |
| Telephoto | 8MP, f/2.4 | None | A72 offers optical zoom capabilities for better close-ups, absent on the Magic5 Lite. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.45 | A72 captures more detailed selfies, performs slightly better in low light with its wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.2 | A72 captures more detailed ultra-wide shots, offering a better experience. |
| Macro Camera | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | A72 captures more detailed close-up shots |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps with EIS | 1080p@30fps | A72 records videos at a higher resolution with additional features such as Electronic Image Stabilization, while Honor Magic5 Lite doesn't have stabilization. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | Main: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | Main: 74, Photo: 70, Video: 77 | A72 performs better in overall camera quality based on DxOMark scores. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Optical zoom, Quad camera | Triple camera | A72 offers Optical image stabilization and optical zoom, absent on the Magic5 Lite |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Honor Magic5 Lite | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5100mAh | Similar battery life. |
| Charging | 25W | 40W | Magic5 Lite charges faster, reducing downtime. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages
- Superior Display Brightness: 800 nits brightness makes the A72 significantly better for outdoor use.
- Better Camera System: Includes optical zoom, higher-resolution ultrawide and macro lenses, and a higher resolution selfie camera; provides more versatility in photography
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): OIS in the main camera helps in better video and low light photography.
- 4K Video Recording: Capable of higher resolution videos.
- Dolby Atmos & Stereo Speakers: Better audio experience
- More Bluetooth Profiles: Supports a wider variety of Bluetooth profiles
- Detailed Camera Features: Includes features such as manual focus and night mode.
Honor Magic5 Lite Advantages
- Newer and Faster Chipset: The Snapdragon 695 offers significantly better performance.
- Lighter Design: More comfortable for prolonged use and one-handed operation.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 120Hz display provides smoother scrolling and animations.
- Faster Charging: 40W charging fills the battery quicker.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: 5.1 Bluetooth vs 5.0 in Samsung
Trade-offs
- Display Brightness: The A72 has a much brighter display, meaning better visibility outdoors, but it is not mentioned for the Honor Magic5 Lite.
- Camera Quality: A72 has a better camera overall, according to DxOMark scores, and includes features such as OIS and optical zoom that are not present in Magic5 Lite
- Performance: The Magic5 Lite offers better performance, but at the cost of camera quality and display brightness.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72
- Ideal User: Individuals who value camera versatility and image quality, prefer a brighter display, enjoy multimedia consumption, and are not heavy gamers.
- Use Cases:
- Outdoor photography and videography, particularly in sunny conditions.
- Taking detailed photos with optical zoom.
- Enjoying high-quality audio and video content
- Casual gaming
- Price-to-Value: Suitable if a superior display and camera are priorities and performance is adequate.
Honor Magic5 Lite
- Ideal User: Performance-focused users who prioritize a smoother display, longer battery life, and fast charging.
- Use Cases:
- Heavy daily app usage and multitasking.
- Gaming on the go
- Longer social media usage
- Users who value a lightweight phone.
- Price-to-Value: Suitable if performance and fast charging are key and the camera is adequate.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- How important is outdoor screen visibility for you?
- If crucial, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is the clear choice due to its superior brightness.
- Do you prioritize camera versatility and quality?
- If yes, the Samsung Galaxy A72’s optical zoom and OIS make it a more appealing option.
- How important is performance and smooth experience vs camera quality?
- If performance is important, then the Honor Magic5 Lite's faster chip and 120 Hz display is superior
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Outdoor Enthusiast: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72 for its significantly brighter display, as well as superior camera quality.
- Gamer/Heavy User: The Honor Magic5 Lite is a better choice for smooth experience, battery and performance.
- Photography Enthusiast: The Samsung Galaxy A72's versatile camera setup with OIS, and optical zoom is the better fit, but this means trading performance.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A72. While the Honor Magic5 Lite has a newer chipset and faster refresh rate, the Galaxy A72 has a significantly brighter display. Moreover, it offers a more versatile camera system, including optical zoom, optical image stabilization and better results according to DxOMark. Although, I would prefer the Magic 5 Lite's performance, the superior display and camera are my priorities. I also value a better quality audio, for which I would get a better experience using the A72. The lack of display brightness data for the Honor Magic 5 Lite is also concerning for me.
While the Honor Magic5 Lite might appeal to users focused on performance and a smooth user experience, I value the overall package and better experience of the Samsung Galaxy A72. This decision may not be optimal for everyone; the best choice always depends on individual priorities.
