Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A72 vs. Honor X7
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Honor X7 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 167.6 × 77.2 × 8.6 mm | Similar size, Honor X7 slightly taller, negligible difference in hand. |
| Weight | 203g | 198g | Honor X7 is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.74" | Nearly identical screen size, negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | A72 has much sharper display, better for reading, detailed viewing and overall clarity. |
| PPI | 394 | 260 | A72 display is noticeably sharper; finer details will be much clearer. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | A72 offers deeper blacks, higher contrast, more vibrant colors, and better battery efficiency with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both have smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | A72 is significantly brighter and better for outdoor visibility, especially in sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | A72 has a more powerful chipset, translating to slightly faster app loading and overall performance. |
| Antutu Score | 285,000 | 249,000 | A72 has marginally better benchmark performance, indicating better responsiveness. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 610 | A72 has better graphics performance, leading to smoother gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8 | 48MP, f/1.8 | A72's main camera captures more detailed images. |
| Telephoto | 8MP, f/2.4 | None | A72 has 3x optical zoom, allowing closer shots with better quality than digital zoom. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.0 | A72 captures higher resolution selfies with more details; Honor X7's selfie has a slightly wider aperture for potentially better low-light performance. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.2 | A72 wide-angle captures more detailed photos. |
| Depth Sensor | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Honor X7 offers depth sensing for better portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | A72 macro lens captures more detailed close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps with EIS | 1080p@30fps | A72 can record higher quality videos, and has electronic image stabilization. |
| DXOMark (Mobile) | 92 | 61 | A72 has significantly higher photo and video scores, indicating better overall camera quality. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Both phones should have comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 25W, Li-Ion | 22.5W, Li-Polymer | A72 charges slightly faster, both use fast charging technologies. |
| Charger included | 15W | Not specified | A72 includes fast charger, Honor X7 charger included is not specified. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 12 | Android 11 | A72 offers future software updates, Honor X7 is not guaranteed. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac | Both have similar Wi-Fi capabilities. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 LE | Honor X7 has a newer Bluetooth standard, potentially more energy-efficient. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Both offer similar location capabilities. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128 GB | A72 offers larger storage options which can be crucial if you have a lot of media. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 4/6 GB | A72 offers more RAM, leading to better multitasking performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Both lack expandable storage, limiting storage options. |
| Audio | |||
| Features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio Features | A72 has enhanced audio quality with stereo speakers for better listening experience. |
| Security | |||
| Biometrics | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Honor X7 side-mounted is faster and easier to access. |
| Other | |||
| Sensors | Gyroscope, Proximity, Compass | Ultrasonic proximity virtual, Gravity | A72 has a wider array of sensors useful for AR apps and gaming. |
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Screen protection is not specified, so we can't compare. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with much higher resolution and brightness offers a significantly better viewing experience, especially outdoors.
- Better Performance: More powerful chipset, GPU, and more RAM provide smoother multitasking and gaming.
- Enhanced Camera System: Offers better main camera resolution, telephoto lens with optical zoom, higher resolution selfie camera, and a wide-angle lens with better resolution, significantly better video recording capabilities, and better DxOMark scores, indicating higher quality photos and videos.
- Improved Audio: Features stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos for better overall audio experiences.
- Faster Charging and Charger Included: Offers slightly faster charging, and a 15W fast charger included is a great bonus.
Practical Implications for Samsung Galaxy A72: This phone is better for media consumption (videos, photos), gaming, photography and people that use the phone outdoor frequently.
Honor X7 Advantages:
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.1 LE for potentially better energy efficiency.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More convenient and quicker to access than the basic one on A72.
- Depth Sensor: Better portrait mode capabilities for bokeh effects in photos.
Practical Implications for Honor X7: This phone may be preferred by those who prioritize battery efficiency in terms of the Bluetooth features and convenience in terms of the fingerprint scanner.
Trade-offs:
- A72: Higher cost, but justifies with better features.
- X7: Lower cost, but significant sacrifices in display quality, camera performance and processing power.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize display quality and camera capabilities.
- Mobile gamers and media consumers.
- Users who use their phone outdoors frequently.
- Those who require better multitasking performance.
- Use Cases:
- Watching videos and movies with vibrant colors and sharp details.
- Taking high-quality photos and videos, especially with zoom capabilities.
- Playing mobile games smoothly.
- Heavy users who need good performance for various apps.
- Users that value advanced audio features.
Honor X7:
- Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users who need a basic phone for everyday tasks.
- Users who value a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and have less intensive needs.
- Users that care about better Bluetooth version efficiency.
- Use Cases:
- General web browsing and social media.
- Making calls and sending text messages.
- Basic photography needs.
- Users that need a long-lasting battery life.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy A72 offers significantly more value for the price due to its superior display, performance, and camera capabilities if the price is not an obstacle.
- The Honor X7 is more budget-friendly but has major compromises in display, performance, and camera quality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Display Quality: How important is a high-resolution, vibrant, bright display for your daily usage?
- Camera Performance: Do you prioritize a versatile camera system with good photo and video quality, including optical zoom?
- Performance and Gaming: Do you need a phone that can handle intensive tasks and gaming smoothly?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Media & Photography): If you watch a lot of videos, play games, and take photos frequently, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is the better choice due to its superior display and camera.
- Scenario 2 (Budget & Basic Use): If you need a reliable, budget-friendly phone for basic tasks like browsing and communication, the Honor X7 is a reasonable option, but be ready to make sacrifices in camera and display.
- Scenario 3 (Outdoor Use): If you use your phone a lot in sunlight, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is the far superior option for display brightness.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A72 without hesitation. While the Honor X7 has some newer technology like Bluetooth 5.1 and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, the A72's superior AMOLED display, significantly better camera system with optical zoom and EIS, higher performance, and better audio with stereo speakers outweigh the few benefits of the X7. The improved visual experience, combined with better processing capabilities, and vastly superior camera make the A72 a worthwhile choice, especially for daily use where media consumption and photography are important. While the cost is higher, the A72 provides better overall value and delivers a more satisfying user experience.
