Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A72 vs. HTC U23 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | HTC U23 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 166.6 × 77.1 × 8.9 mm | HTC U23 Pro is slightly taller and thicker, minimal difference in hand feel. |
| Weight | 203g | 205g | Virtually identical, no noticeable difference. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Identical screen size, same viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Same sharpness and clarity. |
| PPI | 394 | 393 | Practically identical pixel density, indiscernible difference in sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and good contrast; minimal real-world difference. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | HTC U23 Pro has smoother scrolling and animations, more responsive feel, especially in gaming. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | Samsung Galaxy A72 is significantly better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. The HTC U23 Pro's brightness is not specified, suggesting it might not be as bright. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4nm) | HTC U23 Pro has a much newer and more powerful chip resulting in significantly faster app loading, better multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 699,600 | HTC U23 Pro has a much higher benchmark score indicating substantially better performance, especially for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 644 | HTC U23 Pro has a more powerful GPU resulting in better graphics rendering, better for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8 | 108MP, f/1.7 | HTC U23 Pro captures more detailed images and may perform slightly better in low light due to the wider aperture. |
| Telephoto | 8MP, f/2.4 | Not available | Samsung Galaxy A72 provides optical zoom capabilities, good for zoomed-in photos. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.45 | Samsung Galaxy A72 captures slightly brighter selfies in low light, potentially. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.4 | Samsung Galaxy A72 captures wider angle photos with more detail and brighter with wider aperture. |
| Portrait (Depth) | Not available | 5MP, f/2.2 | HTC U23 Pro can create depth-of-field effects for portrait shots, adding a professional look. |
| Macro Camera | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Samsung Galaxy A72 captures macro shots with more detail. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with EIS | 4K@30fps with EIS | Both phones record similar quality video. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Zoom, Quad | OIS, Quad, 4K Video | Samsung Galaxy A72 offers optical zoom, while HTC U23 Pro supports 4K Video recording. Both have image stabilization. |
| DxoMark Score | Mobile: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | Not available | Samsung Galaxy A72 has a good overall camera rating according to DxoMark. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4600mAh | Samsung Galaxy A72 has a slightly larger battery which may result in slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W wired, Li-Ion | 30W wired, 15W wireless, 5W reverse wireless, Lithium | HTC U23 Pro charges faster with wired charging, can charge wirelessly, and can wirelessly charge other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 12) | Android 13 | HTC U23 Pro runs a newer version of Android resulting in new features and better security and compatibility. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | HTC U23 Pro supports Wi-Fi 6 providing faster speeds and better network performance. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | HTC U23 Pro supports newer Bluetooth version, potentially more stable, faster connection, more efficient. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 256 GB | HTC U23 Pro only comes in 256 GB version while Samsung Galaxy A72 has 128GB option for less storage/lower cost. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8/12 GB | HTC U23 Pro has more RAM allowing for better multitasking and handling demanding apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo | Basic | Samsung Galaxy A72 offers an enhanced audio experience with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support. |
| Security | |||
| Security | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | HTC U23 Pro has a more modern side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | HTC U23 Pro has superior screen protection and can better withstand scratches and drops. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Significantly better outdoor visibility with 800 nits brightness.
- Telephoto Camera: Offers optical zoom capability, useful for capturing distant subjects.
- Slightly Larger Battery: 400mAh larger battery capacity which may provide slightly longer battery life.
- Enhanced Audio: Features stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos for a more immersive audio experience.
- DxoMark Score: DxoMark benchmark scores for camera quality
HTC U23 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Much more powerful chipset and GPU result in noticeably faster and smoother performance.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling and animations.
- Better Primary Camera: Higher resolution main camera captures more details and has a wider aperture.
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Wireless Charging: Offers the convenience of wireless charging and the ability to charge other devices wirelessly.
- Newer Android Version: Comes with Android 13 for the latest features, better security, and compatibility.
- Faster WiFi: Supports Wi-Fi 6 for improved network performance.
- More RAM: Available in a 12GB RAM configuration, beneficial for heavy multitasking.
- Superior Screen Protection: Uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus which provides enhanced screen protection against scratches and drops.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More modern and ergonomic placement of the fingerprint sensor.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy A72 has a better camera in terms of features including telephoto zoom.
- HTC U23 Pro lacks telephoto lens, and has a lower-resolution macro camera, but offers better overall performance, wireless charging and a smoother screen.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal User:
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: Users who spend a lot of time outdoors and need a screen that is visible in bright sunlight.
- Photography Lovers: Users who like to zoom into photos, and value the enhanced audio experience.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: May provide better value in some markets due to its age and could be at a lower price point.
Use Cases:
- Taking photos and videos outdoors, easily viewing content in bright light
- Enjoying music and videos with stereo speakers
- General daily use and social media browsing
- Casual mobile gaming
HTC U23 Pro Ideal User:
- Performance Seekers: Users who want the best performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users who prefer the latest technology, including a newer Android version, faster charging and wireless charging capabilities.
- Multi-taskers: Users who need lots of RAM for running multiple apps and want the convenience of wireless charging.
- Casual Gamers: Users who enjoy casual gaming on mobile
Use Cases:
- Playing demanding mobile games with smoother performance
- Multitasking between multiple applications seamlessly
- Quickly charging the phone and other devices wirelessly
- Using the latest Android features
Price-to-Value:
- Samsung Galaxy A72 is likely to offer better value if available at a lower price point.
- HTC U23 Pro justifies its higher price with better performance, advanced features, wireless charging and a more modern build.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is outdoor visibility and camera zoom? If outdoor visibility and camera zoom are crucial, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is the better choice due to its higher screen brightness and telephoto lens.
- How important is performance and a smoother screen? For those prioritizing performance, responsiveness, gaming, and multitasking, the HTC U23 Pro is the better choice, with much faster performance, more RAM and a 120Hz display.
- How important is wireless charging and other modern features? If you need wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and the latest Android, the HTC U23 Pro is the clear choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Outdoor Usage - If you are primarily using the phone outdoors in direct sunlight, the Samsung A72 is better thanks to a significantly brighter display.
- Scenario 2: Performance & Gaming - If smooth performance and better gaming is your priority, the HTC U23 Pro is recommended due to its more powerful chipset, higher refresh rate display and more RAM.
- Scenario 3: Modern Features - If wireless charging and the latest version of Android are a must, then the HTC U23 Pro is the more suitable option.
- Scenario 4: Camera Features - If you prioritize telephoto camera zoom, and enhanced audio, Samsung Galaxy A72 is the option.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the HTC U23 Pro.
Here's why:
While the Samsung Galaxy A72 does have a brighter display and telephoto camera lens which is useful, the HTC U23 Pro offers a much more significant upgrade in terms of overall performance, software, and modern features which outweigh the benefits of the Samsung A72. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset is a big leap in performance, and the 120Hz display makes a noticeable difference in everyday use. The addition of wireless charging, a better Bluetooth standard, side-mounted fingerprint sensor and a newer Android version make the HTC U23 Pro a more future-proof device.
For me, the slight compromise in screen brightness and lack of a telephoto lens is an acceptable trade-off for the superior speed, responsiveness, and modern conveniences offered by the HTC U23 Pro. I would be willing to sacrifice the telephoto camera and screen brightness on the Galaxy A72 for a smoother, faster and better overall experience.
