Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A72 vs. Huawei nova 11 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 164.3 × 74.4 × 7.9 mm | The A72 is slightly larger and thicker, potentially feeling less comfortable in hand. The Nova 11 Pro is more compact. |
| Weight | 203g | 188g | The Nova 11 Pro is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Negligible difference in screen size; both provide a large viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1200x2652 | The Nova 11 Pro has a sharper display with significantly more pixels, leading to clearer images and text. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 394 | 429 | The Nova 11 Pro's higher PPI results in a slightly crisper viewing experience. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; little practical difference for most users. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Nova 11 Pro's 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother animations and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 950 nits | The Nova 11 Pro is better suited for outdoor viewing due to its higher maximum brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | The Nova 11 Pro's chipset is significantly more powerful, offering faster performance for gaming and resource-intensive apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 592,297 | The Nova 11 Pro's benchmark score reflects its superior performance in real-world use, including smoother multitasking and quicker app loading. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 642L | The Nova 11 Pro's GPU provides enhanced graphics capabilities for gaming and graphics-intensive applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | The A72 has a larger battery, potentially resulting in longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | The Nova 11 Pro's charging is substantially faster, allowing for quick battery top-ups. |
| Features | 15W Fast Charger Included | Reverse Charging | A72 has a charger in the box. Nova 11 Pro can charge other devices wirelessly. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens Resolution | 64MP | 50MP | A72 has higher megapixel count, but real-world image quality can depend on sensor size and image processing algorithms. |
| Standard Lens Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.9 | The A72's wider aperture may offer slightly better performance in low-light conditions. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP (dedicated) | None | The A72 has a dedicated telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP (dedicated) | 8MP(Combined with macro) | The A72 has a dedicated wide angle lens. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP (dedicated) | 8MP (Combined with wide angle) | A72 has a dedicated macro lens. Nova 11 Pro combines Macro lens with wide angle. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP | 60MP | The Nova 11 Pro has a significantly higher megapixel selfie camera, resulting in more detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.4 | The A72 has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps (A72) | Up to 720p@960fps (Nova 11 Pro) | The A72 can record higher quality videos up to 4k resolution, while Nova 11 Pro is limited to 720p resolution. |
| Slow-Motion | 120fps (A72) | 960fps (Nova 11 Pro) | Nova 11 Pro can record slow motion at higher fps. |
| DXOMark | Overall: 92 | Not Tested | A72 has an average camera rating, while the Nova 11 Pro's camera hasn't been rated by DXOMark. |
| OIS | Yes(A72) | No | A72 has optical image stabilization for sharper, less shaky photos and videos. |
| Additional Features | Quad Camera(A72), Optical Zoom (A72), Night Mode (A72) | Dual Camera(Nova 11 Pro), 4K Video(Nova 11 Pro), RAW capture (Nova 11 Pro) | A72 offers more camera features including OIS, telephoto lens, quad-camera setup, optical zoom, and night mode, while Nova 11 Pro provides 4k video, Raw capture and dual camera setup. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | (Missing Info) | Samsung's A72 has Android support while the Nova 11 Pro's OS is not specified. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | The Nova 11 Pro supports the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard, offering faster and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | The Nova 11 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version, offering potentially better energy efficiency and audio quality. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | The Nova 11 Pro supports more satellite systems, providing more accurate location services. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB | The Nova 11 Pro offers a higher storage option (512 GB). |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 6GB, 8GB, or 12GB | The Nova 11 Pro offers a higher RAM option (12GB), improving multitasking and app performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | A72 has Dolby Atmos support for enhanced spatial audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both feature a basic fingerprint sensor for security. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Comprehensive sensor suites on both phones. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Screen protection types are not specified for either phone. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life.
- Dedicated Telephoto and Wide-angle Lens: Provides more versatile camera options, including optical zoom.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Delivers sharper, less blurry photos and videos, especially in low light.
- Dolby Atmos: Offers enhanced spatial audio for a more immersive audio experience.
- Known Android OS and Updates: Provides a familiar and reliable software experience with expected future updates (upto Android 12).
Huawei nova 11 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 778G chipset offers vastly superior performance for gaming and demanding applications.
- Sharper Display: The higher resolution and pixel density result in a crisper, more detailed viewing experience.
- Smoother Display: The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations feel smoother.
- Faster Charging: The 100W charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Higher Resolution Front Camera: 60MP selfie camera provides more detailed selfies.
- More Storage and RAM options: Offers 512GB storage option and 12 GB RAM option.
- Newer WiFi & Bluetooth: Supports faster and more reliable Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.
- Reverse Charging: Allows the phone to wirelessly charge other devices.
- More Advanced GPS: Supports more satellite systems, resulting in more accurate location services.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung A72: The older chipset may result in slower performance compared to the Huawei nova 11 Pro. The screen is not as crisp as Nova 11 Pro and the refresh rate is lower.
- Huawei Nova 11 Pro: Smaller battery, no dedicated telephoto or wide angle lens, no OIS, OS is not specified.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 - Ideal User:
- Casual photographers: Users who appreciate a versatile camera system with OIS, telephoto, wide and macro lenses.
- Users prioritising audio quality: Those who enjoy immersive audio experiences with Dolby Atmos.
- General users seeking battery endurance: Those needing a phone that can comfortably last through a full day of moderate to heavy use.
- Users who prefer a known Android OS: Those who appreciate the security and familiarity of Samsung's One UI and the Android ecosystem.
- Budget-conscious buyers: Those who prioritize value and may not need the latest performance specifications.
Use Cases:
- Everyday photography: Capturing everyday moments with the versatile camera system.
- Media consumption: Watching videos and enjoying audio content with Dolby Atmos.
- Extended use: Daily tasks like browsing, social media, and communication.
Huawei nova 11 Pro - Ideal User:
- Gamers: Users who require smooth, responsive gaming performance.
- Power users: Those who run demanding applications and appreciate fast performance.
- Selfie Enthusiasts: Users who appreciate a high megapixel front camera for detailed selfies.
- Users who prefer fast charging: Those who need to quickly charge their phones.
- Users looking for a premium experience: Those seeking high-end performance, faster charging, sharper display and advanced connectivity.
- Users who value cutting-edge tech: Those who appreciate the latest Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS technologies.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming: Playing graphically demanding games smoothly.
- Multitasking: Running multiple apps simultaneously without slowdowns.
- High-quality Video consumption: Enjoying high-quality video content on a crisp display.
- Outdoor usage: Viewing content clearly in bright environments.
- Quick Charging: Quickly charging the phone when in need.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is performance to you? If gaming or heavy multitasking is crucial, the Huawei nova 11 Pro is the clear choice.
- Which camera features do you value most? If you want optical zoom, OIS, and a versatile set of lenses, the A72 is preferable. If you prioritize high resolution selfies and want 4k video recording with RAW support, the Nova 11 Pro is more suitable.
- Do you need long battery life or super-fast charging? For longer usage, the A72 is better, for quick top-ups the Nova 11 Pro is preferable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-conscious and camera-focused.
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A72. It provides a good balance of features, a versatile camera setup, and a larger battery, all at a likely more affordable price point.
- Scenario 2: Performance-focused and high demanding applications user.
- Recommendation: Huawei nova 11 Pro. The superior chipset, higher refresh rate display, and faster charging make it the better option for demanding tasks.
- Scenario 3: Balanced user needs with some specific wants.
- Recommendation: Consider your top priorities (display vs camera vs performance). The Nova 11 Pro is more future-proof with its faster charging and superior performance. However, the A72 has OIS and a more versatile camera system, so choose what aligns with your use case.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Huawei nova 11 Pro. While the Samsung A72 has a slightly larger battery, OIS, telephoto and dedicated wide angle lenses which may appeal to casual users, the overall performance difference is too significant for me to ignore.
The nova 11 Pro's faster chipset, crisper display, smoother refresh rate, and significantly faster charging will make for a more enjoyable everyday experience, especially as someone who runs demanding applications and games on my phone. The faster charging is a huge plus for me, as I often need to quickly top up my phone's battery. While the A72 has a more versatile camera, the nova 11 pro’s high resolution selfie camera and 4k video capabilities make it good enough for most of my needs. The addition of Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 are also important for me, as I prefer the most up-to-date connectivity options.
