1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Huawei nova 12i | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Physical Size | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 163.3 × 74.7 × 8.4 mm | Samsung slightly larger: feels a bit taller and wider in hand, but both share the same thickness. |
| Weight | 203g | 199g | Virtually identical weight; both feel relatively substantial but comfortable to hold. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Huawei nova 12i | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both offer the same large screen size, suitable for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2388 | Very similar sharpness; difference is virtually unnoticeable in daily use. |
| PPI | 394 | 391 | Identical clarity; both offer sharp visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | A72 has significantly better blacks, contrast and vibrant colors; better for HDR content and outdoor visibility |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both offer a smooth scrolling experience; animations and transitions will appear fluid. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | A72 drastically better in bright sunlight; Nova 12i brightness spec is missing but likely much lower |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Huawei nova 12i | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6nm) | Slightly different architectures, generally similar performance, both will handle daily tasks and moderate gaming |
| Antutu Score | 285,000 | 289,000 | Virtually identical performance based on these benchmark scores; both handle most daily tasks well. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 610 | A72 slightly better for gaming performance |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Huawei nova 12i | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80µm | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.67", 0.64µm, Samsung HM6 | Nova 12i offers higher resolution; A72 better low light due to wider aperture, both perform well in good lighting |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.00µm, Omnivision OV08A10 | None | A72 allows for optical zoom and portrait photos at longer focal lengths; offers more flexibility in shooting scenarios. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80µm | 8MP, f/2.0 | A72 takes much higher resolution selfies; Nova 12i has slightly wider aperture |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | None | A72 captures wider scenes for group photos and landscapes. |
| Portrait (depth) | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Nova 12i has a dedicated depth sensor; but the quality of the depth sensor on phones like the Nova 12i is often questionable |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | None | A72 allows for very close-up shots of small objects. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@30/60fps with EIS, Slow-mo: 120fps | 1080p@30fps, Slow-mo: 30fps | A72 offers higher quality video with stabilization for smoother results; better slow-motion features |
| Camera Score | DXOMark: Mobile 92, Photo 100, Video 78 | Not Tested | A72 has a tested and generally well-regarded camera system. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Digital Image Stabilization, Quadruple, Optical Zoom | Dual, Phase Detection Autofocus | A72 more versatile camera system |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Huawei nova 12i | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life; both should easily last a full day with moderate usage. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 40W fast charging | Nova 12i charges significantly faster; less time waiting for the phone to recharge |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Huawei nova 12i | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (up to 12) | OS unknown | A72 has a known Android OS with updates, Nova 12i is missing OS info; A72 provides a more predictable update future |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen provides richer colors, deeper blacks, and much better outdoor visibility compared to the likely IPS LCD of the Nova 12i.
- More Versatile Camera System: Offers a telephoto lens for optical zoom, a wide-angle lens, a macro lens, and better video recording capabilities including 4K recording with EIS. Additionally, the main sensor has a wider aperture, and the selfie camera has significantly higher resolution.
- Better Video Recording: Offers 4K video recording and significantly better slow-motion capabilities.
- Better Audio: Offers stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support
- Known Software Support: Runs Android OS with known update history.
Huawei Nova 12i Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 40W fast charging significantly reduces charging time compared to the A72's 25W.
- Potentially Slightly Better Main Camera: Although not tested, the main sensor's 108 MP could, in theory, capture more detail (but pixel binning could be used which would not provide a higher pixel count).
- More Satellite Navigation Systems: Nova 12i includes QZSS, providing more location accuracy.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Generally considered more ergonomic.
Trade-offs:
- Display Trade-off: The A72 has a superior AMOLED display but the Huawei Nova 12i may have better battery life due to the IPS LCD screen.
- Camera Trade-off: The A72 offers more camera versatility with telephoto, wide angle and macro lens, while the Nova 12i only offers the main camera.
- Charging vs. Camera and Display: Nova 12i has faster charging, but sacrifices in display quality and camera versatility compared to A72.
- Software Support: A72 is known to have Android OS which has a future of updates, the Nova 12i OS is not known.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Ideal User: Media consumers, photo enthusiasts, users who value display quality and camera versatility, and users who prefer Android OS.
- Use Cases:
- Watching videos/movies with better color and contrast.
- Taking diverse photos with zoom, wide-angle, and macro lenses.
- Creating higher quality videos with 4K resolution.
- General use and moderate gaming due to performance and display quality.
- Price-to-Value: Offers a strong value for users who prioritize display and camera capabilities.
Huawei Nova 12i:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize fast charging and need basic smartphone functionalities.
- Use Cases:
- Quickly charging the phone before leaving the house.
- General daily tasks with adequate performance.
- Users needing location tracking with more GPS systems.
- Users who like side mounted fingerprint sensor.
- Price-to-Value: Offers a better value for users who prioritize fast charging and a budget friendly price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is display quality? (AMOLED vs IPS LCD)
- How important is camera versatility and quality? (Telephoto, wide-angle, macro)
- How important is fast charging? (25W vs 40W)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Media Lover & Photographer If you watch a lot of videos, play graphically intense games, and take many pictures, go for the Samsung Galaxy A72. The better display, more versatile camera, and 4K recording are well worth the trade off of fast charging.
- Scenario 2: On-the-Go User & Budget Conscious: If you are frequently on the go and are primarily concerned with quick top-ups while needing a basic camera, the Huawei nova 12i might be suitable. It is also likely to be more budget friendly.
- Scenario 3: Balanced User: If you don't need a superior display and a top of the line camera, but want a device with a quick charging speed, the Huawei nova 12i might be suitable.
What I would choose and why:
Given the information, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A72. My reasoning is as follows:
- Display Quality: The AMOLED display is a significant advantage in everyday use. The better colors, contrast, and outdoor visibility make the phone much more enjoyable for media consumption and general use.
- Camera Versatility: I value having different lenses on my phone (telephoto, wide-angle, macro) because they offer creative flexibility and allows for diverse and engaging photography. The 4K video recording and slow-motion capabilities are also very useful for capturing memories.
- Known Software Support: I prefer to know the software I'm getting on my device. The Samsung Galaxy A72 has a known Android OS with a known support history which is very important for security.
While the Nova 12i offers faster charging and potentially slightly better main camera capabilities, the overall user experience offered by the Galaxy A72 is more compelling to me, outweighing the trade-offs. The camera system is more useful and enjoyable to use, and the display quality is noticeably better in everyday use.
