Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A72 vs. Huawei nova 8i
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 161.9 × 74.7 × 8.6 mm | A72 is slightly taller and wider, but both have similar thickness. A72 might feel a bit more substantial in hand. |
| Weight | 203g | 190g | Nova 8i is lighter, which can be more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Both have large screens; negligible size difference. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2376 | Practically identical sharpness; hard to notice any difference in daily use. |
| PPI | 394 | 391 | Both have sharp displays with similar pixel densities. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | A72 has richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast, especially in dark mode. A72 offers more vibrant visuals. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 60Hz | A72 offers smoother scrolling and animations, making the user experience feel more fluid. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits (Not Specified) | A72 is significantly brighter, offering superior outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | A72 has a more powerful chipset, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| Antutu Score | 285,000 | 201,000 | A72 has significantly better performance for demanding tasks and games based on benchmark scores. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 610 | A72 has a more powerful GPU for better graphics in games and other visually intensive applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8 | 64MP, f/1.9 | A72 has a slightly wider aperture which might allow slightly better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Camera | 8MP, f/2.4 | N/A | A72 has dedicated telephoto lens for better optical zoom capabilities. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.0 | A72 captures higher resolution selfies, while Nova 8i has a wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | A72 captures higher resolution wide angle images |
| Portrait (Depth) | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | Nova 8i has dedicated depth sensor for better bokeh effect in portrait photos. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | A72 captures higher resolution macro shots. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, EIS | 1080p@30fps | A72 captures higher resolution video with image stabilization and 1080p@60fps for smoother video; Nova 8i captures video at 1080p@30fps. |
| DxOMark (Main) | Overall: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | Not Available | A72's camera performance has been officially evaluated, with decent photo and good video score. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Optical Zoom, Night Mode, Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | A72 offers Optical Image Stabilization and optical zoom for sharper photos and videos, along with manual controls and a dedicated night mode. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4300 mAh | A72 has a larger battery, offering longer battery life for a full day of usage. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 66W fast charging | Nova 8i charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Features | 15W Fast Charger included | None | A72 includes a fast charger in the box. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 10 (no specified upgrades) | A72 has a more recent OS with the potential for upgrades. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both offer standard Wi-Fi; A72 supports Dual Band and Wi-Fi Direct. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 LE | Both offer Bluetooth 5.0; A72 offers more Bluetooth features, while Nova 8i offers lower energy consumption, APT-x, LDAC, and AAC for better audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Both have identical GPS capabilities. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128 GB | A72 offers larger storage capacity option. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 6 GB | A72 can offer better multi-tasking with a higher RAM option. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers microSD card slot. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Noise cancellation mic, Stereo Speakers | A72 offers Dolby Atmos support for enhanced audio; Nova 8i focuses on clearer voice calls with a noise-canceling microphone and two microphones for better audio capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Nova 8i has a more convenient side-mounted sensor for quicker access. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Both have similar core sensors. Galaxy A72 offers Hall and Geomagnetic sensor for a broader variety of sensor functionalities, while Nova 8i has Gravity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with higher brightness, better contrast, and vibrant colors makes for a significantly better viewing experience, especially in bright environments.
- Smoother Experience: 90Hz refresh rate provides a smoother and more responsive user interface.
- Better Performance: More powerful Snapdragon 720G chipset with higher benchmark scores offers smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance.
- Enhanced Camera System: Telephoto lens with optical zoom, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), and higher resolution wide-angle lens, results in better overall photo and video quality. Additionally offers 4k video recording.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos provides better audio quality.
- More RAM: Offers a higher RAM option (8GB) for better multitasking.
- Up-to-date OS: Ships with Android 11 and is upgradable to Android 12.
- Larger Storage Capacity: Offers a higher internal storage capacity option (256 GB).
Huawei nova 8i Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 66W fast charging significantly reduces battery charging time.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint: More convenient for quick access and unlocking.
- Audio Focus: Noise cancellation mic, 2 microphones for clear calls
- Better low-light Selfie Camera: Wider aperture on front camera allows more light for low light photography
- Depth Sensor: Dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode
Significant Trade-offs:
- A72: Loses the fast charging advantage compared to the Nova 8i
- Nova 8i: Display is not as good as the A72's AMOLED panel. Slower performance, lower camera quality and older software.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal Users:
- Media Consumers: Users who watch videos, browse social media, and play games will appreciate the superior AMOLED screen, higher refresh rate, and stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value good photo and video quality, especially those who need optical zoom and image stabilization features.
- Multitaskers: Users who run multiple apps simultaneously will appreciate the 8 GB RAM option and faster chipset
- Long-Term Users: Users who want the latest Android experience with future OS updates.
Huawei nova 8i Ideal Users:
- Users Prioritizing Fast Charging: Those who need to quickly charge their phone and dislike waiting for long charging times.
- Users Prioritizing Call Quality: Those who make frequent calls and prioritize clearer voice capture.
- Users with a Tighter Budget: Likely more affordable than the A72.
- Casual Users: Those who do not require high-end performance for gaming or intensive tasks, but want a good, functional phone.
- Selfie Camera Users: Users who like to take selfies in low-light and want a wider aperture lens for that.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality and smooth performance? If display and performance are key, the A72 is the better choice with its superior AMOLED display, higher refresh rate, and more powerful processor.
- How important is charging speed? If quick charging is a priority, the Nova 8i is the better choice with its 66W fast charging.
- What type of photography do you need? The A72's telephoto lens, OIS, and higher-quality video recording make it better for overall photography needs, whereas the Nova 8i's is more suitable for low-light selfies.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent traveler who needs great media viewing experience: Choose the A72 for its superior display, audio, and battery life, which is ideal for consuming content on the go.
- Scenario 2: A casual user who wants a reliable phone with quick charging: Choose the Nova 8i because it offers faster charging and basic functionality at a potentially lower price.
- Scenario 3: User who does some photography and video shooting: Choose the A72 with it's better overall camera system, OIS, optical zoom, and higher quality 4k video.
My Choice:
Based on the analysis, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A72. While the Huawei nova 8i has the advantage of significantly faster charging and potentially a lower price point, the A72 offers a much better overall experience in key areas: The superior AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate makes a noticeable difference in daily use, and the more powerful chipset translates to smoother performance and gaming. The enhanced camera system on the A72, including optical zoom and OIS, also delivers higher-quality photos and videos. Given that I use my phone for media consumption, light photography and would like a phone with a better display, the Galaxy A72 is the better option for me. The faster charging of the Huawei nova 8i is good, but not a major priority for my use case.
