1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A72 and Huawei nova 9, focusing on real-world implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Huawei nova 9 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm | 160 x 73.7 x 7.8 mm | A72 is larger and bulkier, Nova 9 is more compact and easier to handle with one hand. |
| Weight | 203g | 175g | Nova 9 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and easier to carry. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Huawei nova 9 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.57" | A72 offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and multi-tasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both are very sharp, differences are negligible. |
| PPI | 394 | 392 | Both offer similar pixel density; both screens will appear equally sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both provide vibrant colors and deep blacks. Display quality is very similar. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Nova 9 offers smoother scrolling and animations, which can be more pleasing and feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | A72 is significantly brighter, providing better visibility in direct sunlight; nova 9 has missing information. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Huawei nova 9 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | Nova 9 has a newer, more powerful chip; it provides better performance in gaming and demanding applications. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 578,555 | Nova 9 offers much better performance, it is faster in loading apps, multitasking and is better for gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 642L | Nova 9's GPU is significantly more powerful and will handle graphically intensive tasks much better. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Huawei nova 9 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4300mAh | A72 has a larger battery, likely resulting in longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Nova 9 charges significantly faster, getting you back up and running much quicker. |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | Both are non-removable. Li-Polymer can be lighter, but otherwise performance is similar. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Huawei nova 9 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP (f/1.8, 0.80µm pixel size) | 50MP (f/1.9, 1.00µm pixel size, 1/1.56" sensor, Sony IMX766) | A72 has higher resolution; Nova 9 has a larger sensor which is generally better for low light performance, better pixel size. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 8MP (f/2.4, 1.00µm pixel size, 1/4.4" sensor, Omnivision OV08A10) | None | A72 has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed and portrait shots; Nova 9 lacks a dedicated telephoto. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP (f/2.2, 0.80µm pixel size) | 32MP (f/2.0, pixel size - data missing) | Nova 9 has a wider aperture for better low-light selfies, pixel size missing. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP (f/2.2, 1.12µm pixel size) | 8MP (f/2.2, pixel size - data missing) | A72 has a higher resolution wide-angle for better detail, pixel size for Nova 9 is missing. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | None | 2MP (f/2.4, pixel size - data missing) | Nova 9 includes a dedicated depth sensor to improve bokeh, pixel size missing. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP (f/2.4, 1.12µm pixel size) | 2MP (f/2.4, pixel size - data missing) | A72 has higher resolution macro camera; Nova 9 has less detailed macro shots, pixel size missing for nova 9. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@30/60fps with EIS; Slow-motion: 120fps | 720p@960fps with EIS; Slow-motion: 30fps | A72 supports 4K video recording for higher quality videos, better fps and better slow motion. Nova 9 has higher fps for slo-mo but at 720p. |
| DXOMark | Mobile (92), Photo (100), Video (78) | Not available | A72's camera has been professionally tested with good scores; nova 9 doesn't have a score to compare. |
| Features | OIS, Optical zoom, Manual focus, Night mode | 4K video, CDAF | A72 has features focused on image quality; nova 9 on video quality. |
Software |Feature| Samsung Galaxy A72 | Huawei nova 9 | Practical Impact| |---|---|---|---| |OS| Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Unknown | A72 offers a more updated and well known OS; Huawei software is unknown. |
Connectivity | Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Huawei nova 9 | Practical Impact| |---|---|---|---| |WiFi| Wi-Fi 5| Wi-Fi 6| Wi-Fi 6 provides better connection speed; both have Dual band, Hotspot, Direct and Display features.| |Bluetooth| Bluetooth 5.0| Bluetooth 5.2| Both have A2DP; Huawei has EDR and SBC, Samsung has AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, MAP, PAN, OPP, PBAP/PAB, HOGP; different connectivity profiles are available. | |GPS| GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo| GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo| Both phones share: GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo; Huawei nova 9 has: QZSS for more precise location. | |SIM| Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM)|Dual SIM Dual Standby (Micro SIM + Nano SIM)| Dual SIM support for both phones; Different SIM card slots are available.|
Storage |Feature| Samsung Galaxy A72 | Huawei nova 9 | Practical Impact| |---|---|---|---| |Internal| 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Similar storage options for both phones.| |RAM|6GB/8GB | 8GB| Nova 9 has a consistent 8 GB of ram.| |Expandable| No | No| Neither phone has expandable storage option|
Audio |Feature| Samsung Galaxy A72 | Huawei nova 9 | Practical Impact| |---|---|---|---| |Quality| Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers| Basic Audio | Samsung has a more immersive sound experience.|
Security |Feature| Samsung Galaxy A72 | Huawei nova 9 | Practical Impact| |---|---|---|---| |Features| Basic fingerprint sensor| Basic fingerprint sensor| Basic biometric security for both.|
Build Quality |Feature| Samsung Galaxy A72 | Huawei nova 9 | Practical Impact| |---|---|---|---| |Protection| Unknown | Unknown | No clear advantage on either phones screen protection. |
Sensors |Feature| Samsung Galaxy A72 | Huawei nova 9 | Practical Impact| |---|---|---|---| |Sensors| Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic| Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity| Both include a comprehensive sensor suite for advanced features and gaming; slight differences in sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Larger Display: Slightly bigger screen for enhanced media consumption.
- Higher Brightness: Significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight (800 nits vs unknown).
- Larger Battery: Longer battery life due to higher capacity.
- Telephoto Camera: Offers an additional telephoto lens, allowing for better zoomed shots and portrait mode, with OIS.
- Better Video Recording: Capable of recording in 4K, making it a better choice for higher quality video recording. Better video stabilization.
- More Audio Features: Better sound quality with Dolby Atmos and Stereo Speakers.
- More Bluetooth Profile Support: Offers a wider range of Bluetooth connectivity options.
- Tested Camera Quality: Camera quality has been tested with positive DXOMark scores.
- More Detailed Sensors: Has a hall and geomagnetic sensor.
- More known OS: Has a known OS with android 11 upgredable to android 12.
Huawei nova 9 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and carry, more comfortable for extended use.
- Faster Performance: Significantly faster CPU and GPU, resulting in smoother performance in gaming and demanding applications.
- Faster Charging: Charges much faster, which is useful for people who need quick power-ups.
- Newer WiFi Standard: Faster speeds, lower latency, and better performance in crowded areas with WiFi 6.
- Newer Bluetooth Standard: More modern bluetooth connection.
- Better Main Camera Sensor: Larger sensor is typically better for low-light photography.
- More Precise GPS: Has QZSS support for more accurate location.
- Depth Camera: A dedicated depth camera for better portrait mode photos.
- Gravity Sensor: Extra sensor for gaming and motion related tasks.
Trade-offs:
- The A72 sacrifices performance for a larger battery and better screen brightness.
- The nova 9 sacrifices some battery capacity and camera features for much higher processing power and faster charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal User:
- Media Enthusiasts: Those who consume a lot of video content and appreciate the larger screen and high brightness for outdoor viewing.
- Photography Lovers: Users who prioritize optical zoom, OIS, and a versatile camera system, including a telephoto lens.
- Battery Life Focused: Users who need a phone that can last all day without needing a recharge.
- Android users: Users who prefer the familiar android user experience.
Audio Enthusiasts: Users who enjoy good audio quality and sound immersion.
Use Cases:
- Watching videos and movies on-the-go.
- Taking photos in diverse conditions, using optical zoom.
- Long travel days where battery life is a priority.
- Good quality Audio while listening to music and videos.
Huawei nova 9 Ideal User:
- Gamers and Power Users: Those who prioritize fast performance and smooth multitasking.
- Fast-Paced Lifestyle: Users who need quick charging capabilities.
- Lightweight Phone Preference: Those who prefer a smaller, lighter device for easier handling.
- Low Light Photographers: Those who want the best possible low light photo experience from the main camera.
Tech Enthusiasts: Those who like the newest standards, with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive mobile games.
- Quickly charging between meetings.
- Comfortable one-handed use for on-the-go tasks.
- Good performance while using many demanding applications.
- More accurate GPS tracking.
Price-to-Value Ratio: It's essential to research current pricing for both devices in your region, as this can significantly impact the perceived value. Both phones offer a great experience for the price, depending on the users needs.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Do you prioritize battery life and screen brightness, or raw performance and charging speed?
- Is having an optical zoom and a versatile camera system important, or is low-light performance with a larger main camera sensor your priority?
- Do you prefer a larger, bulkier phone or a compact, lightweight one?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Outdoor Enthusiast/Traveler
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A72. The larger screen, higher brightness, and larger battery will be more suitable for travel and outdoor use with better photo quality.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer/Power User
- Recommendation: Huawei nova 9. The stronger CPU and GPU, along with fast charging will be more suitable for demanding applications.
- Scenario 3: Casual User/Everyday Tasks
- Recommendation: This decision depends more on the user's preference. if you don't need the extra performance choose the Samsung Galaxy A72, otherwise choose the Huawei nova 9.
- Scenario 4: Photo Enthusiast
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A72; the telephoto lens gives more diversity in photo possibilities, along with OIS; the A72 also comes with a much better DXOMark score.
What I would choose and Why!
If I were to choose, I would choose the Huawei nova 9. While the Samsung Galaxy A72 has some nice features like the larger and brighter display, better audio, and optical zoom, the performance difference between the two phones is substantial. As a user, I prioritize speed and responsiveness over having a larger screen and the need to charge my phone every day is not a problem for me, making faster charging a huge plus. The newer and more powerful chipset of the nova 9 would provide a much smoother user experience for everyday tasks, including gaming, which I enjoy. The slight benefits in low light photography, also push me more towards this device. The smaller, lighter and sleeker design of the nova 9 is also preferrable to me.
