1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Huawei Pura 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 157.6 × 74.3 × 8 mm | Pura 70 is more compact, easier to handle, A72 is bulkier. |
| Weight | 203g | 207g | Both have similar weight, no significant difference in feel. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Huawei Pura 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | A72 has slightly larger screen, Pura 70 is a bit more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1256x2760 | Pura 70's display is significantly sharper, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| PPI | 394 | 460 | Pura 70's higher pixel density means a more crisp viewing experience. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, similar viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Pura 70 offers smoother scrolling and animations for a more fluid user interface. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 2500 nits | Pura 70 is much better in bright sunlight, content is easily visible even in direct light. A72 may struggle in bright outdoor conditions. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Huawei Pura 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Kirin 9000S1 | Pura 70 has a much more powerful processor, faster app launches and better multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 768,000 | Pura 70 offers significantly better performance for demanding apps and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Maleoon 910 | Pura 70 has a more powerful GPU, better for gaming and graphically intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Huawei Pura 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera Resolution | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80 µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.3", 1.20 µm pixel size | Pura 70 has larger sensor, larger pixel size and wider aperture, better low-light performance and image quality |
| Telephoto + portrait | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.00 µm pixel size | N/A | A72 has a dedicated telephoto and portrait lens, good for zoomed photos. Pura 70 lacks this specific hardware. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80 µm pixel size | 13MP, f/2.4, pixel size | A72 has higher resolution front camera for detailed selfies, while Pura 70 has a smaller aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 12MP, f/3.4, pixel size | Pura 70 has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed photos. A72 lacks this. |
| Wide Angle lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size | 13MP, f/2.2, pixel size | Both have similar wide-angle cameras with virtually identical aperture. Pura 70 has 1MP extra. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12 µm pixel size | N/A | A72 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. Pura 70 lacks a dedicated macro camera. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@30/60fps with EIS; 120fps Slow-mo | 4K, 960 fps Slow-mo | A72 has 4k recording capability, Pura 70 offers much better slow motion at 960fps. Both have video stabilization. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Huawei Pura 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4900mAh | Similar battery capacity, expected to offer similar battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 65W fast charging | Pura 70 charges much faster, resulting in less time plugged in, more convenient for people on the go. |
| Features | 15W Fast Charger included, Non-removable | Reverse charging, 50W wireless charging, 7.5W reverse wireless, Non-removable | Pura 70 has more advanced charging features. |
Storage and RAM
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Huawei Pura 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 256GB, 512GB or 1024GB | Pura 70 offers more storage options, accommodating more apps and media. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 12GB | Pura 70 has more RAM, better for multitasking and demanding apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Huawei Pura 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Dual-band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, Wi-Fi MiMO | Pura 70 has the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard, resulting in faster speeds and better performance in congested environments. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, MAP, PAN, OPP, PBAP/PAB, HOGP | 5.2, A2DP, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Pura 70 has a newer version of Bluetooth for better battery performance and audio codec support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5), Galileo (E1+E5a+E5b) | Pura 70 has better location accuracy in diverse conditions due to more satelite support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | Both support dual SIM, convenient for users with multiple phone numbers. |
Software and Other Features
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Huawei Pura 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 12) | Different OS, A72 is on Android, Pura 70 details are missing | |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Both offer enhanced audio with stereo speakers for immersive listening experience. |
| Security | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer basic biometric security with fingerprint sensors |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity, RGB | Pura 70 has more advanced sensor suite for a richer feature set. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Telephoto + Portrait & Macro Lenses: Offers more camera versatility with dedicated lenses for zoom and macro photography.
- Higher resolution front camera: Better for high resolution selfies.
- Wider range of Bluetooth codecs: Offers wider range of connectivity profiles.
- Established Android Ecosystem: Benefits from Google services and the vast Android app ecosystem.
Practical Implications for A72:
- Users who take many portraits and close-up macro photos will find the A72 more convenient.
- Users deeply embedded in the Android ecosystem will benefit from a familiar experience.
- The higher resolution front camera provides crisp selfies.
Huawei Pura 70 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster chipset and GPU for demanding apps and games.
- Significantly Brighter Display: Much better outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: Smoother scrolling and animations.
- Better Main Camera: Larger sensor, larger pixels and wider aperture for better low light and overall image quality.
- Faster Charging: 65W charging speeds and wireless charging for faster turnaround and on-the-go charging.
- More RAM and Storage: Large internal memory for storing more media and better multitasking.
- More advanced connectivity: Faster Wi-Fi and newer Bluetooth versions.
- Better GPS system: More reliable GPS with more satelitte systems.
- Better Slow-mo camera: Much higher slow-motion frame rates (960fps)
- Ultra stable video
Practical Implications for Pura 70:
- Users who prioritize performance, gaming, and outdoor visibility will find the Pura 70 to be far superior.
- Users who want fast charging will prefer Pura 70's faster wired and wireless charging.
- Photographers seeking high low-light camera quality will benefit from larger sensors and pixel sizes.
Trade-offs:
- A72 provides better versatility with macro and telephoto cameras but has worse low light image performance than Pura 70.
- Pura 70 has much better performance and battery charging, but lacks the Android ecosystem.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Budget-conscious users: Seeking a balance of features and price.
- Casual photographers: Who enjoy diverse shooting options with telephoto, portrait, and macro cameras
- Established Android Users: Who are comfortable with Google services.
- Users who make lots of selfies: The higher resolution front camera provides a better selfie experience.
Use Cases where Samsung Galaxy A72 excels:
- General day-to-day use, social media, casual photography.
- Users who don't require the highest performance.
- People who prefer the Android OS.
Ideal Users for Huawei Pura 70:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Gamers and users of demanding applications.
- Outdoor Users: Those who require a bright, easily visible display in direct sunlight.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Who prioritize low-light image quality and fast charging.
- Users who need a lot of storage space.
- Those looking for more advanced connectivity.
Use Cases where Huawei Pura 70 excels:
- Mobile gaming and resource intensive tasks.
- Taking photos in low-light conditions.
- Outdoor use in sunny environments.
- Frequent travelers needing fast charging.
- Users requiring a lot of storage for photos and videos.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance and gaming? If performance is a top priority, the Pura 70 is the clear winner.
- Do you need a bright display for outdoor use? The Pura 70's significantly brighter display is crucial for outdoor visibility.
- How important are versatility in camera lenses and battery charging speed? If versatile cameras, and fast charging are important, both phones are strong options but the Pura 70 has faster charging while the A72 has more lens variety.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer or Power User: Choose the Huawei Pura 70 for its superior performance, graphics, and faster charging.
- Scenario 2: Casual User focused on selfies and basic photography: Choose Samsung Galaxy A72 for its versatile camera system and Google ecosystem integration and higher resolution front camera.
- Scenario 3: Outdoor User in Bright Sunlight: Choose the Huawei Pura 70 for its much brighter display and improved visibility.
- Scenario 4: Budget-Conscious User with Android Preference: Choose Samsung Galaxy A72 as a more affordable option within the Android ecosystem.
- Scenario 5: Users who take many zoomed photos: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72 as it has a dedicated telephoto + portrait lens.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally pick the Huawei Pura 70. While the Samsung Galaxy A72 offers a good set of features and camera versatility, the Pura 70 significantly outperforms it in critical areas that matter to me. The vastly superior processing power, the much brighter display for outdoor visibility, the faster charging speeds, and the better main camera make it the more compelling option. As someone who values performance, image quality, and fast charging, the Pura 70's advantages outweigh the telephoto lens offered by the A72. The Pura 70 provides a better user experience, even though the Android ecosystem can be quite enticing. The better main camera sensor is better for overall image quality, which is a higher priority for me compared to having a macro lens or a dedicated telephoto lens. Therefore, the Pura 70 is the better all-round phone, considering the user-experience benefits and future-proofing it provides.
