1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 163 × 76 × 8 mm | The A72 is slightly larger and thicker, which may be less comfortable for one-handed use. The Edge 20 Pro is more compact and generally easier to hold. |
| Weight | 203g | 190g | The Edge 20 Pro is 13g lighter, which is noticeable during extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Identical screen size, providing similar viewing area for both. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both phones offer the same level of sharpness and clarity. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 394 | 385 | Both displays are similarly sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both provide vibrant colors, deep blacks, and high contrast, with AMOLED generally offering slightly better performance in this regard. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 144Hz | The Edge 20 Pro offers significantly smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in fast-paced games and UI navigation. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | The A72 is much better in bright sunlight due to its higher brightness. The lack of brightness information for the Edge 20 Pro is concerning and suggests a potential limitation in very bright conditions. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | The Snapdragon 870 in the Edge 20 Pro offers far superior performance for demanding tasks like gaming and multitasking; the 720G is adequate for daily usage. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 813,800 | The Edge 20 Pro has significantly higher performance, resulting in faster app loading, smoother gameplay, and improved multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 650 | The Adreno 650 in the Edge 20 Pro provides better graphics performance, leading to smoother gameplay in graphic intensive games. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP, f/1.8 | 108MP, f/1.9 | The Edge 20 Pro's 108MP sensor potentially captures more detail, while the A72's wider aperture might perform slightly better in low light (though sensor size matters more). |
| Telephoto Camera | 8MP, f/2.4 | 8MP, f/3.4 | The A72's telephoto lens offers zoom capabilities but with smaller sensor. The Edge 20 Pro has a slightly narrower aperture for zoom shots. |
| Ultra-Wide Angle Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.2 | The A72 features a dedicated ultra-wide lens for wide shots while the Edge 20 Pro's ultrawide doubles as macro. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | The A72 has a dedicated macro lens for close up shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.3 | The A72 has a slightly wider aperture, potentially leading to better low-light selfies. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@24fps, 4k@60fps | The Edge 20 Pro offers much higher video recording capabilities with 8K option for professional users. |
| Optical Stabilization (OIS) | Yes | No | OIS in the A72 reduces blur from hand shake, especially beneficial for low-light photos and videos. The Edge 20 Pro lacks this feature. |
| Additional Camera Features | Quadruple camera, OIS, PDAF, Night Mode | Triple camera, 4K and 8K video | The A72 has more versatile camera options, While the Edge 20 Pro offers more advanced video capabilities. |
| DXOMark Score | 92 | N/A | This is a significant advantage for the A72, indicating better overall camera performance. The Edge 20 Pro lacks any score. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | The A72's larger battery provides longer usage between charges. |
| Charging | 25W | 30W | The Edge 20 Pro charges slightly faster, though the difference might be minimal in practical terms. |
| Features | 15W Fast Charger included | Reverse charging | The A72 includes a charger, while the Edge 20 Pro offers the ability to charge other devices wirelessly. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Brighter Display: The 800 nits brightness makes it significantly better for outdoor use in sunlight.
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers longer usage between charges, beneficial for heavy users.
- More Versatile Camera System: It has a dedicated telephoto, wide angle and macro lens, along with OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) offering better photo and video quality in low light and zoom capabilities and a higher DXOMark Score.
- Dolby Atmos and Stereo Speakers: Enhanced audio experience with Dolby Atmos support, which is great for media consumption and gaming.
- Included Charger: A 15W fast charger is included in the box.
Motorola Edge 20 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 870 provides a much faster experience for gaming, multitasking, and overall responsiveness.
- Smoother Display: The 144Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations much smoother and more responsive than the 90Hz screen on the A72.
- Advanced Video Recording: 8K video recording capability is a notable advantage for those who need high-resolution video.
- Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.1 offers potentially better connection stability and lower power consumption with compatible devices.
- Reverse Charging: Ability to charge other devices wirelessly adds convenience.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides better protection against scratches and impacts compared to the A72's unknown screen protection.
Trade-offs:
- A72: Sacrifices performance and screen smoothness for better battery life, camera versatility, and a brighter display.
- Edge 20 Pro: Trades some battery life, camera versatility and low light performance, and outdoor visibility for much better performance and display smoothness and also lacks a dedicated macro lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal User:
- Everyday Users: People who need a reliable phone with good battery life, a decent camera, and a bright screen for outdoor visibility.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who enjoy watching videos, listening to music, and consuming content on their phone, benefiting from Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value a versatile camera system with optical image stabilization for photos and videos, but not necessarily professional video recording.
Users who prefer OIS: The presence of OIS for a smoother photo and video experience can be crucial for some users.
Use Cases:
- Daily browsing, social media, and communication.
- Outdoor use in bright sunlight.
- Casual photography and videography.
- Enjoying media consumption on the phone speakers.
Motorola Edge 20 Pro Ideal User:
- Gamers: Users who prioritize high performance and smooth graphics for gaming.
- Power Users: Those who multitask frequently and require fast app loading and responsiveness.
- Video Creators: Individuals who need 8K video recording and advanced video capabilities.
- Users who prioritize a modern feel: Users who appreciate a modern user experience and the smooth animations offered by a 144hz refresh rate.
Users who want the latest technology: Those who want the latest generation of bluetooth 5.1
Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming.
- Heavy multitasking and app usage.
- High-resolution video recording.
- Seamless and fast UI navigation.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? Is it gaming, content creation, or everyday use?
- How important is camera quality? Do you need a versatile camera with OIS, or high-resolution video recording?
- How important is outdoor visibility and screen smoothness? Do you need a bright screen, or a high refresh rate display?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Outdoor enthusiast: If you spend a lot of time outdoors and need a phone you can use in bright sunlight, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is the better choice due to its brighter display.
- Scenario 2: Mobile gamer/power user: If you prioritize performance and want the smoothest possible experience for gaming, the Motorola Edge 20 Pro is the clear winner with its superior chipset and high refresh rate screen.
- Scenario 3: Casual user: If you need a reliable all-around phone with a good camera, battery, and don't do intense gaming or video recording, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is a solid option due to it's versatile cameras.
- Scenario 4: Budget conscious with a good balance of features: If you are on a budget and require a good balance between features, performance and overall usability, the Samsung Galaxy A72 may be the better pick, as it will perform well in many scenarios.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally pick the Motorola Edge 20 Pro. My priority is performance and a smooth user experience, and the Snapdragon 870 chipset with the 144Hz display is far more important to me than a brighter screen or OIS. While the Samsung Galaxy A72 has a more versatile camera system, the Edge 20 Pro's raw power and smoother display would give me the best experience in day-to-day use and gaming. I also value the slightly faster charging and better screen protection that comes with the Edge 20 Pro, although I would be concerned with the missing brightness information.
