1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Motorola Edge 30 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 159.4 × 74.2 × 6.8 mm | A72 is larger and thicker, may feel less comfortable in hand; Edge 30 is more pocketable. |
| Weight | 203g | 155g | Edge 30 is significantly lighter, better for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.5" | A72 offers slightly more screen real estate, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same sharpness; no noticeable difference in detail. |
| PPI | 394 | 405 | Virtually identical pixel density; both displays appear sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 144Hz | Edge 30 provides a significantly smoother experience in scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits (Missing) | A72 is much better for outdoor visibility. Motorola Edge 30 brightness is not available. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | Edge 30 has a much more powerful and efficient chipset, leading to faster performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 609,900 | Edge 30 is significantly faster in benchmarks; noticeable difference in app loading and gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 642L | Edge 30 has a superior GPU that offers a better gaming experience. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1.00µm, 1/1.55" | A72 has higher resolution, but Edge 30 has larger sensor size for better light capture. |
| Telephoto Camera | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.00µm | None | A72 has dedicated telephoto camera for optical zoom, a feature missing in the Edge 30 |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | None | A72 includes a wide angle lens for expansive shots, while Edge 30 lacks this standalone feature |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | None | A72 has dedicated macro lens to capture close-up details |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80µm | 32MP, f/2.25, 0.70µm, 1/3.14" | A72 has a slightly wider aperture for slightly better low light performance; sensor sizes is not the sole determiner of photo quality. |
| Depth Camera | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | Motorola Edge 30 has a depth sensor to help with portrait mode, while Samsung Galaxy A72 doesn't. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 50MP, f/2.2, 0.64µm, 1/2.76" | Motorola Edge 30 has a combined wide-angle and macro camera, Samsung Galaxy A72 has separate lenses |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 4K@30fps with HDR, EIS, slow motion up to 960fps | Both offer 4k recording, Edge 30 offers HDR video and higher slow-motion capabilities. |
| DxOMark | Mobile: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | None | A72 has established benchmark scores while there's no available score for Edge 30. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4020mAh | A72 has a larger battery, likely offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Edge 30 charges faster than the A72 |
| Charger | Included 15W charger | Not specified | A72 comes with a charger included |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 12) | Android 12 (up to 13) | Edge 30 ships with a newer OS and will likely get one more OS upgrade than the A72. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Edge 30 has newer Wi-Fi standards, offering faster speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 LE | Edge 30 offers a more efficient and modern Bluetooth connection |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | Both offer same storage options; user can choose between 128GB and 256GB variants. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 6 GB or 8 GB | Both come in the same RAM options; good for multitasking and gaming |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Both offer good audio; Edge 30 offers enhanced audio experience with 2 microphones for voice recording |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones feature a standard fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Edge 30 has a better display protection. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Edge 30 has a comprehensive sensor suite suitable for advanced features and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery provides potentially longer battery life, ideal for users who need a phone to last all day.
- Telephoto Camera: Dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, which allows users to get closer to the subject without losing image quality, offering a versatile photography experience.
- Wide Angle Lens: Dedicated wide angle lens.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated Macro Lens.
- Brighter Display: At 800 nits, the display is much better for outdoor visibility.
- Established Camera Performance: DxOMark scores provide some context for camera performance
Motorola Edge 30 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 778G+ offers significantly better CPU and GPU performance. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 144Hz refresh rate provides a much smoother and more fluid visual experience, especially noticeable when scrolling and gaming.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging allows the device to charge quicker than A72.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 12 and will likely receive one more major Android update compared to the A72.
- Lighter & Thinner: More comfortable to hold and carry, due to its reduced size and weight.
- Enhanced Audio: Offers enhanced spatial audio with 2 microphones, improving voice capture.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 is better than the unknown screen protection of the A72.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Includes Bluetooth 5.2, offering a more efficient and modern Bluetooth connection.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy A72 prioritizes battery life and camera versatility (with zoom, macro and wide angle lenses) over raw performance.
- The Motorola Edge 30 excels in performance and display smoothness while sacrificing some battery capacity and telephoto capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Casual users who prioritize battery life and screen brightness over top-tier performance.
- Photography enthusiasts who value a versatile camera setup, including optical zoom, a wide-angle lens and macro lens.
- Media consumers who enjoy streaming videos or playing games, as the larger AMOLED screen and stereo speakers enhance the viewing experience.
- Users who spend time outdoors and need a bright screen for visibility in sunlight.
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Long trips or commutes where battery life is crucial.
- Capturing photos and videos in a wide range of scenarios (landscape, portrait, macro, zoom).
- Watching videos, playing casual games, browsing social media, and other media consumption.
- Daily usage in bright outdoor conditions.
Ideal Users for Motorola Edge 30:
- Gamers and power users who need a smooth and responsive experience with demanding games and applications.
- Users who value a lightweight and ergonomic phone.
- Users who want fast charging and are okay with slightly less battery life.
- Those who prefer newer software and features.
Use Cases for Motorola Edge 30:
- Playing graphically intense games, mobile video editing and multitasking between demanding apps.
- Quickly capturing photos and video, focusing on great standard shots and high quality videos.
- Fast-paced multitasking, quickly switching between apps.
- Use cases where device has to be charged regularly.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your priority: battery life, versatile cameras or performance?
- Do you need a bright display for outdoor use?
- How important is a super-smooth display experience?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy mobile gamer and performance seeker - Choose the Motorola Edge 30 for its superior performance, smoother display, and faster charging.
- Scenario 2: Casual user who values all-day battery and outdoor visibility - Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72 for longer battery and brighter display.
- Scenario 3: Photography enthusiast seeking versatile camera options - Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72 for its dedicated telephoto, wide angle, and macro lenses.
- Scenario 4: User who values a lightweight and newer phone with fast charging - Choose the Motorola Edge 30 for its thinner, lighter build and better protection.
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola Edge 30.
While the Samsung Galaxy A72 offers a larger battery and a more versatile camera system with a dedicated telephoto lens, wide-angle lens, and macro lens, the Motorola Edge 30's overall advantages are more compelling for my typical usage. I value a smooth, responsive experience, so the 144Hz refresh rate is a significant plus. The superior processing power of the Snapdragon 778G+ will also make a noticeable difference in daily usage, particularly when gaming or multitasking. The lightweight design of the Edge 30 is an extra bonus, making the phone more comfortable for extended use. While the battery is smaller, the faster charging mitigates this somewhat. The combination of the powerful chipset, high refresh display, and lightweight build makes the Motorola Edge 30 the better phone for me.
