Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A72 vs. Motorola Razr 50
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the two phones, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Motorola Razr 50 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Motorola Razr 50 offers a unique foldable design, allowing a larger screen in a more pocketable form. Samsung is a traditional slab phone. |
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 171.3 × 74 × 7.3 mm | Motorola Razr 50 is taller but narrower and thinner when unfolded. Samsung has a larger overall volume. Foldable design impacts how the device feels and is used. |
| Weight | 203g | 188.4g | Motorola Razr 50 is slightly lighter, which might be noticeable during extended holding. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Motorola Razr 50 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.9" | Motorola Razr 50 has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2640 | Motorola Razr 50 has moderately higher resolution, resulting in slightly sharper visuals. |
| PPI | 394 | 413 | Both have very similar pixel density, so the difference in sharpness is minimal. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unknown | Samsung Galaxy A72’s AMOLED offers better contrast, true blacks, and vibrant colors. Motorola Razr 50 display tech is unknown, its contrast and vibrancy are unknown. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Motorola Razr 50 provides smoother animations and scrolling, especially noticeable in gaming or fast-paced apps. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 3000 nits | Motorola Razr 50 provides superior outdoor visibility under bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Motorola Razr 50 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7300X (4 nm) | Motorola Razr 50 uses a more modern chipset with a smaller process, offering better efficiency and performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 620,395 | Motorola Razr 50 is significantly faster in daily tasks, multitasking, and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G615 MC2 | Motorola Razr 50's GPU is better suited for demanding graphics applications, like gaming |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Motorola Razr 50 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Lens | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80 µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 0.70 µm | Samsung Galaxy A72 has higher megapixel count which can capture more detail. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Lens | 8MP, f/2.4, 1.00 µm | None | Samsung Galaxy A72 has a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom and portrait shots. |
| Selfie Lens | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80 µm | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.70 µm | Samsung Galaxy A72 has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm | 13MP, f/2.2, Unknown µm | Motorola Razr 50's slightly higher resolution wide-angle lens might capture more detail, but we lack pixel size info. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12 µm | None | Samsung Galaxy A72 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS | Both offer similar video recording, featuring electronic image stabilization (EIS). |
| DxOMark Score (Mobile) | Main: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | Main: 92, Photo: 0, Video: 0 | Samsung Galaxy A72 has significantly better photo and video performance, while the Motorola Razr 50 lacks score on those tests. |
| Features | Optical zoom, Quadruple camera, HDR | Time-Lapse, Dual camera, Ultra stable video | Samsung Galaxy A72 focuses on versatile zoom capabilities. Motorola Razr 50 focuses on video and stabilization. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Motorola Razr 50 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4200mAh | Samsung Galaxy A72 likely offers longer battery life due to its larger capacity. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Motorola Razr 50 charges slightly faster than the A72. |
| Features | 15W Fast Charger included | 15W Wireless charging, Reverse charging | Motorola Razr 50 offers wireless charging and reverse charging capabilities for convenience. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery provides potentially longer usage times between charges.
- More Versatile Camera System: Offers a telephoto lens for zoom and a dedicated macro lens.
- Superior Camera Scores: Higher photo and video DXOMark scores indicate better image quality.
- Known Display Quality: AMOLED display is known for its superior colors and contrast.
Motorola Razr 50 Advantages
- Foldable Design: Enables a larger screen in a compact form factor.
- Newer, More Powerful Chipset: The Dimensity 7300X provides substantially better performance in benchmarks and real-world use.
- Significantly Brighter Display: 3000 nits of brightness allows for better outdoor visibility.
- Higher Display Refresh Rate: 120Hz offers smoother scrolling and animation, especially good for gaming.
- Faster Charging: 30W charging means less time waiting for the phone to charge.
- Wireless and Reverse Charging: Enhanced charging convenience compared to the A72.
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 14, while A72 is capped at Android 12.
- Newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Standards: Supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for faster and more efficient connectivity.
Trade-offs
- Samsung Galaxy A72: The phone has a less powerful chipset, an older Android version, and a non-foldable design, making it feel dated compared to the Motorola Razr 50.
- Motorola Razr 50: The phone has a smaller battery and lacks the versatile camera zoom options that the A72 has, in addition to unknown display tech.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize battery life, versatile camera features (telephoto, macro), and the trusted AMOLED screen for a budget-friendly price.
- Use Cases:
- Long days of use without needing to recharge frequently.
- Photography enthusiasts who need various shooting modes and zoom.
- Users who prefer the familiarity of traditional phone design.
- Users who don't require the absolute latest hardware or software.
- Price-to-Value: Offers good value, especially if a new foldable or newer chipset is not a necessity.
Motorola Razr 50
- Ideal User: Tech-savvy users who desire a foldable device, prioritize performance and display quality, and want a device with future-proof connectivity.
- Use Cases:
- Users who want a unique and compact device with a larger screen experience.
- Gamers and heavy app users who need a powerful processor.
- Users who need maximum screen brightness for outdoor use.
- Users who want the latest software and connectivity features.
- Price-to-Value: A more premium device with a higher price point, but worth the investment for the premium foldable experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize battery life or a foldable design? If battery life is crucial, the A72 is better; for a foldable design, the Razr 50 is the way to go.
- Do you need a telephoto/macro lens or prefer the highest possible performance? The A72 offers more camera versatility while the Razr 50 focuses on performance and a smoother experience.
- Is a modern OS, future-proof connectivity, and high brightness important? The Razr 50 will offer these while the A72 will lack them.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Casual User: If you need a solid all-rounder and a lower price, the Samsung Galaxy A72 still performs adequately.
- For the Power User: If you need a high-performance device with future-proof features, and a folding form factor, the Motorola Razr 50 is a clear choice.
- For the Photographer: If camera versatility is a main priority, the Samsung Galaxy A72 should be considered despite its older chipset.
- For the Outdoor User: The Motorola Razr 50 is much better suited for outdoor visibility thanks to its incredible screen brightness.
My Choice and Explanation
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Motorola Razr 50.
Reasoning:
While the Samsung A72 has a larger battery, a more versatile camera setup, and a proven AMOLED screen, the Motorola Razr 50 offers significant advantages in areas that are more important to me. The foldable form factor is a unique feature that is exciting, and the performance difference is significant due to the newer and more efficient chipset. The massive difference in screen brightness makes the Motorola Razr 50 much better suited for my needs.
Additionally, the Razr 50 has a newer operating system, faster charging, and more advanced connectivity options. These are all important factors that contribute to a more future-proof and overall better user experience. While I would miss the telephoto and macro lenses of the A72, the overall package that the Razr 50 provides is more compelling to me.
Finally, while the Motorola is the more expensive option, I believe the price is justified based on the premium features it offers, such as the foldable design, performance and the high brightness screen.
