1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Nokia C32 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 164.6 × 75.9 × 8.6 mm | A72 is slightly larger and wider, C32 is slightly thicker. Minor differences, similar in-hand feel. |
| Weight | 203g | 199.4g | Negligible weight difference; both feel similar in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.5" | A72 has a larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | A72 provides much sharper visuals and clearer text. C32 display will appear noticeably less detailed. |
| PPI | 394 | 270 | A72 has a sharper, clearer display; C32 pixel density will result in less detailed visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | A72 has superior blacks, contrast, and more vibrant colors. Better viewing angles, and more power efficient for dark themes. C32 display will appear less vibrant. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 60Hz | A72 feels smoother in animations and scrolling. C32 display will feel less fluid. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | A72 has superior outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. Nokia C32 brightness is not specified but will be inferior. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm) | Unisoc SC9863A1 (22nm) | A72 has a significantly more powerful and efficient chipset. A72 will handle demanding tasks better. C32 may struggle with intensive apps. |
| Antutu Score | 285,000 | 109,200 | A72 offers significantly faster performance (161% higher score). A72 performs better for multitasking and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | IMG8322 | A72 offers better graphics performance for gaming and GPU-intensive apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same battery capacity, suggesting similar battery endurance. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 10W Fast Charging | A72 charges significantly faster. C32 will take much longer to charge. |
| Charger Features | 15W Fast Charger included | Non-removable | A72 includes a fast charger which C32 doesn't. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP f/1.8 | 50MP | A72 captures more detailed photos with a higher resolution sensor. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 8MP f/2.4 (OV08A10) | None | A72 offers optical zoom and better portrait shots. C32 lacks telephoto/portrait lens. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP f/2.2 | 8MP f/2.2 | A72 captures much higher resolution selfies. |
| Wide Angle lens | 12MP f/2.2 | None | A72 captures a wider field of view for landscapes or group photos. C32 lacks a dedicated wide angle lens. |
| Macro lens | 5MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | A72 captures more detailed macro shots. C32's macro lens is less detailed. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps EIS | 1080p@30fps | A72 records higher quality video with smoother frame rates and stabilization. |
| DXOMark | 92 (Mobile), 100(Photo), 78 (Video) | - | A72 has a more capable camera system with a better score compared to a non-tested Nokia C32. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Quad, Night Mode | Dual, Front Flash | A72 offers superior image stabilization, more versatile camera setup, better for low-light photography, while C32 has a flash on the front camera. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 12) | Android 13 | C32 has a newer version of Android. C32 is up to date, while A72 might have limited software update support |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac, Dual-band | 802.11n | A72 has faster and more reliable Wi-Fi, with wider range and more features. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, Multiple Profiles | 4.2 LE | A72 has more modern and feature-rich Bluetooth. C32 uses older, more basic version. |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | A72 has a more accurate positioning system due to Beidou support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both have dual SIM support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 64GB/128GB | A72 offers larger storage options, allowing for more apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 3GB/4GB | A72 offers smoother multitasking and better performance with more RAM. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio features | A72 offers more immersive and higher quality sound. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Nokia C32 has a more modern side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both use similar but unspecified screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer | A72 has a more comprehensive set of sensors enabling more features and functionality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with higher resolution, brightness, refresh rate. This results in a significantly better viewing experience with vibrant colors, sharp images and smooth animations.
- Higher Performance: More powerful processor and GPU. This translates to snappier performance in daily use, better multitasking, and smoother gaming experience.
- More Versatile Camera: Better photo and video capabilities with more features including telephoto, ultrawide, and OIS. This results in higher quality, more versatile photography experience.
- Faster Charging: Faster 25W charging. Significantly less time to charge the phone.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos. This results in a more immersive audio experience.
- More RAM and Storage: More options in both RAM and Storage, with a maximum of 8GB and 256GB respectively. This allows for smoother multitasking and more space for files.
Nokia C32 Advantages:
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 13 out of the box. This guarantees the latest features and security patches.
- Side-Mounted fingerprint sensor: A more modern fingerprint sensor integrated in the side button.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy A72: More expensive, and older OS.
- Nokia C32: Significantly inferior performance, display, and camera capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize a superior display, performance, and camera experience.
- Use Cases:
- Media consumption (streaming videos, browsing, social media)
- Mobile gaming
- Photography enthusiasts who need versatile cameras
- Users who multitask heavily
- Users who need excellent display visibility in bright sunlight
Nokia C32:
- Ideal User: Users looking for a basic smartphone experience with a newer OS on a budget.
- Use Cases:
- Basic smartphone tasks like calls, messaging, and simple browsing
- Users who need good battery life
- First-time smartphone users
- Users with budget constraints
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The A72 is likely to be more expensive, while the C32 is on the budget-friendly side.
- How important is performance and camera quality? The A72 has superior performance, camera quality, and advanced features.
- How important is display quality for me? The A72 has a superior display, making it better for media and gaming.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Prioritizing Performance and Camera Quality: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72. It provides a significantly better all-around experience, specifically for display quality, camera, performance and multitasking.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious User: Choose the Nokia C32. This is a basic smartphone with a newer OS, but has significant trade-offs.
- Scenario 3: Balancing Affordability and Performance: The Samsung Galaxy A72 is a better choice if budget allows, but the Nokia C32 will work for basic smartphone tasks.
My Choice
Given the choice, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A72. While it is an older device and possibly more expensive, the superior display, processing power, camera system, and overall user experience justify the choice. I am willing to make a compromise in the OS (Android 12) for the significant advantages in other areas, such as having a much better camera, display and overall experience. The much more powerful processor, higher quality display, and much better camera make it a far superior choice for my typical usage scenarios. For anyone that spends significant time using their phone for media, gaming or photography, the A72 is a much better option. Although the Nokia C32 has a newer OS, this is outweighed by the A72's significant improvements in the most important areas. The Nokia C32 is only appropriate for those with a very low budget.
