1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Nokia G21 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 164.6 × 75.9 × 8.5 mm | A72 is slightly wider by 1.5 mm, might be noticeable in hand. |
| Weight | 203g | 190g | Nokia G21 is 13g lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.5" | A72 has a slightly larger display, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | A72 has a much sharper and detailed display, better for reading, viewing photos, and videos. |
| Pixel Density | 394 PPI | 270 PPI | A72's higher pixel density leads to a clearer and crisper visual experience. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | A72 has more vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency, especially with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | A72 screen is significantly brighter, making it far more usable in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm) | Unisoc T606 (12nm) | A72's chipset is more powerful and efficient, providing a smoother overall experience. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 253,300 | A72 has a higher benchmark score, indicating better performance in demanding tasks like gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G57 MP1 | A72 has better graphics performance, which is important for gaming and graphic-intensive apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5050mAh | Both have similar battery capacity; expect comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | A72 charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Charger Included | 15W Fast Charger | 10W Charger | A72 gets a faster charger out of the box. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 50MP | A72's primary camera captures more detail, potentially resulting in better photo quality in good light. |
| Standard Sensor Size/Pixel Size | 0.80 µm pixel size | 1/2.76", 0.64 µm pixel size | A72 has larger pixels for better low light performance |
| Telephoto Camera | 8MP | None | A72 has a dedicated telephoto camera, enabling optical zoom for better zoomed photos. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12MP | None | A72 has a dedicated wide-angle camera, allowing for broader field of view in photos. |
| Portrait Mode Camera | None | 2MP | G21 has a dedicated depth sensor which might allow for better portrait separation. |
| Macro Camera | 5MP | 2MP | A72 captures higher resolution macro shots. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 32MP | 8MP | A72 captures significantly more detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.0 | G21 might have slightly better low light performance due to wider aperture |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps | 1080p@30fps | A72 records higher resolution video (4K), producing sharper videos. |
| Stabilization | EIS | None | A72 has EIS for smoother video |
| DxOMark Score | Main: 92 (Photo: 100, Video: 78) | None | A72 has a better quality camera |
| Software | |||
| OS (Launch) | Android 11 | Android 11 | Both launched with the same OS |
| Max OS Version | Android 12 | Android 13 | Nokia G21 gets an update to a newer Android version |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | 802.11n 5GHz | A72 supports newer WiFi standard, offering faster speeds and better performance |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 LE | A72 has more Bluetooth profiles, potentially better compatibility with various devices. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 64GB/128GB | A72 offers more internal storage, useful for large files and apps. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 4GB/6GB | A72 with more RAM (8GB) is better for multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | 2 microphones | A72 offers enhanced sound quality with stereo speakers, ideal for media consumption. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-mounted | G21's side-mounted sensor is usually more convenient. |
| Other | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Accelerometer | A72 has more sensors that can be used in different apps. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with higher resolution, pixel density, and brightness offering significantly better visual experience, especially outdoors.
- Better Performance: More powerful Snapdragon chipset and GPU resulting in smoother multitasking, gaming, and overall usage.
- Advanced Camera System: Offers a versatile camera setup including telephoto, wide-angle, and higher resolution sensors for photos and 4K video recording.
- Faster Charging: 25W fast charging compared to 18W on the Nokia G21.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos for a more immersive sound experience.
Nokia G21 Advantages:
- Lighter Design: Slightly lighter making it more comfortable to hold for longer periods.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Often considered more convenient than a basic fingerprint sensor.
- Potentially longer software support: Up to Android 13 while A72 maxes out at Android 12
- Slightly cheaper Price: Nokia G21 is typically more affordable.
- Wider Selfie Aperture: Slightly better low-light selfie performance
- Depth Sensor: Dedicated camera for depth information might provide better portrait photos
Trade-offs:
- Samsung A72: Offers much better specs in almost all aspects, but might come at a higher price point. Its size may be large for some.
- Nokia G21: Provides a more affordable experience but compromises on display quality, performance, and camera capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal User:
- Media Enthusiasts: Users who consume a lot of videos, movies, and play games, and want a large, high-quality display.
- Photography Lovers: Users who need a versatile camera system for various shooting scenarios, especially with telephoto and wide-angle capabilities.
- Power Users: Users who multitask heavily, require smooth performance for demanding apps, and appreciate a vibrant screen and fast charging.
- Outdoor Users: Users who often use their phone in bright sunlight and need good screen visibility.
Specific Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Watching HDR content on its AMOLED display.
- Playing graphically intensive mobile games.
- Capturing high-quality 4K videos and diverse photos.
- Navigating in bright daylight with good screen visibility.
- Multitasking with demanding apps.
Nokia G21 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users who prioritize affordability and value over top-tier specifications.
- Casual Users: Users who primarily use their phone for basic tasks, such as calling, texting, social media, and light browsing.
- Users who value lightweight phones: Those who prefer lighter devices.
- Users who value long lasting software updates Those who want the phone to be up to date for longer.
Specific Use Cases for Nokia G21:
- Everyday tasks like calling, texting, and browsing social media.
- Basic photography and capturing occasional photos.
- Users who need a lightweight device that's easier to handle.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend?
- Primary Use: What will you use the phone for most often (media, photography, gaming, basic use)?
- Display Preference: Do you value a high-quality display with vibrant colors and high brightness?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Prioritizing Performance & Display:
- If you want the best possible display and performance for media consumption and gaming, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is the better choice, despite the higher cost.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious, Basic Use:
- If your budget is a major concern and you mostly do basic tasks, the Nokia G21 will be a suitable and more affordable option.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Usage & Camera Importance:
- If you want a phone with a versatile camera and good performance, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is better because of the extra camera lenses.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy A72. Despite its potentially higher price and heavier weight, the superior display quality, significantly better performance, and the much more versatile camera system are compelling. I would prefer the AMOLED display's vibrant colours and deeper blacks, especially when watching videos and using the phone outside. The better overall performance, especially the faster charging speeds, along with better audio quality are also important to me. While the Nokia G21 is a solid option for a budget user, I value the significantly improved user experience that the Samsung Galaxy A72 offers.
