1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Nokia X20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm | 168.9 x 79.7 x 9.1 mm | Nokia X20 is slightly larger and thicker, which might feel less comfortable in hand or pocket. |
| Weight | 203g | 220g | Samsung A72 is lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Very similar viewing area; negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness; both provide detailed images. |
| Pixel Density | 394 PPI | 395 PPI | Similar sharpness and detail, not noticeable to human eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | A72's AMOLED offers deeper blacks, higher contrast, and better battery efficiency, especially with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 60Hz | A72 provides smoother animations and scrolling, resulting in a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | A72's display is significantly brighter and is much more readable under direct sunlight. Note that Nokia X20's brightness is unknown, which is unusual. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 720G | Snapdragon 480 5G | A72’s 720G is a mid-range chipset, X20’s 480 is an entry-level 5G, generally lower performance but more energy efficient. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 323,425 | X20 has slightly higher benchmark score, indicating better overall performance but may not translate to real world feel. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 619 | X20 may have slightly better graphics performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4470mAh | A72 has a larger battery, likely resulting in longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | 18W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | A72 charges faster, allowing users to quickly replenish their batteries. |
| Features | 15W Charger included, Non-removable | Non-removable | A72 includes charger in the box, and offers slightly faster charging rate. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8 | 64MP, f/1.79 | Similar in resolution, but Nokia X20 has a marginally wider aperture for slightly better low light. |
| Telephoto | 8MP, f/2.4, OIS | None | A72 offers a telephoto lens for optical zoom and better portraits. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.0 | X20 has wider aperture, potentially better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP | 5MP | A72 offers a much higher resolution ultrawide lens, capturing more detail in wide shots. |
| Depth Lens | None | 2MP | X20 offers a dedicated depth sensor that should help with bokeh in portraits. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP | A72 has a higher resolution for more detailed macro shots. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, EIS | 1080p@60fps | A72 offers higher resolution video with EIS, while X20 records at lower resolutions with no EIS. |
| DXOMark | Main: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | Not Available | A72 has proven camera performance with a higher overall rating. |
| Camera Features | Extensive set, OIS, PDAF | Standard set | A72 offers additional features like OIS for sharper photos and PDAF for faster focus. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Nokia X20 offers 2 more major OS updates, potentially longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi Display | No Wi-Fi Display | A72 provides extra flexibility for wirelessly casting screen to external displays. |
| Bluetooth | Extensive set | Low Energy Support | A72 offers much better Bluetooth options, X20 offers lower energy usage. |
| GPS | Beidou | No Beidou | A72 offers better accuracy by supporting more satellite navigation systems. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 128GB | A72 offers larger storage options, which can be useful for users with extensive media collections. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 6/8GB | Both have similar RAM, which will be good for multi-tasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | No expandable storage on both devices. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | 2 Microphones | A72 provides a better immersive audio experience for media consumption. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | X20 offers a more conveniently placed and faster fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both use unknown protection against scratches, drops etc. |
| Sensors | Hall, Geomagnetic | Standard set | A72's additional sensors can be beneficial for gaming and some other specific apps. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED screen with 90Hz refresh rate and higher brightness offers a significantly better viewing experience with vibrant colors, deep blacks, smoother animations, and better outdoor visibility.
- Better Camera System: Offers a versatile camera system with a dedicated telephoto lens, higher-resolution ultrawide and macro lenses, as well as OIS and PDAF for sharper and quicker photos, alongside 4K video recording.
- Faster Charging: 25W fast charging allows the user to quickly replenish battery.
- Better Audio: Features Dolby Atmos and Stereo Speakers for a more immersive audio experience.
- Connectivity: Provides Wi-Fi Display and a broader set of bluetooth profiles.
- Navigation: Beidou GPS support for better global navigation.
- Additional Sensors: Hall and geomagnetic sensors for additional functionality
Nokia X20 Advantages:
- Potentially Better Performance: Slightly higher benchmark scores indicate better overall performance.
- Longer Software Support: Promised for longer OS updates, leading to extended software support.
- Selfie Camera: Wider aperture selfie camera for slightly better low-light performance
- Depth Sensor: Dedicated depth sensor which helps with bokeh.
- Fingerprint Sensor Placement: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor provides more convenience.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy A72 trades some performance for a far superior display and a better camera, while the Nokia X20 trades display and camera quality for a small performance gain.
- The Galaxy A72 is a more multimedia oriented phone with Dolby Atmos, whereas X20 is geared towards business users with longer support and better sensors.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72:
Ideal User:
- Individuals who prioritize display quality for media consumption, gaming, and everyday use.
- Users who want a versatile camera system and enjoy taking photos/videos.
- Those who like to consume multimedia through their devices.
- Users that prefer a richer set of connectivity features.
Use Cases:
- Watching movies/videos with vibrant colors and deep blacks, along with good audio.
- Playing games with smoother graphics and high-quality sound.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos, including those with optical zoom.
- General daily use, benefiting from smoother scrolling and a high-quality display.
Nokia X20:
Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize longer software support.
- Those who prefer a side mounted fingerprint sensor.
- Users who require better battery performance through the more efficient processor.
Use Cases:
- Users that want extended software support and a secure, reliable device.
- Users that want a more efficient phone that can last through the day.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Display Preference: Do you prioritize a high-quality display with vibrant colors and smooth animations, or is a standard LCD adequate?
- Camera Needs: Do you require a versatile camera system with telephoto zoom, high-resolution ultrawide and macro lenses, or are basic camera features sufficient?
- Software Support: Is longer software support important for you to keep your phone up to date for a longer period?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Multimedia Enthusiast: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72 for its superior AMOLED display, stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, and versatile camera system.
- Long-Term User: Choose the Nokia X20 for its longer software support.
- Budget-Conscious Buyer: If price is a major concern, look for whichever of these is cheaper, however if possible, the A72 is the better choice, due to significantly better screen and camera.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A72. The superior display with AMOLED technology and a 90Hz refresh rate is a significant advantage for me. I value a high-quality viewing experience for media consumption, web browsing, and general phone use. The telephoto lens and the better camera quality, combined with the inclusion of OIS and PDAF make it a more compelling option. Additionally, the stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, faster charging, and overall better user experience make the trade-off in performance acceptable. While the Nokia X20 has its advantages, the Galaxy A72 provides the features that are most important to me in a smartphone. While the X20 offers longer updates, the Galaxy A72 will provide better overall usage experience, until its end of life.
