1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Nothing CMF Phone 1 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 164 × 77 × 8.2 mm | CMF Phone 1 is slightly more compact and thinner, potentially feeling more comfortable in hand. |
| Weight | 203g | 197g | CMF Phone 1 is slightly lighter, making it more comfortable for long periods of use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Negligible difference in screen size; both offer a large viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness; both offer a crisp viewing experience. |
| PPI | 394 | 395 | Virtually identical pixel density; both screens are equally sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | CMF Phone 1 has smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 2000 nits | CMF Phone 1 is significantly better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7300 (4 nm) | CMF Phone 1 has a newer, more efficient chip, offering better overall performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 673,000 | CMF Phone 1 is significantly faster in app loading, multitasking, and gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G615 MC2 | CMF Phone 1's GPU offers better graphical performance, particularly in gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | CMF Phone 1 charges faster, reducing waiting time. |
| Charger | 15W Fast Charger included | Not specified | Galaxy A72 includes a charger, CMF Phone 1 might not. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP f/1.8 | 50MP f/1.79 (Sony IMX882, 1/2") | Galaxy A72 has higher resolution, but CMF Phone 1 has a slightly wider aperture and a newer sensor for better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto | 8MP f/2.4 (Omnivision OV08A10, 1/4.4", 1.00µm) | None | Galaxy A72 offers optical zoom for better long-distance shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP f/2.2 | 16MP f/2.0 (GalaxyCore GC16B3C, 1/3.1", 1.00µm) | Galaxy A72 has higher resolution but CMF Phone 1 has wider aperture, better for low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP f/2.2 | None | Galaxy A72 offers a wide-angle camera for landscape and group shots. |
| Portrait (depth) | None | 2MP f/2.3 (Smartsens sc202pcs, 1/4", 1.12 µm) | CMF Phone 1 provides better portrait mode depth effects. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP f/2.4 | None | Galaxy A72 captures close-up details in macro mode. |
| Video | 4K@30fps (EIS), 1080p@30/60fps (EIS) | 4K@30fps (EIS), 1080p@30/60fps (EIS) | Both offer similar video recording capabilities. |
| Video Stabilization | Yes | No | Samsung offers video stabilization. |
| Slow Motion | 120 fps | 240 fps | CMF Phone 1 captures more detailed slow-motion. |
| DXoMark Score | Main: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | Not Available | Galaxy A72's camera performance has been tested and scored. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Quadruple Camera, PDAF, Manual Focus, Night Mode | Noise Reduction, Dual Camera, Continuous Auto Focus | Different features for different photography needs. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 14 (upgradable to 16) | CMF Phone 1 offers a more recent Android version with more features and better security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | CMF Phone 1 has faster and more stable Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 LE | CMF Phone 1 has a newer version with better efficiency and features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | CMF Phone 1 provides more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Both support Dual SIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both offer the same storage options. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 6GB/8GB | Both offer similar multitasking performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither offer external storage options. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio Features | Galaxy A72 offers a more immersive audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both use basic fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones are using similar screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both include standard smartphone sensors; Samsung includes hall and geomagnetic. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Versatile Camera System: Includes telephoto, wide-angle, and macro lenses, offering more options for different shooting scenarios.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Improves low-light photography and reduces blur in videos.
- Stereo Speakers with Dolby Atmos: Offers a more immersive audio experience, ideal for media consumption.
- Included Charger: Comes with a fast charger in the box.
- More tested Camera: Has a DXoMark score, providing an assessment of its camera performance.
Nothing CMF Phone 1 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster chipset, resulting in smoother and faster overall performance.
- Brighter Display: Much higher brightness, improving visibility in direct sunlight.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate offers smoother scrolling and animations.
- Faster Charging: Charges faster with 33W charging, reducing downtime.
- Newer Android: Ships with a more recent version of Android with more features and better security.
- More Modern Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, providing faster and more efficient connectivity.
- Better slow motion: Supports 240 fps for detailed slow motion.
- Better GPS Supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Galaxy A72: sacrifices some performance for camera versatility and enhanced audio. It also has an older Android version.
- CMF Phone 1: lacks dedicated telephoto, wide-angle and macro lenses. It also has basic audio features, offering a less immersive experience.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Ideal User: Photography enthusiasts who want a versatile camera system with different focal lengths. Users who enjoy watching videos and listening to music with enhanced audio quality. Users who prefer a charger included in the box.
- Use Cases: Capturing detailed landscape shots, using optical zoom for distant subjects, enjoying movies/shows with Dolby Atmos. Good for general use.
Nothing CMF Phone 1:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize speed, performance and responsiveness. Users who spend a lot of time outdoors in bright sunlight and need a highly visible display. Gamers and those who value a smoother visual experience. Users who want the most modern software and features.
- Use Cases: Fast-paced gaming, outdoor navigation, fast app switching and multi-tasking, general heavy use.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- How important is camera versatility? If you need zoom, wide-angle and macro lenses, the Samsung A72 is better. If you prioritize main camera quality and better selfies, the CMF Phone 1 is sufficient.
- Do you prioritize performance or display brightness over everything else? The CMF Phone 1 excels in performance and outdoor visibility.
- Do you need the charger in the box and are you more keen on an enhanced audio experience or faster charging? The Samsung A72 includes a charger and Dolby Atmos with stereo speakers, while the CMF Phone 1 is not confirmed to include a charger and has basic audio, but faster charging.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Photography enthusiast: If your top priority is versatile photography options including zoom, the Galaxy A72 is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: Performance-focused user: If you need a fast and responsive phone for gaming or heavy usage, the CMF Phone 1 is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: Budget user: Check the current prices of both phones. The Samsung A72 might offer more value for the price given its camera features if prices have dropped since its release. If you have the budget, the CMF Phone 1 is the better all-around phone with newer tech.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Nothing CMF Phone 1. While the Samsung Galaxy A72 has its merits, particularly its versatile camera system and enhanced audio, the CMF Phone 1 offers a more compelling package for my needs. The significantly faster performance due to the modern chipset and its brighter 120Hz display would be more beneficial in my daily usage, which involves a lot of multitasking, navigating, outdoor use, and occasional gaming. The faster charging is also a significant plus, and the newer Android version means I'd have more up-to-date features and security.
Although I do enjoy taking photos, the main camera on the CMF Phone 1 is good enough for most of my use cases, and I can live without the telephoto and macro lens. The benefits of a smoother display, better performance, and faster charging, outweigh the benefits of the Galaxy A72. My decision is therefore focused more on overall daily performance and usability, which I believe the CMF Phone 1 does better.
