1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm | 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.5 mm | The A72 is slightly taller and wider, but both are similar in hand feel. |
| Weight | 203g | 190g | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is noticeably lighter, potentially more comfortable for long-term use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both have large screens suitable for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2412 | Virtually identical sharpness. |
| PPI | 394 | 395 | Indistinguishable pixel density, both look sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Rich colors, deep blacks, good viewing angles on both. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers slightly smoother animations during scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 1300 nits | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is significantly more visible under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a significantly more modern and powerful chip leading to faster app launch times and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 805,721 | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a huge performance advantage, excelling in games and other demanding apps. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G610 MC4 | The Mali-G610 MC4 is more powerful leading to better graphics performance in games. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.88, 1.00µm, 1/1.56" Samsung GN9 | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a larger sensor which usually improves low-light performance even though it has a lower megapixel count, but without testing it is hard to tell for sure |
| Telephoto | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" | N/A | The A72 offers optical zoom capabilities, a feature the (2a) Plus lacks. |
| Ultra-Wide | 12MP, f/2.2 | N/A | The A72 has a dedicated ultra-wide lens for expansive shots, while the (2a) Plus uses its 50MP main sensor. |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | The A72 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots while the (2a) Plus lacks a dedicated macro lens. |
| Front Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80µm | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76" Samsung S5KJN1, 0.64µm | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus's higher megapixel count could provide more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76" Samsung S5KJN1, 0.64µm | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a combined wide angle and macro camera which is likely a better setup. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps with EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps with EIS | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has higher frame rate recording for smoother video. |
| DXOMark | Mobile: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | N/A | The A72's camera performance is rated at DXOMark, but there is no data available for the (2a) Plus |
| Camera Features | OIS, Quad, Optical Zoom | OIS, Dual, Time-Lapse, RAW | A72 has more camera lenses and an optical zoom; the (2a) Plus has more advanced features like RAW capture and time-lapse. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones should provide similar battery life. |
| Charging | 25W | 50W | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus charges significantly faster. |
| Charger | 15W Charger included | No charger included | The A72 comes with a charger while the (2a) Plus does not. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 12) | Android 14 (upgradeable to 17) | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a much more recent OS, offering better features, security, and a longer support lifespan. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi MiMO | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus provides better wifi with faster speeds and more reliable connections |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a newer Bluetooth version with better audio codec support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), NavIC System | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has more satellite systems and better location tracking capabilities. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both phones have dual-SIM capabilities. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256GB | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers a single 256GB variant, while the Samsung A72 offers both 128GB and 256GB options. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 12 GB | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has more RAM leading to better multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has slightly better audio quality with Hi-Res and better sound pickup with 3 microphones |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones provide basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has superior screen protection |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Advantages of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset offers vastly higher performance than the Snapdragon 720G, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate display offers a visibly smoother experience during scrolling and animations.
- Brighter Display: The much brighter display makes outdoor use in bright sunlight significantly easier.
- Faster Charging: 50W fast charging compared to 25W on the Samsung allows for much quicker battery top-ups.
- Newer OS: Android 14 provides access to the latest features and better security compared to Android 11 on the Samsung A72.
- Better Connectivity: Newer WiFi standard for faster, more stable connections, and a newer Bluetooth version with better audio codecs.
- Better Audio Recording: 3 Microphones allow for better sound pickup.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens: The optical zoom lens is a major advantage for photography enthusiasts who need zoom capabilities.
- Dedicated Ultra-Wide and Macro Lenses: Gives more flexibility for photography and more options than the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, without dedicated lenses.
- Charger Included: While a small thing, this saves users some money and the hassle of needing to buy a charger separately.
- DXOMark Score: The camera has been tested and rated at DXOMark giving some idea of the picture quality that the user can expect.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy A72 is less powerful and slower than the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus in performance and also has a less smooth and less bright display.
- The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has much better performance, but lacks the versatility of the Samsung A72's camera with less dedicated lenses and its charger is not included.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value having a dedicated telephoto lens and multiple specialized lenses (ultra-wide, macro), even if the performance is less than stellar.
- Users Familiar with Samsung Ecosystem: Those who prefer the Samsung experience.
Budget Conscious Users: Users who do not need the highest performance and would like to have a charger included.
Use Cases:
- Taking photos with diverse needs (zooming, wide shots, close-ups).
- Everyday usage without very intensive gaming or multitasking.
- Users who already have other devices and chargers.
Ideal User for Nothing Phone (2a) Plus:
- Performance Seekers: Users who need fast app loading, smooth multitasking, and excellent gaming performance.
- Media Consumers: Users who value a vibrant, smooth, and bright display for watching videos and scrolling social media.
Future-Proofing: Those who want the latest software, connectivity, and hardware.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphics-intensive games.
- Heavy multitasking and switching between apps frequently.
- Watching HDR videos in outdoor environments.
- Taking photos with the intention of having the best base picture.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance for you?
- If you are a heavy user or gamer, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the clear choice. If you mostly browse, check social media, and do basic tasks, the A72 might be sufficient.
- How important are specialized camera lenses?
- If you frequently zoom, take wide shots, or need macro shots the A72 might be better for you. If you are willing to sacrifice the versatility of a dedicated telephoto and macro lens for better performance, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus could be the right choice.
- What are your software priorities?
- If you want the latest Android experience, future-proofing, and a clean user interface, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has the advantage.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User: If you primarily browse social media, watch videos, and make calls, the Samsung A72 would likely be adequate. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus provides a smoother, brighter display and a more future-proof software experience.
- Scenario 2: Gamer or Heavy Multitasker: The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the obvious choice due to its significantly higher performance and larger amount of RAM.
- Scenario 3: Photography Focused User: The Samsung A72 is a strong contender due to its dedicated telephoto lens. However, it depends on how important it is to the user, since the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a high-quality 50MP sensor with OIS and the ability to take RAW photos which many photographers prefer for editing.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. While the Samsung A72 has some appealing features like the dedicated telephoto lens, the significant performance difference, much brighter display, faster charging, and more modern software of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus would make the day-to-day user experience much better. As a user who values responsiveness and smoothness in a phone, the trade-offs in camera versatility are ones I am willing to make. Moreover, I prefer the cleaner software experience of the Nothing OS, making it my preferred option.
