1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | OnePlus 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | A72 is slightly taller and wider, while 9 Pro is a bit thicker. A72 may feel slightly larger in hand. |
| Weight | 203g | 197g | OnePlus 9 Pro is slightly lighter, which could be more comfortable for extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | OnePlus 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Identical screen size; both offer a large viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3216 | OnePlus 9 Pro offers significantly sharper images and text due to higher resolution. |
| PPI | 394 | 525 | The higher pixel density on the OnePlus 9 Pro results in a noticeably clearer and more detailed display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unknown | Samsung A72's AMOLED provides vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good power efficiency for dark themes. OnePlus's tech is unknown. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | OnePlus 9 Pro has a slightly smoother scrolling and animation experience. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 1300 nits | OnePlus 9 Pro is much more readable outdoors under bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | OnePlus 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | OnePlus 9 Pro offers significantly faster performance for all tasks, including gaming and demanding apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 877,600 | OnePlus 9 Pro provides much smoother, snappier overall user experience; A72 may show some lag. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 660 | OnePlus 9 Pro will have superior graphics for gaming and video editing. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | OnePlus 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 64MP f/1.8 0.80µm | 48MP f/1.8 1/1.43" Sony IMX789 1.12µm | OnePlus 9 Pro captures more light with a larger sensor and pixel size, which usually translates to better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 8MP f/2.4 1/4.4" OV08A10 1.00µm | None | Samsung A72 has a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoomed shots; OnePlus 9 Pro doesn't have a specific lens for portrait. |
| Selfie | 32MP f/2.2 0.80µm | 16MP f/2.4 1/3.13" Sony IMX471 0.70µm | Samsung A72 offers potentially more detail in selfies due to the higher resolution and wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 8MP f/2.4 1/4.4" OV08A10 1.00µm | OnePlus 9 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoomed shots; A72 does not. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP f/2.2 1.12µm | 50MP f/2.2 1/1.56" Sony IMX766 1.00µm | OnePlus 9 Pro captures more detail in wide-angle shots due to significantly higher resolution and larger sensor. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP f/2.4 1.12µm | None | Samsung A72 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots; OnePlus 9 Pro lacks such lens. |
| Black & White | None | 2MP f/2.4 | OnePlus 9 Pro offers a dedicated black and white sensor for specific photography styles. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps with HDR and EIS | OnePlus 9 Pro provides much more advanced video recording capabilities, including higher resolutions and frame rates. |
| DxOMark | Mobile: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | Mobile: 122, Photo: 124, Video: 118 | OnePlus 9 Pro has significantly better overall camera performance, especially in video. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Night Mode | 4K Video, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Contrast detection autofocus (CDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode, RAW 12 bits | OnePlus 9 Pro has far more advanced features, better suited for professional videography. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | OnePlus 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Samsung Galaxy A72 likely provides longer battery life due to the higher battery capacity. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | OnePlus 9 Pro recharges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | 15W Fast Charger included | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 50W, Reverse wireless charging | OnePlus 9 Pro offers more versatile charging options, including fast wireless and reverse charging. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Offers potentially longer battery life for users who prioritize longevity over fast charging.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Allows for close-up photography, which is absent on the OnePlus 9 Pro.
- Telephoto + portrait Lens: Offers better portrait and zoomed in shots than the Oneplus.
- Slightly Lower Price: Usually more budget-friendly
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: Offers a much faster experience for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps due to a high-end chipset and more RAM.
- Higher Resolution & Brighter Display: Provides sharper images, text, and better visibility in bright sunlight.
- Advanced Camera System: Offers superior image quality, especially in low light, and much better video capabilities, including 8K recording.
- Faster Charging: Significantly quicker recharge times.
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Charging: Greater convenience and flexibility in battery management.
- Higher max Software Upgrade: Guarantees longer software support
Trade-offs:
- Samsung A72: Trade-offs in performance and camera quality for a slightly lower price and better battery life.
- OnePlus 9 Pro: Trade-offs slightly shorter battery life and higher price for superior performance, display, and camera features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who want a good all-around phone without paying a premium price.
- Users Who Prioritize Battery Life: Those who value a long-lasting battery and don't want to worry about daily charging.
- Casual Photographers: Users who don't need the absolute best camera performance but still want versatile photography options.
- Everyday Users: Suitable for general usage, social media, and communication.
- Users who enjoy close up macro photos
Use Cases:
- Long work days without access to a charger.
- Casual photography and sharing on social media.
- Watching movies or streaming video content.
- Basic gaming
- Reading and browsing the web.
OnePlus 9 Pro Ideal Users:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who want the fastest performance for gaming and demanding apps.
- Photography and Videography Buffs: Those who prioritize high-quality photos and professional-grade video recording capabilities.
- Users Who Appreciate a High-Quality Display: Users who want a sharp, bright display for immersive viewing.
- Users Who Value Fast Charging: Users who want their phone to quickly recharge and not be tethered to a wall socket.
- Users who want longer software support
- Users who prioritize high-quality wide-angle photos
- Users who want higher end features and performance
Use Cases:
- High-end mobile gaming.
- Professional-level photography and videography.
- Frequent video conferencing and communication.
- Watching high-resolution videos and movies.
- Multitasking between demanding applications.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Gaming, photography, general use)
- How important is battery life versus fast charging?
- How important is overall performance compared to price?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: "The Budget-Conscious Casual User" - If you prioritize battery life and a lower price, and your usage is general, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is a better fit.
- Scenario 2: "The Performance Power User" - If you need maximum performance for gaming or demanding apps and prioritize display and camera quality, the OnePlus 9 Pro is the clear winner.
- Scenario 3: "The Photography Enthusiast" - If you prioritize photography and video quality and want advanced features and software the OnePlus 9 Pro is a better fit.
- Scenario 4: "The Balanced User" - If you prioritize battery life, decent camera features and a lower price but still want a nice experience then the Samsung Galaxy A72 is a better choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the OnePlus 9 Pro. While I appreciate the longer battery life of the Samsung A72, the significantly superior performance, display quality, and camera capabilities of the OnePlus 9 Pro are more important to me. I also value the faster charging and wireless charging options. Since I use my phone for a mix of work and entertainment, including gaming and occasional photography, the OnePlus 9 Pro's features are more aligned with my needs, making it worth the extra investment. The fact it offers 2 more years of software support also makes it more future-proof, meaning I can keep it longer.
