Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A72 vs. OnePlus 9R
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A72 and OnePlus 9R, highlighting their specifications and practical implications:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | OnePlus 9R | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm | 161 x 74.1 x 8.4 mm | A72 is larger and wider; 9R is more compact. |
| Weight | 203g | 189g | 9R is 14g lighter, may be more comfortable for long use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.55" | A72 offers slightly more screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Both offer the same level of sharpness. |
| Pixel Density | 394 ppi | 402 ppi | Virtually identical sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | 9R provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | A72 is significantly better for outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | 9R offers significantly faster performance for all tasks, especially gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 821,600 | 9R is dramatically faster in benchmarks, indicating superior real-world responsiveness |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 650 | 9R has more powerful graphics for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8 | 48MP, f/1.7 | A72 has higher resolution, while 9R has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 8MP, f/2.4 | None | A72 offers optical zoom capabilities; 9R lacks a dedicated telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.2 | 9R captures more detail in wide shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.4 | A72 takes higher-resolution selfies with a wider aperture. |
| Macro Camera | 5MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.4 | Both offer similar macro shooting capabilities. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | 9R has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, improving bokeh effects. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps, HDR | 9R can record higher frame rate video with HDR. |
| DxOMark Score (Mobile) | 92 (Photo: 100, Video: 78) | N/A | A72 has decent camera performance according to DxOMark. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Optical Zoom, Night Mode | OIS, RAW, 4K Video | A72 offers optical zoom; 9R offers better video capture features. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | A72 may offer longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 9R charges much faster, convenient for quick top-ups. |
| Charger Included | 15W Charger Included | Not Specified | A72 comes with a charger in the box. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 12) | Android 10 (Upgradable to 13) | 9R has a more recent OS upgrade. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) | 9R supports faster and more efficient Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 LE | 9R has a slightly newer and more efficient version of Bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo (L1+L5, B1, E1+E5a) | 9R offers more accurate location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB or 256GB | Both have the same storage options. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 8GB or 12GB | 9R has more RAM for better multitasking capabilities. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Noise Cancellation Mic, Stereo Speakers | 9R offers slightly better audio features. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Basic | Both offer standard fingerprint security. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | A72 includes Hall sensor, which can help with additional features and gaming |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Here are the major advantages of each phone and their practical implications:
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
- Larger Battery: Potentially longer battery life for all-day usage.
- Optical Zoom: Dedicated telephoto lens for closer shots, better for photography.
- Hall Sensor: May offer additional capabilities (specific use cases not detailed).
- Included Charger: Comes with a charger, reducing upfront costs.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Better for detailed selfies.
- Established DxOMark Score: Provides a benchmark for camera quality.
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: Superior CPU and GPU for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate for fluid animations and scrolling.
- Faster Charging: 65W charging is considerably quicker for convenient top-ups.
- More Advanced Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and newer Bluetooth for faster wireless performance.
- Improved GPS: More accurate location tracking.
- More RAM: Better for heavy multitasking and gaming performance.
- Better Video Recording: Higher frame rate recording, also including HDR.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: Better portrait mode photos.
- Noise Cancellation Microphone: Enhanced audio clarity for calls.
- RAW Photo Capability: Gives more flexibility when processing photos.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy A72 trades performance for a brighter display, a better zoom camera, a larger battery and comes with a charger, catering to more casual users.
- The OnePlus 9R focuses on performance and speed, sacrificing a brighter display, zoom capabilities, and a larger battery.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Casual User: Prioritizes a large, bright screen for media consumption and daily tasks.
- Photography Enthusiast: Values the optical zoom lens and higher-resolution selfie camera.
- Battery Life Seeker: Needs a long-lasting battery to get through the day.
- Outdoor User: Spends a lot of time outdoors and needs a bright display.
- Budget Conscious: Prefers a device that comes with charger and offers a good all-around experience.
Specific Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Watching movies and videos outdoors.
- Capturing detailed photos with zoom capabilities.
- General social media and browsing.
- Reliable phone for travel with the included charger.
Ideal User for OnePlus 9R:
- Gaming Enthusiast: Demands high performance and smooth graphics for gaming.
- Power User: Handles heavy multitasking and demanding applications.
- Speed and Performance Seeker: Appreciates fast charging and smooth display.
- Video Creator: Needs to record high quality videos with 60fps and HDR
- Photography Enthusiast: Prefers to have all the options when processing the picture like the RAW option.
- Tech Enthusiast: Wants the latest connectivity standards like Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1.
Specific Use Cases for OnePlus 9R:
- Playing resource-intensive games smoothly.
- Video recording.
- Heavy multitasking, working on multiple apps.
- Quickly charging the phone on the go.
4. Decision Framework
Here are 3 key questions for buyers:
How important is performance and gaming to you?
- If it's a top priority, the OnePlus 9R is the clear winner.
- If you are a casual user, the A72 may be enough.
How much do you value camera capabilities like optical zoom, and how important is a bright display?
- If optical zoom and a brighter display are important, the A72 has a clear advantage.
- If better video quality and RAW photo is what you seek the 9R is the go to.
How much do you value faster charging?
- If faster charging is important, the OnePlus 9R provides that.
- If battery life is more important, then the A72 might be the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For a heavy gamer or performance user: The OnePlus 9R is the better choice due to its superior processor, GPU and better refresh rate.
- For a user who prioritizes a bright display, larger battery and wants a great camera with optical zoom: The Samsung Galaxy A72 will be more suitable for the user.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the OnePlus 9R. While the Samsung A72 offers a larger battery, better outdoor visibility and a telephoto lens, the performance gap is too significant to ignore. I value the smooth and fast experience that the Snapdragon 870 provides. The 120 Hz display, faster charging, better connectivity, and the enhanced features like 4K video and RAW photo capabilities are what I seek in a smartphone. While the Samsung has a DxO score, it only highlights the main camera, while the 9R offers a more complete package in photography with both wide and the portrait depth sensors. The fact that it has a more recent OS upgrade and better RAM makes the 9R a better choice. The only downside for me would be the lack of a telephoto lens which I would be more than happy to trade for the performance.
