1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A72 and OnePlus Nord 2 5G, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | OnePlus Nord 2 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm | 159.1 x 73.3 x 8.3 mm | The A72 is noticeably larger and may be less comfortable for one-handed use. The Nord 2 5G is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 203g | 189g | The Nord 2 5G is slightly lighter which could make a difference in hand fatigue after extended use. |
| Build | Not specified screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | The Nord 2 5G has better screen protection, leading to higher durability against scratches and minor impacts. The A72's screen protection is unknown. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | OnePlus Nord 2 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.43" | The A72 offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive media consumption and gaming. The Nord 2 5G's smaller display is more convenient for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both phones have identical resolution, leading to similar levels of sharpness. |
| PPI | 394 | 409 | Both phones have very similar pixel density, resulting in comparably sharp displays. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both use vibrant AMOLED panels with deep blacks and good contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both screens offer a smoother scrolling and gaming experience. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | The A72 is significantly brighter and much more usable outdoors in direct sunlight. The Nord 2 5G's brightness isn't specified, so there may be issues with outdoor visibility. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | OnePlus Nord 2 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm) | The Dimensity 1200 in the Nord 2 5G is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 714,400 | The Nord 2 5G has significantly higher benchmark performance, meaning real-world performance is noticeably faster. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G77 MC9 | The Mali-G77 MC9 in the Nord 2 5G offers better graphics performance, beneficial for gaming and graphically intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | OnePlus Nord 2 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1.0µm, Sony IMX766 | The Nord 2 5G with its larger sensor pixels captures more light resulting in superior low light performance. The A72 has a higher resolution which may result in more detailed photos in good lighting. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.0µm | None | The A72 offers a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed shots and portrait mode, offering greater flexibility in photography. |
| Ultrawide | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 8MP, f/2.25, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | The A72 captures ultrawide shots with higher resolution. The A72 also has a slightly wider aperture for potentially better low light capture. |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | None | The A72 includes a dedicated macro lens for detailed close-up shots, which the Nord 2 5G lacks. |
| Selfie | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.8µm | 32MP, f/2.45, 1/2.74", 0.8µm, Sony IMX615 | The A72 has a wider aperture which can result in brighter selfies. |
| Black & White | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm, GalaxyCore GC02M1 | The Nord 2 5G has a dedicated black and white lens for artistic photos, which the A72 does not offer. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps with EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps with EIS | Both offer 4K recording, but the Nord 2 5G provides 1080p@120fps slow-motion compared to 1080p@60 fps on A72. |
| DXOMark Score | 92 | Not Available | The A72 has a tested camera quality with an overall score of 92, providing a benchmark for its camera performance. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Quad Camera, Optical Zoom | OIS, Triple Camera, RAW | The A72 has a versatile camera system with a telephoto zoom. The Nord 2 5G offers RAW support for more editing flexibility. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | OnePlus Nord 2 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | The A72 has a larger battery, potentially resulting in longer battery life for general usage. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | The Nord 2 5G charges much faster, reducing downtime and improving convenience. |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | Both are non-removable, but Li-Polymer tends to have a slight edge in safety and lifespan. |
| Included Charger | 15W included charger | No charger specified | The A72 comes with a 15W charger included, while it is unclear if a charger comes with the Nord 2 5G |
Software | Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | OnePlus Nord 2 5G | Practical Impact | |---|---|---|---| | OS | Android 11, Max 12 | Android 11, Max 13 | The Nord 2 5G is likely to receive longer software support and future android updates |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | OnePlus Nord 2 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | The Nord 2 5G supports Wi-Fi 6 for potentially faster speeds and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 LE | The Nord 2 5G has a newer Bluetooth version, offering slightly better power efficiency and connection stability. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The Nord 2 5G supports more satellite systems for slightly better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both phones support Dual SIM capabilities. |
Other Features
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | OnePlus Nord 2 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage | 128/256GB | 128/256GB | Both have the same storage options. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 6/8/12GB | The Nord 2 5G offers a 12 GB RAM option for heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows storage expansion. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Both have stereo speakers. The A72 has Dolby Atmos for enhanced audio. The Nord 2 5G has a noise cancelling microphone for clearer calls. |
| Security | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both phones have basic fingerprint security. |
| Sensors | Hall, Geomagnetic, Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | RGB, Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both devices offer a comprehensive suite of sensors for various functions. The A72 has some additional sensors that may be useful for specialized apps. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Larger display: Provides a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming, although at the cost of single hand comfort.
- Brighter display: Significantly better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight.
- Telephoto camera: Offers versatile zoom capabilities and portrait mode for enhanced photography.
- Macro camera: For taking detailed close up photos
- Larger battery: Potentially longer battery life for extended use.
- Dolby Atmos: Improved audio experience
- More camera features Additional options, including optical zoom, more cameras and night mode
OnePlus Nord 2 5G Advantages:
- Significantly more powerful chipset: Superior performance for gaming, multitasking, and overall responsiveness.
- Faster charging: Quickly tops up the battery for less downtime.
- Better main camera sensor: Superior low-light performance.
- Black & white camera: Allows for unique artistic photos.
- 12GB RAM option: Better multitasking performance.
- Newer WiFi standard: Wi-Fi 6 for faster and more reliable network connections
- Newer bluetooth standard: Better power consumption and stability for connectivity
- Likely longer software support: Could get updates further into the future.
Trade-offs:
- The A72 trades processing power for a brighter display, a telephoto camera, macro camera, and a larger battery.
- The Nord 2 5G trades a few camera features and display brightness for substantially better performance and charging speeds.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal User:
- Media Consumers: Those who enjoy watching videos and movies on their phone, preferring a larger screen with great outdoor visibility.
- Casual Photographers: Individuals who appreciate versatile photography options including a telephoto zoom.
- Users Prioritizing Battery: Users who need long battery life, prefer not to have to charge during the day, and aren't concerned about charging speed.
Use Cases:
- Outdoor viewing of content due to higher brightness.
- Capturing zoomed-in shots using the telephoto lens.
- All-day usage without frequent charging.
OnePlus Nord 2 5G Ideal User:
- Gamers: Those who need a high-performing phone for demanding games.
- Power Users: Individuals who prioritize fast performance, quick charging, and multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who want superior low-light camera performance and editing flexibility.
Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming.
- Smooth multitasking between apps.
- Quick charging during short breaks.
- Low-light photography and creative editing.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Nord 2 5G provides better value for performance focused users. The A72 provides more value for those focused on media and photography.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance: Do you prioritize performance for gaming and heavy multitasking, or is a decent experience sufficient?
- Camera: Do you want versatile zoom capabilities and a dedicated telephoto lens, or are low-light performance and editing flexibility more important?
- Display: Is outdoor visibility crucial, or is a compact, easy-to-handle size more important?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent Outdoor Use: If you spend a lot of time outdoors and need excellent display visibility, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: Heavy Gaming & Multitasking: If you're a gamer or power user who demands the best possible performance, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G is the clear winner.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Usage: If you want a mix of good performance and a versatile camera, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G is likely the better option. However, if you value telephoto and macro cameras with a larger battery, the Samsung Galaxy A72 may appeal more.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the OnePlus Nord 2 5G. While the larger, brighter display of the Samsung Galaxy A72 is appealing, the superior performance offered by the Dimensity 1200 chipset in the Nord 2 5G is a significant advantage. The substantially faster charging is also a big plus in my day to day usage. The better low light performance of the main camera, and the newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth versions, solidify my preference for the Nord 2 5G. Even though I would miss the telephoto and macro lenses, the overall improvement in performance and battery charging is more important to me.
