Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A72 vs. OnePlus Nord 2T
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | OnePlus Nord 2T | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 159.1 × 73.2 × 8.2 mm | A72 is slightly larger and thicker, Nord 2T is more compact & pocketable. |
| Weight | 203g | 190g | Nord 2T is lighter, better for extended one-handed use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.43" | A72 provides a larger screen for media consumption, Nord 2T is more comfortable for one hand. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer sharp, detailed images. |
| Pixel Density | 394 PPI | 409 PPI | Both have excellent sharpness, not a noticeable difference. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant colors, deep blacks, good contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both have smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | A72 is significantly better for outdoor use in bright sunlight; OnePlus brightness is missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1300 (6 nm) | Nord 2T has a more powerful chipset, better for gaming and demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 699,576 | Nord 2T offers significantly faster performance; smoother experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G77 MC9 | Nord 2T's GPU provides a better gaming experience. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80 µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1.00 µm, 1/1.56" Sony IMX766 | Nord 2T's larger sensor, despite lower resolution, typically allows better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto/Portrait Camera | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" Omnivision OV08A10, 1.00 µm | None | A72 has a dedicated zoom lens; Nord 2T lacks this capability. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80 µm | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/2.74" Sony IMX615, 0.80 µm | A72 has a slightly wider aperture; Nord 2T sensor is better. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm | 8MP, f/2.2, Unknown pixel size | A72's ultrawide offers higher resolution |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12 µm | None | A72 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography; Nord 2T does not. |
| Black & White | None | 2MP, f/2.2, Unknown pixel size | Nord 2T has dedicated Black and white lens. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps with EIS, 120fps Slow-mo | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps with EIS, 960fps Slow-mo | Nord 2T offers more slow-motion options. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 92 (Photo: 100, Video: 78) | 114 (Photo: 119, Video: 123) | Nord 2T has significantly better photo and video capabilities. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | A72 offers better battery life due to larger capacity. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 80W Fast Charging | Nord 2T charges much faster. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 12 (upgradable to 14) | Nord 2T has a newer OS and longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Nord 2T supports newer Wi-Fi with faster speeds & lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 LE | Nord 2T has a newer and more efficient Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), NavIC | Nord 2T has more accurate and reliable positioning. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both come in 128GB and 256GB configurations. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB | Nord 2T offers more RAM, enhancing multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Noise Cancellation Microphone, Stereo Speakers | A72 includes Dolby Atmos, Nord 2T has a noise-canceling microphone. |
| Security | |||
| Security | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both use basic fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Nord 2T has superior screen protection against scratches. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | A72 has more sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Larger Display: 6.7" provides a more immersive viewing experience, suitable for media consumption.
- Higher Screen Brightness: 800 nits significantly improves outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh offers potentially longer battery life.
- Telephoto Camera: Provides optical zoom capabilities, enhancing photography versatility.
- Macro Camera: Allows for dedicated close-up photography.
- Dolby Atmos: Improved audio experience.
- More Sensors: Hall and Geomagnetic sensors.
OnePlus Nord 2T Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster chipset and GPU for gaming and demanding tasks.
- Faster Charging: 80W charging gets the battery back quickly.
- Better Main Camera: Sony IMX766 sensor offers better low-light performance and image quality.
- Higher DxOMark Score: Higher rated photo and video capabilities.
- Newer OS: Comes with a newer version of Android and longer software support.
- Newer Wi-Fi Standard: Supports Wi-Fi 6 for better connectivity performance.
- Better Bluetooth: Newer and more efficient Bluetooth standard.
- More RAM: Higher memory options (12 GB).
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for scratch resistance.
Trade-offs:
- A72: Sacrifices performance for a larger display, better outdoor screen brightness, longer battery, and more camera versatility.
- Nord 2T: Sacrifices larger display, slightly lower battery capacity, dedicated optical zoom and macro camera for better performance, faster charging, better camera performance, and newer software.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Media Consumers: Users who prioritize a large, vibrant display for watching videos, browsing, and social media.
- Outdoor Users: Users needing a bright screen for visibility in direct sunlight.
- Battery Life Prioritizers: Users who prefer a longer-lasting battery.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value versatile camera features, such as telephoto and macro lenses.
Specific Use Cases:
- Watching movies and TV shows on the go.
- Browsing social media and websites in bright outdoor settings.
- Capturing a variety of photos using different lenses.
- Extended use throughout the day without needing to recharge frequently.
Ideal Users for OnePlus Nord 2T:
- Gamers: Users who need strong performance for mobile gaming.
- Power Users: Users who multitask heavily and demand smooth, responsive performance.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize main camera quality in low light.
- Users who value fast charging: Users who don't want to wait long to charge their phone.
- Users who want long term software support.
Specific Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive games.
- Switching between multiple apps seamlessly.
- Taking photos in low-light conditions.
- Quickly charging the phone during short breaks.
- Future-proofing the phone for software updates.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Samsung Galaxy A72: Offers a good balance of features for its price, with an emphasis on display and camera versatility.
- OnePlus Nord 2T: Provides superior performance and camera quality for its price, making it a good choice for users who prioritize performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Gaming, media consumption, photography, etc.)
- Do you prioritize screen size or performance?
- Is battery life or fast charging more important to you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent gamer and power user: Choose the OnePlus Nord 2T for its superior performance and faster charging.
- Scenario 2: Media consumer who needs long battery life: The Samsung Galaxy A72 is better due to its larger display, higher screen brightness, and larger battery.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: The OnePlus Nord 2T performs much better in photo quality, but the A72 has more versatile lenses.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would lean towards the OnePlus Nord 2T. My personal usage revolves around performance, especially for gaming and multitasking, and the Nord 2T clearly outperforms the A72 in these areas. Additionally, the improved main camera, especially in low light, is a big plus for me, along with the faster charging capabilities, and more future-proofed software. While the larger display and longer battery life of the A72 are appealing, they aren't as critical to my daily use as performance and camera quality. The trade-offs with the Nord 2T are acceptable for my needs, where having a responsive and capable device takes precedence.
