Samsung Galaxy A72 vs OnePlus Nord 4 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
OnePlus Nord 4
OnePlus Nord 4
Oneplus

General

Launch Date March 26, 2021 August 8, 2024
Release Year 2021 2024

Physical

Volume 107.28 cm³ 97.56 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.3 "/g 3.38 "/g
Weight 203 g 199.5 g
Height 165 mm 162.6 mm
Width 77.4 mm 75 mm
Thickness 8.4 mm 8 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Awesome Black
  • Awesome White
  • Awesome Blue
  • Awesome Violet
  • Oasis Green
  • Obsidian Midnight
  • Mercurial Silver

Display

Screen Size 6.7 " 6.74 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1240 x 2772
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 84.9 % 89.6 %
Pixel Density 394 PPI 450 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 800 nits N/A
Peak Brightness N/A 2150 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 111.38 mAh/in² 121.07 mAh/in²
Battery Density 46.61 mAh/cm³ 56.38 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5500 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) Qualcomm SM7675 Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) Octa-core (1x2.8 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x1.9 GHz Cortex-A520)
GPU Adreno 618 Adreno 732

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 14
Maximum OS Version 12 18

Comparison Summary

Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A72 vs. OnePlus Nord 4

1. Specifications Comparison

Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A72 and OnePlus Nord 4, focusing on practical implications:

Design

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72OnePlus Nord 4Practical Impact
Dimensions165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm162.6 x 75 x 8 mmOnePlus Nord 4 is slightly more compact, potentially easier to handle for some users. A72 is a bit taller, wider and thicker so might feel more bulky.
Weight203g199.5gNegligible difference; both phones are relatively lightweight.
FoldableStandardStandardBoth are standard non-folding smartphones.

Display

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72OnePlus Nord 4Practical Impact
Size6.7"6.74"Very similar screen sizes. Negligible difference in daily usage.
Resolution1080x24001240x2772OnePlus Nord 4 offers a sharper and more detailed display due to higher pixel count, resulting in improved image clarity.
PPI394450OnePlus Nord 4 has noticeably higher pixel density, making text and images appear crisper and smoother.
TechnologyAMOLEDAMOLEDBoth have vibrant colors and deep blacks.
Refresh Rate90Hz120HzOnePlus Nord 4 has a slightly smoother scrolling and animation experience than A72.
Brightness800 nits2200 nitsOnePlus Nord 4 is dramatically brighter, making it much more visible in direct sunlight.

Performance

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72OnePlus Nord 4Practical Impact
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm)Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm)OnePlus Nord 4 offers significantly better performance and efficiency due to its more powerful and newer chipset. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and superior gaming.
AnTuTu Score285,0001,366,982OnePlus Nord 4 is dramatically faster, suitable for demanding tasks and games. The A72 score is indicative of more basic everyday use.
GPUAdreno 618Adreno 732OnePlus Nord 4 has a much more powerful GPU, providing a significantly better gaming and graphics experience than the A72.

Camera

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72OnePlus Nord 4Practical Impact
Standard Camera64MP, f/1.8, 0.8µm50MP, f/1.8, 1/2", 0.8µm, Sony LYT-600Samsung has higher resolution, while the Nord 4 has a larger sensor and newer sensor model, potentially better low-light and dynamic range.
Telephoto + Portrait8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.0µm, Omnivision OV08A10N/ASamsung has a dedicated zoom lens for more flexibility in zoom photography. The OnePlus is lacking this feature.
Selfie Camera32MP, f/2.2, 0.8µm16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", 1.0µm, Sony IMX471Samsung has a higher resolution selfie camera and slightly wider aperture, potentially better low-light selfies.
Wide Angle Camera12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm, Sony IMX355Samsung has a higher-resolution wide angle camera than the Nord 4.
Macro Camera5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µmN/AThe Samsung A72 has a dedicated macro lens. The OnePlus Nord 4 does not.
Video RecordingUp to 4K@30fps (EIS)Up to 4K@60fps (EIS)OnePlus Nord 4 supports smoother 4K videos, with up to 60fps.
Slow Motion120 fps240 fpsOnePlus Nord 4 can record smoother slow-motion videos at a higher fps rate.
DXOMark ScoreMain: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78N/AOnly A72 has been tested in DXOMark

Battery

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72OnePlus Nord 4Practical Impact
Capacity5000mAh5500mAhOnePlus Nord 4 likely offers longer battery life.
Charging25W Fast Charging100W Fast ChargingOnePlus Nord 4 charges much faster.
Features15W Charger includedN/ASamsung has a 15W charger included in the box.

Software

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72OnePlus Nord 4Practical Impact
OSAndroid 11, Upgradable to 12Android 14, Upgradable to 18OnePlus Nord 4 has a more up-to-date OS and will receive more updates than the A72.

Connectivity

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72OnePlus Nord 4Practical Impact
Wi-Fi802.11a/b/g/n/ac802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6)OnePlus Nord 4 has the latest WiFi 6 standard for faster and more stable Wi-Fi.
Bluetooth5.05.4OnePlus Nord 4 uses the newer Bluetooth 5.4 standard

Storage

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72OnePlus Nord 4Practical Impact
Internal128GB or 256GB128GB, 256GB, or 512GBOnePlus Nord 4 has a 512GB storage option, offering more space for files and media.
RAM6GB or 8GB8GB, 12GB, or 16GBOnePlus Nord 4 has higher RAM options, for better performance while multitasking.
ExpandableNoNoNeither phone supports microSD card expansion.

Audio

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72OnePlus Nord 4Practical Impact
QualityDolby Atmos, Stereo SpeakersStereo Speakers, 2 microphonesBoth have stereo speakers, but Samsung A72 has Dolby Atmos for spatial audio.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Here's a summary of the key advantages and trade-offs between the two phones:

Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:

  • Telephoto Camera: Dedicated zoom lens for optical zoom.
  • Macro Camera: Dedicated lens for close up photos.
  • Dolby Atmos: Enhanced audio with better sound separation and spatial immersion.
  • Slightly Lower Price (Likely): Being an older model, it will probably be much cheaper than the Nord 4.

OnePlus Nord 4 Advantages:

  • Significantly Superior Performance: Latest chipset, much higher AnTuTu score, and newer GPU, offering smoother multitasking and better gaming.
  • Brighter Display: Much better outdoor visibility.
  • Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate for a smoother visual experience.
  • Faster Charging: 100W charging speeds up charging time significantly.
  • Larger Battery: Likely longer battery life.
  • Latest Software: Comes with a much newer Android OS with more OS version updates expected.
  • Latest Connectivity: WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 offers faster connections and greater reliability.
  • Higher RAM and Storage Options: Offers more storage and RAM options for power users.

Trade-offs:

  • The Samsung A72's telephoto and macro cameras, while adding versatility, are not as advanced as the Nord 4's main sensor.
  • The OnePlus Nord 4 has a higher price tag as it is a newer and more powerful phone.
  • The A72 lacks support for fast charging, meaning charging times may be significantly longer than the Nord 4.
  • The OnePlus Nord 4 lacks the dedicated Telephoto and Macro cameras that the Samsung A72 offers.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Samsung Galaxy A72:

  • Ideal User: Casual users who prioritize a versatile camera system with zoom, decent display and do not need the latest in performance.
  • Use Cases:
    • Taking casual photos with zoom capabilities.
    • Streaming videos and listening to music with enhanced audio.
    • Everyday tasks like browsing the web and social media.
  • Value: A good choice for those looking for a decent all-around phone on a budget with a focus on photography features.
  • Price: As an older phone, the price of the A72 is likely going to be considerably less than the OnePlus Nord 4.

OnePlus Nord 4:

  • Ideal User: Power users, gamers, and those who want the best possible performance and a modern user experience.
  • Use Cases:
    • Gaming, especially graphic-intensive games.
    • Heavy multitasking, running multiple apps simultaneously.
    • Outdoor usage due to the bright display.
    • Demanding tasks like video editing.
  • Value: Provides very good value for the high level of performance and features offered, and is a great overall package.
  • Price: Being a newer, much more powerful phone, it's expected to be sold at a higher price point than the A72.

4. Decision Framework

Here are key questions to help decide between these phones:

  1. How important is raw performance and future-proofing to you? If you want the fastest phone possible, the Nord 4 is the clear choice.
  2. Do you heavily rely on zoom or macro photography? If so, the Samsung A72 might be preferable to you.
  3. What is your budget? The A72 will likely be much cheaper than the Nord 4, which may be a deciding factor for users on a tight budget.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: If you primarily use your phone for social media, web browsing, and occasional photos, the Samsung Galaxy A72 offers good value and is more budget friendly.
  • Scenario 2: If you are a mobile gamer or power user looking for top-tier performance and a smooth display, the OnePlus Nord 4 is the better choice.
  • Scenario 3: If you need excellent outdoor visibility and fast charging, the OnePlus Nord 4 is recommended.

My Choice and Why

If I had to choose, I would go with the OnePlus Nord 4. While the Samsung Galaxy A72 offers a slightly more versatile camera system with its telephoto and macro lenses, the OnePlus Nord 4 excels in areas that matter more to me: performance, display quality, and battery performance.

The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 in the Nord 4 offers a substantial performance boost over the older Snapdragon 720G in the A72. The significantly brighter screen makes it much better for outdoor use and I value smooth scrolling, which the 120Hz display offers. The significantly faster 100W charging is also a major benefit. The slightly larger battery also helps, and these together mean less downtime and more usage.

While I appreciate the dedicated telephoto and macro lenses on the A72, I personally value overall photo quality and performance which is often more impacted by main sensor performance and processing. The Nord 4's main sensor and image processing should be more than enough for my needs.

Ultimately, the OnePlus Nord 4 provides the best all-round experience with an edge in areas that are most crucial to my personal needs in a smartphone, while still being able to take great photos. The better performance, higher refresh rate, and faster charging are worth the extra investment.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.