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
Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Dimensions | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm | 162.6 x 75 x 8 mm | OnePlus 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. |
Weight | 203g | 199.5g | Negligible difference; both phones are relatively lightweight. |
Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard non-folding smartphones. |
Display
Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Size | 6.7" | 6.74" | Very similar screen sizes. Negligible difference in daily usage. |
Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1240x2772 | OnePlus Nord 4 offers a sharper and more detailed display due to higher pixel count, resulting in improved image clarity. |
PPI | 394 | 450 | OnePlus Nord 4 has noticeably higher pixel density, making text and images appear crisper and smoother. |
Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | OnePlus Nord 4 has a slightly smoother scrolling and animation experience than A72. |
Brightness | 800 nits | 2200 nits | OnePlus Nord 4 is dramatically brighter, making it much more visible in direct sunlight. |
Performance
Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Chipset | Qualcomm 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 Score | 285,000 | 1,366,982 | OnePlus Nord 4 is dramatically faster, suitable for demanding tasks and games. The A72 score is indicative of more basic everyday use. |
GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 732 | OnePlus Nord 4 has a much more powerful GPU, providing a significantly better gaming and graphics experience than the A72. |
Camera
Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2", 0.8µm, Sony LYT-600 | Samsung has higher resolution, while the Nord 4 has a larger sensor and newer sensor model, potentially better low-light and dynamic range. |
Telephoto + Portrait | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.0µm, Omnivision OV08A10 | N/A | Samsung has a dedicated zoom lens for more flexibility in zoom photography. The OnePlus is lacking this feature. |
Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.8µm | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", 1.0µm, Sony IMX471 | Samsung has a higher resolution selfie camera and slightly wider aperture, potentially better low-light selfies. |
Wide Angle Camera | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm, Sony IMX355 | Samsung has a higher-resolution wide angle camera than the Nord 4. |
Macro Camera | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | N/A | The Samsung A72 has a dedicated macro lens. The OnePlus Nord 4 does not. |
Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps (EIS) | Up to 4K@60fps (EIS) | OnePlus Nord 4 supports smoother 4K videos, with up to 60fps. |
Slow Motion | 120 fps | 240 fps | OnePlus Nord 4 can record smoother slow-motion videos at a higher fps rate. |
DXOMark Score | Main: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | N/A | Only A72 has been tested in DXOMark |
Battery
Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | OnePlus Nord 4 likely offers longer battery life. |
Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | OnePlus Nord 4 charges much faster. |
Features | 15W Charger included | N/A | Samsung has a 15W charger included in the box. |
Software
Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 12 | Android 14, Upgradable to 18 | OnePlus Nord 4 has a more up-to-date OS and will receive more updates than the A72. |
Connectivity
Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6) | OnePlus Nord 4 has the latest WiFi 6 standard for faster and more stable Wi-Fi. |
Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 | OnePlus Nord 4 uses the newer Bluetooth 5.4 standard |
Storage
Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB | OnePlus Nord 4 has a 512GB storage option, offering more space for files and media. |
RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 8GB, 12GB, or 16GB | OnePlus Nord 4 has higher RAM options, for better performance while multitasking. |
Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD card expansion. |
Audio
Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Both 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:
- How important is raw performance and future-proofing to you? If you want the fastest phone possible, the Nord 4 is the clear choice.
- Do you heavily rely on zoom or macro photography? If so, the Samsung A72 might be preferable to you.
- 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.