1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm, 203g | 165.5 × 76 × 8.3 mm, 195g | The Nord CE 3 Lite is slightly lighter and narrower; the A72 is a bit wider, impacting one-handed grip. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, no foldable design |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.72" | Virtually identical screen size; negligible difference in real-world use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Same sharpness; both offer a crisp viewing experience. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | AMOLED offers superior blacks, contrast, and color vibrancy; better for media consumption and outdoor visibility in bright light. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Nord CE 3 Lite offers smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 950 nits | The Nord CE 3 Lite is more visible in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | The Nord CE 3 Lite has better raw processing power, translates to faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 402,916 | The Nord CE 3 Lite performs significantly better in benchmarks, likely offering a more fluid experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 619 | The Nord CE 3 Lite has slightly better graphical performance, useful for gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery life for general use. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | 67W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | The Nord CE 3 Lite charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | 15W Charger Included | Reverse Charging | A72 includes charger and Nord CE 3 Lite can act as power bank for accessories |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.8µm | 108MP, f/1.7, 0.64µm, 1/1.67", HM6 | The Nord CE 3 Lite has higher resolution and a larger sensor, potentially better low-light performance and detail. |
| Telephoto | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", OV08A10, 1.0µm | None | The A72 has dedicated zoom capabilities. |
| Selfie | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80µm | 16MP, f/2.4, 1.0µm | The A72 has higher resolution front camera. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | None | The A72 allows for ultra-wide photos. |
| Portrait (Depth) | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | The Nord CE 3 Lite has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait effects |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | 2MP, f/2.4 | The A72 has higher resolution macro shots. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, EIS, 1080p@60fps, EIS | 1080p@30fps | The A72 offers higher resolution video recording and stabilization at different resolutions and framerates. |
| DXOMark | Main: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | N/A | The A72 has a tested and scored camera system. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Optical Zoom, Quad Camera | Ultra stable video, RAW, Triple Camera | The A72 offers zoom and OIS; the Nord CE 3 Lite focus on video stabilization. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 12 | Android 13 | The Nord CE 3 Lite has a newer OS and potentially longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac, Wi-Fi MiMO | Both have similar standards, Nord CE 3 Lite has Wi-Fi MiMO for better data transfer. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1, LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Nord CE 3 Lite has a newer version with better codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The Nord CE 3 Lite has more satellite system support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both offer dual SIM capabilities. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | Both offer same storage options. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8GB | 8 GB | Nord CE 3 Lite has more RAM, great for multitasking and gaming |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | The Nord CE 3 Lite focuses on audio quality during playback, calls, and voice capture, while A72 offers Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The Nord CE 3 Lite features a more advanced fingerprint sensor |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both offer similar sensor suites. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Superior Display Technology: AMOLED screen offers better contrast, more vibrant colors and power efficiency for dark themes, resulting in a more immersive viewing experience, especially for media.
- Versatile Camera System: Dedicated telephoto, wide-angle and macro lens provide greater flexibility for photography, offering optical zoom and OIS.
- Higher Resolution Video Recording: Supports 4K recording with electronic image stabilization, better for video recording.
- Tested Camera System: DXOMark rating give reference to real-world performance of the camera.
- Dolby Atmos: Provides a better audio experience
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite Advantages:
- Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 695 provides better performance for gaming and multitasking, resulting in a snappier feel.
- Faster Charging: 67W charging drastically reduces charging time.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate offers a more fluid experience for scrolling and gaming.
- Brighter Screen: 950 nits brightness increases outdoor visibility.
- Newer OS: Offers longer software support.
- Better Bluetooth: Newer standard with better codecs and LE.
- More accurate GPS: More satellite systems supported, useful for navigation.
- Better Audio Quality: Hi-Res Audio, noise cancellation microphone, and 2 microphones.
- Reverse Charging: Can be used to charge other devices.
Trade-offs:
- The Galaxy A72 prioritizes camera versatility and display quality while sacrificing performance and refresh rate
- The Nord CE 3 Lite focuses on performance and charging speed while using an LCD screen and fewer camera capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal User:
- Media Consumers: Those who watch a lot of videos or movies on their phones will appreciate the AMOLED display.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want flexibility with multiple lenses and good optical zoom.
Users who prioritize display quality over performance.
Use Cases:
- Watching movies and TV shows due to the vibrant AMOLED screen
- Taking various types of photos, including telephoto and wide-angle shots
- Users who prioritize a tested camera system.
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite Ideal User:
- Gamers and Power Users: Those who need fast performance, smooth scrolling and quick charging.
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who want the best performance for their money.
Users who need a reliable device with long-term support.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphically demanding games and need better performance.
- Heavy users needing quick charging on the go.
- Users who want the latest OS features and updates.
- Users who prioritize better audio quality and calls.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality to you? (AMOLED vs IPS LCD)
- What do you value more: raw performance or camera versatility?
- How important is fast charging? (25W vs 67W)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For media lovers who want excellent visuals, prioritize the A72 with its AMOLED display and versatile camera setup.
- For gamers and those who need a responsive phone with fast charging, prioritize the Nord CE 3 Lite for its superior performance and battery charging speeds.
- For users on a tighter budget and wanting better audio quality and modern features, the Nord CE 3 Lite is the better option.
- For those who do a lot of photography and want optical zoom and OIS, the A72 is the better option
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite. While the Samsung Galaxy A72 has an excellent display and versatile camera system, the Nord CE 3 Lite offers a better balance of performance, speed, and value. Its faster chipset, higher refresh rate, and especially the significantly faster charging would lead to a smoother and more convenient daily experience for me. Additionally, I prefer the more advanced Bluetooth version and the focus on audio quality on the Nord CE 3 Lite, and those are an important factor for me. While I acknowledge the AMOLED display of the A72 is excellent, the practical advantages of the Nord CE 3 Lite make it a more compelling option for me.
