1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Oppo Find X5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 160.3 × 72.6 × 8.7 mm | The Galaxy A72 is larger and wider, potentially feeling less comfortable in hand for some users. The Find X5 is slightly thicker but more compact overall. |
| Weight | 203g | 196g | The Find X5 is slightly lighter, which could be more comfortable during extended use. |
| Build Quality | Unknown Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The Find X5 has superior screen protection against scratches and drops. The protection for the A72 is unknown |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Oppo Find X5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.55" | The Galaxy A72 has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption if you prefer bigger screens. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both phones offer the same level of sharpness; no noticeable difference. |
| PPI | 394 | 402 | The pixel density is very similar, so perceived sharpness will be practically identical. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Find X5 provides smoother scrolling and animations; more responsive for gaming. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 1300 nits | The Find X5 offers much better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight and is better for HDR content. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Oppo Find X5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | The Find X5 has a much more powerful chipset, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| Antutu Score | 285,000 | 877,800 | The Find X5 is significantly faster in benchmarks, performing around 3x faster, indicating a big difference in real-world performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 660 | The Find X5's GPU provides a significantly better gaming experience with higher frame rates and better graphics. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Oppo Find X5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", 1.0µm, Sony IMX766 | The Find X5 has larger pixel size and sensor, leading to better low-light performance. The A72 has higher resolution for detail in good lighting conditions. |
| Telephoto | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.0µm | 13MP, f/2.4, 1/3.4", 1.0µm | The Find X5 has better telephoto capabilities due to the larger sensor and pixel size |
| Ultra-wide | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", 1.0µm, Sony IMX766 | The Find X5 has a significantly better ultrawide camera with better low light capabilities and image quality. |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | Part of ultrawide | The A72 has a dedicated macro lens. The Find X5's ultrawide also functions as a macro lens |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.8µm | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/2.74", 0.8µm, Sony IMX615 | The A72 has a slightly wider aperture, capturing slightly more light for selfies in low light, although the difference should be minor. The find X5 has a slightly better sensor |
| Video | 4K@30fps EIS, 1080p@60fps EIS | 4K@60fps HDR, 1080p@240fps HDR, EIS | The Find X5 offers more versatile video recording with 60fps 4k, HDR recording, and higher framerate slow motion. |
| DxOMark Score | Main 92, Photo 100, Video 78 | Main 114, Photo 124, Video 95 | The Find X5 significantly outperforms the A72 in all camera categories, indicating better overall image quality, detail, and video capabilities. |
| Features | Quad Camera, OIS | Triple Camera, Ultra Stable Video, OIS | The Find X5 offers a more advanced set of features for video recording with ultra-stable video, while the A72 offers a dedicated macro lens. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Oppo Find X5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4800mAh | The Galaxy A72 has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering marginally better battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 80W Fast Charging, 30W Wireless, 10W Reverse Wireless | The Find X5 charges much faster, is more convenient with wireless charging, and can also reverse charge other devices. |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | Li-Polymer batteries are generally more durable and may have a longer lifespan. |
Software & Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Oppo Find X5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (up to 12) | Android 12 (up to 14) | The Find X5 has a more recent version of Android and has longer future updates. |
| WiFi | 802.11ac | 802.11ax (WiFi 6) | The Find X5 supports WiFi 6, which is faster and has more efficient network connections. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | The Find X5 has a newer Bluetooth version, offering better connectivity and power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The Find X5 has more accurate location tracking with the inclusion of QZSS and BeiDou(B1). |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Both support dual SIM functionality, but the Find X5 offers eSIM, allowing for digital carrier switching. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Oppo Find X5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB or 256GB | Both phones offer the same storage options. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 8GB or 12GB | The Find X5 offers more RAM which will enable better multitasking and more demanding gaming performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, which may be a limitation for some users. |
Audio, Security & Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Oppo Find X5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Noise Cancellation Mic, Stereo Speakers, 2 Microphones | The Find X5 offers superior audio with noise cancellation and better recording through dual microphones. |
| Security | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both devices offer the same basic biometric security, through fingerprint recognition. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The Galaxy A72 has additional sensors: Hall, Geomagnetic. The practical impact is minimal, but A72 sensors may provide slightly better data for applications requiring that data. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Larger Display: A slightly larger 6.7" screen, which some users might prefer for media consumption.
- Slightly Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery, which may offer a bit more battery life.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: A dedicated macro camera for close-up shots.
- Additional Sensors: Geomagnetic and Hall sensors.
- Lower Initial Cost: As an older phone, it would likely be cheaper now.
Practical Implications: The A72 is suitable for users who prioritize a larger screen for media and potentially slightly longer battery life. The dedicated macro lens and additional sensors may be beneficial for some specific use cases. However, the performance gap is considerable.
Oppo Find X5 Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset offers significantly better performance for gaming, multitasking, and overall speed.
- Superior Display: A 120Hz refresh rate and brighter display make it smoother and more visible in bright sunlight.
- Much Better Cameras: Superior camera hardware and image processing result in better photo and video quality, especially in low light.
- Faster Charging: 80W fast charging is far superior. It also includes 30W wireless and reverse wireless charging.
- Newer Software: Ships with a newer version of Android and has longer software support.
- Better Connectivity: WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 for faster, more reliable connections.
- Better Audio: Noise cancelling and dual microphones provide clearer calls.
- Superior screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Practical Implications: The Find X5 caters to users who prioritize high performance, superior camera quality, and faster charging speeds. The improved display and connectivity features enhance the overall user experience.
Trade-offs:
- The Galaxy A72 compromises on performance, charging speeds, and camera quality for a slightly larger screen and battery and lower cost
- The Find X5 prioritizes performance and camera quality but is slightly smaller and has a smaller battery than the A72.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Ideal User: Users on a tighter budget who primarily use their phone for basic tasks, media consumption, and occasional photography in good lighting conditions.
- Use Cases:
- Casual browsing and social media.
- Watching videos and streaming content on a larger screen.
- Taking photos in good lighting conditions.
- Extended use with slightly longer battery life.
Oppo Find X5:
- Ideal User: Power users who value performance, camera quality, and fast charging speeds. They are willing to pay more for a premium experience.
- Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming.
- Professional photography and videography.
- Heavy multitasking and app usage.
- Users who value convenience with wireless charging.
- Users who need a device that can capture good content even under low light.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
The Samsung A72 is older and would likely be significantly cheaper, but it sacrifices performance and some key features. The Oppo Find X5 is the better phone, but will come with a higher price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance for your daily tasks and activities? (e.g., gaming, multitasking, app usage)
- How much do you value camera quality and video recording features? (e.g., low-light performance, video stabilization)
- How important is fast charging and battery life? (e.g., need for quick charging, all day battery)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: If you are primarily concerned about cost and need a larger screen for media consumption with decent battery life, the Samsung Galaxy A72 may be the more suitable choice, but you'll be making compromises on the performance side.
- Performance-Oriented User: If you need a phone that performs smoothly and responsively for gaming and demanding tasks, and you value a superior camera experience, the Oppo Find X5 is the better choice, and you should not mind spending a bit extra for these features.
- Photography Enthusiast: If photography and video recording are crucial to you, and you want a phone that can perform in low light, you should choose the Oppo Find X5 due to its far superior camera hardware and video quality.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would definitively pick the Oppo Find X5.
Here's why:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset in the Find X5 is a huge leap over the Snapdragon 720G in the A72. As someone who uses my phone for a variety of tasks, I would value the smooth, responsive experience, especially for demanding apps.
- Camera: The camera on the Find X5 is far superior and has been significantly improved over the A72. With the significantly larger sensor sizes, this translates to better image quality, better detail, better performance in low-light conditions, and better video recording.
- Display: I value the 120Hz refresh rate and the superior brightness on the Find X5. The high refresh rate provides a noticeable improvement in smoothness and responsiveness, and the high brightness means it's much more usable outdoors.
- Charging: The 80W fast charging is a huge advantage. The ability to quickly charge the phone is a major convenience. Plus, wireless charging and reverse wireless charging are a bonus.
- Future Proofing: The Find X5 has newer software and better connectivity. These ensure better performance and reliability over time.
While the Galaxy A72 does have a larger battery and a larger screen, these benefits do not outweigh the performance and camera upgrades that the Find X5 brings. For me, the overall experience that the Oppo Find X5 provides justifies the higher cost.
