1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A72 and Oppo Reno11, focusing on practical implications:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Oppo Reno11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm | 162.4 x 74.3 x 7.9 mm | Oppo Reno11 is slightly more compact and may feel better in hand; the Samsung Galaxy A72 is noticeably larger. |
| Weight | 203g | 182g | Oppo Reno11 is significantly lighter, enhancing comfort during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both phones offer identical screen sizes, suitable for media consumption and general use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Negligible difference; both offer sharp visuals. |
| Pixel Density | 394 PPI | 394 PPI | Identical sharpness; both have similar clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both displays offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Oppo Reno11 provides a smoother scrolling experience and animations compared to the Samsung Galaxy A72. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 1400 nits | Oppo Reno11 has substantially better outdoor visibility, more convenient in bright conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | Oppo Reno11 provides significantly faster processing, better for demanding apps and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 923,559 | Oppo Reno11 is markedly more powerful, handling multitasking and gaming more efficiently. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G68 MC4 | Oppo Reno11's GPU allows for higher frame rates in graphics intensive tasks such as gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.88 | Samsung Galaxy A72 captures higher resolution images while the Oppo Reno11 has larger sensor for more light capture and better low light performance. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 8MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung Galaxy A72 has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom and portrait photography. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP, f/2.0 | Oppo Reno11 has a dedicated telephoto lens for better zooming capabilities. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.4 | Samsung Galaxy A72 provides a slightly wider aperture for potentially better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Samsung Galaxy A72 has higher resolution wide angle photos. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung Galaxy A72 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, EIS | 4K@30fps, EIS, 1080p@480fps | Both offer 4k recording, but the Oppo Reno 11 has higher quality slow motion with 1080p@480fps. |
| DXOMark Score | 92 | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A72's camera has been tested by DXOMark. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Manual focus, Night Mode | Noise reduction, 4K Video, Triple camera, Continuous autofocus, RAW | Different focus in terms of image quality and control |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4800mAh | Samsung Galaxy A72 has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering marginally longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Oppo Reno11 charges much faster, reducing charging downtime significantly. |
| Charger | 15W Fast Charger Included | No Charger Included | Samsung includes a fast charger in the box. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradeable to 12 | Android 14 | Oppo Reno11 has a more recent OS version, providing newer features and enhanced security. |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Oppo Reno11 offers faster and more efficient Wi-Fi connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Oppo Reno11 has a newer Bluetooth version, with better range and power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Oppo Reno11 supports more satellite navigation systems for better location accuracy. |
| Storage & Audio | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | Oppo Reno11 offers more storage capacity for media and apps. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8/12 GB | Oppo Reno11 has more RAM, providing smoother multitasking capabilities. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage via SD card. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio features | Samsung Galaxy A72 has enhanced audio quality with Dolby Atmos and Stereo Speakers. |
| Security, Build & Sensors | |||
| Security | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer similar basic fingerprint security. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Information is not available for the screen protection technologies. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Hall, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Gravity, Fingerprint | Both have similar suites of sensors but the samsung has a compass. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Dedicated Macro and Telephoto Cameras: Offers a wider array of photographic capabilities, allowing users to capture macro shots and zoom without substantial digital degradation.
- Slightly Larger Battery: Offers 4% more battery capacity.
- Dolby Atmos and Stereo Speakers: Provides a superior audio experience for media consumption.
- Included Charger: Comes with a 15W fast charger.
- Compass: An additional sensor for navigation and orientation.
- DXOMark Score: The camera quality has been tested and scored.
Oppo Reno11 Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Mediatek Dimensity 7050 chipset offers vastly superior performance for gaming and demanding applications.
- Superior Display Brightness: Provides better visibility in bright outdoor conditions due to a 1400 nit display.
- Smoother Refresh Rate: 120Hz refresh rate results in a more fluid visual experience.
- Faster Charging: 67W charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Newer OS: Runs on Android 14, providing the latest features and security.
- Better Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 technology.
- More Storage and RAM: Higher storage and RAM configurations.
- Better Telephoto Lens: Dedicated telephoto lens with a larger sensor.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung A72 has more photographic versatility with dedicated telephoto and macro lenses, but has weaker processing and graphics.
- Oppo Reno 11 provides much faster processing, better screen quality and significantly faster charging but lacks dedicated macro camera and more basic audio.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal User:
- Casual photographers: Users who enjoy capturing a variety of shots, including close-ups and zoomed images, and value a more traditional quad camera system.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who prioritize a superior audio experience with Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers.
- Users looking for a complete package: Users who appreciate a charger included in the box and do not mind slightly slower performance.
Use Cases:
- Detailed macro photography and optical zoom.
- Enjoying movies, music, and videos with enhanced audio.
Oppo Reno11 Ideal User:
- Gamers and Power Users: Users who require a device with high performance for gaming, multitasking, and resource-intensive applications.
- Outdoor Users: People who need a screen that remains highly visible in bright sunlight.
- Users seeking long term software support: Users who value having the latest software and security features.
- Users looking for fast charging: For people who want to minimize their charging time.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphically demanding mobile games.
- Working or navigating outdoors in bright sunlight.
- Power users with lots of apps in the background
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Oppo Reno 11 is newer and provides significant performance improvements that justify any potential difference in price.
- The Samsung Galaxy A72 provides more basic features and is likely to be found cheaper due to its age.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Performance Needs: Do you need a phone that can handle demanding games and heavy multitasking, or is general use sufficient?
- Display Importance: How crucial is screen visibility in bright sunlight and a smoother visual experience?
- Camera Preferences: Do you prioritize diverse lens options, or are low-light performance and zoom capabilities more important?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Heavy Gaming and Performance: If you are a gamer or need high performance for apps and multitasking, the Oppo Reno11 is the clear winner.
Scenario 2: Photography Enthusiast: If you take various types of photos including macro, portraits, and zoom shots, the Samsung A72 is preferable, unless image quality and the telephoto lens are your primary concerns.
Scenario 3: General Use with Multimedia: If you prioritize multimedia consumption and good audio quality but still require adequate performance, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is still a decent option.
Scenario 4: Long-Term Use: If you prefer a device with the latest software and want long-term support, the Oppo Reno11 is better due to its newer operating system.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would go for the Oppo Reno11.
Reasoning:
Although the Samsung Galaxy A72 offers a versatile camera system, Dolby Atmos, and slightly better battery, the Oppo Reno11's strengths align better with my needs and modern smartphone expectations. The dramatically superior processing power of the Dimensity 7050 is a significant advantage, resulting in a much smoother and more responsive user experience. The brighter 120Hz display will improve the visual experience across all use cases and the significantly faster charging is very convenient. Finally the newer software is more future proof.
While I appreciate the macro and telephoto options of the A72, I find that the image quality of the main camera on the Reno11, along with its dedicated telephoto and general faster performance, would be more impactful in my daily usage. While the A72's audio is appreciated, headphones are more often used.
