1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A72 and Realme 12+, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Realme 12+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 163 × 75.5 × 7.9 mm | Realme 12+ is slightly more compact and thinner, potentially making it more comfortable for one-handed use and pocketability. |
| Weight | 203g | 190g | Realme 12+ is 13g lighter, which can reduce fatigue during extended use. |
| Build Quality | Screen Protection: Unknown | Screen Protection: Unknown | The type of screen protection (e.g., Gorilla Glass version) is unknown for both phones, making it difficult to compare durability. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Realme 12+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Negligible difference; both offer a large screen suitable for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical; both offer sharp and detailed images for everyday use. |
| PPI | 394 | 395 | Practically the same; both displays will look equally crisp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and great contrast, suitable for multimedia. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Realme 12+ offers smoother scrolling and animations, which can be noticeable during fast-paced gaming and general UI navigation. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 2000 nits | Realme 12+ is significantly brighter, offering much better visibility under direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Realme 12+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | Realme 12+ with its newer chipset offers better performance and efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 601,000 | Realme 12+ offers a significantly faster user experience, with faster app loading, better multitasking, and smoother gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G68 MC4 | Realme 12+ has a more powerful GPU which is more capable in gaming scenarios. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Realme 12+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/2", Sony LYT-600, 0.61µm | Samsung has higher resolution, but sensor size is unknown, so quality is unclear, while Realme 12+ uses Sony's sensor. The aperture differences are negligible |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", OV08A10, 1.00µm | Not present | Samsung Galaxy A72 offers optical zoom capabilities, which is useful for portrait photography and distant subjects. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80µm | 16MP, f/2.45, Unknown Pixel Size | Samsung has a higher-resolution selfie camera with a wider aperture that might perform better in low light and produce more detail. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 8MP, f/2.2, Unknown Pixel Size | Samsung has a higher resolution wide-angle lens, potentially capturing more detail. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | 2MP, f/2.4, Unknown Pixel Size | Samsung offers a higher-resolution macro lens, potentially producing more detailed close-up shots. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps with EIS; Slow-motion: 120 fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps with EIS; Slow-motion: 120 fps | Both offer similar video recording capabilities; Both feature electronic image stabilization for smoother videos. |
| DXOMark | Mobile: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | Not Available | Samsung Galaxy A72 has a tested camera rating, indicating known quality. Realme 12+ has no DXOMark score, making it harder to gauge overall camera performance comparatively |
| Features | Digital/Optical Zoom, Quadruple Camera, OIS, PDAF, Manual Focus, Continuous Shooting, Night Mode | 4K Video, Digital Zoom, Triple Camera, OIS, PDAF | Samsung offers more camera features including optical zoom and manual controls. Realme has 4K Video and a triple camera system. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Realme 12+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life, generally sufficient for a full day's use. |
| Charging | 25W, Li-Ion | 67W, Li-Polymer | Realme 12+ charges much faster (67W vs 25W), reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable, 15W charger included | Non-removable | Realme 12+ does not include charger, Samsung Galaxy A72 has a charger included, but is slower compared to Realme 12+. |
Software and Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Realme 12+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (Max 12) | Android 14 (Max 16) | Realme 12+ offers a more recent Android version with more up to date features. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (ac) | Wi-Fi 6 (ax) | Realme 12+ supports newer and faster Wi-Fi standard, offering better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 LE | Realme 12+ has a newer Bluetooth version with more power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | Samsung has support for Galileo. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM use. |
Storage and Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Realme 12+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Realme 12+ offers a higher maximum internal storage option, which is better for users who have a lot of data |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8/12 GB | Realme 12+ has more RAM which allows for better multitasking and app performance |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, limiting the flexibility for adding storage space |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 Microphones | Realme 12+ has a better audio output for media consumption, better voice capture and clearer calls |
Security and Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Realme 12+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both have basic biometric fingerprint sensors for securing device access |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Samsung Galaxy A72 has more sensors including hall and geomagnetic, which allow more advanced features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages
- Optical Zoom: The dedicated telephoto lens offers true optical zoom, beneficial for photography enthusiasts.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: A 32MP selfie camera provides more detailed selfies, ideal for social media.
- More Camera Features: Offers manual focus, continuous shooting, and night mode for more versatile photography.
- Included Charger: Comes with 15W charger in the box.
- Additional Sensors: Hall and Geomagnetic sensors provide more advanced functionality in apps and games.
- Tested Camera Quality: Has a DXOMark score, offering a point of comparison on the camera quality
- Wider Apertures: slightly wider apertures in both standard and selfie lenses
Practical Implications: The Samsung Galaxy A72 caters to users who prioritize camera versatility, especially those who value optical zoom and detailed selfies.
Realme 12+ Advantages
- Significantly Higher Performance: The newer chipset offers drastically better processing power, making it faster in everyday tasks and gaming.
- Brighter Display: 2000 nits brightness greatly improves outdoor visibility, making it far better for use in bright sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 67W charging speeds dramatically reduce charging times.
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 14, ensuring more recent features and updates.
- Newer Bluetooth and Wifi: Realme 12+ uses newer and better versions of both.
- Higher Maximum Storage and RAM: 512GB storage and 12GB RAM allow users to store more data and multitask more smoothly.
- Better Audio Quality: Features like Hi-Res Audio and noise cancellation microphone provides enhanced spatial audio, higher quality audio playback, clearer calls and better voice capture.
Practical Implications: The Realme 12+ is a better choice for users who want a more responsive, faster phone with better display quality, faster charging and enhanced audio quality.
Significant Trade-offs
- The Realme 12+ lacks a dedicated telephoto lens, so it won't offer optical zoom.
- The Samsung Galaxy A72 has more versatile camera features (night mode, manual focus)
- Realme 12+ does not include a charger.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy A72
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize optical zoom and detailed selfies.
- Users Who Value Feature-Rich Camera: Users who want manual controls, night mode, and advanced shooting options
- Users Who Don't Need Cutting-Edge Performance: Users who want reliable, everyday performance and a good camera experience
Specific Use Cases:
- Taking zoomed-in shots without losing detail.
- Capturing detailed selfies for social media.
- General photography in diverse lighting conditions.
Ideal Users for Realme 12+
- Gamers and Power Users: Users who need a fast and responsive phone for demanding apps and games.
- Outdoor Users: Users who need high display visibility in bright sunlight.
- Users Who Value Fast Charging: Users who want to quickly charge their phone with minimal downtime.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who want better audio output for music and videos.
Specific Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive games.
- Using the phone outdoors in bright daylight.
- Quickly charging the phone before going out.
- Enjoying music and video with great audio quality
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- Do you prioritize camera versatility (optical zoom, manual focus) or overall performance and screen brightness?
- Is having the latest Android version and future updates important to you?
- How critical is fast charging and overall device speed for your usage patterns?
Scenario-Based Recommendations
Scenario 1: Photography Focused User
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A72. The optical zoom, higher resolution selfie camera, and added features (manual mode) provide more creative control.
Scenario 2: Performance Focused User
- Recommendation: Realme 12+. The significantly better chipset, more RAM, and higher refresh rate make it a much smoother experience.
Scenario 3: Outdoor User
- Recommendation: Realme 12+. The 2000 nits brightness makes it much easier to see the screen in direct sunlight.
Scenario 4: Budget-Conscious User
* **Recommendation:** (Assuming similar price points) This would depend on the priorities. If the user prioritizes camera, then the A72, otherwise, the 12+ would offer a much better experience for everyday tasks.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Realme 12+. While the Samsung Galaxy A72 has its strengths, especially in the camera department with its optical zoom and more features, the Realme 12+ is a superior device for my needs. The dramatically better performance (nearly double the AnTuTu score), much brighter display for outdoor visibility, faster charging, and more recent Android version make it a better overall package.
While I do value camera versatility, the Realme 12+ main camera is still very capable. The practical benefits of the faster performance and screen are more important for my everyday usage than the optical zoom. Additionally, the Realme's 12+ inclusion of Hi-Res Audio and a noise cancellation microphone make the device more suitable for multimedia consumption and calls. For me, the Realme 12+ is a more modern device that is better suited to a variety of use cases.
