1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A72 and Realme 12 Pro, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 161.5 × 74 × 8.8 mm | The A72 is taller and wider, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use; the Realme 12 Pro is slightly thicker. |
| Weight | 203g | 190g | The Realme 12 Pro is slightly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both phones are standard smartphones, not foldable |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both have the same screen size, providing an equally immersive viewing experience |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Both offer sharp, detailed visuals for everyday use and multimedia consumption. |
| PPI | 394 | 394 | Identical pixel density means both have similar sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast, ideal for multimedia. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Realme 12 Pro has smoother scrolling and animations, a noticeable advantage for gaming and general UI experience. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 950 nits | The Realme 12 Pro is more visible in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | The Realme 12 Pro's newer chip offers significantly faster performance, quicker app loading, and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 574,000 | The Realme 12 Pro has almost double the benchmark score, translating to a huge real-world performance improvement. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 710 | The Realme 12 Pro's GPU offers better graphics performance, suitable for gaming and other graphically intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2", Sony IMX882, 0.70µm | The A72 has higher resolution, while the Realme 12 Pro uses a more modern sensor with a larger sensor size which usually allows for more light capture and better low-light images. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", OV08A10, 1.00µm | None | The A72 offers dedicated zoom capabilities for portrait and telephoto shots. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP, f/2.0, 1/2.74", Sony IMX709, 0.80µm | The Realme 12 Pro has dedicated zoom capabilities for portrait and telephoto shots, likely providing superior image quality compared to the A72s digital zoom. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80µm | 16MP, f/2.4, | The A72 provides more detailed selfies due to higher resolution and wider aperture, but quality is highly dependant on the sensor. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | None | A72 allows for wide-angle shots, perfect for capturing landscapes and group photos. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | None | The A72 offers dedicated macro mode for closeup photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX355, 1.12µm | The Realme 12 Pro offers wide-angle and macro capabilities via a single lens. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps (EIS), 120fps slow-mo | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps (EIS), 240fps slow-mo | Both phones provide good video recording, but the Realme 12 Pro offers a higher frame rate for slow-motion. |
| DXOMark | Main: 92 (Photo 100, Video 78) | Not Tested | The A72 has a tested camera score indicating a good main camera performance. Realme 12 Pro lacks a score. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both provide similar battery life for a full day of typical use. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | The Realme 12 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | The Realme 12 Pro has a slightly more modern battery type, but in real world scenarios both batteries perform similarly. |
| Included Charger | 15W | None | The A72 ships with a 15W charger, while the Realme 12 Pro does not |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 14 | The Realme 12 Pro has the advantage of the latest software version for a better user experience and features. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-band | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Dual-band, WiFi 6, MIMO | Realme 12 Pro uses the newer WiFi 6, providing higher transfer speeds and a better connection. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 LE | Realme 12 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version for potentially more stable connections and efficient power usage. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Realme 12 Pro supports more satellite navigation systems, improving location accuracy. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB | The Realme 12 Pro offers more base storage, crucial for users with large media libraries. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB | Realme 12 Pro offers more RAM, allowing smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both lack expandable storage, users should chose accordingly |
Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | The Realme 12 Pro offers superior audio, ideal for audiophiles and users who prioritize sound clarity during calls. |
Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both provide standard biometric security. |
Build Quality
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones offer the same level of screen protection, if any |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | The A72 has a more extensive suite of sensors, potentially better for games. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Dedicated Telephoto/Portrait & Wide Angle & Macro Lenses: Offers more versatile camera capabilities, allowing optical zoom and wide angle shots, not just digital zoom.
- More extensive sensors: The additional sensors in the A72 offer a slightly better experience in gaming.
- Included 15W Charger: The included charger allows for charging right out of the box, unlike the Realme 12 Pro.
- Tested Camera Score: The tested DxOMark camera score of 92 indicates good photo and video quality.
Realme 12 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset offers almost double the performance in benchmarks, resulting in a noticeable difference in app loading, multitasking, and gaming.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: 120Hz display provides smoother animations and a more fluid user experience.
- Brighter Screen: The 950 nits brightness enhances visibility in outdoor environments.
- Faster Charging: 67W charging drastically reduces charging times.
- Superior Audio: Hi-Res Audio and a noise-canceling microphone provides a better audio experience, ideal for multimedia and calls.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 14, offering the latest features and security updates.
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens: Offers more versatile camera capabilities, allowing optical zoom.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy A72 offers a quad-camera setup with a dedicated telephoto and macro lens, while the Realme 12 Pro uses a single telephoto lens. The Realme does have a wide angle + macro lens, but the tradeoff of a telephoto is the significant difference.
- The Realme 12 Pro does not ship with a charger, whereas the A72 does include a charger.
- The A72 has a tested camera score and the Realme 12 Pro does not have a score.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize a balanced camera setup with versatile lenses and are less concerned about top-tier performance or the latest software updates.
- Use Cases: Casual photographers who want to experiment with different lenses, users who prefer a balanced performance for everyday tasks, users who prefer an included charger, users who want a tested camera.
- Value: Offers a lower price point for a capable smartphone with a good camera and a balanced performance.
Realme 12 Pro:
- Ideal User: Power users who value performance, gamers, those who prioritize a smooth and responsive user experience and a very good audio setup, users who like the latest software.
- Use Cases: Demanding gaming sessions, heavy multitasking, frequent multimedia consumption, users who want a fast charging experience.
- Value: Offers a premium experience with top-tier performance and features, making it worth the extra cost for those who prioritize those aspects.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize raw performance or camera versatility? If performance is key, the Realme 12 Pro is better; if you want all the camera options, the A72 is better.
- Is faster charging and a smoother display a priority? If yes, the Realme 12 Pro is the clear choice.
- How important is the latest software version and audio experience? If it's highly important the Realme 12 Pro is the clear choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User If you're a casual user, the A72 is more than sufficient.
- Scenario 2: Performance-Oriented User: If you're a power user, the Realme 12 Pro is a much better fit for you.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: The A72 is a more appealing option for camera versatility.
- Scenario 4: Audiophile: The Realme 12 Pro is the better option for its higher audio quality.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Realme 12 Pro. The deciding factors are the significantly better performance, the 120Hz display, and the superior audio quality. While the Samsung Galaxy A72 offers a more versatile camera system, my priority would be a better overall user experience. Additionally, the inclusion of the latest software version in the Realme 12 Pro makes it a more future-proof device, which is important for the long-term value of a smartphone. While both devices offer a similar experience, I believe that the enhanced performance, display and audio of the Realme 12 Pro make it the better phone.
