Samsung Galaxy A72 vs Realme 12 Pro+ - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date March 26, 2021 January 29, 2024
Release Year 2021 2024

Physical

Volume 107.28 cm³ 105.17 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.3 "/g 3.42 "/g
Weight 203 g 196 g
Height 165 mm 161.5 mm
Width 77.4 mm 74 mm
Thickness 8.4 mm 8.8 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Awesome Black
  • Awesome White
  • Awesome Blue
  • Awesome Violet
  • Submarine Blue
  • Navigator Beige
  • Explorer Red

Display

Screen Size 6.7 " 6.7 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2412
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 84.9 % 90.4 %
Pixel Density 394 PPI 394 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 800 nits 800 nits
Peak Brightness N/A 950 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 111.38 mAh/in² 111.38 mAh/in²
Battery Density 46.61 mAh/cm³ 47.54 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) Octa-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 618 Adreno 710

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 14
Maximum OS Version 12

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72Realme 12 Pro+Practical Impact
Dimensions165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm161.5 × 74 × 8.8 mmA72 is slightly taller and wider, potentially feeling larger in hand; 12 Pro+ is a bit thicker, but may not be noticeably different.
Weight203g196gRealme 12 Pro+ is slightly lighter, possibly more comfortable for extended use.

Display

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72Realme 12 Pro+Practical Impact
Size6.7"6.7"Both have the same screen size, offering similar viewing areas.
Resolution1080x24001080x2412Almost identical; no visible difference in sharpness.
PPI394394Both screens have the same pixel density, resulting in identical sharpness.
TechnologyAMOLEDAMOLEDBoth phones offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast.
Refresh Rate90Hz120HzRealme 12 Pro+ has smoother animations and scrolling; more fluid user interface experience, especially noticeable in gaming and fast scrolling.
Brightness800 nits0 nitsSamsung Galaxy A72 screen is significantly brighter outdoors, providing superior visibility in sunlight. Realme's brightness is not provided, so we cannot compare.

Performance

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72Realme 12 Pro+Practical Impact
ChipsetQualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm)Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm)Realme 12 Pro+ has a more modern and powerful chipset, resulting in faster processing and better efficiency.
AnTuTu Score285,000603,400Realme 12 Pro+ has significantly higher benchmark scores, indicating superior overall performance and smoother operation.
GPUAdreno 618Adreno 710Realme 12 Pro+ has a more powerful GPU, offering better gaming and graphics performance.

Camera

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72Realme 12 Pro+Practical Impact
Standard Camera64MP, f/1.8, 0.80µm50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", Sony IMX890, 1.00µmRealme 12 Pro+ has a larger sensor and pixel size which captures more light, improving low light performance. A72 has higher MP, which can be useful for cropping.
Telephoto + Portrait Camera8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", Omnivision OV08A10, 1.00µmN/ASamsung Galaxy A72 has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed photos and better portraits.
Selfie Camera32MP, f/2.2, 0.80µm32MP, f/2.4, 1/2.74", Sony IMX615, 0.80µmSamsung A72 has a slightly wider aperture which is better for low light selfies.
Telephoto LensN/A64MP, f/2.6, 1/2", Omnivision OV64B, 0.70µmRealme 12 Pro+ has a dedicated telephoto lens which provides better zoomed shots.
Wide Angle Lens12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µmN/ASamsung Galaxy A72 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more in the frame.
Macro Lens5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µmN/ASamsung Galaxy A72 has a macro lens for detailed close-up shots.
Wide Angle + MacroN/A8MP, f/2.2, 1/4", Hynix HI-846, 1.12µmRealme 12 Pro+ features a combined wide angle and macro lens.
Video RecordingUp to 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@30/60fps with EIS, Slow-motion 120fpsUp to 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@30/60/120fps with EIS, Slow-motion 240fpsRealme 12 Pro+ offers a higher slow-motion capture rate and 120 fps video recording at 1080p.
DXOMarkMain:92, Photo:100, Video:78Not ProvidedSamsung A72 has available DXOmark scores, indicating the photo performance is superior.
Camera FeaturesDigital zoom, Optical zoom, Quadruple camera, OIS, PDAF, Night ModeDigital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, OIS, PDAF, RAW, 4K videoEach phone offers optical zoom and OIS, and other common features. A72 includes Night Mode, while 12 Pro+ provides RAW capture.

Battery

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72Realme 12 Pro+Practical Impact
Capacity5000mAh5000mAhBoth phones have similar battery capacity, offering comparable battery life.
Charging25W fast charging, Li-Ion67W fast charging, Li-PolymerRealme 12 Pro+ charges much faster, significantly reducing charging times.
Battery FeaturesNon-removable, 15W Fast Charger includedNon-removableA72 includes a fast charger in the box. 12 Pro+ uses a slightly different battery technology.

Software

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72Realme 12 Pro+Practical Impact
OSAndroid 11 (upgradable to 12)Android 14Realme 12 Pro+ has a newer Android version, offering the latest features and security updates.

Connectivity

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72Realme 12 Pro+Practical Impact
Wi-Fi802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Dual band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, Wi-Fi MiMORealme 12 Pro+ has WiFi 6 for faster and more stable connections.
BluetoothBluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 5.2 LERealme 12 Pro+ has a newer Bluetooth version offering more efficient and advanced connectivity options.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GalileoGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1)Realme 12 Pro+ supports more satellite systems, potentially improving location accuracy.
SIMDual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM)Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM)Both support dual SIM functionality.

Storage

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72Realme 12 Pro+Practical Impact
Internal Storage128 GB or 256 GB128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GBRealme 12 Pro+ offers a higher maximum storage option, allowing for more photos, videos, and apps.
RAM6 GB or 8 GB8 GB or 12 GBRealme 12 Pro+ has higher RAM options, leading to better multitasking and performance with resource-intensive apps.
ExpandableNoNoNeither phone supports expandable storage.

Audio

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72Realme 12 Pro+Practical Impact
Audio QualityDolby Atmos, Stereo SpeakersDolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphonesRealme 12 Pro+ offers a more comprehensive audio experience with better quality audio, noise cancellation and better voice capture.

Security

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72Realme 12 Pro+Practical Impact
Fingerprint SensorBasic fingerprint sensorBasic fingerprint sensorBoth phones offer standard fingerprint security.

Build Quality

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72Realme 12 Pro+Practical Impact
Screen ProtectionUnknownUnknownBoth phones have unspecified screen protection.

Sensors

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72Realme 12 Pro+Practical Impact
SensorsFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, GyroscopeFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, GyroscopeSamsung Galaxy A72 has an additional compass sensor, useful for navigation.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:

  • Brighter Display: Offers significantly better outdoor visibility with 800 nits brightness.
  • Telephoto and Macro Lens: Includes dedicated telephoto, and macro lenses for more versatile photography.
  • Included Charger: 15W fast charger in the box.
  • Compass Sensor: Includes a compass sensor.

Realme 12 Pro+ Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: Newer, more powerful chipset with much higher benchmark scores, resulting in faster performance and better gaming.
  • Faster Charging: 67W fast charging dramatically reduces charging time.
  • Newer OS: Ships with Android 14, providing the latest features and security.
  • More RAM and Storage Options: Offers up to 12GB RAM and 512GB storage.
  • Better Camera Sensor: Uses a larger main sensor for better low light performance and captures more light, improving photo quality
  • Higher Refresh Rate: 120 Hz for smoother visuals.
  • Better Audio Quality: Offers enhanced audio with Hi-Res audio, noise cancellation and multiple microphones
  • Newer connectivity standards: WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2

Trade-offs:

  • Realme 12 Pro+ loses the dedicated macro lens, and relies on combined wide/macro lens
  • Samsung Galaxy A72 suffers from much lower performance, slower charging and an older OS.
  • Realme 12 Pro+ has no provided brightness score, and might struggle in bright daylight, but has a superior overall display experience due to refresh rate.
  • Samsung Galaxy A72 lacks the higher refresh rate and newer connectivity options.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy A72:

  • Users who prioritize display brightness: Those who spend a lot of time outdoors and need good screen visibility in direct sunlight.
  • Users needing optical zoom: Those who need dedicated telephoto lens for photos.
  • Users who want a dedicated macro lens: Users who enjoy taking detailed close-up shots.
  • Price-conscious buyers: Might be a good option if you find it at a significantly lower price than Realme 12 Pro+.
  • Basic smartphone users: Those who don't require high-end performance but want good everyday functionality.

Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A72:

  • Outdoor photography: Taking photos on sunny days with good visibility.
  • Everyday usage: Browsing, social media, and light app usage.
  • Casual Gaming: Basic gaming needs.

Ideal User for Realme 12 Pro+:

  • Performance enthusiasts: Those who need a fast and responsive phone for gaming and multitasking.
  • Mobile gamers: Gamers who benefit from higher refresh rates and a powerful GPU.
  • Users wanting fast charging: People who need to charge their phone quickly and often.
  • Tech enthusiasts: Those who want the latest Android version and cutting-edge connectivity.
  • Photography enthusiasts: Those who prioritize low light camera performance and overall photo quality
  • Audiophiles: Those who want better audio playback and voice capture.

Use Cases for Realme 12 Pro+:

  • Mobile gaming: Smooth gameplay with higher refresh rate and powerful GPU.
  • Heavy multitasking: Running multiple apps efficiently.
  • Fast Charging: Quickly topping up the battery throughout the day.
  • Low Light Photography: Taking better pictures in low light conditions
  • Audio Recording: Recording clear voice memos.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. How important is display brightness for outdoor use? If you need to use your phone a lot in bright sunlight, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is superior in this area.
  2. How much do you value performance and fast charging? If you are a power user, the Realme 12 Pro+ offers much better performance and faster charging.
  3. What are your camera priorities? If you require macro and telephoto lenses, the Samsung is better. If you are looking for overall better image quality, the Realme is a better option.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious Outdoor User: If you need a decent phone on a budget for outdoor use, and can find the A72 at a much lower price, the Samsung A72 might be sufficient.
  • Scenario 2: Performance and Gaming User: If you are looking for a smooth, responsive phone for gaming and heavy usage, the Realme 12 Pro+ is the superior choice due to it's vastly superior performance, faster charging and newer OS.
  • Scenario 3: Balanced User with Focus on Camera: If you want a balanced experience with a focus on low light camera performance, and want to take great photos with good zoom, the Realme 12 Pro+ would be better due to its overall improved camera and higher refresh rate screen.

My Choice

I would choose the Realme 12 Pro+ and here's why:

While the Samsung Galaxy A72 has a significantly brighter display, the Realme 12 Pro+ is superior in almost every other category, particularly in areas that matter to me, such as:

  • Performance: The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset offers a substantial boost in speed, which is beneficial for my gaming and multitasking needs.
  • Charging: The 67W fast charging would save me a lot of time compared to the 25W on the A72.
  • Newer Software: Android 14 provides a more modern experience and will have better long-term support.
  • Camera: The newer camera sensor, while not as high MP as the A72, has a larger pixel size, which is superior in low-light, and I can compensate for the macro lens using wide-angle, which is included on the phone
  • Display: While the A72 is brighter, the higher refresh rate on the 12 Pro+ is more important, as it offers a better user experience on a day-to-day basis
  • Connectivity: Newer standards of bluetooth and WiFi are essential for me in 2024

While I appreciate the brighter display of the A72, the performance difference and faster charging on the Realme 12 Pro+ would improve my overall experience.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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