1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Realme C55 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-26 | 2023-03-08 | Realme C55 is significantly newer, potentially offering longer software support and newer features. |
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm, 203g | 165.6 × 75.9 × 7.9 mm, 189.5g | Realme C55 is slightly lighter and thinner, possibly more comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.72" | Virtually identical screen size, negligible difference in daily usage. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Same sharpness on both screens. |
| PPI | 394 | 392 | Very similar pixel density, both displays will look sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Samsung A72 has a superior display, offering better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colours. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 680 nits | Samsung A72 has better outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Mediatek Helio G88 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 720G generally offers slightly better overall performance and power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 245,800 | Samsung A72 demonstrates a noticeably higher benchmark performance, smoother overall experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 618 tends to offer better gaming performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery life for daily tasks. |
| Charging | 25W | 33W | Realme C55 charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80µm pixel size | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/2", 0.70µm pixel size, Omnivision OV64B | Both phones have 64MP main cameras, real-world differences may be noticeable under testing. |
| Telephoto/Portrait Camera | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.00µm pixel size, Omnivision OV08A10 | None | Samsung A72 provides a dedicated telephoto/portrait lens for better zoom quality. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size | None | Samsung A72 captures wider scenes. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12 µm pixel size | None | Samsung A72 can take close-up macro shots. |
| Portrait (Depth) | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75 µm pixel size, GalaxyCore GC02M1 | Realme C55 has a dedicated depth sensor for improved portrait mode. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80µm pixel size | 8MP, f/2.0 | Samsung A72 has much higher resolution selfies, but Realme C55 has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 1080p@60fps | Samsung A72 records higher resolution video with Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS). |
| DxOMark | Main Score 92, Photo 100, Video 78 | Not Tested | Samsung A72's camera performs well according to DxOMark. |
| Features | OIS, PDAF, Quad Camera | Dual Camera | Samsung A72 offers optical zoom and stabilization and uses a quad-camera setup, while the Realme C55 is a dual camera setup. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 12) | Android 13 | Realme C55 has a newer OS out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11n | Samsung Galaxy A72 supports a faster Wi-Fi standard. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 LE | Realme C55 has a newer Bluetooth version for better power efficiency. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 64GB/128GB/256GB | Similar options with slightly more variants on the Realme C55 |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 4GB/6GB/8GB | Similar options for multitasking capabilities |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither support external storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio features | Samsung A72 offers enhanced audio quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Realme C55 has a faster, more convenient fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Samsung A72 includes additional sensors for enhanced functionality, including navigation and gaming. |
| Build Quality | Screen Protection unknown | Screen Protection unknown | Both phones have unknown screen protection. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with better contrast, color vibrancy, and viewing angles.
- Better Camera System: Telephoto, wide-angle, and macro lenses provide more versatility.
- Higher Video Recording: Supports 4K video with EIS, offering higher resolution and stabilized recording.
- Enhanced Audio: Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support for a richer audio experience.
- Slightly Better Performance: Snapdragon 720G chip has a higher benchmark score, delivering slightly more power for demanding tasks.
- Better WiFi: The A72 uses a newer Wifi standard (802.11ac compared to the 802.11n used by the C55), offering better wireless connection performance.
- Comprehensive Sensor Suite: It has an array of sensors, making it suitable for gaming and more advanced features.
Realme C55 Advantages:
- Newer Device: Launched almost two years later, potentially with newer software features and extended support.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging is significantly faster than the 25W on the A72.
- Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.2 offers better power efficiency.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Provides a more modern, faster and more convenient unlock experience.
- Cheaper: The device will likely be cheaper as it has a lower overall performance.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung A72: Older processor, slower charging, potentially shorter software support period
- Realme C55: Lower quality display, fewer camera features, less powerful performance, basic audio.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 is Ideal for:
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Users who value a high-quality display for watching videos and playing games.
- Photography Lovers: Users who want a versatile camera system with zoom, wide-angle, and macro capabilities.
- Audio Lovers: Users who enjoy high-quality audio through stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos.
Users Who Want a Solid Mid-Range Experience: The A72 is a solid choice for users who want a more powerful and feature-rich smartphone with a larger sensor suite.
Specific Use Cases:
- Watching movies and TV shows
- Capturing detailed photos in various scenarios
- Playing games with demanding graphics
- Enjoying high-fidelity music and audio
- Users that want a more versatile array of sensors
Realme C55 is Ideal for:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Users looking for a newer phone with a modern OS at a lower price point.
- Everyday Users: Users who primarily use their phones for social media, browsing, and basic tasks.
- Users that want fast charging: The faster charging is very convenient and a noticeable advantage.
Users that prioritize ease-of-use and responsiveness: The side mounted fingerprint sensor is more ergonomic.
Specific Use Cases:
- Social media browsing
- Basic photography and video recording
- Longer battery use
- Quickly charging the phone for daily activities.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Realme C55 will likely have a better price-to-value ratio as it is a cheaper device that offers very good performance for its price range. However, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is a superior device in many areas and could be worth the price difference for some users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality? If you watch a lot of videos or play games, the A72's AMOLED screen will be a big advantage.
- How important is camera versatility? If you like taking pictures in various settings, the A72's additional lenses will be beneficial.
- How important is fast charging? If you often find yourself needing a quick charge, the C55's 33W charging might be preferred.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Power User: If you need the best performance and camera flexibility and enjoy multimedia content, choose the Samsung Galaxy A72.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious User: If you want a newer device with a modern OS and you are on a budget, choose the Realme C55.
- Scenario 3: Everyday User: If you use your phone for basic tasks and would benefit from a faster charging experience, then the Realme C55 would be a good option.
- Scenario 4: Prioritize Premium Audio and Video: If audio quality matters, choose the Samsung Galaxy A72.
My Choice
Based on my analysis, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A72.
Why?
- While the Realme C55 is a newer device and has some practical advantages (faster charging, side fingerprint), the overall user experience offered by the Galaxy A72 is significantly better. The superior AMOLED display, versatile camera system (telephoto, wide-angle, macro), and higher-quality audio are key selling points for my personal preferences. I enjoy content creation, playing games, and consuming media, and I feel the A72 would cater to these needs.
- Although the A72 is older, the performance difference isn't so significant, and its other features make up for the age of the device. The additional sensors also make the device more versatile and potentially more useful in certain scenarios.
- The slightly higher price point of the A72 is worth it for the improvement in key areas such as display, camera system and audio quality, which are important for my use cases. While some users may not find the additional features worth the added cost, I personally feel that these upgrades are significant.
Therefore, for my specific needs and preferences, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A72.
