Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A72 vs. Realme Note 50
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Realme Note 50 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm | 167.2 x 76.7 x 8 mm | Realme Note 50 is slightly taller and thinner; A72 might feel slightly more substantial due to thickness. |
| Weight | 203g | 186g | Realme Note 50 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for long-term use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.74" | Negligible size difference; both offer large displays. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | A72 has significantly sharper display, with more detail visible. Text, images and videos look noticeably clearer on the A72. |
| Pixel Density | 394 PPI | 260 PPI | A72 displays much sharper text and images; The difference in sharpness will be visible to the naked eye |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | A72's AMOLED panel offers superior color vibrancy, deeper blacks, and better contrast, and better power efficiency for dark mode usage compared to the Realme's LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, but the difference in display technology makes the A72 look much better. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | A72 is much better for outdoor use under bright sunlight due to high brightness; the lack of this specification on the Note 50 is a major drawback. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) | A72's Snapdragon 720G offers better performance; Expect smoother gaming and multitasking on the A72; Note 50 is less powerful and may struggle with demanding tasks. |
| Antutu Score | 285,000 | 248,000 | A72 is expected to have better overall performance in real-world use, with less stuttering and delays in app launching and switching. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G57 MP1 | The Adreno 618 in the A72 generally offers better graphical performance in games than the Mali-G57 of the Note 50. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP f/1.8 | 13MP f/2.2 | A72 captures significantly more detailed images, especially in low light, due to larger sensor, higher pixel count and wider aperture; Note 50 photos are likely to lack detail. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 8MP f/2.4 | None | A72 has better zoom and portrait capabilities; the A72 allows you to take quality pictures at distance, which is not available on the Note 50. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP f/2.2 | 5MP f/2.2 | A72 takes much higher resolution selfies; Expect better detail and quality on the A72 selfies than on the Note 50. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12MP f/2.2 | None | A72 captures wide shots, useful for landscapes and groups; the Note 50 can not perform this function. |
| Macro Camera | 5MP f/2.4 | None | A72 captures detailed close-up images; the Note 50 can not perform this function. |
| Black & White Camera | None | 2MP f/2.4 | The Note 50 has a dedicated black & white sensor, the A72 does not. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps with EIS | 1080p@30fps | A72 records higher resolution video with smoother frame rate, and has EIS for better stabilization; Note 50 video quality is considerably lower. |
| DXOMark Score | Mobile: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | Not Tested | A72’s camera performance is rated very highly; Indicative of better camera quality. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer comparable battery life; Actual battery life depends on usage. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging (Li-Ion) | 10W Fast Charging (Li-Polymer) | A72 charges significantly faster and uses better technology for the battery. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 13 | Note 50 has a newer version of Android out-of-the-box; A72 is likely not going to receive further OS updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac (Dual-band) | 802.11ac (Dual-band) | Both offer similar Wi-Fi capabilities. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 LE | Both offer similar Bluetooth capabilities. A72 has more audio features, while the Note 50 has LE, for low energy connections. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | A72 has Beidou support for more accurate location. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support Dual SIM with Dual Standby. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 64GB/128GB/256GB | Both offer a max of 256GB storage, but the Realme offers a lower-end 64GB model; A72 does not offer the low-end option. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 3GB/4GB | A72 offers significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device supports microSD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio | A72 has much better sound quality with Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Note 50's side-mounted sensor is more convenient. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | A72 has more advanced motion sensors for better gaming and augmented reality applications. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with significantly higher resolution, brightness, and pixel density offers a much better viewing experience.
- Better Performance: More powerful processor and GPU for smoother multitasking and gaming performance.
- Superior Camera System: Higher resolution sensors, telephoto, wide-angle, and macro cameras, and better video recording capabilities.
- Faster Charging: 25W fast charging is much quicker than the Realme Note 50's 10W.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support provide a superior audio experience.
- Advanced Sensors: Compass and Gyroscope are useful for more advanced apps and games.
Realme Note 50 Advantages:
- Lighter Design: 17g lighter than the Samsung A72, making it more comfortable for long-term use.
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 13 out of the box.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More convenient location for unlocking the device.
- Black and White Camera: Has a dedicated sensor for black and white photos
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy A72 trades off weight and newer OS for significantly better display, camera, performance, and faster charging.
- The Realme Note 50 trades off display quality, camera capabilities, and performance for a lighter design, newer OS, and lower price.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 is ideal for:
- Media Consumers: Users who frequently watch videos, browse social media, and enjoy high-quality visuals.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with good low-light performance, zoom capabilities, and 4K video recording.
- Gamers: Users who play mobile games and require smooth, lag-free performance, and a high quality display for enhanced immersion.
- Power Users: Users who perform multitasking and require a device that can handle resource-intensive apps.
Realme Note 50 is ideal for:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users seeking a basic smartphone experience at an affordable price.
- Basic Users: Users who primarily use their phones for calls, messages, and light social media browsing.
- Users Prioritizing Lightness: Users who prefer a lightweight phone for comfortable handling and pocketability.
- Users who want the latest OS version: users who want Android 13 for the latest features.
Use Cases:
- Galaxy A72: Playing graphic-intensive games with smooth frame rates, capturing high-quality photos and videos during travel, watching high-resolution movies on the go, using multiple apps simultaneously without lag.
- Realme Note 50: Making basic calls and texting, casually browsing social media, taking occasional snapshots in daylight conditions, using a lightweight phone for all day use.
Price-to-Value:
- The Samsung Galaxy A72 offers a significantly better experience across key areas (display, camera, performance) that likely justifies its higher price, but this depends on current market conditions.
- The Realme Note 50 is a more budget-friendly option that provides decent functionality but compromises heavily in critical areas like display and camera.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? (A72 is pricier, Note 50 is more budget friendly)
- How important is the display quality to me? (A72 display is significantly better)
- How important are the camera quality and versatility for me? (A72 has a much more versatile system)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If you value a great display, camera and performance, even if it costs more, and are not concerned about having the latest OS: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72.
- Scenario 2: If you prioritize a lightweight phone with the latest Android version and a low price: Choose the Realme Note 50.
- Scenario 3: If you need a phone for basic tasks, and display quality and camera are not very important: Choose the Realme Note 50.
My Choice
Based on the specifications and my preference for a better user experience, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A72. The superior AMOLED display, much better camera system with more versatility and the faster performance make it the better choice for me. The older OS and higher price is a trade off I am willing to make for those benefits.
While the Realme Note 50 is newer and lighter, the massive trade-offs in display quality and camera performance do not justify the small weight saving or newer OS. I highly value a high quality display for content consumption, and good camera versatility and photo quality is important to me. The faster performance of the A72 is also very valuable, as it will ensure a smoother user experience in daily use. The significantly better sound from the A72 is also a huge bonus. The side mounted fingerprint sensor of the Note 50 is less important than the overall package provided by the A72.
