1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | A72 is slightly wider, A12 Nacho is slightly thicker, both similar in height. A72 might feel more substantial in hand due to width, A12 Nacho more dense due to thickness. |
| Weight | 203g | 205g | Negligible difference in weight, both feel similar in hand. |
| Build | Unknown | Unknown | No information on materials, therefore it's difficult to comment on the feel and durability of each phone. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.5" | A72 provides a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | A72 has a significantly sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 394 | 270 | A72 has much higher sharpness. Text and images will look crisper. A12 Nacho may appear slightly blurry. |
| Technology | AMOLED | PLS LCD | A72's AMOLED offers superior colors, contrast, and deeper blacks; better for viewing content and saving battery in dark mode, while A12's LCD is less vibrant with shallower contrast and less power efficient. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 60Hz | A72 provides smoother animations and scrolling, making the phone feel more responsive in general use. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | A72 is much brighter and is more easily viewed under direct sunlight or outdoor conditions. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | A72's Snapdragon 720G is significantly more powerful. It handles demanding games and multitasking more smoothly. A12 Nacho's Exynos 850 is for basic tasks and light gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 117,300 | A72 provides much smoother and faster general performance for all usage cases. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G52 | A72’s Adreno 618 offers far better graphics performance. It's better for gaming and graphic-intensive apps. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard | 64MP, f/1.8 | 48MP, f/2.0 | A72's main sensor captures more detail and performs better in low light due to its higher resolution and wider aperture. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 8MP, f/2.4 | N/A | A72 has a dedicated telephoto lens that offers optical zoom for better portrait shots and capturing distant subjects without quality loss. |
| Selfie | 32MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | A72 captures much more detailed selfies with better dynamic range. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.0 | A72 captures much wider scenes at a higher resolution. |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | A72 captures macro shots with more detail. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | A12 Nacho can gather additional depth information. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps w/EIS | Up to 1080p@30fps | A72 can record higher-resolution video with image stabilization; better for content creators. |
| Video Stabilization | Yes | No | A72 has more stable video with less shakiness and blur. |
| DXOMark | Mobile (92), Photo (100), Video (78) | N/A | A72 has a professionally tested superior camera performance, both in photos and video. |
| Camera Features | Optical zoom, OIS, More | Fewer | A72 has a richer camera feature set offering more creative and high-quality photo and video options |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same capacity, promising similar battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | A72 charges much faster, reducing downtime waiting to get back to 100%. |
| Charger Included | 15W Fast Charger | N/A | A72 includes fast charger in the box, while the A12 does not. |
| Removable | Non-removable | Non-removable | Neither phone offers a removable battery. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 | Both launched on Android 11 |
| Max OS Version | Android 12 | Android 13 | A12 will have slightly longer official support. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho | Practical Impact |
|---|
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | A72 also offers Dual-Band capabilities |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | A72 has more Bluetooth profiles, allowing for more stable audio transfer |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Both offer the same GPS connectivity, suitable for navigation. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones support dual SIM use, allowing easy switching between numbers. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 32 GB or 64 GB or 128 GB | A72 can have much more storage, important for users with lots of media. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 3 GB or 4 GB or 6 GB | A72 has potentially more RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking and more apps running in the background. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither offers expandable storage, so users are limited to the onboard memory. |
Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos | A72 has a superior audio experience with more spatial audio and better immersion. |
Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Biometric | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted sensors tend to be faster than in-display fingerprint scanners in day-to-day use. |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | A72 offers more sensors, which is beneficial for AR applications and motion tracking in games. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate, and brightness results in a much better viewing experience for media and daily use.
- Enhanced Performance: The Snapdragon 720G chipset provides significantly faster processing and better graphics capabilities, making it ideal for gaming and multitasking.
- Superior Camera System: Offers a more versatile setup with a telephoto lens, higher resolution sensors, OIS, and superior video recording capabilities.
- Faster Charging: Supports 25W fast charging compared to A12 Nacho's 15W, reducing downtime.
- Higher Base Storage and RAM: Offers more storage and RAM for demanding users.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers and a better implementation of Dolby Atmos provides an immersive audio experience
- Additional Features: Includes Optical Zoom, Optical Image Stabilization, and more sensors.
Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho Advantages
- Slightly Newer OS: While both launched on Android 11, the A12 Nacho can receive an upgrade to Android 13.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Some users may prefer the side mounted fingerprint sensor.
- Lower Price: Likely more affordable than the A72, making it a better option for budget-conscious buyers.
Trade-offs
- A72: Significantly more expensive than the A12 Nacho. Doesn't have expandable storage.
- A12 Nacho: Compromises on performance, display quality, and camera capabilities compared to the A72. Doesn't include a fast charger.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal User
- Power Users: Those who frequently use demanding apps, play games, and need smooth multitasking performance.
- Media Consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos and movies and want a vibrant, high-resolution display.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Individuals who want a versatile camera system with good low-light performance, telephoto lens, and advanced features.
- Professionals: Those who need fast charging, great camera quality, and are more reliant on their phones for work and communication.
- Users Wanting Premium Experience: Those who prefer to have a better quality screen, faster performance, and a better camera setup.
Specific Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming
- Video and photo editing
- Streaming high-resolution media
- Professional photography and videography
- Heavy social media use
- Multitasking between apps
Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho Ideal User
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those who need a basic smartphone for everyday tasks and prioritize affordability.
- Light Users: Individuals who primarily use their phones for calls, texts, browsing, and basic social media.
- Casual Users: People who do not need high performance or advanced camera features.
Specific Use Cases:
- Web browsing
- Social media (basic)
- Email and text communication
- Casual gaming (basic games)
- Basic photography and videography
- Navigation
Price-to-Value Ratio
- The A72 offers much greater value to users willing to pay more for performance and features.
- The A12 Nacho provides a better value to users with a limited budget who do not require advanced capabilities.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- What is my budget? The A72 is more expensive than the A12 Nacho and might not be attainable for all buyers.
- What will I use my phone for primarily? Light use cases are fulfilled by the A12 Nacho, while more demanding tasks need the A72.
- How important is display quality and camera performance? If these are a top priority, the A72 is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Budget is the primary concern: The A12 Nacho is the recommended choice, as it fulfills most basic smartphone needs at a lower price.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Media Consumption are Key: The A72 is the best choice due to its superior display, powerful chipset, and better audio experience.
- Scenario 3: Camera Quality is a priority: The A72 is recommended for its versatile camera system with better image quality and features.
- Scenario 4: I need a general use smartphone: The A72 is the recommended choice if the budget allows, otherwise the A12 Nacho is a good budget-friendly alternative.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A72. Here’s why:
While the Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho offers a lower price point and a slightly newer OS upgrade, the A72's advantages in display quality, performance, and camera capabilities are significant. The superior AMOLED display with its higher resolution and refresh rate would greatly enhance my daily viewing experience. The significantly more powerful Snapdragon 720G chipset ensures smooth performance for both everyday use and more demanding tasks like mobile gaming and multi-tasking. The more versatile camera system with features like optical image stabilization and zoom also makes a compelling case for the A72 as an all around option.
The higher price tag of the A72 is justifiable for the greatly improved user experience. If the budget were an absolute constraint, I might consider the A12 Nacho, but the trade-offs in display, performance, and camera are too significant for me to compromise on. The A72 provides a more premium experience that is much better for my personal preferences and practical needs.
