1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A72 and Samsung Galaxy A22 5G, focusing on their practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy A22 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm | 167.2 x 76.4 x 9 mm | The A22 5G is slightly taller and thicker, which may affect one-handed use and pocketability. The A72 is a bit wider. |
| Weight | 203g | 203g | Both phones are identically weighted, so no practical difference in terms of feel of the weight. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy A22 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | The A72 has a slightly larger screen, beneficial for media consumption and multitasking, although the difference is marginal at 0.1" |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have identical screen sharpness. No visual difference in pixel clarity. |
| PPI | 394 | 399 | Virtually identical pixel density; no noticeable difference in screen clarity |
| Technology | AMOLED | TFT LCD | AMOLED on the A72 provides much deeper blacks, vibrant colors and better contrast, offering a superior viewing experience, especially in dark environments and when viewing HDR content. TFT LCD display on the A22 5G will have lower quality display. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both phones offer a smooth 90Hz refresh rate that makes scrolling and animations feel smoother compared to standard 60Hz displays. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | A72 has a significantly higher brightness level, making it much more readable in bright sunlight, compared to A22 5G which has unknown brightness level, and assuming its average it will be hard to read in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy A22 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | The Dimensity 700 is generally more efficient and powerful in benchmarks, leading to faster app loading and smoother multitasking performance for the A22 5G. |
| Antutu Score | 285,000 | 379,800 | A22 5G is significantly faster in performance, leading to better overall experience |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G57 MC2 | While both GPUs are capable, the Mali-G57 MC2 in the A22 5G generally offers slightly better gaming performance due to being a newer generation and its higher benchmark score. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy A22 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8 | 48MP, f/1.8 | The A72 captures more detailed images with higher resolution. Both cameras perform similarly in low light due to identical f/1.8 apertures, however, the A72 generally performs better. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 8MP, f/2.4 | None | The A72 offers a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed photos and better portrait shots with optical zoom, whereas the A22 5G relies on digital zoom. This results in much better portrait shots with the A72. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.0 | The A72 captures significantly more detailed selfies. The slightly wider aperture on the A22 5G allows for better low light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.2 | The A72 takes wider shots with more detail. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | None | 5MP, f/2.4 | The A22 5G has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, offering potentially better bokeh effect than the A72 |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | The A72 has a dedicated macro lens to capture detailed close-up shots, missing from the A22 5G. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@60fps with EIS | 1152p@30fps | The A72 records higher resolution video with better stabilization (EIS on 4K and 1080p @ 60fps). A22 5G does not record in 4K. |
| DxOMark Score (Mobile) | Main: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | Main: 48, Photo: 0, Video: 0 | The A72's camera significantly outperforms the A22 5G. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy A22 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have identical battery capacity, suggesting comparable endurance. However, real-world usage will differ depending on user behavior and tasks. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 15W fast charging | The A72 charges faster, reducing downtime waiting for a full charge. |
| Features | 15W Fast Charger included | Non-removable | A72 comes with a fast charger included. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Here's a breakdown of the major advantages of each phone:
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED display with higher brightness offers better color, contrast, and outdoor visibility.
- Better Camera System: Higher resolution sensors, a dedicated telephoto zoom lens, and a macro lens provide greater versatility, detail, and higher quality images and video. Significantly better DxOMark scores confirm this.
- Faster Charging: 25W charging reduces downtime compared to the A22 5G's 15W.
- Stereo Speakers: Better audio experience with stereo speakers for more immersive content consumption.
- More comprehensive set of sensors: Additional sensors like compass and gyroscope enhance functionality and gaming.
- More storage options: Up to 256GB storage vs 128GB on A22 5G
- Better Bluetooth profiles: Supports a larger variety of bluetooth profiles.
- More camera features: OIS, PDAF, and better zoom and stabilization than the A22 5G.
Samsung Galaxy A22 5G Advantages:
- Slightly Better Performance: Newer chipset (Mediatek Dimensity 700) leads to slightly better benchmark scores and efficiency.
- Later Android Version Support: May receive updates for a longer period of time due to being 1 version ahead.
- Dedicated depth sensor for Portrait Mode: The A22 5G captures images with a more natural looking background blur thanks to a dedicated sensor.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Easier and more intuitive unlocking compared to the basic in-display sensor on the A72.
- Ultra stable video mode: Additional stabilization feature exclusive to the A22 5G.
Trade-offs:
- The A72 sacrifices some processing power for a superior screen, camera system and charging speed.
- The A22 5G sacrifices the higher quality display and camera for slightly better performance and software support.
- Both phones do not have expandable storage.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal Users:
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos, play games, and value a high-quality display experience.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want versatile camera options, including optical zoom, macro, and high-quality selfies.
- Travelers: Users who need a bright screen for outdoor use and a reliable camera for capturing memories.
- Users who want a premium experience in a non-flagship phone.
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Watching movies and videos with vibrant color and good sound.
- Capturing detailed photos and videos, including zoomed shots and macros.
- Using the phone outdoors in bright sunlight.
- Gaming
Samsung Galaxy A22 5G Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Users who want a reliable 5G phone at a lower price point.
- Users who prioritize performance over camera quality.
- Users who want a more secure way to unlock their device with the side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
- Users who need better software support and updates
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A22 5G:
- Everyday social media and general use.
- Basic photo and video capturing where quality isn't critical.
- Mobile gaming where high graphics aren't critical.
- Long term users wanting the latest software updates.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The A72 offers a better value proposition for those seeking a premium experience in screen quality, camera performance and features. It is the superior choice for photography and media consumption
- The A22 5G is a better option for those on a tight budget and prioritising software support and slightly better processing power.
4. Decision Framework
Here are 3 key questions for buyers to consider:
How important is display quality for your use?
- If you watch a lot of videos or play games, the A72's AMOLED display is significantly better.
- If display is not crucial for your use case, the A22 5G's LCD screen is more affordable.
How important is the camera for your needs?
- If you take a lot of photos/videos, the A72 offers a more versatile and higher-quality camera system with additional lenses and better video quality.
- If you only need a basic camera for casual shots, the A22 5G will suffice.
Do you want better performance or more camera features?
- If you want better performance, the A22 5G is the better choice.
- If you want a better camera, the A72 is the superior choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You are a social media influencer needing a reliable camera with multiple lenses for higher quality posts and video.
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A72, for its superior camera system.
- Scenario 2: You need a budget phone for everyday use and gaming, and want longer software support.
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A22 5G for its balance of performance and lower price.
- Scenario 3: You primarily consume media (movies/TV shows) and play games on your phone.
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A72, for its higher quality display, better speakers and all-round experience.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A72.
Here's why:
While the A22 5G has slightly better processing power and may have slightly longer software support, the A72 offers a much more well rounded experience. For my personal use case, the superior AMOLED display and higher quality camera with extra lenses for taking photos are more important than a slight performance boost. I value a vivid, sharp screen for watching media and a versatile camera for capturing high-quality photos, which the A72 excels at. The faster charging is also a huge plus. While the A22 5G would be a good choice for someone on a tighter budget, the A72 provides a noticeably better experience that is worth the extra cost for my needs. The lack of a depth sensor in the A72 is not a deal breaker since it has a dedicated telephoto lens that also produces better portrait photos.
