1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy M15 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm | 160.1 x 76.8 x 9.3 mm | A72 is taller but thinner, M15 is shorter but thicker. M15 is slightly more bulky overall. |
| Weight | 203g | 217g | A72 is lighter, may feel less tiring during extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy M15 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.5" | A72 offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2340 | Both are very similar; difference is negligible for everyday use. |
| Pixel Density | 394 PPI | 396 PPI | Both have similar sharpness; hard to notice a difference in normal usage. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks and good viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations; good for gaming and general use. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 800 nits | Both have similar peak brightness; suitable for outdoor visibility in most conditions. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy M15 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm) | M15's chipset is newer and more efficient, potentially offering better performance and battery life. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 442,500 | M15 scores significantly higher, indicating smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G57 MC2 | M15's GPU likely performs better, especially in newer games. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy M15 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8 | A72 has higher resolution; M15 should have decent low light results with a similar aperture |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 8MP, f/2.4, OIS | Not Available | A72 offers optical zoom and better portrait shots; M15 lacks dedicated zoom capabilities. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.0 | A72 takes higher resolution selfies; M15's wider aperture may improve low light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.2 | A72 captures higher resolution wide-angle shots. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | A72 offers higher resolution macro images. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, EIS | 1080p@30fps, EIS | A72 supports 4K video recording, better for higher quality videos; both offer electronic image stabilization. |
| Slow Motion | 120fps | 240fps | M15 offers higher frame rate for smoother slow motion videos. |
| DXOMark Score | 92 (Mobile), 100 (Photo), 78 (Video) | Not Available | A72's camera is objectively rated, demonstrating good overall camera performance. |
| Features | OIS, PDAF, Night Mode | None | A72 offers better image stabilization, faster focus and better low-light performance. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy M15 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 6000 mAh | M15 offers significantly longer battery life per charge, potentially lasting through 1.5-2 days. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Both support the same fast charging speed. |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | Minimal real-world impact. |
| Charger Included | 15W Fast Charger Included | Not Listed | A72 includes a 15W charger in the box while M15 might not. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages
- Superior Camera System: Offers a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, higher-resolution sensors across all cameras, optical image stabilization (OIS), and 4K video recording. The DXOMark score confirms it's superior camera performance.
- Larger Display: Slightly bigger screen provides more immersive media consumption and better multitasking.
- Stereo Speakers with Dolby Atmos: Offers better audio quality for media consumption, better audio separation and immersion.
- More RAM Options: Available with 8GB of RAM providing superior multitasking and gaming performance than the M15.
- Included Charger: A 15W charger comes with the phone in the box.
Samsung Galaxy M15 Advantages
- Significantly Better Performance: The Dimensity 6100+ chipset outperforms the Snapdragon 720G in benchmarks, offering a faster and smoother user experience.
- Larger Battery: The 6000mAh battery offers a significant increase in battery life, which can be a game changer for heavy users.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.2 LE offers better power efficiency and stability.
- Newer Android Version: Ships with Android 14 out of the box and it's the most up-to-date version.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Scanner: More convenient and faster than traditional fingerprint sensors.
- Better Slow Motion: The M15 has better slow motion capabilities (240 FPS vs 120 FPS)
- More Satellite Systems for GPS: Supports QZSS in addition to GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou and Galileo for better location accuracy.
Trade-offs
- A72: Older chipset, smaller battery, lacks the newer Bluetooth and Android versions, and has a traditional fingerprint sensor.
- M15: Lower camera specifications, lacks a telephoto lens, a lower resolution wide-angle lens, and the stereo speakers.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72
- Ideal Users: Photography enthusiasts who value a versatile camera system with zoom capabilities and better image quality, and those who consume a lot of media content.
- Use Cases:
- Travel Photography: Its optical zoom and OIS will produce sharper images in more scenarios.
- Multimedia Consumption: The larger display, stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos and higher-quality videos enhance the experience.
- Content Creation: 4K video recording makes it suitable for creating higher-quality videos.
- Price-to-Value: May be a good option if found at a discount, considering its now-older hardware.
Samsung Galaxy M15
- Ideal Users: Users who prioritize battery life, performance and a smooth, up-to-date software experience and who are not very demanding on the camera.
- Use Cases:
- Heavy Mobile Gaming: The faster processor and GPU can provide smoother gameplay.
- Extended Use: The larger battery ensures the phone lasts through a full day of heavy use.
- Day-to-Day Productivity: The M15 is great for everyday tasks due to its performance and battery life.
- Price-to-Value: Offers good value with its enhanced performance and battery life for its target audience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is more important to you: Camera quality or performance & battery life?
- Do you need optical zoom capabilities or do you prefer having a longer battery life?
- Do you need to be on the latest Android version and require a faster processor?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Photography is a top priority: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72 for its superior camera system.
- Scenario 2: You are a power user or gamer who needs long battery life and smooth performance: Choose the Samsung Galaxy M15 for its better processor and longer battery life.
- Scenario 3: You want the latest Android version: Choose the Samsung Galaxy M15, it comes with Android 14 out of the box.
- Scenario 4: You want superior audio quality: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72 because it features stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy M15. While the A72 has a better camera on paper, the M15's substantial performance and battery life improvements are more valuable to me in a daily use scenario. The Dimensity 6100+ chipset offers a significant performance boost for multitasking and gaming, while the 6000 mAh battery ensures the phone can easily last a full day. I also value having a more recent Android version (Android 14 vs. Android 12), and the newer Bluetooth version.
