1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 162.3 × 78.6 × 9.1 mm | A72 is taller and slimmer, while M35 is wider and thicker. The M35 feels more bulky. |
| Weight | 203g | 222g | A72 is 19g lighter, making it more comfortable for longer periods of holding. |
| Build Quality (Screen) | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | M35 has superior screen protection, reducing risk of scratches and damage from drops. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, not foldable devices. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | A72 has a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both are very similar in sharpness, negligible difference. |
| PPI | 394 | 390 | Both offer similar pixel density, resulting in clear images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant colors and deep blacks; excellent for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | M35 has smoother animations, scrolling and gaming feel better and look more fluid. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | A72 is significantly better for outdoor use; the M35's screen will be very difficult to see in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) | M35 has a newer and more efficient processor; better overall performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 578,500 | M35 is much faster for apps, multitasking and demanding games. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G68 MP5 | M35's GPU enables better graphics performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1.00µm | A72 has a higher resolution but M35 has larger pixels, potentially leading to better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto | 8MP, f/2.4 | Not present | A72 has optical zoom, which is good for far-away subjects. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80µm | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | A72 has a higher resolution sensor but M35 has bigger pixel size. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | A72 can capture slightly more detailed wide-angle photos. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | A72's macro lens captures more detailed macro shots. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS | 4K@30fps with EIS, 720p@480fps | M35 offers faster slow motion. |
| DXOMark (Mobile) | 92 (Photo 100, Video 78) | Not tested | A72's camera quality is confirmed by its DXOMark score. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Quad Camera, Optical zoom, PDAF, Manual focus | OIS, Triple Camera, 2x2 OCL, Ultra stable video, Autoframing | M35 provides pro video features while A72 offers greater flexibility with additional camera lenses and optical zoom. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6000mAh | M35 has significantly more battery capacity, leading to longer usage times. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 25W fast charging | Both phones charge relatively quickly. |
| Charger Included | 15W Fast Charger included | Not explicitly stated | A72 comes with charger, while for the M35 this is not specified. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Significantly higher brightness (800 nits) provides better outdoor visibility.
- Optical Zoom: Dedicated telephoto lens enables true optical zoom, useful for zoomed-in shots without losing much image quality.
- More Camera Lenses The A72 offers a dedicated macro, wide-angle and telephoto lens which increases versatility.
- Higher DXOMark Camera Score: The A72's camera quality is verified by its DXOMark scores.
Practical Implications: The A72 is better for users who spend a lot of time outdoors or need versatile zoom capabilities and prefer confirmed image quality.
Samsung Galaxy M35 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly more powerful processor, resulting in faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Longer Battery Life: Larger battery capacity means longer usage time between charges.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother visuals, especially in scrolling and fast-paced games.
- Advanced features: M35 introduces advanced features such as 2x2 OCL, Pro Video Mode, Ultra stable video, AutoFraming, All Pixel Omni-Directional PDAF, NPU AI Engine, RAW 12 bits, DOL HDR
- Newer Software: Ships with a newer version of Android.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides better protection against scratches and drops.
- Better Audio: Hi-Res Audio support for an improved listening experience
- Newer Bluetooth and WiFi: The M35 supports the latest standards.
Practical Implications: The M35 is better for users who prioritize performance, battery life, and a smooth user experience, especially for demanding tasks and extended use.
Trade-offs:
- A72: Sacrifices performance for a brighter display and telephoto camera.
- M35: Sacrifices outdoor visibility for much better performance, battery life, and smoother experience.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Ideal User: Outdoor enthusiasts, casual photographers, or users who value a brighter screen and telephoto lens.
- Use Cases: Taking photos in sunny conditions, capturing zoomed images of distant subjects, media consumption, and light gaming.
- Value Proposition: Better suited for camera enthusiasts who like having more options with lenses and optical zoom, alongside better outdoor usability.
Samsung Galaxy M35:
- Ideal User: Gamers, power users, or individuals who prioritize performance, battery life, and a smooth experience.
- Use Cases: Demanding games, extensive multitasking, long travel without access to charging, capturing videos, and general daily use.
- Value Proposition: Better suited for people that prefer speed, responsiveness and a long battery life and take less pictures.
Price-to-Value:
The M35 appears to provide better value for performance-driven users. However, if camera versatility and display brightness are crucial, the A72 could be a better fit.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you often use your phone in direct sunlight? (If yes, A72's brightness is crucial, otherwise M35)
- Do you play graphically intensive games or multitask heavily? (If yes, M35's better performance is important, otherwise A72)
- Do you heavily rely on telephoto lens or optical zoom? (If yes, A72's dedicated lens is a priority, otherwise M35)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Mobile Gamer: Choose the Samsung Galaxy M35 for its superior performance and 120Hz display.
- Scenario 2: Outdoor Photography: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72 for its brighter screen and telephoto lens.
- Scenario 3: All-Around Daily Use: Choose the Samsung Galaxy M35 for better performance, longer battery, and a more modern overall experience.
- Scenario 4: Heavy video content creation Choose the Samsung Galaxy M35 for its advanced video features such as Pro Video Mode, Ultra stable video, AutoFraming, All Pixel Omni-Directional PDAF, NPU AI Engine and 480fps slow-motion.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy M35. While the A72 has a brighter screen and telephoto lens, the M35's significantly better performance, longer battery life, smoother 120Hz display, modern software, better screen protection and its advanced video capabilities make it a more well-rounded phone for my daily usage. I prefer responsiveness and longevity over brightness and optical zoom. Additionally, the significantly improved performance of the M35 is a game-changer, making it much more future-proof.
