1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 157.4 × 75.8 × 7.6 mm | A72 is larger and bulkier; S22+ is more compact and pocketable |
| Weight | 203g | 195g | S22+ is slightly lighter, which can feel better during long use |
| Build | Unknown Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ Screen | S22+ screen is much more scratch/break resistant |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | A72 has a slightly larger screen, minimal difference |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Very similar sharpness, negligible difference in real use |
| PPI | 394 | 393 | Effectively identical pixel density, sharpness is same |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant colors and deep blacks |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | S22+ offers smoother scrolling and animations, more fluid UI |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 1750 nits | S22+ screen is much more visible under direct sunlight, better outdoor experience |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Exynos 2200 (4 nm) | S22+ has a much more powerful, modern processor. Significantly faster app loading, multitasking, and better gaming. |
| Antutu Score | 285,000 | 890,774 | S22+ is significantly faster in every aspect and more future-proof |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Xclipse 920 | S22+ has a vastly superior GPU, better graphics performance in gaming and intensive apps |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57", 1.00µm | S22+ has larger sensor pixels, likely performs better in low light, despite lower resolution |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.00µm | N/A | A72 has a dedicated telephoto lens for portraits, S22+ lacks this |
| Selfie | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80µm | 10MP, f/2.2, 1.22µm | S22+ has larger sensor pixels for better low-light selfies despite lower resolution |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 10MP, f/2.4, 1/3.9", 1.00µm | S22+ has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.40µm | S22+ has larger sensor pixels, better quality wide-angle shots |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | N/A | A72 has dedicated macro lens, S22+ does not have a dedicated macro |
| Video | Up to 4K 30fps, EIS | Up to 8K 24fps, EIS, HDR, Stereo | S22+ offers far superior video recording capabilities with higher resolution and quality |
| DxOMark | Main: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | Main: 125, Photo: 122, Video: 124 | S22+ has a significantly better camera system overall, much better photos and video |
| Features | Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Quadruple camera, OIS, PDAF,... Night Mode | 4K Video, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, OIS, Ultra stable video, PDAF, RAW | S22+ offers more advanced video features, RAW capture, A72 has an additional camera and night mode |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | A72 has larger battery, potentially longer battery life |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 45W fast charging | S22+ charges significantly faster than A72 |
| Features | 15W Charger Included | Wireless Charging 15W, Reverse Wireless Charging 4.5W, Bypass Charging | S22+ has more versatile charging options, A72 has charger included |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers a potential advantage for users prioritizing battery life, likely lasting longer on a single charge than the S22+.
- Included Charger: Comes with a 15W charger in the box, a convenience factor for new buyers
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro camera for closeup shots.
- Telephoto + Portrait Lens: Has a dedicated telephoto lens that the S22+ does not have, for better portraits
- Dolby Atmos: Enhanced audio experience
- Lower Price: Typically available at a lower price point.
Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Processor: The Exynos 2200 chip provides much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance.
- Superior Display: Higher refresh rate (120Hz) makes for a smoother, more responsive experience, and dramatically higher peak brightness makes it much more visible in sunlight.
- Better Camera System: Larger camera sensors, higher image quality, better low-light performance, much better video recording and image processing overall.
- Faster Charging: 45W charging significantly reduces charging times compared to the A72's 25W charging.
- Advanced Features: Includes wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and more advanced connectivity like Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2
- Premium Build: Gorilla Glass Victus+ offers superior screen protection.
- eSIM Support: Offers greater flexibility in using different carriers.
- More Future Proof: Superior chipset and more major software updates.
Trade-offs:
- A72: You trade significant performance and camera quality for a slightly larger screen and bigger battery.
- S22+: You sacrifice some battery capacity and included accessories for far superior processing, screen quality, and camera capabilities, and the convenience of wireless charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 - Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Looking for a large screen and decent performance for everyday tasks at a lower price.
- Users prioritizing battery life: Those who value a long battery life and are not often near a charger.
- Casual photographers: Users who want a versatile camera system with a dedicated macro lens and telephoto lens for portraits, but don't prioritize highest quality.
- Users who value included accessories: Those who want a charger included in the box
Use Cases for Galaxy A72:
- Long hours of browsing social media, watching videos, and reading ebooks without needing to recharge as often.
- Taking close-up shots of small objects, for example, in nature, due to its macro lens.
- Basic productivity tasks and everyday use.
Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G - Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who want top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and resource-intensive apps.
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high-quality photos and videos, including better low-light performance and RAW capture.
- Users who value display quality: Those who appreciate a bright, smooth, and responsive display, especially for outdoor use.
- Users who value premium features: Those who want the latest connectivity, fast charging and other high-end features.
- Users who want a future-proof device: Those who want longer software support and are willing to pay a premium for it
Use Cases for Galaxy S22+ 5G:
- Mobile gamers who want high frame rates and smooth graphics.
- Content creators who require high-quality 8K video recording capabilities.
- Users who often use their phones under bright sunlight and need an exceptionally bright screen.
- Professionals who need a reliable, powerful, and fast device for work
- Users that need a lot of connectivity with the latest WiFi and Bluetooth technologies
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance to you? (e.g., gaming, app speed, responsiveness)
- How important is camera quality? (e.g., photo resolution, low-light performance, video capabilities)
- How important is budget? (e.g., willing to sacrifice features for lower price)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User - If your budget is tight and you prioritize battery life over high-end features, the Galaxy A72 is a more cost-effective option.
- Scenario 2: Performance-Focused User - If you want the best possible performance for gaming, multitasking, and resource-intensive apps, the Galaxy S22+ 5G is the clear choice, despite the higher price.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast - If your priority is high-quality camera performance, especially for low-light photography and videography, the Galaxy S22+ 5G is significantly better.
- Scenario 4: Everyday User with Basic Needs - If you value more battery life, a large screen, and value the included charger, and the lower price, while only needing casual camera features, the Galaxy A72 is a good option.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G. While the A72 has a larger battery, which is appealing, the S22+ offers a much better overall experience in almost every other aspect that's most important to me. The vastly superior processor means that the phone will be much more future-proof, and the display, camera, and charging features are simply on a different level. The superior display and camera quality would improve my daily use a lot more, and the faster charging helps me in times when I'm in a hurry. Although it is more expensive, I think the S22+ gives far more value for the money than the A72, as the performance, quality, features and user experience difference is not subtle.
