1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm | 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm | A72 is taller and slightly thicker, S23 FE is more compact. |
| Weight | 203g | 209g | A72 is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable for long use. |
| Build | Not specified screen | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | S23 FE's screen is more scratch/break resistant. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.4" | A72 offers a larger screen, S23 FE is easier to handle. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Very similar sharpness, negligible real-world difference. |
| PPI | 394 | 403 | Practically identical display sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Similar vibrant colors and deep blacks on both. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | S23 FE offers smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | A72 is more usable in direct sunlight. S23 FE brightness is not specified which is a significant unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Exynos 2200 (4 nm) | S23 FE is much faster, better for gaming and demanding apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 1,188,176 | S23 FE offers significantly better performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Xclipse 920 | S23 FE offers substantially better graphics performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1.00µm, 1/1.57" | S23 FE has a larger sensor, likely better low-light performance despite lower MP. |
| Telephoto | 8MP, f/2.4, 1.00µm, 1/4.4" | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.00µm | S23 FE with wider aperture may offer better performance. |
| Selfie | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80µm | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1.22µm, 1/2.65" | A72 has a higher resolution, but S23 FE has larger pixels. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm, 1/3.1"(Combined with Macro lens) | S23 FE has a combined wide + macro while A72 has a dedicated Wide and dedicated Macro. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | N/A | A72 has a dedicated macro camera. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps | S23 FE can record much higher-resolution and smoother video. |
| DxOMark Mobile | 92 | 127 | S23 FE has significantly better overall camera performance. |
| Features | Quadruple Camera | Triple Camera | A72 has a dedicated macro lens while S23 FE combines the wide and macro. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | A72 has a larger battery, likely longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 25W fast charging | Same charging speed. |
| Features | 15W Charger included | Wireless Charging, Reverse Wireless Charging, No Charger | S23 FE has wireless charging and reverse charging; A72 comes with a charger in the box. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 12 | Android 13, upgradable to 17 | S23 FE will receive more software updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | S23 FE supports faster and more efficient Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | S23 FE has a newer, more power-efficient Bluetooth version. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Same storage options. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 8GB | S23 FE always has more RAM and thus better multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | S23 FE has noise cancellation microphone. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Similar biometric security on both devices. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Similar main sensor suites, additional Hall Sensor on A72. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages
- Larger Display: A 6.7" screen offers a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption and gaming.
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life for all day usage
- Dedicated Macro lens: Offers a dedicated lens for close up shots.
- Higher Brightness With 800 nits it can be used in brighter environments.
- In-box charger: Comes with a 15W charger in the box.
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Advantages
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Exynos 2200 chipset is much faster than the Snapdragon 720G, making the S23 FE suitable for demanding tasks.
- Better Camera: While the A72 has some minor advantages in resolution, the S23 FE scores much higher in DxOMark due to a better main camera sensor and superior video capabilities.
- 120Hz Display: Offers a smoother and more fluid user experience compared to A72.
- Wireless Charging: A more modern and convenient feature.
- Newer Software: Runs on Android 13, offering newer features and longer software support.
- Better Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3.
- Combined Wide Angle and Macro: Takes advantage of a combination of wide angle and macro, which makes both features easier to use.
Trade-offs
- A72: While it has a larger display and better brightness, it significantly lags behind in performance and camera quality.
- S23 FE: While it has a more advanced processor, camera, and display, it has a smaller battery and no charger is included. Also the brightness is unspecified.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal User
- Budget-conscious users: Those looking for a large screen and good battery life at a lower price.
- Casual Media Consumers: Users who watch videos, browse social media, and are not heavily into gaming or demanding apps.
- Users who prioritize screen brightness and require the phone in bright environments.
- Users who prefer separate Wide and Macro lenses
- Users who prefer to receive a charger in the box
Specific Use Cases
- Watching movies and TV shows on a large screen.
- Browsing the web and social media.
- Basic gaming.
- Long duration use without need to charge often.
- Macro photography enthusiasts
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Ideal User
- Performance-focused users: Gamers and heavy app users that need smooth, responsive performance and higher graphics processing power.
- Photography enthusiasts: Users that want high-quality photos and videos, including 8k recording.
- Users who value software updates: Those who want to keep their phones up-to-date with the latest features and security patches.
- Tech-savvy users: Those who want the latest connectivity options such as Wi-Fi 6, and wireless charging
Specific Use Cases
- Playing graphics-intensive games.
- Editing photos and videos.
- Shooting high-quality videos for social media or personal use.
- Using demanding apps.
- Using a combination of wide and macro lens.
Price-to-Value
- A72: Offers good value for its price point if performance and camera are not a priority.
- S23 FE: Provides a better value for users that are looking for flagship features and premium camera and performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions
- How important is performance to you? If you play games or run demanding apps, the S23 FE is a clear winner.
- What is your priority for the camera? The S23 FE offers significantly better camera performance overall.
- How important is having a larger screen and longer battery life? The A72 offers a larger screen and better battery life.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
Scenario 1: Casual user focused on media consumption. If you prioritize a large screen and longer battery life for watching videos and basic browsing, and do not mind slower performance the A72 is an adequate choice.
Scenario 2: Gamer or demanding app user. If performance is crucial, the S23 FE is the obvious choice due to its superior processor and graphics.
Scenario 3: Photography enthusiast. The S23 FE is superior for photography thanks to its better main sensor, larger pixels and superior video capabilities.
Scenario 4: Budget-conscious user: The A72 is more budget-friendly.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE.
My reasoning is primarily driven by the significant performance advantage of the S23 FE's Exynos 2200 chipset. As someone who uses their phone for a variety of tasks, including gaming, photo/video editing, and running multiple apps simultaneously, the difference in speed and responsiveness would be very noticeable in daily use. The higher AnTuTu score and more modern GPU point to a smoother overall experience that would make the phone feel more fluid and less prone to lag or slowdowns.
Secondly, the better camera of the S23 FE is a significant draw. While the A72 has a higher MP selfie camera and separate Macro lens, the S23 FE's larger main sensor, wider aperture telephoto lens, and superior video capabilities (8K recording) make it a more capable and versatile camera overall. I value higher quality photos and videos, which are important for me, over a dedicated macro lens.
The newer software (Android 13 with more future upgrades) and better connectivity (Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3) on the S23 FE add to its appeal, making it more future-proof and capable of utilizing newer technologies. While the A72 has a larger battery and in-box charger, the addition of wireless charging and reverse wireless charging on the S23 FE make it easier to live with and provide a level of convenience that is more appealing to me.
I acknowledge that the larger screen and longer battery life of the A72 are advantages, and the absence of an included charger with S23 FE might be a minor inconvenience, but the overall package of the S23 FE offers a much more appealing experience for my use case. The vastly better performance, enhanced camera capabilities and better connectivity will ultimately be more important for me in the long run and make the S23 FE a better value.
Also, the brightness of the S23 FE was not stated. While the 800 nits of brightness of the A72 is a plus, I would prefer to have a stronger and more consistent camera performance and overall better performance in exchange for not knowing the display brightness, and therefore would still choose the S23 FE.
