1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm | 285.4 x 185.4 x 6.5 mm | A72 is much more pocketable and easier to handle. S9 FE+ is large and designed for consuming content at home or a desk. |
| Weight | 203g | 627g | A72 is significantly lighter and more comfortable for extended use and carrying around. S9 FE+ is heavier and less portable. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard, non-folding designs. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 12.4" | S9 FE+ offers a much larger screen, ideal for multitasking, media consumption and viewing content. A72 is more convenient for one-handed use and portability. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1600 x 2560 | S9 FE+ has higher resolution, leading to sharper images on its larger screen. A72's resolution is sufficient for its screen size but has lower pixel count. |
| PPI | 394 | 243 | A72 has a much sharper display due to the higher pixel density. S9 FE+ has lower PPI, so may appear slightly less sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | A72's AMOLED offers deeper blacks, better contrast and more vibrant colors, leading to a more visually pleasing experience. S9 FE+'s IPS LCD is still good, but doesn't match AMOLED quality, particularly for dark scenes. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling, but 120 Hz might have been more beneficial on the bigger tablet. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | A72 is significantly better for outdoor visibility and use in sunlight. The brightness of S9 FE+ is not specified, making its usability in bright lighting unclear. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) | S9 FE+ has a newer, more efficient chipset on a smaller node, leading to better performance and power management. A72's chipset is older and less powerful. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 507,000 | S9 FE+ offers significantly better performance, translating to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 (Qualcomm Adreno 618) | Mali-G68 MP5 (ARM Mali-G68 MP5) | The S9 FE+ has a better GPU, resulting in better graphical performance, which is useful for gaming or graphics intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80 µm pixel size | 12MP, f/2.0, unspecified pixel size | A72's higher resolution and wider aperture should lead to sharper, more detailed photos, especially in low light conditions. S9 FE+ has lower resolution with a smaller pixel, may not perform as well in low light. |
| Telephoto+Portrait | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.00 µm pixel size (Omnivision OV08A10) | None | A72 offers better zoom capabilities with this telephoto lens. S9 FE+ lacks telephoto capability. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80 µm pixel size | 8MP, unspecified pixel size | A72 provides much higher resolution selfies, useful for those who prioritize front-facing camera quality. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size | 8MP, f/2.2, unspecified pixel size | A72 has a higher resolution wide-angle lens which provides more detail. |
| Macro Camera | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12 µm pixel size | None | A72 provides a dedicated macro lens for close up shots, S9 FE+ does not have this capability. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@30fps with EIS, 1080p@60fps with EIS; Slow-motion: 120 fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps; Slow-motion: 60 fps | Both phones offer 4K recording but the A72 provides smoother video due to EIS capabilities and higher frame rate in slow-motion. S9 FE+ does not have listed image stabilization and slower slow motion capabilities. |
| DXOMark Mobile | 92 (Photo 100, Video 78) | None | Only A72 was tested, showing that it should be capable of taking high-quality photos and videos. S9 FE+ has no testing data. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Night Mode | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Dual camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | A72 has additional features for photography such as OIS and phase detection autofocus. S9 FE+ has dual cameras and 4k video. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 10090mAh | S9 FE+ has a much larger battery, leading to significantly longer battery life. This is especially useful for a large-screen device. Actual battery life will depend on usage. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging, Li-Ion | 45W fast charging, Li-Polymer | S9 FE+ offers faster charging and uses Li-Polymer technology which tends to be more efficient than Li-Ion. |
| Features | Non-removable, 15W Fast Charger included | Bypass Charging, Non-removable | S9 FE+ has a bypass charging feature. A72 includes a charger. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology, higher pixel density (sharper screen), and much higher brightness for outdoor visibility.
- Better Camera System: Higher resolution sensors (standard, telephoto, selfie, wide), optical zoom, OIS, more camera features, and better image stabilization while recording video.
- Lighter and more portable: More comfortable for single handed use.
- Lower Price The Galaxy A72 was released over 2 years ago and will likely be significantly cheaper.
- More comprehensive sensor suite The A72 features a compass and gyroscope.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ Advantages
- Larger Screen: Much larger display for immersive content consumption, multitasking, and productivity.
- Better Performance: Newer and more powerful chipset and GPU for faster app loading and smoother multitasking and gaming.
- Significantly Larger Battery: Much larger capacity battery for significantly longer usage between charges.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 13 (upgradable to 17) compared to the A72's Android 11 (upgradable to 12).
- Faster Charging: Includes 45W fast charging.
- Newer WiFi Standards: Better WiFi performance, speed and lower latency.
- Newer Bluetooth Standard: Offers improved features and audio codecs.
Trade-offs
- Galaxy A72: Trades a smaller display, less performance, and smaller battery for better portability, superior camera system, and display quality.
- Galaxy Tab S9 FE+: Trades portability and camera quality for a larger display, better performance, longer battery life. The lack of a brightness specification makes it difficult to know if it will be usable in bright light.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72
- Ideal User: Casual users, photographers, those who value display quality, and want a pocketable device.
- Use Cases: Taking photos and videos, browsing social media, watching content on the go, and everyday communication.
- Price-to-Value: Offers a strong set of features for a mid-range phone, especially if purchased used for a discount.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+
- Ideal User: Productivity-focused users, multimedia consumers, those who prefer a tablet form factor for work and entertainment, gamers who prioritize performance.
- Use Cases: Multitasking with multiple apps, watching movies, using productivity apps (e.g., office suites), playing graphically intensive games, and note-taking.
- Price-to-Value: A solid device for those needing a large screen, long battery life, and great performance, although the display quality is not as good as the A72.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions
- What is your primary use case? (e.g., entertainment, productivity, portability, photography)
- How important is portability? (Do you need a pocketable phone or are you okay with a large tablet?)
- What screen quality and camera specs do you prioritize? (Do you need the best screen quality and camera system or is better performance and battery life more important?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: On-the-Go Photography Enthusiast
- Recommendation: Galaxy A72. Its better camera system with optical zoom and OIS and higher display brightness make it ideal for photography in various conditions.
- Scenario 2: At-Home Entertainment & Productivity
- Recommendation: Galaxy Tab S9 FE+. The large display, better performance, and longer battery life make it ideal for content consumption and work at home.
- Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious User
- Recommendation: Galaxy A72. Since the A72 was released a while ago, it will likely be cheaper used or refurbished.
What I would choose and why!
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+. While the A72 has some advantages like its more portable design, sharper screen and better camera, the advantages of the Tab S9 FE+ are more important to me personally.
The large display of the S9 FE+ is ideal for content consumption, browsing, and doing work, which are my primary uses for a device. I also prioritize battery life and performance, as I want to be able to use my device all day without needing to charge and multitask. Finally, I value having up to date software and the Tab S9 FE+ has the advantage in this area. Although I would miss the camera quality of the A72, the Tab S9 FE+ fits my needs much better.
