1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Z Fold3 offers a larger screen that folds for portability; A72 is a traditional phone. |
| Dimensions | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm | 158.2 x 128.1 x 6.4 mm (unfolded) | A72 is taller and thicker; Z Fold3 is significantly wider when unfolded and thinner. Folded dimensions not provided. |
| Weight | 203g | 271g | A72 is significantly lighter, making it easier to handle for longer periods. Z Fold3 is heavier and may feel cumbersome. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 7.6" | Z Fold3 offers a much larger viewing area, ideal for multitasking and media consumption. A72 is more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1768x2208 | Z Fold3 has much sharper image with more detail. A72 has a decent resolution for most uses. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 394 | 374 | A72 has slightly sharper text and images compared to the Fold3, but the difference is likely not noticeable to the human eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unknown | A72 has vibrant colors and true blacks. Fold3 display technology is not listed; we will have to assume it also uses AMOLED. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Z Fold3 offers smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in fast-paced content and gaming. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | A72 is significantly brighter for outdoor use, making it easier to see in bright sunlight. Z Fold3 display brightness is missing. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Z Fold3 offers vastly superior performance for demanding tasks, gaming, and future-proofing. A72 is suitable for everyday use. |
| Antutu Score | 285,000 | 898,700 | Z Fold3 is significantly faster in terms of app loading, multitasking, and gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 660 | Z Fold3 has better graphics performance, suitable for high-end games. A72's GPU is adequate for casual gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80 µm | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.80 µm, Sony IMX555 | A72 has higher resolution but Fold3 has larger pixels and sensor, meaning better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.00 µm, Omnivision OV08A10 | None | A72 offers a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed shots, which the Fold3 lacks. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 12MP, f/2.4, 1.00 µm | Z Fold3 offers a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed shots, which the A72 lacks |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06", 1.12 µm, Sony IMX258 | Both have wide-angle lenses, with minor differences in specs. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12 µm | None | A72 has a dedicated macro lens for extreme close-up shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80 µm | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22 µm, Sony IMX374 | A72 offers higher resolution selfies, while Fold3 has larger pixel size, offering better low-light performance. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS | Up to 4K@60fps, HDR, EIS | Z Fold3 offers higher frame rate 4k and HDR video for higher quality and smoother video recordings |
| DXOMark Score | Mobile: 92 (Photo: 100, Video: 78) | Mobile: 120 (Photo: 129, Video: 105), Selfie: 83 (Photo: 79, Video: 89) | Z Fold3 has a significantly better camera overall and also a selfie camera. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4400mAh | A72 likely provides longer battery life per charge due to its larger battery capacity. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging (Li-Ion) | 25W Fast Charging (Li-Polymer) | Both support 25W fast charging, battery tech differences aren't significant to the user. |
| Features | 15W Fast Charger included | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 9W | Z Fold3 has many more battery features and can charge other devices wirelessly. A72 includes a charger in box. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Ergonomic: Significantly lighter (203g vs 271g), making it more comfortable for prolonged use.
- Brighter Display: Much higher display brightness (800 nits vs unknown), providing better outdoor visibility.
- Larger Battery: Has a larger battery capacity (5000 mAh vs 4400 mAh) for longer usage between charges.
- Includes Charger: 15W Fast Charger included in the box
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
- Telephoto + Portrait lens: Dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed shots and portrait mode.
- Lower cost: A72 is substantially cheaper than the Z Fold3
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G Advantages:
- Foldable Design: Offers a large, immersive display that can be folded for better portability.
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster processor (Snapdragon 888 vs 720G) for smoother performance.
- Better Screen Technology: Higher resolution and higher refresh rate (120Hz vs 90Hz) for a more fluid experience.
- Better Main Camera Quality: Larger sensor and pixel size for better low light performance.
- Advanced Features: Includes wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, bypass charging, eSIM support, and barometer sensor.
- Better Video Recording: Better frame rate and HDR in video recording for more professional looking videos.
- Better DXOmark Score: Significantly better camera performance compared to the A72 in all aspects
- More RAM & Storage: More RAM (12 GB vs up to 8GB) and storage space (up to 512GB vs up to 256GB).
Significant Trade-offs:
- Z Fold3 is much more expensive, heavier and its folded dimensions are not given; it also has a smaller battery and the display brightness is unknown. It also has lower resolution main camera and lacks a macro lens, but has much better low-light performance.
- A72 has considerably lower performance and lack of flagship features. The video quality is lower and it lacks a telephoto lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72:
Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users seeking reliable performance for everyday tasks.
- Users who prioritize battery life and a comfortable, lightweight design.
- Users who primarily use their phone for social media, web browsing, and casual photography.
- Users who take pictures often and need the ability to take close up pictures with a macro lens.
- Users who need a bright screen for easy visibility in sunny conditions.
Use Cases:
- Daily driver for general use: messaging, calls, social media, and basic productivity.
- Longer battery life needed for work, travel, or extended use without access to charging.
- Photography with dedicated macro lens and telephoto lens.
- Bright screen for using the phone outdoors and on sunny days.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G:
Ideal User:
- Power users who require top-tier performance and cutting-edge features.
- Multitaskers who frequently use multiple apps simultaneously.
- Media consumers who prefer a large, immersive display for video and gaming.
- Professionals who need a device for both work and entertainment.
- Users who want top-of-the line camera quality.
- Early adopters who are willing to pay premium for a foldable phone.
Use Cases:
- Heavy multitasking: running several apps simultaneously and managing work tasks.
- Gaming: demanding games and media consumption.
- Professional use: document editing, content creation, and data analysis.
- On-the-go entertainment with a large display.
- High-quality photography and videography, focusing on low-light performance.
- Flagship phone features such as wireless charging and reverse charging.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What is my budget? The Z Fold3 is a much more expensive phone.
- What are my performance and battery needs? The A72 offers good battery life while the Z Fold3 offers the best possible performance.
- Is portability or screen size more important? A72 offers great portability while the Z Fold3 has a large display in a foldable form factor.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Budget is a priority and need a phone for basic usage: The Samsung Galaxy A72 is the better choice with a much lower cost, good battery life and a brighter screen, at the cost of performance and flagship features.
Scenario 2: Need a portable phone with great battery and camera but are cost conscious: The Samsung Galaxy A72 is the better choice, with decent camera, great battery and comfortable form factor.
Scenario 3: Need the best performance, flagship features and have a flexible budget: The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 is the clear winner, offering top-tier performance, a unique foldable display, and advanced features.
Scenario 4: Want a large screen and great camera and a portable phone: The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 is a great choice, with a larger display, superior camera and great performance. The user should keep in mind that is it more expensive and heavier and the display brightness is unknown.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G, despite its higher price and unknown display brightness, based on the assumption it is AMOLED based on previous generation phones. Here is my reasoning:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 888 is a significant upgrade over the 720G. It will handle any tasks I throw at it, be it multitasking, gaming or complex applications.
- Display: I am willing to sacrifice a small amount of battery life for the much larger screen, higher refresh rate and resolution.
- Features: I would definitely benefit from the extra RAM and storage, wireless and reverse wireless charging and the advanced camera features.
- Foldable Form factor: The foldable form factor and larger display offers better media consumption and productivity.
- Future Proof: The Z Fold3 has better software support (Android 15 vs Android 12) and therefore will stay relevant for longer.
While the A72 is a great device for a much lower cost, the Z Fold3 would fit my needs and usage better, with the major caveats of a higher price and heavier form factor, which I am willing to take.
