Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A72 vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | The Z Fold6 offers a larger screen that folds for pocketability. The A72 is a standard slab design for a traditional experience. |
| Dimensions | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm | 153.5 x 132.6 x 5.6 mm | The A72 is taller and thicker, while the Z Fold6 is much wider when unfolded, but significantly thinner. |
| Weight | 203g | 239g | The A72 is noticeably lighter making it more comfortable for extended one-handed use, while the Z Fold6 might feel heftier. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 7.6" | The Z Fold6 offers a significantly larger display, better for media consumption, multitasking and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1856x2160 | The Z Fold6 provides a much sharper picture due to the higher pixel count, leading to clearer images and text. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 394 | 374 | A72 offers slightly sharper text and images on its smaller screen, but the difference is negligible in real world use. |
| Technology | AMOLED | The A72's AMOLED display provides better blacks, contrast and vibrant colors than the unknown display technology of the Z Fold6. | |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Z Fold6 offers smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience, especially when gaming. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | The A72 is significantly brighter and more usable in direct sunlight. Z Fold6 brightness is unknown and a crucial limitation. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Z Fold6 offers vastly superior performance, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities. |
| Antutu Score | 285,000 | 2,200,000 | The Z Fold6 is significantly faster and more responsive, loading apps quicker and providing a much smoother experience overall. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 750 | The Z Fold6 provides a massive graphical performance boost, allowing for smoother gameplay in intensive titles. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 50MP | The A72's main sensor has higher megapixel count but actual photo quality is also dependent on sensor size and image processing. Z Fold6 main camera has better overall quality. |
| Telephoto/Portrait Lens | 8MP | None | The A72 has a dedicated telephoto/portrait lens, which offers a zoom capability not present on the Z Fold6, however, the Z Fold6 has a telephoto lens. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 32MP | 10MP | The A72 has a higher resolution front-facing camera, theoretically allowing for more detailed selfies, but is not always better than the lower resolution selfie camera of the Z Fold6. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP | The Z Fold6 features a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed photos, which is not present on the A72 |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP | 12MP | Both phones have comparable wide-angle camera capabilities, enabling capturing of expansive scenes. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP | None | The A72 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, not present on the Z Fold6. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Z Fold6 provides higher video resolution and frame rates, offering better video recording and more features. |
| DxOMark Score | Main: 92, Photo:100, Video: 78 | Main: 133, Photo: 132, Video: 128 | Z Fold6 has a significantly better performing camera system and produces higher quality photos and videos according to DxOMark. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4400mAh | The A72 has a larger battery, potentially resulting in longer battery life between charges. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Both offer the same speed, but with different battery tech (Li-Ion vs Li-Polymer). |
| Battery Features | 15W Charger Included | Bypass Charging, Reverse, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless 4.5W | Z Fold6 offers advanced charging and wireless charging capabilities, while A72 includes the charger, but no wireless charging. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Comfortable for Prolonged Use: At 203g, the A72 is much lighter than the 239g of the Z Fold6, making it more comfortable for one-handed operation.
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery of the A72 should allow it to last longer than the 4400mAh of the Z Fold6.
- Superior Display Brightness: The A72 has a brightness of 800 nits, compared to 0 nits of the Z Fold6, making it much easier to see in bright sunlight.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: The A72 has a macro lens, which is useful for taking close-up images not available on the Z Fold6.
- Includes Charger in the Box: The A72 comes with a 15W fast charger, while the Z Fold6 may not include a charger.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 Advantages:
- Foldable Design and Large Display: The foldable design of the Z Fold6 offers a unique experience and a larger screen for multitasking and media consumption.
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers a huge performance advantage over the A72's Snapdragon 720G, resulting in faster app loading, smoother performance and better gaming.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: The 120Hz display of the Z Fold6 offers a smoother and more responsive experience.
- Superior Camera Quality: The Z Fold6 has significantly better photo and video quality, thanks to better main and telephoto lenses, processing and a higher DxOMark score.
- Advanced Charging Features: The Z Fold6 supports wireless charging, reverse wireless charging and bypass charging, which are not available in the A72.
- Newer Software: The Z Fold6 has Android 14 (max to 18) while the A72 is limited to Android 12, meaning it will receive more software updates.
- More Storage and RAM: The Z Fold6 comes with 12GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage, compared to the A72’s 8GB RAM max and 256GB storage.
- Better Connectivity: The Z Fold6 supports newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards, for better data transfer.
- Additional Sensors: The Z Fold6 comes with a barometer in addition to the basic sensors found on the A72
Trade-offs:
- The Z Fold6 is much heavier and bulkier than the A72, especially when folded.
- The Z Fold6 has a significantly smaller battery compared to the A72.
- The Z Fold6 does not have a macro lens for dedicated close-up photos
- The Z Fold6 display brightness is unknown and possibly a major disadvantage.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize battery life, affordability, and a standard smartphone experience.
- Use Cases:
- Casual users who browse the internet, use social media and watch videos.
- Users who need a reliable phone for everyday tasks and communication.
- Users who need a bright display for outdoor use.
- Users who prefer a lighter and comfortable device.
- Price-to-Value Ratio: The A72 offers decent performance and a good camera at a more affordable price point.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6:
- Ideal User: Power users, tech enthusiasts, and those who want a unique mobile experience with cutting-edge features.
- Use Cases:
- Multitaskers who need to run multiple apps simultaneously.
- Gamers who want top-tier mobile performance and a smooth display.
- Professionals who need a large screen for productivity tasks and presentations.
- Users who enjoy media consumption on a large, immersive display.
- Users who want a premium camera experience.
- Price-to-Value Ratio: The Z Fold6 is a premium device with a very high price tag, but provides top-tier performance, display and camera.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a phone? The Z Fold6 is in a much higher price category.
- Form Factor: Do you prefer a traditional smartphone or are you interested in a foldable device?
- Use Case: What are your primary use cases? Battery and comfort, or performance and a cutting edge experience?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User, Budget-Conscious: The Samsung Galaxy A72 is the better choice due to its lower price, good battery life and usability, at the cost of slower performance and camera quality.
- Scenario 2: Power User, Premium Experience: The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 is the obvious choice for those who need high performance, cutting-edge features, and are not limited by budget, and want a unique large screen experience, at the cost of battery life and weight.
- Scenario 3: Outdoor Use: The Samsung Galaxy A72 due to its significantly better screen brightness for use in direct sunlight.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6. While the A72 is a solid device and offers a more traditional experience, the Z Fold6 represents a significant leap in terms of technology and performance. The unique foldable design and the large screen provide a completely new way to experience a smartphone, and I value the high performance, superior camera quality, and smooth 120Hz refresh rate, despite its higher price tag, bulk and lower battery capacity. The benefits of the Z Fold6's large screen for multitasking, gaming, and media consumption outweigh its drawbacks. I can get used to the heavier design and the battery life concerns can be mitigated by ensuring charging during the day. If cost was a primary concern, and if I was only going to use the phone for basic tasks, the A72 would be the more logical choice. However, for a premium, high-performance experience with cutting-edge features, I would always opt for the Z Fold6, provided the screen brightness issues can be resolved. The Z Fold6 is more of a modern and better device, and its future-proofing is a huge benefit as well.
