1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Sony Xperia 5 V | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 154 × 68 × 8.6 mm | The A72 is significantly larger and wider, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use. The Xperia 5 V is more compact, making it more pocketable and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 203g | 182g | The Xperia 5 V is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. The A72 might feel heavier, especially over time. |
| Build | Plastic Back, Plastic Frame | Glass Back, Aluminum Frame | The Sony Xperia 5 V offers a more premium feel and is more durable, while the Samsung A72 has more basic materials. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Sony Xperia 5 V | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.1" | The A72 has a larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. The Xperia 5 V is smaller, better for one-handed use and portability. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2520 | The Xperia 5 V has slightly higher resolution, leading to a somewhat sharper image |
| Pixel Density | 394 ppi | 449 ppi | The Xperia 5 V provides a noticeably sharper and more detailed display due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, but specific panel differences are not clear. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Xperia 5 V has a smoother display, resulting in a more fluid visual experience during scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | The Samsung Galaxy A72 is better for use outdoors, as it will be much more visible in bright sunlight. The Sony Xperia 5 V brightness is unknown. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Sony Xperia 5 V | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | The Xperia 5 V offers significantly faster processing speeds, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The A72 will feel slower and less responsive in comparison. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 1,370,000 | The Xperia 5 V has much higher performance in benchmarks, indicating a much faster overall experience, particularly for gaming and demanding applications. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 740 | The Xperia 5 V's GPU provides vastly superior graphics performance, making it better for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Sony Xperia 5 V | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80µm | 48MP, f/1.9, 1.12µm | The A72 has a higher megapixel count while the Xperia 5 V has a larger pixel size that improves low light performance. |
| Telephoto | 8MP, f/2.4 | Not Included | The A72 has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, while the Xperia 5 V relies on digital zoom. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80µm | 12MP, f/2.0, 1.22µm | The A72 offers a higher-resolution selfie camera while the Xperia 5 V has a larger sensor and wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2 | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | Both have similar wide-angle capabilities. |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4 | Not Included | The A72 has a dedicated macro lens, while the Xperia 5 V lacks this feature. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@120fps | The Xperia 5 V can capture significantly smoother high frame rate video, whereas the A72 does not. |
| DxOMark Score | 92 | 118 | The Xperia 5 V has much better camera performance overall compared to the Samsung A72. |
| Features | Quadruple, OIS, Night Mode | Dual, OIS, RAW | Both have OIS, but the Samsung has a quadruple camera with an included Night Mode. The Sony has Dual camera and RAW shooting. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Sony Xperia 5 V | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones offer similar battery life given the same capacity. Actual battery performance will depend on usage and software optimization. |
| Charging | 25W | 30W | The Xperia 5 V charges slightly faster than the A72. |
| Features | 15W charger included | Bypass charging, Reverse charging | The Xperia 5 V offers more advanced charging features like bypass charging (which reduces heat during gaming) and the ability to charge other devices. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Larger Display: 6.7-inch screen is better for media consumption and multitasking.
- Telephoto & Macro Lenses: Dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom and a macro lens for close-up shots provide versatility.
- Higher Front Camera Resolution: 32MP selfie camera captures more detailed selfies.
- Dolby Atmos and Stereo Speakers: Offers an enhanced audio experience with spatial audio.
- Included Charger: Comes with a 15W charger in the box.
- Display Brightness: The screen's 800 nits ensures better readability in bright sunlight.
Sony Xperia 5 V Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset provides significantly faster processing and gaming capabilities.
- Sharper Display: Higher pixel density and refresh rate lead to a better visual experience.
- Better Main Camera Sensor: Larger sensor size and better performance in low light.
- Advanced Video Recording: 4K at 120fps enables much smoother videos.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging and additional battery features like bypass charging.
- More Premium Build: Uses premium materials for a higher-end feel and improved durability.
- Better Camera Performance: Superior image quality and video recording.
- More Advanced Connectivity: Supports newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards.
- eSIM Support: Supports eSIM for digital carrier switching
- Better Software Support: Comes with a newer version of Android and a longer software support window.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy A72: Sacrifices performance and premium build for a larger screen and more versatile camera setup. It also has older software, a less performant main camera, and poorer connectivity.
- Sony Xperia 5 V: Smaller display and no telephoto or macro cameras in favor of superior performance, higher-quality build, and advanced features. The brightness of the display is unknown, making outdoor visibility a concern.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Ideal User: Casual users who prioritize a larger screen for media consumption, occasional photography, and basic tasks.
- Use Cases:
- Watching movies and videos
- Browsing social media
- Taking casual photos and videos
- Basic gaming
- Price-to-Value: A more budget-friendly option, suitable for users who don't need top-tier performance.
Sony Xperia 5 V:
- Ideal User: Tech enthusiasts, gamers, and photography lovers who value high performance, a premium build, and advanced features.
- Use Cases:
- High-end gaming
- Demanding apps and multitasking
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos
- Utilizing advanced connectivity features
- Price-to-Value: A higher-priced option that delivers top-tier performance, better build and more advanced features and software experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
Do I prioritize performance or screen size?
- If performance is key, the Xperia 5 V is the obvious choice. If a larger screen is more important and you are willing to sacrifice performance, the A72 is more suitable.
What kind of photography is more important?
- The A72 has more camera versatility with a telephoto and macro lens. If you want the best image quality from a main camera, the Xperia 5 V is better.
How much do I value battery and additional features?
- The Xperia 5 V comes with faster charging and more advanced charging features. It also has a more premium build and better software support.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Media Enthusiast on a Budget - Choose the Samsung A72 for its larger screen and Dolby Atmos audio, understanding it's a more budget-friendly option with less performance.
- Scenario 2: Gaming or Performance User - Choose the Sony Xperia 5 V for its powerful chipset, superior display and more advanced features.
- Scenario 3: Mobile Photographer - Choose the Sony Xperia 5 V for its superior camera sensor and 4K 120fps video, or the Samsung Galaxy A72 for it's more flexible array of camera lenses, if lens versatility is more important than camera quality.
- Scenario 4: Long-Term User - Choose the Sony Xperia 5 V for its better performance, a better build, and longer software support.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would select the Sony Xperia 5 V. While the larger screen on the A72 is tempting, the significant performance advantages of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 on the Xperia 5 V, coupled with a superior display, a better main camera sensor, advanced video capabilities, and a more premium build, make it the better overall choice. As a user who enjoys gaming, values performance, and frequently uses my camera, the Xperia 5 V better aligns with my needs. The lack of a dedicated telephoto or macro lens is a trade-off I am willing to accept for the considerable performance and camera upgrades. The newer software version and the more premium build also add value for longevity. Although the brightness is unknown, the Xperia 5V will most likely perform better in most situations that the Samsung A72.
