1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Tecno Spark 10 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 168.4 × 76.2 × 8.4 mm | Tecno is taller by 3.4mm, Samsung is wider by 1.2mm, both have same thickness. Marginal difference in hand feel. |
| Weight | 203g | 208g | Samsung is slightly lighter, which can make a difference during long usage. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard slab phones. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Tecno Spark 10 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.8" | Very similar screen sizes, a difference of 0.1" is barely noticeable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2460 | Similar resolutions, both offer a sharp viewing experience. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 394 | 396 | Virtually identical sharpness, difficult to notice the difference. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | AMOLED offers deeper blacks, better contrast, more vibrant colors, and potentially better battery life with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animation. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | Samsung Galaxy A72 has dramatically better visibility in bright sunlight due to higher peak brightness. Tecno's brightness is not specified. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Tecno Spark 10 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 720G generally offers better sustained performance and efficiency than Helio G88. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 253,628 | Samsung Galaxy A72 scores higher, indicating slightly better overall performance for gaming and demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 (Qualcomm Adreno 618) | Mali-G52 MC2 (Arm Mali-G52 MC2) | Adreno 618 generally performs better in graphics-intensive tasks like gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Tecno Spark 10 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80µm | 50MP, µm | Samsung Galaxy A72 has higher resolution, potentially capturing more detail in good lighting conditions. |
| Telephoto | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.00µm pixel size | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A72 offers dedicated telephoto zoom, enabling better close-up shots and portrait zoom effects. |
| Selfie | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80µm pixel size | 32MP, µm | Both have the same resolution, potentially yielding similar selfie quality. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixel size | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A72 allows capturing wide shots for group photos or landscape scenes. |
| Portrait (Depth) | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4, pixel size | Tecno Spark 10 Pro offers a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, potentially with better background blur. |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm pixel size | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A72 enables close-up photos of small subjects. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@60fps with EIS | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | Samsung Galaxy A72 offers higher resolution video with better stabilization options. |
| Slow-motion | 120fps | No, 30fps | Samsung Galaxy A72 has better slow-motion capabilities. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Optical Zoom, Quad Camera, Night Mode | Front Flash, Triple Camera | Samsung Galaxy A72 has superior stabilization and zooming options. Tecno has front flash. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Tecno Spark 10 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, expect comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | Samsung charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | The difference is marginal and both provide long lasting battery life |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED display provides richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast compared to Tecno's IPS LCD. Much higher brightness is better for outdoor use.
- Better Performance: The Snapdragon 720G chipset and Adreno 618 GPU offer better overall and gaming performance.
- More Versatile Camera: Includes telephoto, wide-angle, and macro lenses for added versatility, as well as optical image stabilization (OIS) and 4K video with EIS, and better slow motion options.
- Faster Charging: 25W charging is faster than Tecno's 18W.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support.
- More Sensors: Includes gyroscope.
- Better video quality: Shoots video in 4k
Tecno Spark 10 Pro Advantages:
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 13 out of the box, possibly offering a slightly newer user experience and features.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Often preferred for its ergonomics and speed
- Front Flash: useful for selfies in low-light situations
- Portrait Mode (depth): Dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode
Trade-offs:
- Samsung A72: Older OS. Lacks the side fingerprint scanner
- Tecno Spark 10 Pro: Lower display quality. Less versatile camera system.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal Users:
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos, stream content, or enjoy mobile gaming. They will benefit from the AMOLED display and stereo speakers.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want versatile camera options and better image stabilization.
- Users in Bright Environments: The higher brightness screen is essential for comfortable outdoor use.
- Users wanting better overall performance: demanding games or heavy application usage.
Tecno Spark 10 Pro Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Users who want a functional phone with a large screen at an affordable price.
- Users that prioritize a newer OS: Those who want the latest android software and features.
- Selfie enthusiasts: the front flash may improve selfie quality in low light
- Users that prefer side-mounted fingerprint: for better ergonomics and quicker unlocking
Specific Use Cases:
- Samsung A72: Binge-watching movies on the go, capturing detailed landscape photos, mobile gaming, and video recording with EIS.
- Tecno Spark 10 Pro: Casual social media use, basic mobile gaming, standard day-to-day tasks, and users seeking better ergonomics with side-mounted sensor.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Display Quality: How important is a vibrant display with high brightness? Do you prioritize AMOLED over IPS LCD?
- Camera Versatility: Do you need a telephoto lens, wide-angle capabilities, and optical stabilization, or is a basic camera setup sufficient?
- Performance Needs: Will you be using the phone for demanding tasks like gaming, or will basic usage suffice?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: If you prioritize display quality, camera capabilities and performance, and do not mind an older OS, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is the better option.
Scenario 2: If you are on a tight budget, prefer a newer Android version, value a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, and do not need the superior camera quality, the Tecno Spark 10 Pro is suitable.
Scenario 3: If you need the best possible video quality from a smartphone camera, and are able to use a tripod for video recordings (because of the lack of OIS) then the Samsung Galaxy A72 is the better option
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy A72.
My reasoning is based on several factors:
Display Quality: I value a good display experience for watching videos and for general use, and the AMOLED display on the Samsung A72 is significantly better than the IPS LCD on the Tecno Spark 10 Pro. I also value higher brightness for use under sunlight.
Camera Versatility: I prefer the added flexibility of having a telephoto lens, a wide-angle lens, and macro capabilities. The OIS is also an important advantage for me.
Performance: While the Tecno's chipset is capable, the Samsung's Snapdragon chip provides better performance overall.
Video: The ability to shoot in 4K and the presence of EIS are important for me.
Although the Tecno Spark 10 Pro has the advantage of a newer OS, for me, the overall user experience is more important, and the Samsung Galaxy A72 provides a better multimedia, photography, and overall performance experience, despite the older OS.
