Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A72 vs. vivo V30
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | vivo V30 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-26 | 2024-03-04 | vivo V30 is significantly newer, implying updated tech and software. |
| Dimensions | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm | 164.4 x 75.1 x 7.5 mm | vivo V30 is slimmer and slightly narrower, making it more pocketable and comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 203g | 186g | vivo V30 is noticeably lighter, improving comfort during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Negligible difference; both provide immersive viewing experiences. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1260 x 2800 | vivo V30 has a sharper display with more detail. |
| Pixel Density | 394 PPI | 453 PPI | vivo V30 offers visibly crisper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | vivo V30 provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | Samsung Galaxy A72 is much better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. The vivo V30 brightness is unknown, which is a huge disadvantage. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) | vivo V30 has a much more powerful and efficient processor, translating to faster app loading and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 866,863 | vivo V30 performs significantly better in demanding tasks and games. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 720 | vivo V30 offers better graphics rendering, making games look and perform better. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life, expected to last a full day for most users. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 80W Fast Charging | vivo V30 charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | vivo V30 offers a potentially safer battery chemistry. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 50MP | Samsung Galaxy A72 offers higher resolution in its standard main camera. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.88 | Samsung Galaxy A72 has slightly wider aperture, better performance in low light in standard main camera. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.00 µm | vivo V30's main sensor has larger individual pixel sizes, potentially resulting in better light gathering capabilities. |
| Telephoto Camera | Yes (8MP) | No | Samsung Galaxy A72 has an advantage for optical zoom capabilities. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 32MP | 50MP | vivo V30 offers higher resolution for selfies and video calls. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.0 | vivo V30 has a wider aperture selfie camera, better for low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Camera Resolution | 12MP | 50MP | vivo V30 offers higher resolution in the wide-angle camera. |
| Wide Angle Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.0 | vivo V30 has a wider aperture wide angle camera, better for low-light photos. |
| Macro Lens | Yes (5MP) | No | Samsung Galaxy A72 offers macro photography capabilities. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Both offer high-resolution video, but vivo V30 has better slow motion capabilities. |
| Slow Motion | 120fps | 240fps | vivo V30 captures smoother slow motion videos. |
| DXOMARK Score | 92 | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A72 is known to have a good quality camera, but the vivo V30 hasn't been tested. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 14 (upgradable to 16) | vivo V30 has a newer OS with more features and likely a longer support window. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | vivo V30 supports newer standard providing faster and more reliable speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 | vivo V30 has the latest Bluetooth standard for better efficiency and connection. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | vivo V30 supports more satellite systems for better positioning accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | vivo V30 offers more storage options, ideal for users who need a lot of space for photos, videos and files. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB | vivo V30 has more RAM, which improves multitasking and running demanding applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio | Samsung Galaxy A72 delivers a better audio experience with enhanced spatial audio. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Offers significantly higher brightness, making it easier to view in direct sunlight.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers optical zoom capabilities for better zoomed photos without loss of quality.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
- Dolby Atmos and Stereo Speakers: Enhanced audio experience for immersive sound.
- Known Camera Performance: DXOMARK score provides some confidence for camera performance.
vivo V30 Advantages:
- Newer and Faster Processor: Significantly better performance for multitasking and gaming.
- Higher Resolution Display: Sharper display for crisper visuals.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate for smoother animations and scrolling.
- Faster Charging: 80W charging for much quicker recharges.
- Higher Resolution Wide Angle and Selfie Cameras: Better resolution and wider apertures for selfies and group photos, especially in low-light.
- More Storage and RAM Options: Offers more RAM and a 512GB storage option for users with more storage needs.
- Newer Software: Android 14 and likely more future updates.
- Better Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 for faster and more reliable connections.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy A72 provides better screen brightness and versatile camera options (telephoto and macro lens) but is older with less powerful performance and software.
- The vivo V30 provides a more modern experience with better performance, a sharper and smoother display, much faster charging, and advanced connectivity but lacks the telephoto and macro lens, the screen brightness is unknown, and has unknown camera performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal User:
- Users who need a phone primarily for media consumption and outdoor use.
- Users who appreciate versatile camera options and optical zoom.
- Users who value a good audio experience with stereo speakers.
- Users who are on a budget.
Samsung Galaxy A72 Use Cases:
- Watching videos and movies outdoors in bright conditions.
- Taking photos of subjects at a distance.
- Capturing detailed close-up shots.
- Listening to music and enjoying the immersive sound.
vivo V30 Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize performance for gaming and multitasking.
- Users who want a modern and future-proof device.
- Users who need fast charging for quick power-ups.
- Users who prioritize better quality in selfies and wide-angle photos.
- Users who do not need the versatility of a macro and zoom lens.
vivo V30 Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intense games.
- Quickly switching between multiple apps without lag.
- Charging the phone in a short time before heading out.
- Taking selfies in low-light conditions.
- Taking group pictures or wide landscape photos.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize performance and future-proofing, or display brightness and versatile camera options?
- Is fast charging a must-have feature for you, or do you need the versatility of a telephoto and macro lens?
- Do you need a high-quality audio experience, or is that not a priority?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Outdoor Enthusiast: If you spend a lot of time outdoors and need a bright screen to see in sunlight and desire a telephoto and macro lens, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is the better option.
- For the Gamer/Power User: If you demand top performance, quick charging, a sharp display, and the latest features, the vivo V30 is the better choice.
- For the Photographer: If you prefer versatile camera options (telephoto and macro) and are not concerned with the age of the phone, the Samsung Galaxy A72 may be the better option, but if you prefer good low-light performance in the selfie and wide angle cameras the vivo V30 is a better choice.
- For the Average User: If you want a modern phone that is snappy in daily use with fast charging, the vivo V30 provides better value, as the screen brightness is unknown for the vivo V30.
My Choice
Based on the specifications and considering practical user needs, I would choose the vivo V30. Although the Samsung Galaxy A72 offers a brighter screen and more versatile camera options, the vivo V30 excels in key areas that I consider more important: performance, a more modern display, faster charging, and better connectivity.
I value a smooth, responsive phone that can handle demanding applications and games, and the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chip in the vivo V30 provides a significant performance advantage. The 120Hz display, the faster charging, and the updated software make the vivo V30 a more future-proof choice for my use case. The unknown screen brightness is a major con, but I would prefer to compromise on screen brightness than on overall performance.
