Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A72 vs. Xiaomi 12T
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi 12T | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-26 | 2022-10-06 | Xiaomi 12T is a significantly newer device. |
| Dimensions | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm | 163.1 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm | A72 is slightly taller and wider, but both have similar thickness and feel in hand. |
| Weight | 203g | 202g | Negligible weight difference; both feel similar in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Virtually identical screen size. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1220x2712 | Xiaomi 12T has a sharper display with more detail. |
| PPI | 394 | 446 | Xiaomi 12T will appear noticeably sharper with finer text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Xiaomi 12T offers smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | Samsung A72 is much better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. Xiaomi 12T brightness is unknown, which is a major disadvantage. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 8100 Ultra (5 nm) | Xiaomi 12T has a much more powerful and efficient chipset. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 835,913 | Xiaomi 12T is significantly faster for apps, gaming, and multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G610 MC6 | Xiaomi 12T's GPU handles demanding games and graphics better. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life for daily use. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 120W fast charging | Xiaomi 12T charges from 0 to 100% significantly faster. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8 | 108MP, f/1.7 | Xiaomi 12T captures more detailed photos, especially in low light. |
| Telephoto | 8MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Samsung A72 has optical zoom capability for better zoomed shots, while Xiaomi doesn't have a telephoto lens. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2 | 20MP, f/2.24 | Samsung A72 captures higher-resolution selfies, though aperture difference is negligible. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Samsung A72 captures wider shots with higher detail. |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Samsung A72 captures macro shots with higher detail. |
| Video | 4K@30fps (EIS) | 4K@30fps (HDR) | Both support 4K, but Xiaomi 12T offers HDR for enhanced dynamic range |
| DxOMark Score | 92 (Mobile) | 115 (Mobile) | Xiaomi 12T performs significantly better in camera tests. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 12 (upgradable to 14) | Xiaomi 12T has a newer OS and will receive more updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Xiaomi 12T has faster and more efficient Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | Xiaomi 12T has a more modern and power-efficient Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Xiaomi 12T offers much more accurate location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | Both offer same storage capacity. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 8 GB | Xiaomi 12T offers consistently better multitasking and smooth operation |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Xiaomi 12T has slightly better audio quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones have standard fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Xiaomi 12T has better screen protection. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Advantages of Xiaomi 12T:
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Dimensity 8100 Ultra chipset offers vastly superior processing power for smoother multitasking, gaming, and overall responsiveness.
- Much Faster Charging: 120W charging dramatically reduces charging times, making it far more convenient.
- Better Main Camera Performance: The 108MP sensor, paired with better image processing, provides higher-quality photos.
- More Advanced Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 offer faster and more efficient wireless performance.
- Longer Software Support: Ships with a newer Android version and will receive more updates.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides better resistance to scratches and damage.
Practical Implications: The Xiaomi 12T is faster, charges much quicker, captures better photos, and offers better connectivity and support.
Advantages of Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Brighter Display: 800 nits brightness offers better outdoor visibility, especially in direct sunlight.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers optical zoom which the Xiaomi lacks.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Captures more detailed selfies.
- More versatile camera setup: includes more auxiliary camera options.
Practical Implications: The Samsung Galaxy A72 performs slightly better in bright sunlight and provides optical zoom for more versatile photography.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Xiaomi 12T does not have the same brightness as the A72, and it's difficult to assess the real world performance due to the missing specification.
- The Samsung Galaxy A72 offers a telephoto lens and is brighter, but suffers in speed, camera quality (except auxiliary lenses), charging speed, and future software support compared to the 12T.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: Users who need excellent display visibility in direct sunlight.
- Photography Focus: Users who value a telephoto lens and higher resolution selfies.
- Casual Users: Users who don't require top performance and heavy multitasking but would prefer better outdoor visibility.
- Brand Loyalist: Users with a preference for the Samsung brand.
Specific Use Cases:
- Taking photos outdoors on sunny days.
- Using the telephoto lens for zoomed-in shots without relying on digital zoom.
- Casual browsing and social media.
Ideal User for Xiaomi 12T:
- Performance Seekers: Users who demand fast performance for gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize main camera quality and faster video performance
- Power Users: Users who need rapid charging capabilities.
- Tech Savvy: Users who want the latest technology and software.
- Price Conscious: Users who want the most value for their money.
Specific Use Cases:
- Playing demanding mobile games.
- Quick charging on the go.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos.
- Power users who need fast multitasking.
- Users looking for more future support and a more recent OS.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Xiaomi 12T generally offers a better price-to-performance ratio, especially if you need a faster phone with a better camera and software support.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize outdoor visibility or raw performance? The A72 has a brighter display, but the 12T is much faster.
- Is fast charging a crucial feature? The 12T's 120W charging is significantly faster than the A72's 25W.
- Is software support and longevity important? The 12T will receive more future Android updates and has a more modern OS.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You spend a lot of time outdoors in bright sunlight.
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A72 due to its much brighter screen. However, consider the trade-offs in performance, charging and software.
- Scenario 2: You're a gamer and need a fast, responsive phone with quick charging.
- Recommendation: Xiaomi 12T because of its vastly superior processing power, faster charging, and better gaming performance.
- Scenario 3: You need a good all-rounder with a good camera and software support.
- Recommendation: Xiaomi 12T, due to it's superior camera, performance and software support.
- Scenario 4: You need an all-rounder with versatile photography, especially optical zoom, at a low price point.
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A72, due to it's optical zoom.
Personal Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi 12T. While the lack of brightness information is a disadvantage, the overall advantages of the Xiaomi 12T outweigh the slightly better brightness of the Samsung A72. The 12T's significantly faster performance, much quicker charging, better main camera performance, more advanced connectivity, and longer software support make it the more compelling option for me as a power user. While the optical zoom of the A72 is appreciated, the improved overall experience from the 12T makes it a better fit for my needs. I prioritize a phone that is fast, takes good photos, and has long software support. Additionally, the faster charging would be much more convenient in daily use. Therefore, the Xiaomi 12T is the better choice for me.
