1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi 14 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 161.4 × 75.3 × 9.2 mm | A72 is slightly taller and wider, while the 14 Ultra is thicker. May affect one-handed use and pocketability. |
| Weight | 203g | 229.5g | A72 is lighter, which might be more comfortable for extended periods. 14 Ultra may feel more substantial. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.73" | Negligible difference in size; both offer large displays for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3200 | 14 Ultra is sharper, with higher pixel density, leading to clearer text, images, and videos. |
| PPI | 394 | 522 | 14 Ultra offers a visibly sharper display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both deliver vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | 14 Ultra offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations. Might be noticeable for gamers and heavy users. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 3000 nits | 14 Ultra is significantly brighter, providing much better outdoor visibility, especially in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | 14 Ultra is drastically faster, handling intensive tasks, multitasking, and gaming with ease. A72 is slower, suitable for basic tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 2,100,000 | 14 Ultra has substantially higher performance across the board. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 750 | 14 Ultra delivers much superior graphics performance, leading to better gaming and video editing experience. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable endurance for typical usage. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging, Li-Ion | 90W fast charging, Li-Polymer | 14 Ultra charges significantly faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | 15W Fast Charger included | Reverse charging, 80W wireless charge, 10W wireless reverse charge, Paper P2 smart fast charging chip, Paper G1 battery management chip | 14 Ultra offers more charging options including fast wireless charging and the ability to charge other devices wirelessly |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Rear Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.63, 1", Sony LYT-900, 1.60µm pixel size | 14 Ultra has a larger sensor and larger pixels, capturing more light, resulting in better low-light performance and higher quality images. |
| Telephoto + portrait Camera | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", Omnivision OV08A10, 1.00 µm pixel size | N/A | A72 has a dedicated telephoto lens for portraits. 14 Ultra relies on its main or additional telephoto cameras for zoom and portrait photography |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80 µm pixel size | 32MP, f/2.0, 1/3", Omnivision OV32B, 0.70 µm pixel size | 14 Ultra offers slightly better low-light performance with a slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.51", Sony IMX858, 0.64µm pixel size | 14 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens with great zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size | N/A | A72 has a dedicated ultrawide lens, useful for landscape photography. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12 µm pixel size | N/A | A72 has a dedicated macro camera for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.51", Sony IMX858, 0.64µm pixel size | 14 Ultra has a dedicated ultrawide/macro lens. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS | Up to 8K@24/30fps, 4K@120fps, HDR, EIS | 14 Ultra offers significantly more versatile video recording options, including higher resolution, frame rates, and HDR capabilities, leading to professional grade quality. |
| DxOMark | Mobile: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | Mobile: 149, Photo: 144, Video: 150 | 14 Ultra achieves significantly higher scores in all areas, demonstrating far superior image and video quality. |
| Features | Digital/Optical zoom, Quadruple camera, OIS, PDAF, HDR, Night Mode, etc. | Tracking AF, Flicker sensor, Noise reduction, 4K/8K Video, OIS, LAF, RAW 14 bits, etc. | 14 Ultra provides more advanced features, including RAW capture, advanced autofocus, and better video stabilization, catering to photography enthusiasts. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 14 (upgradable to 18) | 14 Ultra has a more recent OS, offering the latest features, security updates and a longer lifespan for software updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 7 (802.11be) | 14 Ultra has the latest WiFi standard, offering much faster speeds and improved performance in congested networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 LE | 14 Ultra supports the latest standard of Bluetooth that provides faster speeds and less energy consumption. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | 14 Ultra has a much more accurate GPS system, supporting more satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both support Dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB or 1024 GB | 14 Ultra offers substantially more storage options for large media libraries. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 12 GB or 16 GB | 14 Ultra has significantly more RAM, allowing smoother multitasking and better performance for demanding applications. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 4 Microphones | 14 Ultra offers superior audio fidelity with Hi-Res Audio and better voice capture with its four microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | 14 Ultra has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | Biometric, Proximity, Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Biometric, Proximity, Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Environmental: Barometer, Gravity, RGB | 14 Ultra provides a more comprehensive sensor suite for advanced use cases and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Lighter and Slimmer: The A72 is noticeably lighter and slimmer than the 14 Ultra, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods.
- Macro Camera: It has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots.
Xiaomi 14 Ultra Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers vastly superior performance for gaming, video editing, and demanding applications.
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate, and brightness provide a noticeably better viewing experience, especially in sunlight.
- Advanced Camera System: Larger sensors, wider aperture, and a more versatile set of lenses result in significantly better photo and video quality, especially in low-light.
- Faster Charging: 90W wired and 80W wireless charging significantly reduce charging time.
- More Modern Features: Newer Bluetooth and Wifi standards, coupled with reverse wireless charging.
- Latest Software: Ships with Android 14, offering the latest features and longer software support.
- Superior Audio: Offers Hi-Res Audio, and better voice capture via the 4 microphones.
Trade-offs:
- A72: Lacks high-end performance, advanced camera features, and modern connectivity options.
- 14 Ultra: Is heavier and thicker, and lacks a dedicated Macro Lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious: Prioritizes affordability over top-tier performance.
- Casual User: Primarily uses the phone for browsing, social media, and basic photography.
- Prefers Lighter Devices: Values comfort and ease of handling.
Use Cases for A72:
- Everyday tasks like checking email, browsing the web, and social media.
- Taking casual photos and videos in good lighting conditions.
- Users who prefer a lighter device for extended periods.
Xiaomi 14 Ultra Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiast: Demands the best performance for gaming, multitasking, and content creation.
- Photography/Videography Buff: Needs top-tier camera capabilities for high-quality photos and videos.
- Power User: Uses the phone for advanced tasks and requires fast charging and excellent connectivity.
Use Cases for 14 Ultra:
- Playing graphically intensive games and video editing.
- Professional-level photography and videography, including low-light scenarios.
- Utilizing the phone for work and demanding applications, like video conferencing, photo editing, file transfer etc.
- Users who need a future-proof phone with latest connectivity standards.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy A72 offers a decent value proposition for budget-conscious users who want a reliable smartphone for basic tasks. However, it does lack in overall features that are seen in most of the modern smartphones.
- The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is premium-priced, but justifies its cost with top-tier performance, a superb camera system, and advanced features that will make the smartphone future proof for years to come.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The A72 is substantially cheaper than the 14 Ultra.
- What will I primarily use the phone for? If primarily basic tasks, the A72 will suffice, otherwise the 14 Ultra is the ideal choice.
- Do I value camera quality and performance over other factors? If the answer is yes, the 14 Ultra is the clear choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-conscious user needing a reliable everyday phone: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72.
- Scenario 2: Photography enthusiast who wants the best mobile camera available: Choose the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.
- Scenario 3: Mobile gamer or power user demanding the best performance: Choose the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.
- Scenario 4: User who wants the latest features and future-proof device: Choose the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.
Reasoning:
While the Samsung Galaxy A72 has its advantages, particularly its lighter weight, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra offers a substantially better user experience in almost every other area. The difference in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities is not just incremental; it’s a leap. The 14 Ultra’s superior processor, higher-resolution display, vastly better camera system, and faster charging make it far more versatile and future-proof. I would much rather have a thicker phone with these features, than a thinner phone that is lacking in other areas.
I also prioritize the latest features and software support, meaning the newer Android 14 and the support for Wifi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 on the Xiaomi is a must have. Lastly, the improved audio and video recording capabilities would cater directly to my personal needs, which are areas where the Samsung Galaxy A72 would struggle.
While the Samsung A72 is a capable phone for basic use, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is in a completely different category, excelling in all areas that I value in a smartphone. While it is more expensive, the added value it offers over the Samsung makes it worth the investment, as it is a smartphone that can easily last for the next 5+ years.
