1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | A72 is slightly wider; Both are similar in height and thickness. |
| Weight | 203g | 208g | A72 is 5g lighter, possibly noticeable in extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.81" | Mi 11 Pro has a marginally larger screen. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3200 | Mi 11 Pro offers significantly sharper text and images. |
| PPI | 394 | 515 | Mi 11 Pro has much higher pixel density, leading to a clearer picture. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant and deep colors; Similar visual quality |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Mi 11 Pro has smoother scrolling and animations, more fluid experience. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 1700 nits | Mi 11 Pro is much better for outdoor use in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Mi 11 Pro has a flagship-level processor, significantly faster performance for all tasks, including gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 854,267 | Mi 11 Pro is drastically faster in real-world use, such as app opening, multitasking, and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 660 | Mi 11 Pro offers much better graphics performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.95, 1.4µm, 1/1.12" Sensor (Samsung GN2) | Mi 11 Pro has a larger sensor and pixel size that captures more light, resulting in better low-light performance; A72 has higher resolution, but sensor is smaller. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 8MP, f/2.4, 1.0µm (Samsung A72) | None | A72 offers optical zoom capability, while Mi 11 Pro lacks a dedicated zoom lens in this category. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.8µm | 20MP, f/2.3, 0.8µm, 1/3.4" Sensor | A72 has a higher resolution selfie camera, but Mi 11 Pro has a better sensor. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm, 1/3.06" Sensor | Similar specs, subtle differences in image quality might depend on software processing. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm (Samsung A72) | None | A72 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Telephoto + macro | None | 8MP, 1/4.4" Sensor, 1.00 µm pixel size (Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro) | Mi 11 Pro has dedicated telephoto and macro lens, but image quality might be worse than the dedicated telephoto lens of the Samsung A72 |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps (A72) | Up to 8K@24fps (Mi 11 Pro) | Mi 11 Pro supports higher resolution for videography, including 8K recording and HDR options. |
| DXOMark Score | 92 (Overall) | 124 (Overall) | Mi 11 Pro has significantly better camera performance across all test categories. |
| Camera Features | OIS, PDAF, HDR (A72) | OIS, PDAF, HDR, Laser AF, RAW (Mi 11 Pro) | Mi 11 Pro has advanced autofocus and RAW capabilities for better image processing. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same battery capacity, implying similar battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging (A72) | 67W Fast Charging, 67W Wireless (Mi 11 Pro) | Mi 11 Pro charges much faster, both wired and wirelessly. |
| Battery Features | 15W Fast Charger included (A72) | Reverse charging, 10W reverse-wireless charging (Mi 11 Pro) | Mi 11 Pro offers more features and faster charging times; Mi 11 Pro has wireless charging |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 12) | Android 11 | Samsung A72 is confirmed to have 1 more OS upgrade than Mi 11 Pro. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 (A72) | Wi-Fi 6 (Mi 11 Pro) | Mi 11 Pro supports newer, faster WiFi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 (A72) | 5.2 LE (Mi 11 Pro) | Mi 11 Pro supports more energy-efficient and advanced Bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo (A72) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System (Mi 11 Pro) | Mi 11 Pro supports more satellite systems for better accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB or 256GB | Both are available in identical storage options. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 8GB or 12GB | Mi 11 Pro offers more RAM options for better multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither device supports microSD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers (A72) | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones (Mi 11 Pro) | Mi 11 Pro offers higher quality audio with better microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor (A72) | Basic Fingerprint Sensor (Mi 11 Pro) | Both use standard fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown (A72) | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (Mi 11 Pro) | Mi 11 Pro offers much better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity, Hall, Geomagnetic (A72) | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Heart Rate, Proximity (Mi 11 Pro) | Both are well-equipped; A72 has Hall and Geomagnetic, Mi 11 Pro has a heart rate sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Dedicated Telephoto and Macro Lenses: The A72 features a telephoto lens for optical zoom and a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots.
- Potentially Cheaper: The A72 generally has a lower price point due to its mid-range specs, making it more budget-friendly.
- Confirmed OS Upgrade: The A72 is confirmed to have an OS upgrade from Android 11 to 12, while it is unknown if the Mi 11 Pro will get an upgrade.
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 offers dramatically better processing power, leading to faster and smoother performance.
- Significantly Better Display: Higher resolution, higher pixel density, higher refresh rate, and drastically higher brightness make it better for all kinds of viewing situations
- Superior Camera Quality: Larger sensor, better DXOMark score, and advanced features like RAW recording.
- Faster Charging: Both wired and wireless charging is much faster than the Galaxy A72
- Advanced Connectivity: The Mi 11 Pro has support for newer WiFi and Bluetooth versions, allowing for better speeds, lower latency, and more stable connections.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides better durability and scratch resistance.
- Telephoto + macro Camera: Offers telephoto and macro capabilities in a single lens, but image quality might be worse than the dedicated telephoto lens of the Samsung A72
Trade-offs:
- The Mi 11 Pro lacks dedicated telephoto and macro lenses, potentially impacting versatility for close-up or optical zoom capabilities.
- The Samsung A72, while more affordable, sacrifices high-end performance and advanced camera features.
- The Samsung A72 has a smaller battery size with slower charging capabilities when compared to the Mi 11 Pro.
- The Mi 11 Pro is more expensive
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 - Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those seeking a capable smartphone at a more affordable price point.
- Casual Photographers: Users who want a versatile camera system with a dedicated telephoto and macro lens for everyday use.
- Multimedia Consumers: Individuals who enjoy watching videos and browsing content, but don't need the absolute best screen performance.
- Users who want a confirmed OS upgrade: The phone is confirmed to receive the Android 12 update.
Use Cases:
- Daily social media browsing and content consumption.
- Taking photos and videos in various everyday scenarios, requiring both close-ups and standard shots.
- Basic gaming and app usage.
- Extended use without needing extremely fast charging.
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro - Ideal User:
- Power Users: Individuals who need the absolute best performance for multitasking, gaming, and demanding apps.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want excellent image quality, advanced camera features, and the ability to shoot RAW photos and 8K videos.
- Media Professionals: Individuals who need the highest quality screen, excellent audio, and advanced video recording.
- Users that want the best overall performance in a phone Users who prioritize speed, power, and advanced features in a phone.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming, including resource-intensive titles.
- Professional photography and videography.
- Editing photos and videos on the go.
- Viewing HDR content.
- Heavy multitasking with multiple apps.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If budget is a primary concern, the A72 is more affordable. If money isn't an issue, the Mi 11 Pro provides a significant step up.
- What is your primary use case? For everyday social media and photography, the A72 is sufficient. For professional-grade photography, high-end gaming, and media consumption, the Mi 11 Pro is better.
- How important is charging speed? If fast charging is necessary, the Mi 11 Pro is significantly better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-focused user - Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72 for its lower cost, while having great features.
- Scenario 2: Performance and photography enthusiast - Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro for its superior display, faster performance, better camera, and advanced features, if the higher price is acceptable.
- Scenario 3: Balanced User - If you are a balanced user and the price difference is small, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is the better option, since it delivers a superior experience overall.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. Although it's more expensive, the significant improvements in performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and charging speed make it the superior device. As a user who values smooth performance for multitasking and gaming, a high-quality display for media consumption, and good camera performance for both photography and videography, the Mi 11 Pro addresses all of my priorities. The faster charging and advanced connectivity also make it a more future-proof option. The price difference is justifiable for the additional value, and I don't value the dedicated macro and telephoto lens of the A72 as much as the superior sensor of the Mi 11 Pro's main camera.
